2006 Toyota 4runner Body & Structure Problems

The frame of your 4Runner has rusted severely, causing the gas tank to fall through to the ground while driving. This is a serious safety risk that could lead to fuel leaks or loss of vehicle integrity. Both a mechanic and welding company confirmed the rust is excessive and unusual for a vehicle of this age. The fix will likely require frame replacement or extensive welding repairs to restore structural integrity.

Your 4Runner's frame has developed rust that has eaten through the metal in places, creating a structural safety concern. You may notice rust damage on the frame underneath your vehicle. This is a serious structural issue that should be inspected by a professional immediately. Addressing this will likely require frame repair or replacement by a certified technician.

Your 4Runner failed inspection due to exhaust leaks and severe frame rust. You didn't receive a recall notice for the frame issue despite owning the vehicle for many years. With the frame rusted through, the vehicle is unsafe to drive. Addressing this will likely require professional frame repair or replacement, which is a major structural repair.

Your 4Runner failed a state inspection because the subframe (the metal framework that supports your vehicle) has severe corrosion and was deemed unsafe to drive. Your vehicle didn't show any warning lights before this happened. A dealer confirmed the subframe needs to be replaced due to extensive rust damage. Fixing this will require removing and replacing the corroded subframe structure.

I took my car in for routine maintenance and they pointed out rust on the frame and suggested it was more than it should have and could cause a safety hazard.

Rusted frame and under carriage is rusting other parts of the vehicle, very dangerous!

I own a 2006 Toyota 4Runner Sport and have major rust issue with the frame of vehicle. Toyota is aware of this issue and I believe it is a safety hazard. No way should it rust like it has.

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that the undercarriage frame was rusted. The contact was made aware of the failure after replacing the exhaust pipe himself and taking the vehicle to the dealer to have the sway bar removed and replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

I purchased my 2006 4Runner brand new and am the original owner. The vehicle has never been in an accident and has been very well maintained and both the body and drivetrain is in great condition. I just learned that my entire frame is rusted and rotted out. I have been told the vehicle is unsafe to drive and this is a known problem with both Toyota Tundras and 4Runners. I was encouraged to file this report and attach pictures.

Frame under the vehicle has severe premature rusting including large holes that make the vehicle dangerous to drive. Vehicle has been inspected, and this is the info that was given to me. Vehicle model/year has seen this issue countless times from other owners, and Toyota has not paid to repair this major flaw from their vehicles. This vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, but has been inspected by a body shop/ repair shop. No warning lamps or messages were shown. Vehicle frame has not failed yet, but needs replacement.

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while in for maintenance it was discovered that the subframe had experienced extensive rusting and corrosion. The cause of the failure was not determined, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 121,000.

Frame rust damage, normal street driving. Lower control arm mounts disintegrated causing vehicle to be not drivable. Along with complete frame rust that possibly couldve lead to even more dangerous conditions.

EXCESSIVE RUST ON FRAME, SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLY RUSTED OUT, DEALER TRIED TO REPLACE TIRE CARRIER ASSEMBLY & WINCH BUT WAS UNABLE TO PUT SPARE IN NEW ASSEMBLY HOLDER BECAUSE OF THE RUST AND SAFETY HAZARD SAYING IT WILL FALL OFF. I WAS ADVISE OF THIS TODAY, APRIL 8, AT 3:00 PM. THE DEALERSHIP WAS GOING TO REPORT THIS TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA REP AND PUT THE SPARE TIRE INSIDE THE TRUNK OF MY SUV. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE 4RUNNER TRUCKS AND DEALER STATED IN THE PAST I HAD SUPERFICIAL RUST. I ALSO SEE THERE IS A PENDING CLASS ACTION SUIT AND TOYOTA SETTLE A SIMILAR SUIT WITH TACOMA AND TUNDRA TRUCK OWNERS FOR THE SAME RUST ISSUES. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND I PUT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIR TO KEEP IT RUNNING WELL AND TRYING TO KEEP IT SAFE. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A PENDING CLASS ACTION SUIT FILED WITH THE NHTSA AUGUST 17, 2018, PLAINTIFF WEINREICH.

2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER PURCHASED NEW IN NOVEMBER 2006. THE FRAME HAS SUFFERED FROM SUCH BAD FRAME CORROSION THAT NUMEROUS MECHANIC HAVE REFUSED TO PUT THE VEHICLE ON A LIFT FOR FEAR OF COMPLETE FRAME COLLAPSE. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED OTHERWISE BUT IS NOW A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD DUE TO THE ADVANCED FRAME CORROSION. SERVICE PROFESSIONALS HAVE COMMENTED THAT THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN SUCH FRAME DISINTEGRATION IN A VEHICLE OF THIS AGE. I REALLY FEEL THIS IS A DEFECTIVE FRAME WITH REST OF THE VEHICLE IN SATISFACTORY AND OPERABLE CONDITION.

RUSTING OF THE FRAME UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER A SAFETY INSPECTION, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD FAILED THE INSPECTION DUE TO AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF CORROSION UNDER THE VEHICLE. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

VEHICLE'S SKID PLATE RUSTED COMPLETELY OFF. ORIGINAL OWNERS, ALL FAMILY MEMBERS, HAVE KEPT THE VEHICLE CLEANED WELL UNDERNEATH SINCE FIRST DAY OF OWNERSHIP. WHEN WE LIFTED THE 4RUNNER UP ON A LIFT, WE SAW MULTIPLE RUST HOLES IN THE FRAME AS WELL AS EXTREME OXIDATION IN THE CENTER AT CERTAIN PLACES. I NEED TO HAVE LOTS OF FRAME REPAIR DONE TO FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HAVING A ROUTINE INSPECTION ON THE VEHICLE, HE WAS INFORMED BY THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT THE CHASSIS WAS EXTREMELY RUSTED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. *JS

THE DEALER WOULD NOT INSPECT MY VEHICLE BECAUSE OF FRAME RUST. THE WHOLE FRAME HAS RUST OVER IT. THE PART THAT FAILED INSPECTION WAS THE END CAPS.

