Problems with 2003 Toyota 4Runner STRUCTURE

Everything about my toyota 4runner is in great condition except when i brought it in for an inspection i was devastated to find out that my car was no longer safe to drive due to the rust corrosion on the frame. ever since i purchased this car at the dealership in 2003, i've always taken my car to toyota dealer services for all maintenances and yet they have failed to tell me about this rust corrosion problem until now that due to the rust is eating through the main frame and will not even pass the inspection. for the safety please have it recall and get it done the right way as for tundra and sequoia recall

The frame is completely rusted out making the vehicle unsafe, undriveable and unfixable with only 60,000 miles. we cannot find a frame or anyone to fix it.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. while the vehicle was in the process of a state inspection, it was discovered that the subframe was severely rusted and corroded. the vehicle was deemed unsafe to drive. the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer and local dealer (bairel toyota, 19045 perry hwy, mars, pa 16046) were notified. the vin was not available. the failure mileage was 107,000. *tt*jb

Frame is showing excessive rust. remainder of the vehicle is in excellent shape. engine runs great, but the frame is now in a dangerous state. gas tank support is completely gone.

My entire vehicle is rusted out completely and is not in driveable condition.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. the contact stated that the front passenger side frame, front driver side lower support, and radiator bar contained rust. the vehicle was taken to toyota of naperville (located at 1488 ogden ave, naperville, il 60540, (630) 528-1459), but was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was notified. the failure mileage was 184,000.

Frame has significant rusting issues. failing connectors, heavy rust scaling of frame with one area at 3/4 failure of box frame.

This vehicle failed state safety inspection at an independent auto repair center due to excessive frame rust. then had vehicle inspected by a local toyota dealer who indicated "needs new frame - all rotted - there's no where to weld." the body of this vehicle is in great shape but has become a safety hazard due to frame rust. this rusting issue seems very similar to that of the tacoma. toyota acknowledges the frame issue on the tacoma but has not done the same for the identical problem with 4runners.

My 2003 4runner has a ton of rust and the frame is rusting badly. i do not feel this vehicle is safe to drive.

The frame of my 2003 toyota 4runner v8 demonstrates excessive and concerning rust damage. the body is in extremely good condition and has almost zero rust, a stark contrast against the frame. the frame has rust damage heavily on the lower radiator support, a 8" long spot on the bottom of the frame directly behind the transmission crossmember on the passenger side, and by the driver's side rear lower trailing arm mount. these areas of rust damage cause me to be concerned for the safety of the vehicle in the long term. the vehicle has only 180k miles, which should leave many years of enjoyable toyota ownership for me, if only the frame was still in half as good of shape as the body. i understand that toyota has recently done frame replacements for other similar vehicles, and i do not understand why they would not do at least something for the 4runner. living in michigan i always expect some rust on a 15 year old vehicle, but this is certainly excessive. i have started to use por15 rust coating to hopefully slow the rot so that the vehicle may remain safe to drive for a few more years, but i am highly disappointing none the less. i had expected this on my previous vehicle, a nissan with open recalls for excessive rusting, but i had faith that this toyota 4runner would not have these issues since toyota has historically been good about making things right where rusty frames are concerned. clearly not in this case. this does genuinely have an impact on my likelihood to purchase a new toyota in the future, as rust is a nightmare to deal with and i don't intend to risk having to again, unless i see some signs that toyota will help where there was clearly some kind of mistake.

Recall: structure of truck. i have 2003 toyota 4 runner that is rusting real bad. the structure frame is loosing a lot of rust . i have even have at least 3 wholes in my passenger side frame under my truck. i see many other people are having this issue. i would like to see someone look into to see why this is happening and take action because i feel this will become a serous safety issue to people who are having this issue with the structure rusting of the truck. i just had my vehicle at the dealer for warranty work and nothing was noted on the final checkout paper work about the serous issue with the rust. my vehicle is driven for daily use no off tossing or crazy activities with my vehicle. we even wash our vehicle regularly doing the winter months.... i see they have did a structure recall to ( toyota tacoma, tundras, and sequios. i am really surprised how this is happening to tony vehicle. please note this has been a issue for awhile with the truck with rusting it just did not start .

