Problems with 2002 Toyota 4Runner STRUCTURE

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota 4 runner. while driving approximately 45 mph, the contact lost control of the vehicle. the contact had to apply force to the brake pedal in order for the vehicle to come to a complete stop. the vehicle was taken to a dealer, who diagnosed that the trailing arm was corroded and that the entire frame needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the failure mileage was 119,000. the vin was unavailable.

2002 toyota 4 runner sr5, 98,000 miles. always dealer serviced. this will be my last state nys inspection as i will be unable to have the truck inspected in 2015 due to body frame rot, need to incur costs to replace body frame. truck is in excellent condition with the exception of frame rot. have also replaced the bumper, the gas tank shield and have been told front oil pan shield needs replacing as dealer can not perform oil change, due to this problem. i have contacted toyota waiting for a reply. *tr

Extensive rust thru on drivers side of frame, rear suspension link rusted to the point where complete failure in coming soon. last two feet of frame completely gone. doubt it will pass another safety inspection without significant repair. rear differential rusted to the point gear oil leaks. this is common on all 4 runners and should be recalled just like the tacomas. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota 4runner. the contact stated that the rear axle was corroded and caused the frame to detach. the vehicle was taken to a dealer. the technician diagnosed that the frame and rear end needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 86,000.

My 2002 4runner was purchased brand new from toyota in november of 2001. i live in new york so it does snow 2 or 3 months out of the year. it has been used as a second vehicle to pick up supplies and the like, otherwise it is rarely used. at this time it has approx. 139000 miles. the truck would not start and i took it to a mechanic. i was told there is an extreme amount of rust under the vehicle, the undercarriage, the frame, the gas tank, etc. the problem is the fuel pump but because of so much rust, removing the gas tank to change the fuel pump may cause damage to the components connecting the tank to the frame of the vehicle. it is a shame that toyota sells a vehicle that may need to be junked due to the amount of rust it has. i understand that many other owners have the same problem with the 4runner and something should be done. i bought a 1999 camry brand new prior to the 4runner and i had it for 12 years before giving it to a friend who still drives it to this day and it has no rust. the 4runner runs great all of the years i have owned it but i am being told by my mechanic that it is possible the body of my truck could fall from the frame. at 139000 miles this should not be happening. toyota should offer some kind of repair to these issues. my truck looks almost brand new except for some rust on the front and rear bumpers and now i may have to junk it. *tr

There is excessive rust on the frame rails which support the body of the vehicle thus weakening the critical supportive components. this creates a possible dangerous situation which may go unnoticed until failure occurs. this has been a common problem with other toyota vehicles and should be addressed for the 4runners. *tr

My vehicle is a 2002 toyota 4runner se5 with 112,080 miles. i have severe frame rust on this vehicle. holes though frame on right side and frame to rear axle is completely broken to right side of attachment at differential axle. toyota has recalled the u.s version of the tacoma truck which is the same frame, etc. as the 4runner but not the 4runner which is made in japan with the same issues. this vehicle is completely unsafe and truth be known undriveable and needs to be addressed immediately. toyota 4runner forum is full of these 3rd generation 4runners with the same issue. toyota needs to step up and add the 3rd generation 4 runner to be included in the recall on the tacoma, tundra and sequoia vehicles. *tr

I filed a nhtsa complaint (odi number 10569206 was assigned) on 13 march 2014 about this vehicle. on 14 march 2014, i took my 4runner to my local toyota dealership after contacting toyota customer service and logging a complaint ( case number [xxx] ) with them on the 14th of march 2014 at their office in california and the customer service rep telling me documentation of the issue at my dealership would help me. this vehicle was bought in ny and remained up north for 10 years and according to emerson toyota auburn, me records at 85,199 miles on 07/11/2012. service adviser, [xxx] condition1 at 85,199 miles . used car prep. vehicle being wholesaled per rich. needs engine light on, a/c inop, rear axle housing very rusted and cracked, hood latch inop, radiator leaking, frame is soft. it had 85,404 miles when it came to florida on 07 september 2012 my 2002 toyota 4runner sr5 with only 112109 miles at coggin toyota at the avenues dealership on philips hwy in jacksonville, florida at 12:20pm on 14 march 2014 my complaint at the dealership on 14 march 20014 at 12:20.........customer states rear subframe is rusted. check and advise. their findings at 12:55pm on 14 march 2014... case number [xxx], found severe frame rust, holes in frame on right side, holes rusted through frame by gas tank on left side.holes rusted through gas tank and leaking fuel. upper rear track bar bracket rusted off of rear end housing, rear shocks rusted off. front brake rotor backing plates rusted through. the vehicle is unsafe to drive due to fuel leak and extreme rust through of frame. i want this vehicle frame and axle fixed or bought back by toyota. a toyota dealership in auburn, me knew of this problem almost 2 years ago and sent it out the door. totally unsatisfactory. information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr

Frame rusted out, similar to tacoma pick up trucks recall. additionally climate control heating, cooling, fan defective, power antenna in-operable.