I PUT MY 2006 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER LIMITED IN THE SHOP TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED. THE SHOP CALLED ME BACK AND STATED THEY REFUSE TO WORK ON THE SUV BECAUSE OF THE EXTENSIVE RUST DAMAGE TO THE FRAME. THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT LEGAL ISSUES SHOULD THEY KNOWINGLY REPAIR A VEHICLE THAT IN THEIR OPINION WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL TANK STRAPS RUSTED AWAY FROM THE FRAME TO A POINT WHERE THE FUEL TANK WAS ONLY CONNECTED TO THE VEHICLE BY THE SKID PLATE UNDER IT.

MY 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, HAS CORROSION TO THE FRAME THAT IS NOT NORMAL FOR A CAR THIS AGE. THIS CAR IS STORED IN A GARAGE AWAY FROM THE ELEMENTS. THIS RUST TO THE FRAME MAKE THE VEHICLE SUSCEPTIBLE TO LOSING CONTROL DUE TO A RUPTURE OF THE FRAME. TOYOTA HAS ADMITTED IN THE PASS TO SUB STANDARD FRAMES IN THERE OTHER LINE OF VEHICLES OF THE SAME YEAR.

THE AREA HOLDING THE SPARE TIRE UNDER THE REAR BUMPER IS RUSTED SO BAD THAT A TIRE SHOP REQUESTED I HAVE A MECHANIC REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE DUE TO FEAR OF CRACKING PART OF THE RUSTED UNDERBELLY. MY SPARE TIRE IS INACCESSIBLE AT THE MOMENT.

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN MY BACK LEFT TIRE FRAME BROKE APART. THIS IS WHEN I NOTICED SEVERE RUST ON MY FRAME. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND I COULD HAVE BEEN A DEADLY CRASH. I CALLED TOYOTA CORPORATE AND FILED CASE #2006012210 AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY CAR WAS NOT QUALIFIED FOR THE FRAME TO BE REPLACED AT THEIR EXPENSE. THEY KNOW ALL ABOUT THE 2005-2011 4RUNNERS THAT SUFFER FROM CORROSION SO SEVERE THE WEAKENED FRAMES MAKE IT DANGEROUS TO RIDE IN THE SUVS. I AM LUCK TO BE ALIVE. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND TOYOTA SHOULD TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR NEGLIGENCE. DO THEY NEED SOMEONE TO DIE TO TAKE ACTION.

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CAR IS KEPT IN A GARAGE AND IS DRIVEN INFREQUENTLY. CURRENTLY THERE'S ABOUT 76K MILES ON IT. I RECENTLY TOOK IT IN FOR A MAINE STATE SAFETY INSPECTION AND IT WOULD NOT PASS DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE FRAME. THERE'S AT LEAST ONE HOLE BIG ENOUGH TO PUT YOUR FINGER THROUGH, AND THERE'S RUST FLAKING OFF THE REST OF THE FRAME. I'VE OWNED OTHER CARS FOR LONGER THAN THIS WITH MANY MORE MILES PUT ON THEM, THE RUST ON THIS FRAME IS BEYOND WHAT ANYONE WOULD EXPECT, AND IT'S A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD. I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING THE CAR ANYMORE, AND I'M NOT SURE IF IT CAN BE PATCHED OR NOT. TOYOTA HAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE FRAMES ON OTHER VEHICLES AND THIS ONE IS NO DIFFERENT.

MY 2006 4RUNNER'S FRAME RUSTED SO BADLY THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM DETATCHED COMPLETELY.

JUST RECENTLY I HAVE NOTICED THAT WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKE PEDAL IT "STICKS" TAKES ( WHEN DRIVING) COUPLE SECONDS TO RESUME IT ORIGINAL POSITION AND I CAN HEAR A CLICK. I AM TAKING IT TO MY MECHANIC TO ENSURE IS NOT CRITICAL. JUST WANTED TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS. ALSO, SINCE APPROXIMATELY 2014 THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURE PAINT HAVE GRADUALLY BEING DETERIORATING TO THE POINT WHICH THE WHOLE BODY NEEDS A NEW PAINT JOB. SPECIFICALLY, THE PAINT HAVE COMPLETED FADED ON MOST PARTS OF THE BODY, THE CLEAR COAT IS COMPLETELY PEELING OFF. I AM THE ONLY OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND I HAVE TAKEN GOOD CARE OF IT, ONLY 125 K REGISTERED.

THERE IS A HOLE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE FRAME RAIL WE'RE A/C DRAIN TUBE IS PRESENT. AFRAID TO CONTINUE DRIVING VEHICLE AND HAVE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. RUST IS APPARENT ON MAJORITY OF FRAME WHICH SEEMS TO BE FAILING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THIS WAS FOUND WHILE LIFTING VEHICLE TO REPAIR BRAKES.

THE REAR FRAME OF 2006 4RUNNER IS RUSTING AT EXCESSIVELY SPEED AND CORROSION IS COMING FROM INNER TO OUTWARD. WHEN THE VEHICLE TAILER HOOK IS ATTACH TO A TRAILER TOWING AT 5000 POUND(RATED FOR SUCH TOWING CAPACITY )THE FRAME COMPONENT MAY BREAK OFF BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE FRAME CORROSION.

THE 4RUNNER FRAME HAS EXPERIENCED EXCESSIVE AND PREMATURE RUST AND CORROSION. I WAS TOLD BY THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP THAT THEY CONSIDER THIS VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO HOLES AND RUST IN THE FRAME, AND THEY REFUSED TO DO ANY MAINTENANCE, INSPECTION, OR FURTHER UPKEEP OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE KEPT MY VEHICLE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION WITH REGULAR MAINTENANCE THROUGH THE YEARS, COMPLETED BY A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THE 4RUNNER SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE OTHER TOYOTA RUSTED FRAME RECALLS, SINCE IT IS BUILT ON A TACOMA FRAME. THE PROBLEM WAS FIRST NOTED SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND HAS GOTTEN EXCEEDINGLY WORSE.

I WOULD LIKE TO ADD MY VEHICLE TO THE OPEN INVESTIGATION FOR 4RUNNER FRAME CORROSION (DP18002). MY 4RUNNER IS IN GREAT CONDITION AND RUNS BEAUTIFULLY, HOWEVER THE FRAME IS ABOUT TO FAIL.

THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT CONTROL ARM BROKE OFF FROM THE FRAME. RUST THROUGH ON THE FRAME WHERE THE CONTROL ARM HOOKS TO THE FRAME. BROKE WHILE SIMPLY BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND TURNING THE WHEEL. RUST IS ALL THROUGH THE FRAME.

