Toyota 4Runner Frame Recall Campaign

My frame is in great condition. The body is the thing that wants to rust

 

Dave.
I just got my oil changed synth as always! and the mechanic showed me the frame rust. WOW! the oil cost me more than the truck is worth! Before the oil change He remarked on how nice my Truck looked, and said it was worth more then the blue book. I'm not on face book, but I wrote a complaint to the NHTSA. My local Toyota Dealer Said it was the frame manufacturer's fault. Japanese people hold them selves to be very honorable. The stack of frames behind the dealership for the Tacomas And Tundras show that they will step up, but only if there is mounting pressure to do so. The 4Runner owners with the same issue,are not worthy of any compensation for this Frame Design flaw. Not Honorable in my book!

PS. That was my Last oil change on a Toyota!

Ken

 

Same problem just wish I could take this 4/runner and put on display so thay can see just how bad it is mines a 2000 with 146000 mi.on it .runs good looks good till you look at the underside .tryed to fix just no way shock mounts GONE shoved through saarted taking gas tank out broke off all bolts tank rustef through HOPELESS got it w/110000 mi. On it NO i dont live up north what to do what to do hell of a loss for me

 

The frames rust from the inside out. It would be hard to coat the inside of the frame to prevent them from rusting apart. I was driving mine and heard a snap followed by noticing that it was very squirrely. I stopped and found that the rear control arm mount on passenger side had snapped off. The bottom inch or so of the frame was very thin with material rusted away on the inside. It was full thickness about 1" up. This is a safety issue and due to the number of these trucks still on the road Toyota is gambling that nobody gets hurt. I contacted NHTSA and Toyota.

 

Yes im glad all the people with a good frame are happy with theres but i payed good money for a bad product and not only that i dont think anyone should be killed because toyota wont step up and address or own up to it rust problem it not just money we're talkin about it lives at risk and responsibilities on toyo part .all the monry in the world cant repace a loved one

 

Tonight I was surprised to have my Toyota dealer tell me that my 2005 4Runner frame was rusted out. He recommended that I not have them do the routine maintenance I had scheduled and he zeroed out the invoice. He questioned whether it was safe to drive, and said it would no longer pass the next inspection. The rest of the vehicle is in great shape. Despite doing oil undercoating ever since Toyota warranty expired, the frame was no match to the salty winter roads of NH. Guess I need to add my name to the NHTSA list.

 

These threads have never gone anywhere, and never will. Metal rusts, some trucks more that others. My 99 4runner has 382k, with plenty of beach time in that last 40k, and my frame still looks great.

Salt on the road is what kills these frames, I saw 2 to 3 year old trucks in Maine with significant rust on them due to the terrible winters.

Buy a used rust free frame and swap it, but I don't think it's worth it.

 

My frame is compromised.
I have a 1998. It looks beautiful on inside/out for 20yr old age but the frame rust makes it worthless, unsafe and undrivable. And I’m not the only one. Other owners of the like that I’ve encountered have the same issue. I’m seriousy praying for a recall - it's useless and unsafe otherwise.

 

Hi All. I just joined today. I have a 2003 4Runner that is in Mint condition. Not a scratch on it. It’s still a baby 70,000 original miles. With the one major problem. RUSTED Frame! The frame is starting to look like Swiss Cheese. I went to a frame repair shop and they told me that they can repair it but I really need a new frame. I hope Toyota steps up to the plate and does the recall. Not fair that this is happening. My rear calipers locked up today and had to replace them because they were rusted. So far in the past year I’ve replace the cooler lines, power steering lines, upper and lower control arm bushings, motor mounts and the front cross member. But now we noticed that the frame on the passenger side went to heck. The shop said they can cut out the rotted part and place plates on the sides and bottom and grind the entire bottom and spray it with rust proofing and paint for $800. But will not guarantee if anything happens to the front and rear suspension. So I have no choice but to pay this because I can’t afford to get another car with 3 kids in college living on disability. Toyota you need to fix this crap before someone dies in your rust buckets!

