1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER Structure Problems

The frame is rusting out and broke while driving. The frame is almost totally destroyed from rust . The rear started swinging violently but luckily got it stop without crashing. The entire frame is a joke. I can't believe it hasn't been recalled STILL. The body is in perfect shape but a frame that can snap at any moment....I thought Toyota put safety first?

CRITICAL FRAME RUST CAUSING TRAILING ARMS TO DETACH UNDER NORMAL USE.

Mileage: 305,000

THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM MOUNTING BRACKET THAT IS WELDED TO THE FRAME HAS RUSTED AND COMPLETELY FRACTURED OFF OF THE FRAME. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP LIGHT ON A CITY STREET AT NORMAL SPEEDS. I FELT AND HEARD A LOUD POP, THEN HAD SEVERE REAR END INSTABILITY WHILE DRIVING, REQUIRING ME TO "LIMP HOME" TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Mileage: 101,185

RUSTED FRAME. HOLE RIGHT THROUGH IT. CAN'T SELL, REGISTER OR DO ANYTHING WITH IT. CAR HAS 188K MILES, DRIVES LIKE A TANK, AND HAS YEARS LEFT IN IT, BUT NOT WITH A RUSTED OUT FRAME. NO ONE SHOWED IT TO ME BEFORE I TRIED TO SELL IT. I HAVE OWNED FOR 7 YEARS, 2ND OWNER.

THE FRAME HAS RUSTED OUT AND THE SWAYBAR HAS BROKE LOOSE FROM THE FRAME. *TR

Mileage: 245,000

THE FRAME OF MY VEHICLE IS RUSTING OUT TO THE POINT OF BEING UNSAFE. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 68K MILES. THE REAR TRAILING ARM BRACKET HAS A HOLE INSIDE

Mileage: 68,000

REAR PASSENGER SIDE SWAY BAR ATTACHMENT RUSTED THROUGH AND SNAPPED FROM FRAME. AND ON OTHER SIDE SWAY BAR LINK SNAPPED. IN ADDITION THE FRAME NEAR IT IS ROTTING AWAY. NOTICED IT WHILE DRIVING IT WAS SWAYING BADLY. IN ADDITION THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL UNLATCH OCCASIONALLY WHILE DRIVING.

Mileage: 280,000

CAN NOT GET INSPECTION BECAUSE OF FRAME RUSTED

Mileage: 230,950

WHILE ON A CITY STREET WITH A 45MPH SPEED LIMIT, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED THE BACK END OF THE CAR STARTED TO FISHTAIL TO THE SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DISCOVERED THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE HAD RUSTED AND BROKE WHERE THE REAR CONTROL ARM TO THE DRIVER SIDE REAR AXLE ATTACHED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN WELL MAINTAINED BY THE ONLY OWNER AND THE BODY IS IN NEAR EXCELLENT CONDITION WITH NO ACCIDENTS.

Mileage: 125,000

MY 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER FRAME IS COMPRISED AND DEEMED UNSAFE AND UNDRIVABLE DUE TO SEVERE FRAME RUST. I HAD TO REMOVE IT FROM THE ROAD SINCE THE BODY ROCKS ON THE FRAME AND IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

Mileage: 240,000

SENT MY VEHICLE FOR SAFETY INSPECTION AND IT WAS FAILED. BADLY RUSTED FRAME WAS SITED AS ONE REASON.

Mileage: 140,000

TAKEN MY 4RUNNER FOR ANNUAL MAINTENANCE AND MY MECHANIC FOUND EXTREME RUST DAMAGE ON LEFT REAR FRAME SUPPORT. ADVISE ME IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO A 2 1/2 FOOT LONG RUST HOLE IN THE FRAME. PICTURES ATTACHED. CHECKING TO SEE IF TOYOTA HAS IMPLEMENTED RECALL ON YOUR DEFECTIVE FRAME MATERIAL. IT LOOKS LIKE THE RUST ISSUE HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR MANY YEARS.

Mileage: 156,000

LEFT BALL JOINT BROKE WHILE DRIVING AFTER IT WAS SERVICED AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THEN THEY TOLD ME MY FRAME WAS RUSTED AFTER THEY INSPECTED IT. I HEARD THERE WAS A RECALL ON RUSTED FRAMES.