MAJOR FRAME RUST. THE BODY IS STILL GREAT BUT WHEN YOU LOOK UNDERNEATH IT'S A DIFFERENT STORY. I CAN FLAKE OFF PIECES OF THE FRAME WITH MY FINGER. MY MECHANIC SAYS IT MAY ONLY HAVE A COUPLE OF YEARS LEFT. I WILL HAVE TO TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP TO GET THEIR OPINION ON THE MATTER.

FRAME OF 4RUNNER IS ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED OFF, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON FRAME. IT IS A SFTY ISSUE.

I HAVE A 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WITH MAJOR RUST ISSUES, INSIDE THE STRUCTURE OF THE FRAME IS FLAKING APART ALSO HOLE'S IN THE FRAME WHERE YOU CAN PUT YOUR HAND AND FEEL THE LAYERS OF THE FRAME COMING APART. THE OTHER OPEN RECALLS WITH THE TACOMA, TUNDRA AND SEQUOIA WITH THE FRAME RUST ISSUE SHOULD HAVE INCLUDED THE 4RUNNER THEY USE THE SAME MATERIAL FOR THE FRAME AS THE OTHER VEHICLES. THEY'RE ARE THOUSANDS OF 4RUNNERS THAT ARE AFFECTED BY THIS ISSUE AND THE OWNERS ARE JUST WAITING FOR SOMETHING TO HAPPEN, I BEG YOU TO CONSIDER THIS FOR ME AND MY FAMILY'S SAFETY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

FRAME IS VERY RUSTED AND WILL NOT PASS NY STATE INSPECTION, SENT PICTURES TO TOYOTA AND RECEIVED NO HOPE OF HELP. BASCIALLY TOLD ME TO CALL JUNK YARD. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 96,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN MAINTAINED BY TOYOTA.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, AN ABNORMAL CLUNKING SOUND WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT STOPPED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND BECAME AWARE THAT A SECTION OF THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WAS SUBFRAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.*DT*JB

FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH.

EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST. SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO FRAME RUSTING OUT

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.

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.

TL* 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.

TL* 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.*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE FRAME. THE CONTACT ALSO TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TWO OTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANICS TO GET REFERRALS AND OTHER OPINIONS ON THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE TO THE FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 178,000.

TL* 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. *BF*JB

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.

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.

FRAME RUST

LETTER FROM SENATOR MANCHIN III ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT, REQUESTING ASSISTANCE WITH HER EFFORTS TO REPORT DAMAGE AFFECTING THE DRIVING SAFETY OF HER TOYOTA 4-RUNNER (ATTN: ANGIE WALSH). *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED. *JS *JS

'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.

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.

RARELY DRIVEN, ABOUT 65,000 MILES AND THE FRAME IS RUSTING OUT. IT STARTED EARLY.

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.

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.

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.

HEAVY RUST ON FRAME. FOUND A HOLE ON MAIN BODY FRAME THIS WEEKEND WHILE AT WORK ON MY CAR LIFT.

THE FRAME OF THIS 4RUNNER IS RUSTED DUE TO WEATHER CONDITION OF SALT AND SNOW UP NORTH. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THESE 4RUNNERS

DURING REPLACEMENT OF FRONT BRAKES WHEN VEHICLE WAS ON A LIFT THE MECHANIC POINTED-OUT SEVERE FRAME RUST AND SAID THE TRUCK WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION IN PENNSYLVANIA. THERE WERE LARGE HOLES IN SEVERAL AREAS OF THE FRAME. THIS IS A 2006 MODEL WITH ONLY 85,000 MILES OF USAGE.

THE BRACKET HOLDING THE MOTOR MOUNT BROKE INTO THE FRAME CAUSING THE MOTOR TO HIT THE DIFFERENTIAL AND BREAK THE UPPER ENGINE OIL PAN. ATTACHED ARE TWO PICTURES, ONE SHOWING A NORMAL CONNECTION AT THE FRAME AND THE OTHER SHOWN BROKEN INTO THE FRAME. THIS MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY RUST/CORROSION AND/OR A WEAK CONNECTION WHICH WAS REINFORCED AT THIS POINT FOR 2007 AND LATER MODELS.DATE OF INCIDENT IS APPROXIMATE

THE VEHICLE FRAME AS WELL AS OTHER STEEL COMPONENTS INCLUDING IN THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM ARE EXPERIENCING SEVERE, PROGRESSIVE DETERIORATION DUE TO RUSTING. THE FRAME RUST IS THE MOST PROBLEMATIC AND DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT IS OCCURRING ON THE INSIDE OF THE FRAME AND, THEREFORE, CAN NEITHER BE SEEN NOR REMEDIATED. THE ONLY INDICATION I HAD OF THE SEVERITY OF THE FRAME DETERIORATION IS FROM ISOLATED LOCATIONS WHERE THE FRAME HAD RUSTED ENTIRELY THROUGH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRAME RAIL IN THE VICINITY OF THE FRONT DOOR. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I DETERMINED THAT THE INSIDE OF THE LONGITUDINAL FRAME RAILS ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES IS SIGNIFICANTLY DETERIORATED ON THE INSIDE. THE CORROSION APPEARS TO START ON THE BOTTOM OF THE RAIL AND THEN PROGRESS UPWARD ON THE SIDE WALLS OF THE RAIL OVER TIME. THE BOTTOM OF THE TWO FRAME RAILS ARE LITTERED WITH RUST CHIPS RANGING IN SIZE FOR FINGERNAIL-SIZED FLAKES TO CHIPS AS LARGE AS 10 SQ. CM. WITH THE THICKNESS OF THESE RANGING UP TO SEVERAL (3) MM. IT SHOULD ALSO BE NOTED THAT TIRE JACK FOR THE VEHICLE PUNCTURED THE BOTTOM OF THE PASSENGER SIDE FRAME RAIL WHEN IT WAS USED, THUS GIVING THE MOST GRAPHIC DEMONSTRATION THAT THE FRAME HAD DETERIORATED SIGNIFICANTLY FROM THE INSIDE. WITH RESPECT TO THE OTHER STEEL COMPONENTS OF THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, THERE IS WIDESPREAD RUST AND DETERIORATION, PARTICULAR FOR COMPONENTS OF THE SUSPENSION, BUT ALSO ON THE TUBING FOR STEERING AND THE TRANSMISSION COOLING. ALSO, FASTENERS (NUTS, BOLTS, AND BRACKETS) WHICH ATTACH THE MANY COMPONENTS TO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE ARE RUSTING TO THE POINT THAT THE INTEGRITY OF THESE FASTENERS HAS BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY DIMINISHED. THE VEH

THIS IS AN ADDENDUM TO COMPLAINT NUMBER 11175888. THE PURPOSE FOR THE ADDENDUM IS TO ADD BETTER PHOTOGRAPHS.

