1998 Toyota 4runner Body & Structure Problems

Your 4Runner's frame has developed rust that is causing the trailing arms (suspension parts that support your wheels) to detach while driving normally. This is a serious structural problem that could affect your vehicle's handling and safety.

The welded bracket that connects your rear control arm to the frame on the driver's side has rusted through and broken off completely. This happened while you were accelerating from a stop, causing a loud pop and making the rear end of your vehicle feel unstable and difficult to control. You'll likely need frame repair or replacement of the mounting bracket, which may require welding.

Your 4Runner's frame has rusted completely through in at least one spot, creating a hole. This structural damage prevents you from selling, registering, or using the vehicle, even though the engine and mechanical systems still run well. Repairing a rusted-through frame typically requires professional welding or frame replacement, which is a major repair on older vehicles.

Your vehicle's frame is rusting severely and has become unsafe, despite having only 68,000 miles. Specifically, the rear trailing arm bracket has developed a hole through it due to rust damage. Addressing this will likely require professional frame repair or replacement of the affected structural components.

Your 4Runner's frame has rusted so severely that you cannot pass vehicle inspection. This is a structural integrity issue that prevents you from getting your vehicle legally inspected. Frame rust repair typically involves removing the corroded sections and welding new metal in place, or in severe cases, replacing the entire frame.

Your vehicle failed a safety inspection due to severe rust on the frame. Frame rust can compromise your vehicle's structural integrity and safety. The frame will likely need professional inspection and repair or replacement of rusted sections.

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.

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.

EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST OPEN HOLES AND CRACKS OVER TIME.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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."

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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 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.

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.

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

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

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ALONG APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WINDOW SHATTERS FOR NO APPARENT REASON. LUCKILY OUR 3 YEAR OLD CHILD WAS ON THE OTHER SIDE. SHE CALLED THE POLICE AND HE SAID IT WAS A DEFECT IN TOYOTA 4RUNNERS. TS

SUPPORT STRUTS ON LIFTGATE UNABLE TO FULLY SUPPORT LIFTGATE WHEN REAR WINDOW RETRACTED DOWN INTO DOOR - APPARENTLY DUE TO ADDITIONAL WEIGHT TOWARDS BOTTOM OF THE DOOR.

SLIDING DOOR FAILED. *YC

REAR PANEL ADJUST ROD FAILED. MJS

HATCH FAILED TWICE. *YC

REAR GATE HANDLE LATCH SHARP METAL CAUSING FINGERS TO CATCH WHEN CONSUMER ATEMPT TO OPEN THE GATE. YH

STRUCTURE IS NOT VERY STABLE IN WINDY WEATHER AT SPEEDS OF 55-65MPH. YH