Mileage: 190,000

EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST OPEN HOLES AND CRACKS OVER TIME.

Mileage: 150,000

WAS TOLD BY LOCAL DEALER, WHO HAS SERVICED THIS TRUCK SINCE PURCHASED, IN MARCH 2018, THAT THE FRAME HAD RUST THROUGH AND WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I HAD HEARD OF THIS COMMON PROBLEM WITH OUR TACOMA. THE DEALER HAD NEVER PRESENTED US WITH THE OPTION OF REPLACING OR BEING BOUGHT OUT OR BUYING AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE FRAME. WE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS AN OLD TRUCK, BUT GIVEN THE LOCAL DEALER NEVER TOLD US OF ANY POTENTIAL PROBLEM, WE WERE UNAWARE OF ANY POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEMS. IN FACT, JUST A YEAR EARLIER THE WE HAD THE TRUCK IN FOR BASIC SERVICE (OIL CHANGE), AND TOLD THE SERVICE REP THAT MY WIFE WAS PLANNING A 1,000 TRIP AND ASKED IF THE TRUCK WAS OKAY FOR THE TRIP, AND WAS TOLD IT WAS FINE - HOW IT BEEN FINE A YEAR AGO, WHEN THIS YEAR THE FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH. IPLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. *JS

Mileage: 217,000

MAJOR ISSUE WITH FRAME RUST. IT NOW HAS A 6 INCH HOLE IN MY FRAME. VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. I HAVE CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING

Mileage: 220,000

DURING A STATE INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE I WAS MADE AWARE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO BE ON THE ROAD. THE ENTIRE FRAME RUSTED OUT FRONT TO BACK. YOU CAN EVEN STICK YOUR HAND INSIDE THE HOLLOWED OUT FRAME.

Mileage: 120,000

I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK ONLY 20 DAYS AGO. I HAVE BEEN LOYAL TO TOYOTA ALL MY LIFE AND MY FAMILY TOO. THE TRUCK APPEARED TO BE IN IMMACULATE SHAPE. HOWEVER AFTER ITS 3RD DRIVE I NOTICED A SWAY WHEN LETTING OFF THE ACCELERATOR. I TOOK IT TOYOTA AND THEY DEEMED IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE ENTIRE FRAME IS ROTTED OUT. I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AND IS VERY DANGEROUS CAUSING THE FRAME TO BREAK AND PEOPLE WRECKED. TOYOTA NEEDS TO RECALL THESE 3RD GEN 4RUNNERS. SEEING AS HOW THEY RECALLED EVERY OTHER MODEL FOR THE SAME ISSUE EXCEPT THE 4RUNNER.

Mileage: 161,000

I OWN A 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER THAT I BOUGHT FROM A TOYOTA DEALER IN 2001, AFTER ABOUT THREE TO FOUR YEAR LATER, I STARTED TO NOTICE RUST SHOWING UP ON THE REAR BUMPER AND ALSO UNDER NEATH THE VEHICLE SO I BOUGHT A GALLON OF RUST PROF PAINT AND STARTED TO COAT BENEATH THE TRUCK WITH THE HOPE TO STOP THE RUST FROM TAKING OVER THE VEHICLE. WELL THE LONG AND SHORT STORY IS I HAVE FINALY LOST THE BATTLE AFTER REPLACING REAR BUMPERS,TWO REAR SHOCKS AND A MUFFULER SYSTEMS. I WAS TOLD TODAY THAT MY 4 RUNNER IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I WILL INCLUDE SOME PICS AND LET YOU DECIDE WHAT HAPPEN.

WHEN TO GET INSPECTION STICKER AND FAIL BECAUSE FRAME HAD HOLES ON UNDERCARRIAGE AND ALSO ON THE CHASSIS

FRAME IS LOADED WITH HOLES BODY PANELS ARE PERFECT. CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND WILL NOT PASS SAFETY INSPECTION. WITH ONLY 80,000 MILES

Mileage: 81,500

BADLY RUSTED FRAME, BY MECHANIC UNSAFE TO DRIVE IT. STARTED MAKING NOISES UNDER THE CAR REASON WHY I TOOK TO THE MECHANIC.