PURCHASED MY 4RUNNER CERTIFIED USED BY MODERN TOYOTA OF BOONE IN FEB 2012. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TOYOTA THE NEXT YEAR LOCALLY AND THEY MENTIONED THAT I HAVE SEVERE FRAME RUST BUT BY THIS TIME THE WARRANTY HAS ALREADY EXPIRED. FILED A COMPLAINT WITH TOYOTA REGARDING FRAME RUST AND THE FACT THAT I WAS SOLD THE VEHICLE AND IT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED BY TOYOTA BECAUSE OF THE FRAME RUST. HAD AN ACCIDENT IN JUN 2018, HIGH FRONT END HIT, SHOULDN'T HAVE HAD ANY ISSUES WITH THE FRAME AND IT WASN'T CHECKED FOR INTEGRITY, BUT AFTER SOME VIBRATIONS AND WOBBLING AND DECREASED STABILITY ON THE HIGHWAY, TOOK TO MY LOCAL DEALER AND THE TECH DID A VISUAL INSPECTION AND SAID THE FRAME WAS BENT. AWAITING AN APPT FROM BODYSHOP TO VERIFY FINDINGS EVEN THOUGH INSURANCE ALREADY CLOSED THE CLAIM FROM ACCIDENT BUT INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATES THAT THE FRAME MAY REALLY BE BENT DUE TO THE RUSTING AND THE ABILITY TO FLEX BECAUSE OF THE CORROSION, WEAKENED. VEHICLE FEELS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND IS LEANING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT AND BACK EVEN WITH NEW FACTORY TOYOTA SUSPENSION (STRUTS AND SHOCKS). THERE IS NO REASON FOR THIS VEHICLE TO BE LEANING OR THE FRAME TO BE RUSTING AS IT IS.

MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF RUST ALL THROUGHOUT THE FRAME HAVE LED TO WEAKENED OR NON- EXISTENT METAL IN MANY LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE NEAR ENTIRETY OF THE FRAME OF THE 4RUNNER. HAD A MECHANIC STATE THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE 'GOTTEN RID OF' OR THAT I SHOULD BE 'OK WITH THE VEHICLE BREAKING CATASTROPHICALLY SOMETIME IN THE NEAR FUTURE' BECAUSE OF THE WEAKENED AND DEGRADED STATE OF THE FRAME.

THE FRAME IS ABNORMALLY RUSTED TO THE POINT ON PERFERATION IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS MAKING IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

ST LAST YEAR, TOYOTA SETTLED A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT INVOLVING APPROXIMATELY 1.5 MILLION TACOMA, TUNDRA AND SEQUOIA TRUCKS ALSO BUILT ON A FRAME1 ' TOYOTA AGREED TO INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FRAMES AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $3.4 BILLION. THIS CONFIRMS FRAME CORROSION IS A PROBLEM WELL-KNOWN TO TOYOTA AND THE PUBLIC.

STRUCTURAL - FRAME RUST. TOYOTA HAS NOT RECALLED THE 4RUNNER DUE TO FRAME RUST EXPERIENCED ON THE TACOMA. ATTACHED ARE PICTURES OF UNDERBODY. THIS VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION AND I AM LOCATED IN CALIFORNIA WHERE LAWS ARE STRICT.

2006 4RUNNER WITH 165K MILES WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST. I PURCHASED THIS BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALER AND HAVE TAKEN EXCELLENT CARE OF IT. THERE IS NO RUST ON THE BODY. THE RUST IS EXCESSIVE FOR OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES FROM OTHER MANUFACTURES. TOYOTA HAS REPLACED SIMILAR FRAMES ON THEIR TACOMA MODELS BUT HAVE DONE NOTHING FOR 2006 4RUNNER OWNERS.

OUR FRAME IS RUSTED SO BADLY THAT IT WOULD HAVE FAILED THE SAFETY INSPECTION IF WE DID NOT FIX THE HUGE HOLES IN IT AT THE REAR BUMPER. WE ARE WERE TOLD BY OUR SAFETY INSPECTOR THAT OUR ENTIRE FRAME IS VERY RUSTY AND WE MUST DO SOMETHING TO FIX IT RIGHT NOW. IT WILL NOT PASS THE SAFETY INSPECTION FOR NEXT YEAR. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BY TOYOTA AS PART OF THEIR FRAME RECALL!

CAR HAS 99,400 MILES, WOULD NOT PASS PA STATE INSP DUE TO RUST HOLES ON FRAME

ABNORMAL RUSTING OF THE FRAME AND UNDERCARRIAGE.

WAS INFORMED YESTERDAY BY OUR MECHANIC WHO WAS PERFORMING AN OIL CHANGE THAT THIS VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS NEXT INSPECTION DUE TO FRAME RUST AND CORROSION. I HAVE NOT TAKEN PICTURES BUT CAN IF NEEDED.

VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO A CORRODED FRAME! ODOMETER READING IS 41,822MILES, THIS HAPPENED AFTER REPLACING 2 RUSTED BRAKE LINES. VEHICLE IS UNDRIVEABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO IRA TOYOTA OF TEWKSBURY (468 MAIN ST, TEWKSBURY, MA 01876, (978) 863-9009), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED RUST ON THE FRAME. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

MY SUB FRAME IS ROTTING AND RUSTING AWAY

THE FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH IN A COUPLE OF PLACES ON MY 4RUNNER. MY LOCAL DEALER DID AN INSPECTION AND THERE ARE HOLES RUSTED THROUGH THE FRAME. I'M AFRAID IN AN ACCIDENT THAT THE FRAME WILL NOT HOLD UP AND CAUSE INJURY TO MY OCCUPANTS AND MYSELF. PLEASE INFORM TOYOTA OF THESE RUSTED FRAMES. THANK YOU!

