Problems with 2003 Toyota 4Runner SUSPENSION

Vehicle would not pass new york state inspection. the vehicle was inspected twice. once by a national auto chain, and by a toyota dealer. the reason for failure in both cases was, rusted cracked frame rails. the dealer gave a verbal estimate for repair of $21,500. ($12,250 parts $12,250 labor)

The frame is rusted away but the body is perfect. purchased as is. was not informed in writing about the bad frame

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. when the contact attempted to start the vehicle, it would not start. the contact mentioned that the head gasket needed to be removed and re-installed in order to start the vehicle. also, while driving various speeds, the rear of the vehicle swayed uncontrollably to the left and right. the vehicle was taken to big o tires (2245 state st, new albany, in 47150, 812-949-0736) where it was diagnosed that the passenger side control arm was fractured and the driver's side control arm could fracture at any moment. the vehicle was towed to mccormick motor sports (1041 s 6th st, louisville, ky 40203, (502) 584-1981) where the contact was informed that the head gasket was causing cylinder three to misfire. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was 217,500.

Frame has extreme and rusting and has been reinforced by welding new steel support frames

The control arm separated from the rotted rusted frame while driving. almost died!

Excessive frame rust. multiple reports of this.

The rear axle assy mount bracket rusted straight through and it does a loud clunky noise while driving. brought it to a body shop and they said i have to change the whole assy, it cant be fixed. the car was purchased from down south, theres literally no body rust, but the frame is almost all chewed away. i also cant pass ny inspection until i get it fixed, which will cost more than i paid for the car.

Excessive frame rot. 4runner should of been part of the tacoma recall and is absurd it was not in the first place. my whole passenger side frame rail is gone. i have had to constantly fix weld new metal to it.

Frame rot and unable to pass inspection new even though i have kept this truck in pristine condition. it is a real shame the don't use better steel.

Structural rust to frame. cracks and holes at welds and attachment points of suspension and steering. frame is disintegrating under the truck, complete structural failure is imminent.

I took my 4runner to the dealership that is was purchased and was informed that it needs a new frame due to excessive rust/rot. i am being told that it is beyond repair and is a safety issue at this point.

The back of the truck frame has rusted through. stationary. front axle pics included as well. rust, wear and tear. not sure when it happened bc the dealership sold the vehicle to me like this. rusted metal proves it happened awhile ago. plus someone tried to weld it to cover up the problem. i've also put in a radiator and new muffler was completely rusted through.

Excessive frame rust has resulted in the frame almost completely disappearing, making the vehicle unsafe to drive and forced to be taken off the road. there is less than an inch of frame holding the rear right axle in place

Vehicle was maintained at a toyota dealership for over a decade before being informed that vehicle is unsafe to drive due to holes forming throughout the entire frame assembly from corrosion. further research showes the frame of this vehicle resembles that of the toyota tacoma and tundra models which where recalled due to early and unsafe corrosion leading to components to detach from frame while vehicle is in motion which can lead to serious life hazard. frame and vehicle were also manufactured in ohio dana company which is the supplier of the recalled frames used in the toyota tundras and tacoma's.

The frame is rusted out and the rear suspension mounting brackets are starting to look like potato chips. also noticed steering components are severally rusted.

I purchased this vehicle a week ago. it appears the dealer themselves never inspected the vehicle prior to my purchase. if they had, they would have know it was an unsafe vehicle to drive due to the amount of rust to the suspension, frame, and everything underneath. just today, a toyota mechanic had told me that it is unserviceable. if i had owned this vehicle for years, that finding wouldn't be as painful to hear. but having owned the vehicle for a week, this has made me very angry. it only has 88k miles on it. i am now afraid to drive the vehicle.

Frame broken

I was driving the vehicle and normal highway speed on the interstate. when i let off the accelerator, the vehicle lurched to one side, causing the vehicle to cross into the other lane. when i applied the accelerator again, the vehicle lurched in the other direction, requiring me to apply corrective action to maintain control. upon inspection, the passenger side rear suspension link support had mostly separated from the frame due to rust. i can bend it back and forth with my hand. i have not driven the vehicle since due to safety concerns. it is difficult to control the vehicle, especially a highway speed.

I purchased my 2003 4runner brand new. the vehicle has 70,000 original miles. never in an accident. the truck is garaged. always maintained by toyota. not a scratch on the truck. interior looks brand new. however the frame has excessive rust. found a few spots that will eventually needs to be addressed. toyota needs to step up and fix the rust problems

Currently the frame rust is very severe and is getting to the point that i am becoming hesisitant to have it out on the road. there are areas around suspension components and axles that are very rusted which could potentially lead to casualties if the mounts were to fail.

Frame is rotting apart. several holes and cracks

Extreme rust/rot throughout my 2003 4runner frame. the body, interior, powertrain are 8.5 out of 10 the frame is a 0 i live in new england and recently purchased the 03 4runner sr5 based off it looks. i drove the 4runner of about a month before the incident happened. i was driving on a typical new england road, fairly smooth with pot holes here and there going approximately 45 m.p.h.. without any warning the 4runner sent the front of the truck hard left and the rear of the truck to the right. the tires were screeching and i was sent sideways into oncoming traffic narrowing missing cars and pedestrians in the area. i got the truck to "crab walk" back across the road into a parking out and called a tow truck. when we got the truck home the tow truck driver and i took a look under the truck to see what went wrong. the right rear control arm mount had completely separated from the frame. with the truck on ththe ground i was able to roll the rear right wheel forward and backwards about 5 inches without the vehicle moving at all. i then got under the truck and saw that the cross member under the transmission had rusted away and and what not in contact with the driver side of the truck. also i could push holes in the the frame with my fingers around the driver/ front passenger doors. i have not driven the 4runner since and i dont have 8k+ to pay a shop to replace a frame. toyota needs to step up and take care of its customers before someone gets killed