Mileage: 150,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CHASSIS AND CONTROL ARM WERE ROTTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

Mileage: 180,000

AFTER MULTI-POINT INSPECTION, DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE "FRAME IS VERY RUSTED AND IS ROTTING OUT WHERE REAR SUSPENSION MEETS FRAME. DO NOT RECOMMEND TO DRIVE."

Mileage: 143,516

FRAME RUSTED OUT AND REAR AXLE SUPPORT DETACHED FROM FRAME WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SWAY UNCONTROLLABLY ALMOST ROLLING OVER. FOUND THAT MANUFACTURER HAS RECALL ON TRUCKS WITH SIMILAR FRAME FOR RUST ISSUE, BUT NOT THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS OR DEATHS. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

EXTENSIVE UNDER BODY FRAMES SCALY RUST AND WITH SPECIFIC SERIOUS DAMAGE TO REAR STRUTS BASE. WHOLE PIECE SUPPORTING STRUT BASE BROKEN COMPLETELY BROKEN AROUND AND SUNK IN CREATING LOUD NOISE WITH THE LIST IMPACT. I HAVE SEVERAL PICTURES AS PROOF.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 161,000.

Mileage: 161,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT BEFORE WOBBLING VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE FRAME WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000.

Mileage: 152,000

THE FRAME OR THE CHASSIS AND ALL AROUND IT ARE HEAVILY CORRODED THAT I WAS ADVISED BY THE INSPECTOR AND THE TIRE PLACE (COSTCO) WHERE I BROUGHT THE CAR FOR TIRE REPLACEMENT NOT TO DRIVE IT AS IT IS UNSAFE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE TOYOTA TACOMA OF THE SAME YEAR WITH THE SAME KIND OH CHASSIS WAS RECALLED BY TOYOTA. MY QUESTION IS WHY NOT DO THE SAME FOR THE 4RUNNER?

I OWN A WONDERFUL 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LTD SPORT VEHICLE. THE FRAME IS DISAPPEARING DUE TO SEVERE RUST. THE HEAT SHIELD HAS WORN AWAY, AND NOW MY FEET GET VERY HOT AFTER JUST 20 MINUTES OF LOCAL DRIVING. HAVE HAD IT CHECKED BY A GARAGE, NOTHING FUNCTIONALLY WRONG WITH MY SUV.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO HAVE THE RADIATOR REPLACED HOWEVER, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING HOISTED ON THE LIFT, THE SUB FRAME FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS SEVERE FRAME RUST TO THE SUB FRAME. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS COMPROMISED AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO REPAIR WHILE ON A LIFT. THE RADIATOR WAS REPAIRED, HOWEVER THE FRAME RUST FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR TORSION BAR ALSO FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 183,000.

Mileage: 183,000

THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION HAS SERIOUS SIGNS OF FRAME DECAY THAT SHOULD NOT BE PRESENT ON A VEHICLE OF THIS AGE AND USE. THERE ARE THREE AREAS OF FRAME PERFORATION THAT SUGGEST A DEFECT IN THE MATERIAL AND/OR DESIGN OF THE FRAME. THIS ISSUE SEEMS TO BE PREVALENT ON 1998 MODELS OF THIS SAME VEHICLE AS I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME NATURE WITHIN THE NHTSA SITE AS WELL AS OTHER SITES AROUND THE INTERNET. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA CORPORATE AND WAS MET WITH AN UNWILLINGNESS TO PROPERLY ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. I WILL FOLLOW UP WITH PHOTOS OF THE FRAME PERFORATION TO SHOW THE EXTENT OF THE DETERIORATION.