I HAD THE CAR IN FOR MAINTENANCE AND THE MECHANIC FOUND EXCESSIVE RUST AT THE RIGHT REAR FRAME RAIL AT AND AROUND THE TRAILING ARM BRACE. IT IS A CONCERN KNOWING THE TOYOTA RECOGNIZED A NEED TO REPLACE/REPAIR THE FRAME USED IN THEIR TACOMA MODELS DUE TO RUST PROBLEMS WHICH IS THE SAME FRAME USED IN THIS 4RUNNER. THEY NEVER INCLUDED THE 4RUNNERS IN THE GROUP TO BE REPAIRED. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY HAVE NO PLAN TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. I HAVE SEEN REPORTS FROM OTHER 4RUNNER OWNERS ABOUT THE RUST ISSUE AND WANTED TO INCLUDE COMMENTS ON MY VEHICLE'S CONDITION.

FRAME IS ROTTING AWAY, AND IT IS STARTING TO CAUSE CONCERNS REGARDING THE SAFETY OF THE FRAME AND SUPPORTING STRUCTURE. TOOK IT TO A TOYOTA DEALER, WHO DOCUMENTED THE FRAME IS STARTING TO GET WEAK/SOFT AND JEOPARDIZING THE INTEGRITY AND SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE.

I OWN A 200Y TOYOTA 4RUNNER, 4X4 4.0 V6 TRUCK, AND DURING THE SPRING TIME I BEGAN TO NOTICE COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF RUST SCALE FALLING FROM MY TRUCK OVER NIGHT. I JUST THOUGHT THIS WAS SURFACE RUST/PAINT FALLING OFF, CONTINUED TO DRIVE FOR A WEEK AND BEGAN TO HEAR CREAKING NOISES COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I TOO A LOOK UNDERNEATH AND SAW THAT THE RIGHT REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNT IS ALMOST RUSTED THROUGH AND THE FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FROM THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNT BACK TO BEHIND THE CENTER OF THE AXLE IS RUSTED THROUGH COMPLETELY. I CHECKED FOR RECALLS AND FOUND NONE FOR MY MODEL BUT DID FOR SIMILAR YEAR TUNDRA, SEQUOIA, AND THE TACOMA WHICH IS A SHARED DESIGN WITH MY 4RUNNER. MY TRUCK HAS BEEN WAITING FOR A FRAME REPAIR AT A AFTERMARKET BODY SHOP FOR OVER 4 MONTHS. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA CUSTOMER CARE AND RECEIVED NO HELP. I RECENTLY SEARCHED HOPING TO FIND NEW INFORMATION AND FOUND THAT THE NHTSA HAS OPENED AN INVESTIGATION ON THE FRAME RUST ISSUE. I AM WRITING THIS TO LET YOU KNOW THIS IS A REAL ISSUE AND NEEDS A FRAME REPLACEMENT RECALL. A 2006 MODEL YEAR TRUCK SHOULD NOT NEED A FRAME REPAIR FROM RUST AFTER 12 YEARS OF EXISTENCE AND I BELIEVE TOYOTA IS NEGLIGENT IN RECALLING ALL OTHER TRUCK BASED VEHICLES FOR FRAME RUST WHILE TRYING TO CHEAP OUT AND EXCLUDE THE 4RUNNER. DUE TO VEHICLE BEING IN SHOP I DO NOT HAVE PICTURES, BUT I CAN GET THEM IF NEEDED AND ALSO TOYOTA CUSTOMER CARE SHOULD HAVE THE RECORD OF ME CONTACTING THEM AND SENDING IN PICTURES EARLIER THIS YEAR. THANK YOU! 1804271716 IS THE TOYOTA CARE CASE NUMBER.

WHEN TAKING MY VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC FOR A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS AND TURNING AND FEELING VIBRATIONS IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN DRIVING. MY MECHANIC STATES THAT THERE IS EXTENSIVE AND PERVASIVE RUST AND CORROSION ON MAIN STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS OF THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, SPECIFICALLY ON THE FRAME AND FRAME MOUNTING POINTS, THAT IS DANGEROUS AS IT IS AFFECTING OTHER WORKING PARTS OF THE VEHICLE AND COULD CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I WAS SHOWN THE EXTENSIVE AMOUNT OF RUST AND CORROSION ON THE LADDER FRAME AND FRAME ASSEMBLY. THE FRAME IN ITS ENTIRETY IS EXTENSIVELY CORRODED AND AREAS WHERE BOLTS MOUNT PARTS TO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE HAVE CORRODED AND CAUSED PARTS TO FAIL AND LITERALLY HANG OFF CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT REQUIRES THE FRAME ITSELF TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THESE OTHER PARTS TO BE REMOVED OR REPLACED. THIS IS ABNORMAL FOR ANY VEHICLE AND IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS AS THE FRAME IS THE MAIN STRUCTURAL COMPONENT OF THE VEHICLE. CONTINUING TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE WITH THE FRAME IN THE CONDITION IT IS IN IS HAZARDOUS. TOYOTA RECALLED OTHER VEHICLES WITH THIS FRAME TYPE I.E., SEQUOIA, TACOMA AND TUNDRA MODELS FROM THE SAME YEARS OF PRODUCTION AS THIS 4RUNNER FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM OF EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION THAT COULD CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THESE VEHICLES USE THE SAME FRAME AND SAME ASSEMBLY PROCESSES FOR PREVENTING RUST AND CORROSION AND AFTER YOUR INVESTIGATION THE FRAME AND FRAME COMPONENTS OF THESE VEHICLES WERE FOUND BY YOUR ORGANIZATION TO BE WORTHY OF A COMPLETE RECALL.

EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE FRAME AND UNDERBODY COMPONENTS OF MY VEHICLE. MY FEAR IS THAT THIS RUST WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO FAILURE OF KEY FRAME STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS.

THE FRAME IS COMPLETELY COVERED IN RUST CAUSING CONSTANT REPAIRS TO BE MADE. MULTIPLE MECHANICS THINK I SHOULD GET RID OF IT AND BELIEVE PROBLEMS WILL KEEP COMING UP. UNSURE IF VEHICLE WILL BE SAFE TO DRIVE FOR MUCH LONGER.