 

-I understand Toyota frames do seem to rust more than other brands. It is also a known fact that salt and metal don't mix and rust will develop when salt hits metal...Knowing this and after doing your due diligence on the vehicle to make sure no issues existed when you opened your wallet, it would be wise to keep an eye on this and do what you can to protect your vehicle from rust. Of course for some of you it is simply too late to help. For you folks I would sell or dump the current vehicle for a vehicle in better shape. Toyota is not going to help you on a 15 year old vehicle.

-It is very easy to coat the inner frame and I have done it in my driveway. Buy Eastwood inner frame coating. DO IT if your frame is still viable.

-It is also fairly easy to coat the under carriage with Fluid Film on a yearly basis if you live in a high salt environment and probably once if you don't. I coat mine yearly. Yes mine is only three years old now but there are and will be no concerns with rust on my 4.

-Probably shouldn't say this as since it may sound harsh to some of you but as the owner of a piece of equipment, it is your responsibility to take care of that piece of equipment and ensure it is in proper running condition. In other words, as the owner of a vehicle...take care of it and fix issues as they present themselves or nip issues in the bud before they present themselves. Preventative maintenance is a no brainer if you plan on keeping your vehicle for 10 years or more.

 

You’re probably right. But they did for the Tacoma. But the Tacoma was MFG in the states. The 4Runner was MFG in Japan. Aka Cheap Steel. When I purchased my truck. I had them put a undercoat on the frame. The truck is garaged. Yes snow and salt kills any car. But I also have American muscle cars and never had to do a frame swap with the exception of the 71 mustang but that was a full restoration job.
As of August 2018, they now have an open investigation. But I’m not waiting for them. I’ve already started grinding down the frame and going to weld that one section on the passenger side. As for the front the cross member cost me under $400. I hate to junk a vehicle especially when it has low mileage and the body and interior is showroom condition. If the frame cracks in half. Well it’s gonna make one hell of a ground blind. Lol

 

The American made frames that were replaced under the recall were made by Dana Corp. and Toyota got money from them for producing inferior frames. The Japanese frames at the time did not have the same issues as the Dana (American made) frames so the 4runner was not a part of the recall. The "cheap steel" from Japan comment I am guessing is referring to the Kobe Steel scandal? It looks like Toyota mainly purchased aluminum from Japan's third largest steel maker and also purchased steel wire and copper pipe. See link below. Whether this is absolute fact no one knows but Toyota and Kobe but Toyota is guaranteeing no safety issues from the application of Kobe products.

@Larry S I hope you can get some help from Toyota but it's also a good thing you aren't waiting around for this to pan out. Maybe finding a used frame in better shape is a good option for you? Anyway good luck and I hope things work out for you and every one with these issues. Be safe.

https://asia.nikkei.com/Editor-s-Pi...e-Steel-scandal-has-not-affected-its-vehicles


https://www.torquenews.com/106/dana-corp-ordered-pay-toyota-25m-frame-rust-issues


https://autoweek.com/article/recalls/toyota-frame-settlement-could-cost-company-34-billion This article says they cover the frames for 12 years

 

Looked at a 2001 last fall had to pass because of a seriously rusted frame.
Recently bought an East coast 2002 t4r with a surprisingly good frame...looking at a Cali 2000 200k one today with 1 winter in it. Its looked good on initial glance, will look closer at it. $3500 is asking price

Depends on upkeep and how it is washed it appears.

 

I contacted Toyota 8 years ago when I noticed some frame rust on my 2000 4Runner 5spd 4wd 6cyl. Lots of letters from them, politely and emphatically wanting NOTHING to do with recognizing ALL the 4Runner owner frame concerns!
After making thousands upon thousands of these great trucks, the explanation was ...."if off the Japanese line, we take no responsibility!"
After lots of repair by reliable older guy welders, now it needs rear end. Too much. Love it. But....!

 

It's never a problem if it's NOT happening to you.

 

I'm impressed. Congrats! Yep, I live in northeast.

 

That was the only time I inquired to Toyota regarding beginning frame rust ....8 years ago.