Frame of the vehicle is showing rust corrosion. The frame are the same as the tacomas that were released the same year. The tacomas were granted frame replacement by Toyota but 4Runners weren-??t. Noticed a lot of other 4th generation 4Runners are having the same issues.

- Occoquan, VA, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while the vehicle was at the independent mechanic for servicing, and he was informed that the sub frame was severely corroded. The dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 166,000.

- Baldwin, MD, USA

The frame on both sides of the vehicle in the front, where it connects under the radiator crossbar has rusted through.Not feeling to safe about this. also the transmission cooling lines are also looking thin. The dealership I have maint. done at informed me of this condition. Can send pictures if needed.

- Germantown, MD, USA

My frame has rotted through, causing the rear bump stops to fall off, putting excessive wear on both frame and suspension components. In parts of the frame, it has rotted all the way around and caused a loss in structural integrity. Worst of all, there is a hole near the rear most strap holding the gas tank to the chassis, which is a risk to not only me and my pregnant wife but others driving on the road around me if it where to fall off. Looking at the body, there is no rust or corrosion. The same goes for the engine bay, the rust is entirely located on the frame. Mechanically, the vehicle is in excellent shape. It has now got to the point it will no longer pass a NYS inspection.

- Oneida, NY, USA

Vehicle-€™s frame and suspension is showing major rust prematurely forming from the inside-out of the frame causing visible weakness in the structure of the frame that could cause engine or other suspension parts to fall off the frame of the car due to improper treatment of the frame. If I were to get in a car accident I don-€™t see the frame holding it-€™s structure. I would I highly suggest to have a safety recall done with frames with such damage.

- Muskegon, MI, USA

Brought the car in for an alignment and I was told they couldn-€™t do it because of all the damage to the frame from rust, parts of the frame are not even there anymore, the front row hooks are gone, they said that all this damage ca impact the handle of the car and that it can-€™t be properly aligned and possibly won-€™t pass inspection.

- Malden, MA, USA

Upon recent inspection of my vehicle, it was noted that the frame is severely corroded and rusted to the point where collapse or breaking of the frame is possible while driving. Apprently the frame was not properly treated for rust protection and can now be unsafe for driving. Enclosed are pictures of the rusted frame.

- Suffern, NY, USA

Frame and rear differential rust- extreme

- Warwick, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic, she was informed that significant corrosion had developed on the front end of the undercarriage. The contact was then referred by the independent mechanic to the dealer where she was informed that while was rust found on the undercarriage of the vehicle, the vehicle was safe to operate and no repairs were needed. A month after the dealer inspection, the contact stated that an abnormal sound was coming from her brake pedal upon depression without warning. Once the contact made it home, she had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic initially informed her that the vehicle was a total loss however, he and another mechanic were able to remove a large portion of the rust and replaced the brake pads, rotors, power steering line, hose, and brake pads. Recently, contact stated that her son had driven the vehicle and that the vehicle began to exhibit the same brake failure that had been replaced by the mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

- Owings Mills, MD, USA

Extensive, rapidly spreading rust throughout the vehicle's frame and fuel tank supports leaving little or nothing holding the fuel tank or areas of the suspension together. Vehicle cannot be safely placed on a lift for service because of thin metal in the bottom of the frame..

- Chicago, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to A-1 Toyota (50 amity rd, new haven, ct 06515) significant rust was discovered on the subframe of the vehicle. The mechanic found a hole in the radiator support and another hole on the driver side frame rail. The contact was informed that the vehicle was safe to drive however, the prolonged rust build up could lead to a severe mechanical failure. The contact was informed that there were no recalls on the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but offered no further assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Stratford, CT, USA

Upon recently driving a family member's 2005 Toyota 4runner limited V8, I heard a knocking noise coming from the front of the vehicle over bumps. Upon inspecting the vehicle, I discovered extensive rust on nearly every single part of the structural frame, suspension components and even exhaust system. Some parts are so badly rusted that they can be punctured by simply pushing your finger through them (including the rear frame cross member crash structure behind the rear bumper). These vehicles are rusting so terribly that I'm shocked NHTSA hasn't forced Toyota to recall them. Yes, they're older, but the level of rust and decay is unprecedented for nearly any modern car. Toyota already had to recall all of their other body-on-frame vehicles (Tacoma, Tundra, sequoia, and land cruiser) to replace the frames due to rust. Why have they neglected the 4runner when it's arguably the vehicle that will likely see use off road more than all the others? the NHTSA should force Toyota to recall these cars before someone is killed. Look at any online forum as I did last night and you'll see Toyota is actually being sued in a class action lawsuit for this very issue. Tons of people are sharing photos and stories of their own incidents. Someone is going to be killed when their car disintegrates as they drive down the road and they lose control of their steering, braking or if they're hit in a collision and the structural members of the car crumble like a cracker.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

The frame underneath the front bumper is totally rusted and crumbling. My mechanic showed me yesterday and said the radiator would fall out. Also the control arrms to the front two wheels are very badly rusted.

- Houston, TX, USA

Nothing happened yet but found upon checking that the rear differential upper control arm that is attached to the frame is rusted through. I am afraid it will detach while driving and can cause an accident. I have removed the flaky metal myself in the summer of 2020 and painted it to avoid further rusting. The crossbar in the front that is supporting the radiator is rusted through as well. The metal that is holding the tank is gone too.

- Walpole, MA, USA

Frame is rusted thru on both front sides where the control arms attach

- Pleasant Plain, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that years ago, an independent mechanic discovered severe corrosion on the undercarriage of the vehicle. The contact recently had a fuel leak failure which she linked to the corrosion on the vehicle. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Falls Church, VA, USA

Front frame rusted beyond repair.

- Carolina Beach, NC, USA

The frame is rusting away

- Falmouth, ME, USA

I have a 2005 Toyota 4runner purchased new garaged kept with 66200 miles with excessive frame and underbody rust. I am concerned without a frame replacement from Toyota I will not be able to drive it as the safety crash standards not to be acceptable as new or frame to brake and cause an accident.

- Johnstown, PA, USA

Hi, I own a 2005 4runner and I am concerned about the heavy amount of rusting on the frame. The frame is rusty which is causing heavy flaking of the affected material. The body of the vehicle is pristine but I fear that the premature rusting of the frame will affect the ability to safely drive my 4runner in the future. I am a special education teacher with two young daughters and don't have the income to go out and replace the frame or buy a new vehicle. This 4runner is the only vehicle I own and is my daily driver. My students and their guardians depend on me to arrive safely to school everyday so there is consistency in my students' lives. I have seen many 4runners in this age range suffer from this same corrosion. I am concerned that my family will be injured in a minor accident or the vehicle's safety mechanisms failing because of frame damage. I am also concerned that I will lose my only means of transporting myself to work. I am a huge fan of Toyota, especially 4runners, and want to keep mine around for a long time. Keeping Toyota vehicles around for a long time is what the company was built upon.

- Lincoln, NE, USA