THE VEHICLES FRAME IS SUFFERING FROM SEVER RUSTING WITH HOLES AND SECTIONS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT.

THE FRAME ON MY 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER HAS EXCESSIVE RUST AND ROT. THIS APPEARS TO BE DUE TO INFERIOR WORKMANSHIP AND/OR PARTS. DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION MAY POSE A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED BY A MECHANIC THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 111,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED TRANSMISSION LINE FAILURE. UPDATED 11/26/18*JB

MY FRAME ON A 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SPORT HAS EXCESSIVE RUST AND ROT. THIS APPEARS TO BE DUE TO INFERIOR WORKMANSHIP AND/OR PARTS. DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION MAY POSE A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD.

WENT TO THE TOYOTA SHOP AFTER GETTING A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, THEY NOTED "CUST NOT FRONT FRAME CORE SUPPORT IS RUSTED OFF FOUND A HOLE IN THE LEFT FRAME RAIL". THEY ALSO HAD TO USE NEW BOLTS FOR TRANSMISSION DUE TO CORROSION ON UNDERCARRIAGE. WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION UNTIL FIXED. THE FRAME IS WASHED OFF CONTINUOUSLY AFTER BEING EXPOSED TO SALT IN WINTERS.

I HAVE OWNED MY 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER V8 FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW. ALWAYS WANTED ONE THROUGH THE YEARS OF MY DRIVING. I BOUGHT IT AT 85K MILES AND NOW IT SITS AT 96K MILES. WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR, I DIDN'T CHECK THE FRAME FOR ANY ISSUES.I CHECKED COSMETIC AND PERFORMANCE ISSUE. EVERYTHING WENT SMOOTH. ABOUT A MONTH AFTER MY OWNERSHIP, I STARTED TO REALIZED THE FRAME OF HOW RUSTED IT WAS. I DID MORE INVESTIGATION ON IT AND IT IS ALL OVER THE WHOLE FRAME. LITERALLY, ROTTING. DISAPPOINTED AT THE PREVIOUS OWNERS WHO DIDN'T TAKE CARE OF THE UNDER BODY AND AT THE QUALITY OF THE FRAME. AFTER SEEING ALL THE COMPLAINTS AND ISSUES OF CONSUMERS, I MIGHT HAVE TO JUMP SHIPS. AS MUCH AS I LOVE THIS RUNNER AND WANT TO RUN IT TILL IT DIES, I MIGHT HAVE TO FIND ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE. AFTER SEEING THE ISSUE OF THE FRAME ROTTING CAUSING STEERING ISSUE FROM THE SUSPENSION, I DON'T THINK I WANT TO RUN INTO THAT SINCE I TRAVEL A LOT ON THE WEEKENDS. ANY OTHER SMALL RECALL I AM OKAY WITH, BUT DEALING WITH FRAME ISSUES IS A BIG NO IN MY BOOK. IF TOYOTA COULD MAKE THIS INTO A RECALL, I WOULD RECONSIDER ON KEEP THE RIG. BUT, AS OF NOW, IT'S NOT CONVINCING. IT'S JUST SAD TO SEE A 4RUNNER AT 96K MILES, THE FRAMES ALREADY ROTTING AWAY.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE STARTED TO WOBBLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FRAME BRACKETS ON THE REAR AXLE WERE RUSTED AND LOOSE, CAUSING THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE TO WOBBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.

VEHICLES FRAME RUST FROM INSIDE OUT. FRAME RAILS RUSTING AFTER 5 YEARS. HUGE SAFTY ISSUE FRAMES CRACKING IN HALF. TOYOTA KNOWS THE ISSUE AND REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING FOR THE 4RUNNERS.

FRAME RUSTED AND GONE. TERMINAL. CAUSE US TO RUN OFF THE ROAD. IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY.

SEVERE FRAME RUST. THIS ISSUE HAS NOW A SAFETY RELATED ISSUE. TOYOTA HAS A RECALL ON OTHER MODELS SAME YEAR. BUT YET NOTHING ON THE 4 RUNNER. BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND TOYOTA IS IGNORING IT. THIS TIME FOR A CLASS ACTION SUIT..

DURING RECENT MAINTENANCE OF MY 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WITH 115K MILES, A MECHANIC NOTIFIED ME THAT THE FRAME CROSSMEMBER IN FRONT WHICH ATTACHES TO THE CONTROL ARMS WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND WAS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER TO ASSESS CONDITION OF THE FRAME. THE DEALER STATED THE FRAME WAS IRREPARABLE AND WAS NOT COVERED BY A RECENT TOYOTA FRAME RECALL FOR TACOMAS, TUNDRAS, AND SEQUOIAS. THE PREMATURE CORROSION OF THE FRAME POSES SIGNIFICANT DANGER TO DRIVERS AND COULD RESULT IN DANGEROUS FAILURES.

FRAME RUST- STRUCTURAL ISSUE

SERIOUS FRAME RUSTING AND/OR ROT NOTED ON MY 2006 4RUNNER SPORT EDITION. IN MY OPINION THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AS FRAME CAN BECOME UNSTABLE WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THE FRAME WAS RUSTING HEAVILY IN ONE SPOT ONLY, IN FRONT OF THE REAR TRAILING ARM MOUNT ON THE LEFT SIDE. THE TRAILING ARM MOUNT IS READY TO BREAK OFF FROM THE FRAME.. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN CLEANED WEEKLY IT'S ENTIRE LIFE, AND IS STORED IN A GARAGE EVERY NIGHT. THE FRAME ON THIS TRUCK IS ALMOST EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE FRAME ON THE TOYOTA TACOMA WHICH WAS RECALLED FOR THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM.

I,ALONG WITH 48 OTHER PEOPLE, HAVE POSTED TO THIS FORUM THAT THE FRAME ON THEIR 4RUNNER HAD RUSTED AND/OR CRACKED. ADD MINE TO THE LIST. MY MECHANIC USED THE WORD "TERMINAL" IN RESPONSE TO THE CONDITION OF MY FRAME. IT'S NOT FULLY ON ITS DEATH BED, BUT IT LIKELY WON'T BE DRIVEABLE AFTER 6 MONTHS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,584.