Frame rusted recall : i am the original owner of this 4runner and i am told that i cannot pass inspection because the frame is rusted out. there are a number of areas of the frame that has holes rusted out and i feel the saftey of the vehicle is very much jeopardised now and toyota should recall the frame or give a credit towards a new toyota 4 runner. i would be interested in that. i can upload pictures of my frame if necessary. i created a toyota customer compliant record a few years ago and was told that toyota rejected being responsible. seems very unfair that toyota is replacing frames from tacomas, tundras and sequioas around the same year as my 4runner and they say they are not responsible for my 4runner and anyone else's as well.. i can provide this toyota compliant # if needed.

Frame is getting large rust holes throughout entire frame.

The frame of my vehicle is suffering from extreme and premature corrosion and rusting. there is signifiant rotting due to rust and corrosion on parts of the frame. although no incident has yet to occur, i fear an unsafe incident could occur while driving due to the corrosion and rust of the vehicle's frame.

While driving to work on august 22, 2018 my power steering suddenly gave out while turning making the vehicle difficult to maneuver. luckily, i was on city streets and only doing 30 mph. the next day i took the car to the mechanic to have that fixed along with an oil change and other normal maintenance. the mechanic called me and informed me that he found that my frame has significant corrosion to the point that the frame would most likely fail in the next few months. he also informed me that the power steering had failed due to corrosion, and since the frame and other components that needed to be removed to access the power steering were so rusted the labor needed for the repair would be significantly higher. this increased cost put the repair above the salvage value of the vehicle. my otherwise wonderful vehicle has been rendered useless because of the frame corrosion. i fear to think what could have happened if this failed on the highway while my pregnant wife and infant son were in the car with me.

03 4runner has excessive frame rust near rear wheel area and front radiator mount.

Vehicle has excessive rust and holes in the frame, while only having about 100,000 miles.

Frame rust thru.documented by the dealer. nourse in chillicothe,ohio

2003 4runner with excessive rust of the frame and undercarriage. potential failure of frame and frame components due to rust could cause serious injury. dealer submitted photos to toyota.

I took my 2003 4runner in for its routine oil change and the technician informed me my car was unsafe to drive do to excessive rust and corrosion on the frame. my vehicle is in perfect visual condition. i believe this is a major safety concern.

My 4 runner failed va safety inspection due to "frame rusted through" see attached photo

The passenger side frame rail has rusted so badly that it has split and cracked. absolutely crazy that the 4runners weren't included in the pervious frame recall with the tacoma's.

The frame on the 2003 toyota 4runner has an excessive amount of frame rust. others have reported this issue and it is believed to be a design flaw by toyota. due to the excessive amount of rust, there is a major safety concern.

Vehicle frame has excessive rust, broke apart at frame joint. vehicle unsafe to drive 156k.

We had just bought the vehicle when the rear end began swaying from side to side and we took it to the mechanic at toyota and was told that the whole frame was rusted out and was to dangerous to drive but they could not help us. the same frame was on the other 3 makes and was recalled and that ours needs to be recalled. they all know it needs to be recalled and i wish they would just do it because it just sits out there and is in great condition all but the frame rust.

Excessive frame rust in multiple spots on frame on both sides and on crossmember. this is a well documented problem for this generation of 4runner and needs to be addressed. my vehicle has been garage kept since new i am the original owner of the vehicle.

Substantial corrosion of the frame, technician advised owner not to drive the vehicle.

I took my car for an oil change on 5/29/18 and they came back and told me my frame was unsafe to drive on. we took it to another shop and put it up on the lift and the frame is about to crack in half from the amount of rust. my car is garaged and barely driven during the snow. i realize it is 15 years old, but the two individuals that looked at it stated that the holes and rust found on the frame should not be that bad. toyota has stated that they will not do anything about this. i am extremely mad, as i feel that the dealership should have notified me sooner that the frame was rusting. it is beyond patch repair work and probably could have been patched earlier, had i been notified of the issue. my car is taken in for all routine maintenance and other than the frame is in great condition. it only has $126k miles and shouldn't be falling apart like this.

Extensive frame rot on both sides right after the engine. the rest of the frame is ok with "normal" surface rust. tried to treat rust but it has gotten worse in

Recently bought my 4runner, took it to the dealer to be inspected, only for them to tell me that the frame was compromised due to rust damage. toyota has agreed to replace frames on tacoma's, tundra's and sequoia's, but not 4runners, even though they are all the same frames.

