Excessive frame rust. Safety issue due to frame rusting out

- Herndon, PA, USA

Vehicle is showing signs of corrosion in the frame. This is especially apparent on the weld points. Rue will eventually consume the vehicle frame this making it undrivable.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

The vehicle was purchased on 01/26/2017 and was driven in upstate New York until 1/1/2018 when I relocated to my current address in South Carolina for my new career. The frame of my Toyota 4runner is severely rusting causing the structural integrity of the vehicle to be compromised and causing dangerous damage to steering, brake, suspension, fuel components throughout the vehicle on their mounting points and throughout their systems. The vehicle was in start and stop traffic returning to home when leaving a stop light a loud thud sound came from the rear passenger corner of the vehicle, once the vehicle was mobile under speeds of 30 mph there was no immediate cause of the "fishtailing" however speeds over 30mph the vehicle would slowly "fishtail" and would aggressively get worse until the vehicle came to a stop. Once the vehicle was home and parked I discovered the mounting portion of the vehicle rear trailing arm had rusted and became unattached rendering the vehicle undriveable. Attached are photos of the rust damage to the rear passenger trailing arm and frame.

- Orangeburg, SC, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the vehicle's structure was flaking and metal had detached from the frame onto the driveway. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for routine maintenance who determined that the undercarriage was rusted. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 85,000.

- Fall River, MA, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the rear driver's side frame was rusted. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 127,456. Photos attached.

- Peabody, MA, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that oil was discovered in the driveway where the vehicle was parked. The vehicle was taken to tarbox Toyota (3671 quaker ln, North kingstown, ri 02852, (401) 884-5438) where the contact was informed that the rear differential was leaking and the frame was rotted. The contact also mentioned that the vehicle could not be repaired due to the excessive rust on the frame. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 168,595.

- Providence, RI, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota 4runner. The contact took the vehicle to atlantic Toyota (671 lynnway, lynn, MA 01905, 781-599-4922) for rear brake repairs. The dealer informed the contact that the frame was rusted and had a hole. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 159,532.

- Melrose, MA, USA

Excessive frame rust caused bracket to snap on bumpy roads making vehicle unsafe to drive. Issue has been the biggest problem with 4runners and this is another example of it.

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

On my way to my nieces birthday I drove over to a local park. On my way there I drove over a pot hole as I was cut off by another driver and couldn't avoid it I hear a loud noise from the rear and the vehicle began to sway left and right as I drove. I didn't feel to safe driving it and I was a short distance away from my home I drove back with the hazard lights on. I then proceeded to inspect the rear of the vehicle and found that my upper right control arm bracket had ripped off the frame !!!! I was very alarmed and surprised to see as how my vehicle only has 76000 miles on it. The amount of rust on the frame of the vechicle. I have own vehicles far more older with more miles that have never rusted to this extent.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

06 4runner same frame as recalled Tacoma. Safety issue heavy rust on frame. Mechanic said to get rid of it, rotting where it connects to control arms. May not pass next inspection

- Worcester, MA, USA

Frame rust

- Miami, FL, USA

'06 4runner that the frame is completely shot. It started by having to replace the ball joints and tie rod ends prematurely and now the whole vehicle sits 3 inches lower on the driver's side. The rest of the vehicle is in excellent condition.

- Freeport, IL, USA

My wife's 4runner started to have problems with extensive body roll during acceleration, braking, and bumps. It made it extremely difficult to keep the vehicle in it's own lane especially at highway speeds. Thinking the problem was the front and rear shocks I started the process of replacing them. When I went to install the rear shocks I noticed the the actual cause of the problem was the fact that the frame had rusted through to the point that the lower control arm was no longer attached. I thought that maybe that just happens overtime but then I realize that the rust on the frames on my other cars was not as substantial especially considering one of them was manufactured in 1992.

- Columbus, OH, USA

I was driving home on a Suburban road going about 25 mph and took a corner which felt like I had hit snow or ice, however conditions were optimal. The fishtailing continued and I parked my car as it did not feel safe to drive. When the mechanic looked at it he said I could have been in a serious accident and possibly a roll had I taken it on the highway. The frame was cracked. We also had already replaced the suspension on this vehicle, and the exhaust fell off on the highway the year prior due to rust. The underbody of the car is excessively rusted.

- Lafayette Hill, PA, USA

Rarely driven, about 65,000 miles and the frame is rusting out. It started early.

- Concord, NH, USA

The entire underbody of my 4runner has a severe amount of rust and corrosion. I have attempted treating the rust with rust converter and wire brushing to no avail. I am concerned about the rusted out components and the effect it will have on the vehicle.

- Kingsland, GA, USA

The frame of my 2006 4runner has excessive corrosion and rust. There are areas where the metal has become very thin, and more and more metal keeps flaking off all the time. I have already noticed a couple of holes through the frame rails. I'm especially worried about the areas where suspension components bolt up to the frame, those areas show severe rust and corrosion.

- Gardena, CA, USA

Despite having previously treated my undercarriage with rust-proof sprays numerous times, my mechanic has told me that my Toyota is not safe to drive and it did not receive an inspection sticker due to excessive rust. In addition to the complete rusting the my xreas shock/suspension system (a $3,000 fix), rust damage has spread throughout the undercarriage, rendering many thin spots beneath crumbling flakes. While driving I have noticed a rumbling feeling beneath the front end and the driving wheel shakes furiously at times. My mechanic has said the suspension system has been compromised and will need to be replaced, and rust is compromising other structural components.

- West Newfield, ME, USA

The roof rubber strip on the driver side came flying off when my SUV truck was under the air dryer in the car wash on 03/31/2019. I heard a horrible thumping sound on the roof of my car and noticed there was a rubber strip on the ground and found that the roof rubber strip on the driver side was missing. I don't know if the strips are supposed to be glued with some kind of adhesive or not, as I've never experienced this before with any car I've owned. I think it is ludicrous that a well-meaning car owner can't take his or her car to the car wash without parts flying off the car. I'm just grateful that this rubber strip was not flying off on the freeway as it may fly off even more while you are on the highways.

- San Ramon, CA, USA

Heavy rust on frame. Found a hole on main body frame this weekend while at work on my car lift.

- Anderson, CA, USA