THE FRAME, HEAT SHIELDS, SKID PLATE AND REAR AXEL ARE SEVERELY RUSTED. WE'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE 2008 AND IT HAS BEEN GARAGED AND KEPT CLEAN. THE RUST IS REACHING A POINT WHERE WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. WE'VE NOTICED IT COMING ON FOR ABOUT A YEAR - NOW IT'S GROWING EXPONENTIALLY. APPARENTLY THE TOYOTA TACOMAS HAVE BEEN RECALLED, BUT NOT THE 4RUNNERS. WHY!?

WE HAVE JUST BEEN INFORMED THAT THE FRAME OF OUR 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THIS CAUSED THE CONTROL JOINT TO COME LOOSE, AND GIVING ME VERY LITTLE CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. THE RUST IS AN ISSUES...AND A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND CALL A TOW TRUCK, BUT HAD THIS HAPPENED DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESS WAY I CANNOT IMAGINE THE END RESULT. TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THE RUST ISSUES. THEY HAVE GREAT VEHICLES THAT WILL RUN FOREVER IF YOU TAKE CARE OF THEM, BUT THIS ISSUE IS NOT A CARE ISSUE - IS A MANUFACTURE ISSUE.

I RECENTLY PURCHASED MY DREAM CAR A 2006 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN COLORADO BUT IT WAS ORIGINALLY FROM NEW YORK. THE VEHICLE HAS VERY LOW MILES AND RUST DAMAGE, BUT THE DEALERSHIP AT NO SURPRISE WAS NOT LOOKING OUT FOR MY BEST INTEREST AND DID NOT INFORM ME HOW BAD THE RUST DAMAGE IS AND IT MAY COST MORE THAN I CAN AFFORD TO FIX IT AT ALL. CURRENTLY I AM NOT ABLE TO ATTACH THE SPARE TIRE BECAUSE OF THE RUST. I DON'T KNOW HOW SEVERE THE RUST DAMAGE IS. PUEBLO COLORADO REPAIR SHOPS ARE NOT EXPERTS IN THIS AREA BECAUSE THEY DO NOT SEE THIS TYPE OF DAMAGE VERY OFTEN.,I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HELP PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT I DO BUT IF YOU CAN HELP IN ANY WAY SINCE YOU ARE ALSO PASSIONATE ABOUT YOUR DREAM CARS I THOUGHT IT WOULD NOT HURT TO ASK IF YOU CAN HELP IN ANY WAY TO FIX OR ADVISE ME ON WHAT I SHOULD DO. A RESPONSE EITHER WAY WOULD BE APPRECIATED

REAR AXLE DETACHED FROM VEHICLE DUE TO SEVERE RUST. SEVERE FRAME RUST - DEALER DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

4RUNNER HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT, AND THE EXTERIOR LOOKS PERFECT, LOST ALL BRAKE FLUID, MECHANIC PUT ON LIFT AND FOUND LEFT REAR BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH AND THEN POINTED OUT THAT THE FRAME IS SEVERLY RUSTED AND WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION. TRAILER HITCH, WILL FALL OFF IF I TRY AND USE IT. BOX FRAME IS RUSTED OUT ON THE BOTTOM FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE TO THE VERY BACK. MY WIFES 2000 LEXUS SUV HAS NO RUST ON FRAME AND DRIVES THE SAME COMMUTE EACH DAY AS ME.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT NOTICED EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,762.

I CURRENTLY OWN A 2006 TOYOTA FOUR RUNNER THAT IS NOT CURRENTLY INVOLVED IN A TOYOTA RECALL FOR EXCESSIVE RUST. MY VEHICLE IS AT A TOYOTA DEALER, A CLAIM WITH TOYOTA HAS BEEN FILED, AND PICTURES OF DAMAGE ARE BEING TAKEN PER MY CLAIM. I JUST RECEIVED A CALL FROM TOYOTA CORPORATE CLAIMS DEPARTMENT TELLING ME THAT MY TOYOTA IS NOT UNDER RECALL EVEN THOUGH I HAVE EXCESSIVE ROT (NOT RUST) THAT HAS EATEN THROUGH MY VEHICLES REAR CROSSMEMBER. CURRENTLY MY VEHICLE IS UN DRIVABLE DUE TO THIS ISSUE, MY REAR AXLE IS ONLY HELD ONTO THE VEHICLE BY TWO OUT OF THE FOUR ANCHOR POINTS THIS POSING A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN IF THE REAR AXLE BECOMES SEPARATED FROM THE REST OF THE FRAME. THE FRONT TWO MOUNTS (THAT ARE WELDED TO THE REAR CROSSMEMBER) ARE TORN COMPLETELY FROM THE REAR CROSSMEMBER, TOYOTA SAYS THE BODY OF THE TRUCK WILL NEED TO BE REMOVED FROM THE CHASSIS IN ORDER TO SLIDE THE NEW CROSSMEMBER IN BUT THEY REFUSE TO COVER THIS REPAIR. AS I'M SURE YOU'RE AWARE BUT THE 2004-2010 TOYOTA TACOMA ARE CURRENTLY UNDER RECALLS FOR THIS TYPE OF ISSUE AND THE FOUR RUNNER SHARES THIS TYPE OF FRAME, AND MANY OTHER PARTS BECAUSE IT IS ASSEMBLED ON A TACOMA FRAME, BUT BUILT IN JAPAN NOT IN THE US. TOYOTA SAYS THAT THE RECALL ONLY COVERS US MADE VEHICLES AND JAPANESE BUILT UNITS LIKE THE FOUR RUNNER, ARE NOT COVERED. PLEASE ADVISE AS I CURRENTLY OWN A VERY EXPENSIVE LAWN ORNAMENT AT THIS TIME AND WOULD LIKE TO SEE THESE UNITS INTEGRATED INTO THE TACOMA RECALL PROCESS. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.

ON MY 2006 4RUNNER, I HAVE BEEN NOTICING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF RUST BUILD-UP ON THE FRAME AND MANY OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE PARTS. THIS 4RUNNER HAS SPENT IT'S WHOLE LIFE IN COLORADO, WE DON'T SEE RUST PROBLEMS HERE. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A VEHICLE HAVE THIS KIND OF RUST. I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY AND INTEGRITY OF IT!