Frame rusted through. there is a hole in frame because of rust.

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota 4runner. the contact stated that the frame and undercarriage was severely corroded. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 110,000 and the current mileage was 110,500.

(there was no category offered for frame). during a recent automotive service for brakes on 9-26-13 for my 2002 toyota 4runner, i was notified of a rust perforation in the frame body near a rear support mount for the axle making it unsafe for operation. this is a situation where rust forms in the interior of the frame and works its way out destroying the structural integrity of the vehicle. it seems the service technician used to work at a toyota dealership and knew exactly where to look from his prior experience with other 4runner failures. the toyota dealer informed that this would not be covered. my ?02 4runner is from the same generation (3rd) and of similar design to the tacoma that was recalled for this the dealer instructed me to contact the torrance, ca toyota customer service as his dealership would be unable to assist in anyway. it was clear they had encountered this before. through discussion with toyota ca they have no intention of providing any means of relief for a known and well documented safety problem. one rep did comment that the tundra and sequoia had been recently added to the recall but the 4runner was ?not yet? on the recall list. it seems toyota views the products to be different due to the body style differences or us vs japanese built products. they also clearly have no intention to escalate internally. i was instructed to file a complaint with nhtsa and ntsb. research on line shows that there is a very widespread issue that toyota is clearly choosing to ignore. web information suggests that cold climate and the axle bracket in close proximity to the exhaust, are primary factors. how can you recall one model for a rusted frame due to safety but not another? personal photos available. huge numbers of photos and reports available online - search " rusted frame 4runner" or similar. *tr

Frame rusted through at lower control arm area. toyota has had recalls for other models for rusted frames but not acknowledging 4runner frame issues that are dangerous. *tr

Rusted through frame on the rear passenger side where axle support connects to frame. measures approx 2.5 feet. rear end feels loose when navigating turns.

I have a 2002 toyota sr5 4runner with extreme frame rot frame the inside out. experts agree that i have only a year or two left with this frame. i have had repairs to pass inspection but this is only a band aid. i understand that i live in a state where road salt is used, but to have the frame rot from the inside out shows a design flaw or inferior steel used fro the frame, possibly inadequate corrosion protection. just a bad scenario not which way you put it. rot from the inside out is just unacceptable. *tr

Takata recall. i have a rusty frame that needs to be addressed for safety reasons i was driving on the highway at 55 mph frame cracked and i almost died because of it toyotas have poor frame that should be recalled

My 2002 toyota 4 runner that is in excellent body and running condition was in for a routine service and the dealer told us the frame had a hole in it and it was unsafe to drive, it was inspected by two representatives of toyota who said that it is not a warranty issue and there are no "programs' and they would do nothing about it even thou there is a history of frame failures with toyota's. *tr

Vehicle frame, front & rear bumpers and undercarriage have excessive / unsafe rust corrosion. *tr

Large amount of rust on the underbody, gas tank shield and front brakes. just purchased this vehicle used with 39k miles and have been finding lost of corrosion. tried to use rust remover and neutralizer and wire brush. hope i can get it under control before the entire thing falls apart. *tr

I have a 2002 toyota 4runner. it's under my wife's name but i am the one that's in charge of automotive issues. the bumpers have been hanging down on the front and rear. as i drive around the city, i've started to notice majority of the 4runners in the same model having the same issue. this makes me think that there is a defect. i believe it's a safety defect especially since bumpers are not just for cosmetic reasons, its highly effective in a crash situation. it's a safety issue because it is also linked to the airbag sensors and i am afraid that it may go off at any time. i've gone on forums and found that others talk about this also. they also talk about rusting around the bumper area which is something i have on my 4runner also. i hope your department looks into this matter thoroughly and get back to me about it. *tr

I have already filed a safety complaint regarding my sudden acceleration accident approximately 4 years ago. i noticed that toyota has issued a recall for this problem for toyota 4runners going back to 2003. my vehicle is a 2002. basically, i'm writing to urge nhtsa to asktoyota what is different about the gas pedal assembly from 2003 to 2002 because there is no doubt there was a major malfunction with my car and if the assemble & parts manufactures is the same from 03 to 02 then the recall should be extended. also, the other main reason i'm writing you is so that there is a record of me requesting my vehicle be included in the recall so that way if something happens to me again we will have a record of it. *tr

Excessive rust on frame since 2008. toyota refused to address after filing formal complaint. i believe like trucks of same year that had frames replaced, 4 runners should be included