LIKE THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF TOYOTA COMPLAINTS, FRAME RUST. TOOK THE 1998 4RUNNER FOR NEW TIRES AND ALIGNMENT. ALIGNMENT COULD NOT BE DONE BECAUSE OF MASSIVE EROSION DUE TO RUST ON THE FRAME CONNECTING REAR CONTROL ARMS. 4RUNNER ESSENTIALLY UNDRIVEABLE AT THIS AT THIS POINT. CONTACTED TOYOTA HQ AND, AS EVERYONE ELSE ON THE NHTSA COMPLAINTS SITE SAYS, THEY WOULD DO NOTHING ALTHOUGH THEY DID TAKE CARE OF THE TACOMA PROBLEM.

RUSTED FRAME ON DRIVERS SIDE REAR, HOLES IN FRAME, WHICH HOLDS THE SWAY BAR. MECHANIC NOTICED DURING OIL CHANGE. TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD NOTHING THEY COULD DO. VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION.

Mileage: 211,750

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE CHANGING THE OIL AND FUEL FILTER, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SEVERE CORROSION TO THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 198,000.

Mileage: 198,000

FRAME IS ROTTING OUT BY CONTROL BRACKETS. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT IT WILL NOT MAKE IT THROUGH THE WINTER. ITS NOT SAFE AND WILL CRUMPLE ON IMPACT.

Mileage: 157,000

REAR FRAME RUSTED OUT WHERE SWAY BARS ATTACH, FRAME MOUNTS BROKE WHILE TOWING A TRAILER ON SR 22 IN SOUTHERN OHIO. LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE CROSSED TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC BEFORE GAINING CONTROL AND STOPPING THE 4RUNNER.

Mileage: 180,000

1998 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FRAME RUST ISSUES. *SMD

FRAME RUSTED THROUGH PREMATURELY ON MY TRUCK. TRUCK IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND A HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT.

Mileage: 165,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRAILING ARM REAR AXLE OF THE FRAME WAS RUSTED COMPLETELY AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000. MA 10/19/15 UPDATED 11/06/2017*CN

Mileage: 34,000

RECENTLY BOUGHT THIS 1998 4RUNNER THINKING IT WAS IN GREAT CONDITION. AFTER THE PURCHASE WE BROUGHT IT TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT AND HAVE THE BACK BRAKES FIXED. WHILE HE WAS DOING THE MAINTENANCE HE SAW THAT THE WHOLE UNDERBODY FRAME OF THE TRUCK IS RUSTED OUT AND ISN'T EVEN DRIVABLE DUE TO THE FACT AT ANY MOMENT THE WHOLE BACK OF THE TRUCK COULD FALL OUT. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS STUFF HAPPENS BUT THROUGH MY RESEARCH THIS IS FAIRLY COMMON IN THE OLDER 4RUNNER MODELS ALONG WITH THE VERY SIMILAR FRAMED TACOMA WHICH HAS THE FRAME RECALL.

Mileage: 158,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS RUST ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS STRUCTURAL FAILURE OF THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE FRAME DUE TO RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 213,000.

Mileage: 213,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT OBSERVED CORRODED PIECES OF METAL THAT DROPPED FROM THE UNDERCARRIAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 161,000.

Mileage: 161,000

PURCHASED THIS TOYOTA 4 RUNNER FROM A DEALERSHIP ONLY TO FIND OUT LAST WEEK THE FRAME IS RUSTED WITH HOLES. I BELIEVE THE DEALERSHIP KNEW THIS AND SHOULD NOT HAVE SOLD THE VEHICLE UNDER SUCH DANGEROUS CONDITIONS THAT IT'S IN. *TR

FRAME RUST. LOTS OF AREAS OF FRAME BEGINNING TO FALL. CAR SWAYING. AFRAID OF GETTING INTO ACCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 198,000

I WAS INFORMED OF AND SHOWN EXCESSIVE FRAME ROTTING/RUSTING THROUGH FROM A MECHANIC. THE FRAME LOOKED RELATIVELY NORMAL ROUGHLY 6 MONTHS AGO. I AM AWARE THAT SOME OF THEIR OTHER TRUCKS HAVE RECALLS DUE TO THE SAME ISSUE, AND I AM SEEING INSTANCES OF THIS ON THE INTERNET FOR THIS VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 235,000