THE FRAME BROKE ON MY 4 RUNNER WHEN I WAS BACKING UP AND FRONT TIRE FELL INWARD. THE TRUCK HAD JUST UNDER 100,000 MILES. I SPENT APPROXIMATELY $7,000 FOR A BODY SHOP TO REPLACE THE BROKEN FRAME WITH A USED FRAME. TOYOTA MUST NOT HAVE USED A SUFFIENTLY HARD ENOUGH METAL OR DID NOT TREAT THE METAL WITH THE PROPER FINISH FOR FRAME TO BREAK AT SUCH AN EARLY MILEAGE. I HAVE THE RECEIPT AND DETAIL FOR THE WORK DONE BY THE BODY SHOP.

NOTICED RUST ON GARAGE FLOOR,HAD DEALER INSPECT THE FRAME WAS TOLD THAT , ONLY FOUND SURFACE RUST NO HOLES. AT WHAT POINT DOES THIS TURN INTO A SAFETY PROBLEM, MY HUSBAND AND I ARE VERY CONCERNED ! THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW AND WAS ALWAYS PARKED IN A INSULATED ATTACHED GARAGE. THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY 45,000 MILES, THE BODY IS IN GOOD SHAPE.TOYOTA HAD PREVIOUS FRAME RUST ISSUES,WE WOULD HOPE TOYOTA WOULD REPLACE THE FRAME OR BUY THIS VEHICLE FROM US ,IF WE TRADED IT IN WHO WOULD WANT TO BUY IT WITH THIS RUSTY FRAME AND ,WHAT WOULD WE GET FOR IT?

THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF THE MAIN FRAME UNDER THE VEHICLE BROKE DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE FRAME. AS FAR AS I KNOW TOYOTA HAS A LARGE RECALL NOW ON RAV 4S AND LEXUS VEHICLES DUE TO EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST BUT THERE IS NO CURRENT RECALL ON 4 RUNNERS. I WOULD LIKE TO ADD MY CONCERN IN HOPES OF LEADING TO A RECALL ON 4 RUNNERS BUILT DURING SIMILAR TIME PERIOD. ACCORDING TO TOYOTA THEY SAY THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM THEY ARE TRYING TO ADDRESS. BUT THEY HAVE FAILED TO RECALL THE PRODUCTS THAT ARE DANGEROUS. WHEN THE FRAME BREAKS, THIS IS A DEADLY SITUATION WHILE DRIVING. TOYOTA OFFERED ME NO FORM OF REIMBURSEMENT WHEN I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO THEIR CORPORATE OFFICE(TOYOTA CASE #[XXX]) FILED WITH TOYOTA OVER PHONE ON 9-25-14. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

HAVE A 2006 TOYOTA WITH 94000 MILES ON IT. TOOK IT IN FOR A RECENT RECALL AND TOLD THE ENTIRE FRAME IS RUSTED AND BACK OF VEHICLE COULD JUST FALL APART WHILE DRIVING. MY RESEARCH INDICATES THAT TOYOTA HAS SEVERAL ISSUES WITH FRAMES RUSTING ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE ONLY RECALLED A FEW OF THEIR MODELS. I HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT FOR SERVICE AND NO ONE HAS EVER MENTIONED ANY RUST PROBLEM UNTIL NOW WHEN IT IS APPARENTLY TO LATE AND THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER SAFE OR DRIVABLE. I AM EXTREMELY UPSET THAT MY CHILDREN COULD HAVE BEEN IN THIS VEHICLE WHEN THE FRAME GAVE OUT. TOYOTA REALLY NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. I AM TOLD THERE IS NO RECALL OR WARRANTY TO ASSIST US. *TR

IN 2011, I NOTICED MY 2006 4RUNNER WAS RUSTING SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO LOOKED AT IN AND SAID NORMAL WEAR. NOW IN 2014, PARTS OF MY 4RUNNER ARE FALLING OFF, ONE HEAT SHIELD FELL OFF AND THE OTHER ONE IS RATTLING LIKE CRAZY, THE SCREWS HAVE RUSTED THROUGH. THERE IS SEVERE RUSTING, THE ENTIRE UNDER CARRIAGE, THE LATCH TO CLOSE THE REAR DOOR, THE BRAKES,THE GAS TANK, THE BODY HAS BROWN SPOTS, THE TIRE RIMS, THE ONLY PARTS NOT RUSTED ARE THE PLASTIC PARTS. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY 4RUNNER. I HAVE HAD TO SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON REPAIRS SO FAR ON A VEHICLE BOUGHT BRAND NEW. *TR

WE HAD THE 4 RUNNER SERVICE FOR OIL CHANGE AND INSPECTION WHEN THEY FOUND THE FRAME COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND NONE REPAIRABLE WE STILL HAVE TO MAKE PAYMENTS. *TR

IN SEPTEMBER 2012 I NOTICED PAINT BLISTERING ON THE TAILGATE OF MY 4RUNNER. I NOW (8/13) HAVE RUST THROUGH ORIGINATING FROM THE INSIDE MIDDLE OF THE TAIL GATE. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO MY LOCAL BODY SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 06 4RUNNER. IT WAS CAUSED BY A SOUND DEAFENING MATERIAL ON THE INSIDE OF THE GATE. "THE MATERIAL GETS WET AND HOLDS THE MOISTURE CAUSING BODY ROT". THIS SHOP HAS REPAIRED OTHER 4RUNNERS WITH THIS PROBLEM. I ALSO OWN A 1994 ISUZU TROOPER WITH NO BODY RUST THAT SITS NEXT TO IT IN MY DRIVEWAY. I WAS TOLD BY THE TOYOTA REP (OAKDALE TOYOTA IN NY) THAT IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. I ALSO HAVE EXTENSIVE RUST ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE. THE TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD BEFORE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF CORROSION AND RUST ON THE MAJORITY OF THE FRAME. THERE WERE ALSO TWO AREAS WHERE THE FRAME HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY WELDED AND EXHIBITED HOLES. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE DEFECT WAS AS SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SEEMS TO BE ON TOYOTA MODELS. THE FRONT AND PASSENGER DOORS WILL OPEN IF ATTEMPTED TO OPEN DURING CAR OPERATION EVEN IF THE DOORS ARE LOCKED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY A MECHANIC. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RETRIEVED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTING AND DETERIORATED ENOUGH TO CAUSE A CRACK IN THE BRAKE LINE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 120,000.