Excessive rusting of frame while rest of vehicle remains intact.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. the contact stated that the vehicle's frame was corroded. while driving, the rear driver's side was pulling to the side. the contact was a certified mechanic and noticed that the trailing arm that held the rear differential bracket separated from the frame and was completely detached. the contact welded the bracket back to the frame. he called corwin toyota of fargo (222 40th st s, fargo, nd 58103, (701) 282-8425) and was informed that there was no recall on the vehicle. the vehicle was not taken to a dealer and was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not under warranty and there were no recalls. the approximate failure mileage was 255,000. *tt*jb

I took my vehile to ispection the frame has rust perforetion the vehicle is unsafe. that the dealers makers infection also differential housing is rusted badly/scaling.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. while the vehicle was undergoing routine maintenance, the independent mechanic noticed corrosion on the rear frame. the vehicle was not repaired. toyota of la crosse (800 3rd st s, la crosse, wi 54601, (608) 793-7000) was contacted and informed the contact that they were aware of the failure and to bring the vehicle in for a second diagnostic test. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. the failure mileage was approximately 269,000.*pm*jb

Large rust holes in the passenger side of the frame

My 4runner has been a very reliable vehicle, yet has extensive frame rust. the vehicle did not pass new hampshire state vehicle safety inspection in march of 2018 as a result of the frame deterioration. i have been unable to use the vehicle since then, and feel that toyota should address the issue with a recall as they have already done on the tacoma, tundra and sequoia. i have heard many similar reports on the 4runner frames and toyota has yet to address the problem.

Vehicle frame has multiple holes due to rust, unsafe to drive and not repairable

My 2003 toyota 4runner sport has experienced extreme, and dangerous, levels of rust on the frame cross bars, despite being washed regularly. the rust appears to be originating from inside the supports, and i was advised by a toyota dealer mechanic that the rust could potentially lead to complete frame failure in the very near future. at this point, sizable areas have rusted through entirely. i have brought this to the attention of toyota, and they have regularly refused to acknowledge that there is any problem with the frame.

Front cross member rusted into on one side and rusted bad on the other. plus, frame has several holes in it.

My vehicle although in perfect visual condition has excessive rust on the frame. i have been told it should not be driven as it could be hazardous. the car is in great shape with no rust on any other part of the car aside from the frame flaking away

Frame is rusting and deforming uniformly on both sides of the vehicle just behind the front wheels and engine, in front of the transfer case.

There is extensive corrosion on the right hand side of the car frame. it's of greatly safety concern and it seems that the problem is consistent with other 4runner type of frames. our mechanic seen a few related issues in the last year or so.

The vehicle feels like it's bottoming out going over the slightest little bump when in motion and the rotors were making a horrible sound going down the highway even after the brakes had been checked. spent $400+ on new brakes & rotors only to find out that the frame is completely rusted out and the mechanic advised us not to drive it at all. it was too dangerous and would cause a bad wreck when it finally did drop out.

Vehicle frame is rotted/perforated,unsafe as per toyota dealership.

The vehicle has excessive frame rust, covering 100% of lower frame, bumper to bumper. it has at least 2 holes, and is weak in several areas of frame. it failed inspection due to this. only 133k miles on vehicle. well maintained. finally, tailgate door is significantly rusted above window, but at least this isn't a safety problem.

We have owned our 2003 4runner in our family since new. it has always been incredibly well taken care of, weekly washes etc.. now at 106,000 miles our frame has significantly more rust than expected of a car of this age and condition. we are very concerned that toyota has addressed many corrosion incidents within tacoma frames and not addressed the frames in the 4runner especially based on the condition of our frame and many others i see on the road. this is a serious safety concern and needs to be investigated as i believe it is an issue with the vast majority of 4runner frames from this generation vehicle.

Excessive and heavy rust/flaking of the frame components pointed out by my mechanic while performing a minor repair to a heat shield under the vehicle. vehicle has been garage kept since new and there is no rust on the body. i reported this to toyota customer experience and received a case number 1710131927, but they advise there are currently no active campaigns which cover my vehicle. others had suggested i notify the nhtsa.

Frame is rotting away and needs replaced.

Rusted frame , looking very dangerous and not safe

Frame is badly rusted. after a minor accident, the body shop stated they were unable to weld in a replacement crossmember due to excessive rust. i understand toyota has recalled frames of similar vehicles but not 4runners.