THE FRAME WAS POORLY DESIGNED FROM THE FACTORY. WITH THE HOLLOW STYLE FRAME AS THIN AS IT IS, DOES NOT HAVE PROPER DRAINAGE. THIS DESIGN FROM TOYOTA CAUSES PREMATURE OXIDIZATION OF THE FRAME/UNDER CARRIAGE, BECAUSE MOISTURE FROM NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS IS FAILED TO BE EVACUATED FROM THE FRAME EVEN AFTER BEING KEPT IN A DRY WARM PLACE FOR STORAGE. THIS PROBLEM IS WIDELY DOCUMENTED ONLINE IN FORUMS DEDICATED SPECIFICALLY TO THESE VEHICLES. THE FRAME RUST IS SO BAD ON MINE, I CAN NO LONGER DRIVE IT. I AM RECENTLY UNEMPLOYED, AND HAVE NOT NEARLY ENOUGH SAVINGS FOR A NEW VEHICLE. THIS WILL BECOME A NATIONAL SAFETY HAZARD SOON AS HIGHER MILEAGE 4RUNNERS OF THIS FRAME DESIGN ARE COMMONLY COMING DOWN IN PRICE ON THE USED MARKET AND ARE OFTEN SOUGHT AFTER AS GOOD "STARTER CAR" FOR NEW DRIVERS AND TEENS. TOYOTA SHOULD DO THE HONORABLE THING , WHICH THEY DEMONSTRATED AND SAVED LIVES WITH THE RECALL OF TACOMA MODEL FRAMES. I AM NOW CAR-LESS IN A RURAL AREA, WHICH MAKES ME PRETTY MUCH UNEMPLOYABLE. THANKS TOYOTA, IF THE FRAME I BOUGHT WAS HALF AS WELL BUILT AS THE BODY AND ENGINE OF THE AUTO I PURCHASED, I WOULD NOT BE IN THE SITUATION, AND THE HIGHWAYS WOULD NOT BE AT RISK, WHICH THEY ARE NOW. *TR

Mileage: 135,555

THE FRAME OF THE BODY IS RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE TO OUTSIDE, ITS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE IT MIGHT TAKE A WHILE BEFORE ONE CAN REALIZE WHAT IS GOING ON SINCE THE OUTER PART OF THE VEHICLE FRAME SOMEWHAT SEEM TO BE OK. *TR

THE FRAME ON MY 1998 4RUNNER HAS BEEN DESTROYED BY RUST BEYOND WHAT SHOULD BE ACCEPTABLE. THERE ARE SOME HOLES IN THE FRAME AND THE RUST IS SEVERE. THE FRAME SHOULD BE A LIFETIME PART, NOT SOMETHING THAT FAILS IN THIS MANNER, AND THE STATE OF THE FRAME IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE BY ANY STANDARDS. I BROUGHT IT TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT, AND THEY TOLD ME TO MY FACE THAT IT WAS NOT SAFE, BUT THEY WOULD NOT MAKE A REPORT OR PUT THAT IN WRITING. THEIR REPORT SAID SOMETHING ALONG THE LINES OF 'CUSTOMER SAID FRAME WAS RUSTY, TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THAT FRAME IS RUSTY.' TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE FRAMES AND ANY ASSOCIATED ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN RUINED BY THE RUST. TOYOTA RECALLED ALL THE BAD TACOMA FRAMES THAT WERE RUSTY THROUGH THE SAME TIME PERIOD, SO THEY SHOULD DEFINITELY DO THE SAME FOR ALL THE 4RUNNER OWNERS OUT THERE WITH THIS TROUBLE. *JS

Mileage: 175,000

FRAME HAS RUST PERFORATION WHERE THE REAR CONTROL ARM BRACKET MOUNTS TO FRAME.....APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH 1996-2002 4 RUNNERS AND TOYOTA HAS REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR

Mileage: 234,000

VEHICLE STARTED A CLUNKING SOUND AND BEGAN TO SWAY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. MECHANIC INSPECTED AND FOUND FRAME HAD RUSTED ON DRIVERS SIDE NEAR REAR SWAY BAR. *TR