I was driving my 2003 toyota 4 runner about 1 mile from my home when all of a sudden there was a loud pop and the 4 runner raised up in the rear like a cat and there was another loud bang and i was stopped dead in my tracks almost getting thrown into the windshield and dash. the 4 runner would not move, and there was a loud popping noise against the floorboard and also on the ground. i got out and looked under the rear and saw all the damage and what caused it. the cause was complete rust, i have never saw a vehicle rust that fast that badly. it was fine in the spring when i washed it and underneath it as i always do after winter. the rear end was rusted so bad it would crumble in your hands the whole underside was in the same shape. the gas tank guard was half rusted away the frame was covered in rust, every piece of metal under the 4 runner was badly rusted. now back to the damage that was caused, the big bar that connected the rear end to the frame on the passenger side had rusted completely off and the rear end shifted back and down pulling out the drive shaft and it stuck into the pavement making the 4 runner suddenly stop. the big bar on the drivers side bent down from the force bending it and the shocks pulling the rubber brake lines loose and bending the metal brake lines. the front of the rear end was cracked in a long line on the front. this is a lot of damage due to rust from inferior metal which toyota fixed on their trucks which the frame is the same. they need to recall these vehicles before someone gets killed or hurt. this 4 runner only has 102375 miles and should not be in this shape. i have 84, 91, and 94 fords that do not have this rust. i can't help but think what would have happened if i had been doing 55 or more on a four lane road when this broke off. my grand sons or i could have been killed or someone ...

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.

Frame rusting out. was told could not drive of dealers lot after being brought in for break job.

Excessive frame rust, especially at rear area of vehicle. body mounts disintegrating at rear. other attachment mounts (for example rear anti-sway bar) are rusting severely. rust noted 11/2/2018 when vehicle was in the air for service.

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.

The frame on my 2003 toyota 4runner has almost rusted completely through the frame. while driving on i40 going around a deep curve i lost control of the vehicle and ran off the road without injury or collision. it was inspected and deemed not safe to drive due to the rusted frame. this vehicle is now immobile until the frame is replaced. i am requesting that this vehicle is included in the recall for the toyota 4 runners. this happened 9/26/2018.

My 2003 4runner frame is rusted out at the rear trailing arm support and half way down the rail. this 4runner is in perfect shape and only has 200k. toyotas were supposed to lass for a lot longer that's why we bought it. something has to be done and corrected just like the other frame problems toyota has dealt with in the past!!

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.

Frame is completely rusted out. steel is literally falling off from the rust and my suspensions are completely shot and exposed due to rust.

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.

Took the vehicle in to have work done on the struts and discovered that the entire frame underneath is completely rusted through and unsafe to drive. this appears to be a very common problem, but toyota still refuses to replace the frames or address the issue in any way, despite having issued a recall for other vehicles with the exact same problem. *ln *dl

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.

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

Frame and undercarriage rust. rotted bolts affecting ability to have complete alignment performed. failed wheel bearings causing loud rotational friction sounds while in motion. rusted exhaust system causing failure and required replacement.

After an inspection by our mechanic we were informed that our 2003 4runner's frame rusted through in multiple locations and will be drivable for a limited time. we are an original owners, the car has been maintained by a professional mechanic and has been garaged its entire life.

2003 4runner has significant frame rust and is a common and well known problem. toyota has acknowledged the same problem with other similar models. toyota has taken action on other models but will not with the 4runners with same frame.

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

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.

Excessive rust on the frame and under structure of the vehicle for a 2003 4runner limited. noticed during inspection 10/19/17 and prior years.

My 2003 4runner sr5 looks great and its v8 engine hums like it is new but the frame rails are totally rotten and i have been advised not to drive it at all as it is too dangerous to drive. so its value should be about 5-,6000 and now it is totally junk and has only scrap value. toyota usa recalled the sequoia, the tundra and the tacoma from the time period, approximately 2003-2007 maybe more year models, but did not recall the 4runner because there were too many sold and it would have cost too much money. the frame and frame rail rot on the 4runner from that time period is well documented and many complaints have been filed with the nhta yet toyota has seen fit not to recall the 4runner!! . what a disgrace!! the most important fact is the 4runners, past and present, sit on the exact same frame as the tacoma. the tacoma was recalled for the frame rot but the 4runner were not. could you please provide the reasoning for not recalling the 4runner for frame rot while the tacoma with the exact same frame from the exact same factory was not/has not been recalled?

Frame rusting underneath the rear of vehicle. happened within the last year because when the auto was inspected in 5/2016 the rust was not there.

Excessive amount of frame rust for a car that has been garage stored in mild vancouver bc climate. frame is exact same as toyota tacoma which have known frame rust and frame rot, but not covered under the frame recall from toyota

2003 4runner failed inspection due to rotting frame. recall was available on the tundra's tacoma's and sequoia's. why not the 4runners?

On 10/03/16 i took my 4-runner to an auto repair shop for front end brake replacement. a couple of hours later, i contacted the repair shop an asked them to also replace all shock absorbers, which they agreed to do. later, i went to the shop and the mechanic informed me that the undercarriage and frame were severly corroded and did not install the shock absorbers due to the severity of the corrosion. the mechanic wrote the following statement on my invoice. "frame of car is rotted in several places. do minuium repairs to keep on road. should not be used on highway!!!

Frame and suspension attached to the frame corroded early. the attachments for the rear shocks are almost corroded through.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. while driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle swerved to the left and right and became uncontrollable without warning. the contact pulled over to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rear passenger side control stabilizer arm was rusted and detached from the frame. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 182,835.