Frame rusts too easily. Coating was not good enough from factory. Tacoma's with same frame were recalled.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

I was informed that when I went to get my oil changed this morning that I had major rush on my frame it was cracked and had big holes in it and they were afraid to put it up on the lift. Advised me to check with my dealer to see if there was a recall. According to kbb there is not with my corresponding VIN number which is a dang shame because this is a safety issue and I should T be afraid to drive my grand children around in fear that my frame won't support us. We purchased this vehicle because Toyota is known for their safety, reliability.integrity and longevity. So because of the excellent feedback I have received about Toyota's ' lasting forever' I made my first Toyota purchase. The body deceived me. Other than a little golf ball dent on the front fender. The body is very good condition not a speck of visible rust.

- Hedgeville, WV, USA

The frame has rust and has a hole. It is unsafe to drive and will need to be addressed very soon. There was no specific incident. I recently bought this car. I don't know when it happened.

- Oak Brook, IL, USA

While driving the vehicle and after turning onto a state highway it suddenly swerved badly and the rear end began swaying back and forth making it uncontrollable. I stopped the car immediately. It was discovered that the frame had rusted so badly it became separated from the rear axle. I had to tow it home on a flatbed trailer.

- Norwich, VT, USA

The structural frame of the vehicle is rusted out. Holes, large areas of the frame has rusted out. The frame is structurally compromised. Just noted on 10/19/20. Vehicle was in less than a year earlier with no sign of the damage.

- Arlington Heights, IL, USA

I recently bought a used 2004 4runner and when I inspected the frame there was rust everywhere. Not only surface rust but actual holes in the frame from it. Also the steering assembly is completely rusted out. I'm not the only 4runner owner who has experienced these issues. If you do a quick online search for '4runner frame' there are many results detailing this issue. As I use this vehicle for commuting to and from work I am concerned about its structural integrity. It only has 70000 miles on it and it's completely unacceptable that Toyota has not issued a recall for this problem as they did with other models (Tacoma, Tundra, sequoia).

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

Frame has sever rust-through and corrosion on the passenger side in front of the rear trailing link mount and behind the front control arm mount. Vehicle is driven in an environment where road salt is used in the winter, but this is excessive compared to other older vehicles. Vehicle is washed regularly in the winter.

- Sioux Falls, SD, USA

Severe frame rust on 2004 4runner SR5 sport. Suspension rust, steering components rust. Holes in vehicle frame due to rust. I went to two mechanics that told me that this rust was beyond reasonable for normal rust on frame, they both stated it may become dangerous and to contact Toyota directly. The vehicle is becoming dangerous to drive due to possibly of failing components and or frame.

- Edgewater, CO, USA

Corrosion was found on passenger side of frame during 2020 state safety inspection causing failure of said state inspection. Corrosion was previously found on driver side frame during 2018 state safety inspection and was rectified by body shop welder. Vehicle is garaged when not in use.

- Reading, PA, USA

Severe rust on the frame.

- Mansfield, OH, USA

Toyota 4 runner has developed severe corrosion of the frame and has been deemed unsafe to operate. Vehicle has been regularly washed and maintained by single owner. Vehicle has not been used for off-road driving. Vehicle has not been in a collision. State safety inspector advised owner that there have been a large number of complaints about frame corrosion of 2004 Toyota and that this vehicle may be subject to a recall notice. Safety inspector stated that frame corrosion of this nature is highly unusual and should be reported to the NHTSA. Vehicle is not used along coast nor been subjected to immersion in salt water.

- Fairfax Station, VA, USA

Our 2004 4runner was inspected yesterday (Virginia requires annual inspections), and failed due to rust holes in the frame. We have a photo of the holes. This seems odd to us, because the body is rust free and we live in a southern state where there is not a lot of road salt. Virginia does not allow any modifications to frames. I'm not sure whether this can be repaired. We've maintained the car in tip top shape and are very disappointed in Toyota. The car is registered in my wife's name, [xxx]. redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Blacksburg, VA, USA

Rust. I was told I may not pass inspection next time because of the badly rusted frame. Along with that issue, the rear hatch is rusting off the vehicle. It can no longer open and close because the latching mechanism has rusted off. The rest of the vehicle is pretty much rust free. Why has it rusted away so badly?

- Dunkirk, NY, USA

My 4runner's frame broke while driving due to rust. There's a recall for Tacoma's but not 4 runners. I thankfully was not injured but now I'm without a vehicle. When I bought my 4 runner I was under the impression Toyota was #1 when it came to safety for their customers. Please help

- South Charleston, WV, USA

This well maintained vehicle had been functioning flawlessly up to this point. Our son was on his way home and vehicle felt unstable and started to veer in both directions. He maintained control of the vehicle and was able to get home. I personally drove the vehicle upon his description and sure enough it seemed very unstable. After close examination, it was determined that the frame had separated at a location which left a drivers side rear stabilizer bar detached from the frame. The frame of the vehicle is completely deteriorating and flaking apart. The vehicle is unsafe to drive. We purchased this one owner vehicle for our son. We owned a Toyota sequoia that gave us safe reliable transportation for our family for many years and thought this 4runner would be a safe and reliable vehicle for our son to go off to college. The body and mechanics of the vehicle were very sound. Now, to find out, because of the inferior frame, the vehicle is worthless. We are out the money we paid for the vehicle and disheartened by Toyota's response that our vehicle was not part of the frame recall that was a known problem and safety issue for so many owners. This could have turned out to be a life threatening situation if he had not been able to bring the vehicle under control. We understand rust & corrosion, but this is extreme. I have owned many different brands of vehicles and have never seen anything like this. This frame is literally crumbling away leaving a beautiful vehicle to waste.

- Palisade, MN, USA

My 4runner has excessive frame rust on the entire underside of the vehicle. The rust is far more pervasive than on any other vehicle I have seen and will become dangerous if not fixed. I believe this is a problem with all 4runners from this time period (2002-2006).

- Mount Vernon, WA, USA

Frame is completely rusted out. The engine and transmission are strong but the frame is the weak link to this Toyota. This vehicle will not pass inspection and will need to be scrapped.

- Barrington, NH, USA

Frame is rusting. There are 2 big holes.

- Roselle, IL, USA

Excessive rust throughout the entire frame of the vehicle that could potentially be dangerous. Many rusted parts are connected to other parts of the vehicle such as the auxiliary crossmember, fuel tank strap and frame itself. Vehicle has a clean carfax history.

- Hockessin, DE, USA

We have a 2004 4runner with extreme body rust a corrosion which has caused the failure of numerous components, brakes, gas tank, transmission lines, wheels and other suspension and exhaust items. We originally noticed this failure and began taking steps to correct areas of concern, but the excessive rust has prevented many repairs on suspension, brakes and other components. We recently had an incident that almost caused a roll-over when the brakes seized and the transmission lines failed. I can describe this in more detail at request. When we try to remove bolts, brackets and associated hardware, they are seized, rounded off and/or broken. With no way to repair damaged parts or remove the rust, we may be forced to scrap a vehicle that is otherwise running perfectly. We have taking extreme measure to attempt to mitigate the continuing damage, but seem to have no option for existing damage. I do know there is 1 open investigation on this issue from 2018, NHTSA action number: DP18002. Original complaint number voq 11098055

- Lincolnshire, IL, USA