Mileage: 193,000

DURING NORMAL SERVICE AND INSPECTION, MY TOYOTA DEALER SERVICE REP. REPORTED FRAME RUST, INCLUDING PERFORATION OF THE FRAME. SERVICE REP RECOMMENDED THAT VEHICLE NOT BE DRIVEN, AND TAKEN OUT OF SERVICE. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 13 YEARS. TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS HAVE DONE THE SERVICE AND REPAIRS ON THIS VEHICLE, AND NEVER REPORTED THIS PROBLEM PREVIOUSLY. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE EVEN HEARD OF FRAME RUST. NOW, I HAVE A VEHICLE THAT IS ALMOST WORTHLESS. I REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO TOYOTA, BUT THEY DID NOT OFFER ANY SUGGESTIONS OR HELP. *TR

Mileage: 345,600

WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM FRAME MOUNT BROKE DUE TO FRAME ROT. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SWAY BACK AND FORTH VIOLENTLY AND I WAS ABLE LIMP IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP. THE FRAME AND MOUNT FOR THE CONTROL ARM ARE ROTTED THROUGH AND THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, THIS IS MY MAIN DAILY DRIVER VEHICLE. THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS BESIDES REPLACING THE FRAME. I KNOW THERE IS ALOT OF MILES ON THIS TRUCK BUT MECHANICALLY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT AND IT RUNS GREAT. *TR

Mileage: 333,849

I WAS DRIVING AND SUDDENLY IT FELT LIKE THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE FELL OFF. FURTHER INSPECTION SHOWED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM BRACKET WAS ROTTED OUT OF THE FRAME. THERE IS NO WAY I CAN DRIVE MY TRUCK ANYMORE. I HAD SOMEONE LOOK AT THE FRAME AND WAS TOLD ITS COMPLETELY ROTTED AND THE TRUCK IS A TOTAL LOSS. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE IS NOT A RECALL FOR THE 4RUNNERS WHEN THE FRAME IS SIMILAR TO THE TACOMAS. THE TACOMAS DID HAVE A RECALL FOR ROTTING OF THE FRAME. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THE FRAME ON THE 4RUNNERS SINCE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. THE AXLE OF THE 4RUNNER COULD FALL OUT AND COULD CAUSE A FATAL ACCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 240,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS CORROSION ON THE LEFT REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM ATTACHMENT POINT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000. *TR

Mileage: 230,000

I WAS DRIVING ON A BACK ROAD, HIT A POTHOLE AND THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE CONTROL ARM RIPPED AWAY FROM THE FRAME. FOUND OUT FRAME WAS RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT, AND SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN INSPECTED. I HAD JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, AND IT HAD GONE THROUGH PA INSPECTION TWO MONTHS BEFORE I BOUGHT IT. ITS A SHAME, THE REST OF THE TRUCK, MOTOR, INTERIOR, BODY PANELS, WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION. *TR

Mileage: 183,861

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME AND TRAILING ARM BRACKET EXHIBITED SEVERE RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIR BUT THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT DUE TO LIABILITY ISSUES, THEY COULD NOT SERVICE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 250,000.

Mileage: 250,000

TOYOTA ADVISES THAT FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH. CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO A 14 YEAR OLD CAR WITH 87,000 MILES. *TR

Mileage: 87,000

I GOT THE 4RUNNER IN LIKE 2006 OR 2007 AT A USED DEALERSHIP IN GREAT CONDITION. DIDN'T LOOK GOOD AT THE UNDERNEATH AT THE TIME. AROUND 6-7 YEARS LATER, THE VEHICLE STARTED SWAYING WHEN I WOULD DRIVE ON THE MAIN ROAD. GOT IT CHECKED OUT AND THE FRAME WAS RUSTED SO BAD THAT I WAS LUCKY TO NOT HAVE THE ENTIRE BOTTOM FALL OUT WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. GOT SOME WELDED TO LAST AWHILE LONGER AND A YEAR LATER, THE OTHER SIDE BROKE FROM RUST. IT IS A SHAME BECAUSE THE BODY AND INTERIOR, EXTERIOR, ENGINE, ETC. IS IN GREAT CONDITION! EVEN THE BACK BUMPER AND HITCH IS RUSTED OUT BAD NOW. I THINK SINCE THE TACOMA HAS A RECALL FOR THE RUST ON FRAME, THE 4RUNNER SHOULD AS WELL BECAUSE I AM LOSING MONEY FROM MY 4RUNNER & JUST LETTING IT GO TO SCRAPS. IT WOULD COST MORE TO FIND AN ENTIRE NEWER FRAME THAN TO JUST FIND ANOTHER VEHICLE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO CHANGE BECAUSE IT IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR PEOPLE TO DRIVE THESE MODELS WHEN THE RUST IS SOO BAD! *TR

Mileage: 170,000

VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING AND CLUNKING. I WAS NEAR HOME AND ABLE TO GET IT BACK TO MY DRIVEWAY. UPON TOWING TO THE MECHANIC, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR CONTROL ARM HAD RUSTED OUT AND DETACHED FROM THE FRAME. FRAME ROT WAS DISCOVERED ON THE SIDE RAILS. CAR IS CONSIDERED UNDRIVEABLE AND SHOULD BE TOTALED. *TR

Mileage: 83,680

1998 TOYOTA 4-RUNNER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FRAME RUST. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR SUPPORT BRACKET SNAPPED OFF THE MAIN FRAME OF THE VEHICLE.

FRAME IS RUSTED OUT AROUND REAR CONTROL ARM BRACKETS. NUMEROUS RUST HOLES IN FRAME. THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION AND TOYOTA DOES NOT WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF THE SAME MODEL VEHICLE ONLINE WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL, JUST LIKE THE TACOMA FRAMES. VEHICLE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. IT IS A SHAME THIS 4RUNNER IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. BEAUTIFUL TRUCK, UNSAFE FRAME. *TR

Mileage: 170,000

I FOUND A 10" LONG X1" WIDE SECTION OF FRAME PERFORATED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AT THE CROSS MEMBER. THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER PLACES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THAT ARE PERFORATED AS WELL. THE DRIVERS SIDE SEEMS OK. I AM NOW WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 190,000

I OWN A 1998 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER WITH A SAFETY ISSUE. THE FRAME IS RUSTED OUT WHERE THE FRONT PORTION OF THE REAR LEAF SPRING BRACKET IS WELDED TO THE FRAME. THIS WAS POINTED OUT TO ME BY AN AUTO BODY REPAIR PERSON WHO'S FATHER HAD A TACOMA THAT RUSTED OUT IN THE SAME SPOT. HIS VEHICLE WAS GRANTED 1.5 TIMES OVER KELLY BLUE BOOK VALUE AND THE VEHICLE WAS SEIZED FROM HIM AT THE TIME DUE TO SAFETY. MY 4 RUNNER IS ONLY 13 YEARS OLD WITH A KELLY BLUE BOOK VALUE OF 6500.00. IT LOOKS AND RUNS GREAT. BUT OBVIOUSLY THIS VEHICLE IS NOT WORTH THAT NOW AND CANNOT BE SOLD DUE TO THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE FRAME. IT ALSO CANNOT BE REPAIRED. EVENTUALLY THIS WILL RESULT IN A FAILURE AND DEPENDING ON WHAT SPEED THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING AT THE TIME WILL TELL HOW SERIOUS THE ACCIDENT WILL BE. IT APPEARS THAT TOYOTA HAS VERY LITTLE TO DO WITH MY CONCERNS. I SENT THREE CERTIFIED LETTERS TO TOYOTA EXPRESSING MY CONCERNS WITH SAFETY. THE LETTER SENT TO THE PRESIDENT YOSHIMI INABA THAT WAS NOT FORWARDED TO HIM, WAS RETURNED DUE TO AN ERRONEOUS ADDRESS SO IT APPEARS HE IS BEING SHELTERED. I WAS OFFERED $500.00 REIMBURSEMENT ON SERVICE, PARTS OR ACCESSORIES OR A 1500.00 'GIFT' BASED ON TOYOTA'S 'GOODWILL OFFER' TOWARDS A NEW TOYOTA. THIS "GIFT" WAS OFFERED BY AN EXECUTIVE ANALYST WITH TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE WHOM APPARENTLY DOESN'T WANT THE TOP EXECUTIVES TO RECEIVE CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS. BASED ON COMPARISONS THAT THE TACOMA AND TUNDRA OWNERS RECEIVED, I DON'T FEEL THE SO-CALLED "GOODWILL" OF BEING A TOYOTA CUSTOMER. IT SEEMS THERE MUST BE LITIGATION TO GET TOYOTA'S WELL-BRAGGED-ABOUT CUSTOMER CARE. SAFETY IS #1 AT TOYOTA IF THEY ARE GOING TO MAKE A NEW SALE! SAFETY FOR OLD CUSTOMERS IS OUT THE WINDOW IF THE SALE IS FROM THE PAST. LOOKS LIKE TOYOTA DOES NOT REALLY BACK THEIR PRODUCTS UNLESS THERE IS A DEATH. *TR

Mileage: 140,000

I WAS DRIVING IF YOU WOULD GO THE SPEED LIMIT IT WOULD START TO SHAKE REAL BAD. COULD DRIVE IF YOU DROVE 25 TO 30 MILES A HOUR. PARKED IT AND GOT TO LOOKING AND THE FRAME ON DRIVERS SIDE BROKE IN FRONT OF REAR WHEEL BY THE LOWER STRAIT TO REAR END. ## VIN PASSED ## 1998 4 RUNNER ## *TR

THE FRAME ON MY 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5 HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH ON THE REAR AND HAS BROKEN IN HALF. THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE. THE TOYOTA TACOMA PICKUP (SAME MODEL YEAR TIME-FRAME) HAS THE SAME ISSUE AND HAS BEEN RECALLED, BUT THE 4RUNNER HAS NOT. THE 4RUNNER SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED AND A 15 YEAR EXTENDED FRAME RUST THOUGH WARRANTY APPLIED. *TR

Mileage: 160,000

THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE IS RUSTING OUT I HAVE ONE OR TWO HOLES IN MY FRAME AND I SEE THAT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. I WORK FOR A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND WE REPLACING ALOT OF TACOMA FRAMES DUE TO RUST. THE 4RUNNER FRAME IS THE SAME AS THE TACOMA SO I DON'T SEE WHY 4RUNNER FRAMES ARE NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. THANKS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED NEAR THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE. THE RUST CAUSED THE FRAME TO FRACTURE COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT BECAUSE BOTH THE TOYOTA TACOMA AND TUNDRA WERE RECALLED FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

Mileage: 98,000

1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5. THE READ DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING HAS RUSTED OUT SO BAD THAT IT HAS TO BE REPLACED. MULTIPLE MECHANICS HAVE STATED THEY'VE NEVER SEEN SUCH A THING. NO ACCIDENTS OR ANYTHING THAT COULD HAVE ADDED TO THE DETERIORATION OF THIS. THIS 4RUNNER HAS NEVER GONE OFF ROAD AND 90% OF IS HIGHWAY MILES. *TR

Mileage: 255,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THERE WAS NOT A RECALL AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 125,000.

Mileage: 125,000

MY MECHANIC (JAY SHIEL OF FINE TUNES, MIDDLETOWN, CT) INFORMED ME THAT I HAD AN UNUSUAL AMOUNT OF RUST UNDER MY VEHICLE. HE SAID HE KNEW THAT TOYOTA HAD PROBLEMS WITH INSUFFICIENT RUST PROTECTION ON THE TACOMA'S, BUT HE HADN'T HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT THE 4RUNNERS. HE SAID WE SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AND ASK TO HAVE A REP LOOK AT IT. WE DID AND TOYOTA DECLINED. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

REAR BUMPER HAS A DESIGN FLAW CAUSING IT TO ACCUMULATE DIRT ON INSIDE "LIP". IF NOT CLEANED OUT PROPERLY, WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DO, RUST WILL START TO EAT THROUGH THE BUMPER FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THIS CAUSES AN UNSAFE CONDITION BECAUSE THE INTEGRITY OF THE BUMPER IS COMPROMISED LEADING TO A LACK OF PROTECTION FROM THE REAR, NOT TO MENTION ONE UGLY SIGHT. *NM