We found the following complaints for TOYOTA 4RUNNER (2003)
Read complaints for TOYOTA 4RUNNER (2003)
Dashboard is cracking from side to side; a few cracks are right over the passenger airbag. I worry about the integrity of the airbag. If anything malfunctions, at least i'll have this complaint on record.
Car was running perfectly. Brakes were services 6 months ago. Traveled from nc to fl for holiday. Started car maintenance light went on showed air bag indicator light with ear piercing buzzer. Went to drive car to toyota service department and had no brakes. They would work slightly but to dangerous to drive. Did not have brakes
I was stopped on the highway behind a truck making a left turn when i was rear ended by another truck going 60 mph.my 4runner was crushed between them, totaled,and my air bags never deployed.i hit the steering wheel so hard i bounced off of it and broke my seat from the momentum.when i awoke i had slid into the back seat (which is all that was really left of the vehicle).although i am thankful to be alive, i feel that at that force, the airbags should have deployed!
Have an 2003 toyota 4 runner, that has always been parked in my garage.it only has 40,000 miles on it & is mint condition except for one major problem, the dash. Although it does not sit outside in the sun, only in my garage, there are cracks all along the dash.most predominantly there a diagonal crack across the passenger side airbag, as well as along all the edges of where the dash meets a curve' (i.e. Right above the speedometer)it is extremely unfortunate that this seems to be a major problem across the dashboard with other 4runner's and sienna's, and it is also very unfortunate that due to airbag restrictions, i can't even pay someone to fix it.my concern is the diagonal crack across the passenger front airbag.
Driving 45 mph in a 45 mph zone on city street when a pickup truck failed to yield right-of-way and pulled immediately in front of 4runner. Almost zero time for breaking.4runner hit pickup truck behind driver's door at nearly 45 mph.the truck was was moving right to left. Front end of 4runner severely damaged and frame was bent. 4runner bumper mounts just below airbag sensors were broken off.airbags on 4runner did not activate. 4runner driver has severe concussion and other injuries. Both vehicles were totaled by the pickup truck driver's insurance carrier. The safety issue too failure of the airbag to deploy in a severe frontal collision...updated 11/12/15
2003 toyota 4 runner, limited v8 4wd- vehicle impacted a bumper barrel on freeway exit at high rate of speed approximently 50 mph. Point of impact was driver's side front quarter panel and driver's side front end. Total damage to vehicle exceeded $5000.00. However, neither the front or side airbags deployed. The lack of airbag deployment caused non-life threatening injuries.
The steering wheel cover is broken, cracked.behind it is the air bag.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the dashboard was developing a crack on the passenger side. The vehicle was taken to two different independent mechanics and both stated that the air bag was leaking causing the dashboard to crack. The vehicle was not repaired. The vin was unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 27,000.
2003 4runner. Consumer states front end collisionin which airbags did not deploy.*tgwthe consumer stated his wife has a permanent neck injury.
I have a crack in the dash 1 foot long above the passenger airbag only 15000 miles on truck.alot of other post are on the internet with same crack or more. Ithas always been garaged.i am worried that something will spill and shortthe airbag. For a truck drove so little and always in the dark this should not happen.toyota place 9670 trask av garden grove ca asked toyota to replace it they said it was a defect. Anika from toyota came to look at a showroom condition truck and said no it is out of warranty. I would have to pay to replace it if i am worried about it.it would be $1000.00.i do not have the money at this time.they do not care. Called toyota on same day they said anika said no so that is as good as in stone nothing more to talk about.this is the new toyota money over safety.
After replacing an oxygen sensor several times, the dealership finally discovered the root of the problem that is making the oxygen sensor and traction control circuit short out.the air divertor flap inside the hvac box under the dash had grease applied to the flap hinges in the factory.directly below the flap is a wiring harness which drops down from the hvac box and plug into the ecu.over time the grease has traveled down through the wiring harness to the electrical connection plug into the ecu causing various circuits to short.no damage at present, however various safety circuits such as traction control are being affected.furthermore, as oil is combustible, an interior fire could result from the oil penetrating the 12 volt electrical connection point on the ecu.this issue/ problem should be considered hazardous and should be a recall to replace the wiring harness and ecu as well as clean the grease out of the hvac box.
I purchased a brand new 2003 toyota 4runner in may 2003.in one cold morning of jan. 2005, i was driving it in highway that was still covered with some snow.all of sudden, an engine check light on the dashboard was automatically turned on, followed by vsc lights, indicating that a vehicle skid control function was automatically turned off.at that point, i could not drive the car beyond 50 mph, no matter how hard or frequently i pushed the accelerator pedal.i pulled over, restarted, and re-entered the highway but had the same results.i managed to drive the car to a dealer for inspection the same day.the dealer could not find a cause and simply reset the computer controller.this seemed to have resolved the problem at that time.however, the engine check and vsc light issues resurfaced about two years later.the difference this time was that there was no acceleration issue.no inspection was made.the dashboard lights were automatically turned off after driving for about a month.in jan. 2010, those lights reappeared and have remained turned on.no impact on acceleration has been observed.
On approximately february 28, 2012, the abs/trac control/vsc lights came on and remained lit on my 2003 toyota 4runner.i called the dealership and they said to bring it in right away.they diagnosed the car and came up with "no sensor reading?. It cost me $150 for the diagnostic test. I picked up the car and a few weeks later i brought it back for the same problem.the computer then indicated that there was a faulty o2 sensor which they replaced my cost was over $650.the next week the lights came on again.the dealership kept the car for a few days but later reported that they could not duplicate the problem.they told me that i should wait until it got worse and bring it back.i suffered with this problem for months.i say suffered because when i was in park and these lights came on, i could not shift out of park.the lights would eventually go away and allow me to drive.on 8/24 the problem became worse.i could not shift my car out of park for more than 15 minutes on over 10 different occasions.the warning lights remained lit almost constantly over 3 days.when i called to return the car to the dealership on 8/27, the service person said that she thought there was a recall associated with that issue, but then told me that there was not.later that day, they called and said that they again could not replicate the problem.after a quick internet search, it seems that many people have had the same experience that i have had on various toyota vehicles.i feel an investigation is appropriate in this instance.
The vehicle would rev itself up to a high rpm, from a stopped position when i stepped on the gas the vehicle would go in reverse.the dealership eventually replaced the transmission only after the manager borrowed it overnight and experienced it himself, but i have noticed the problem beginning again.another problem is the radiator leaking and needed to be replaced (i was told it had the wrong kind of antifreeze; it was green and it needs a red kind???).when replacing this i was notified that my front brakes were paper thin and needed to be replaced this repair cost me almost $2000.another problem is the rear window trim has shrunk.i also had the sunroof replaced after owning the vehicle less than two years.the brake light on the rear hatch does not work as well as the rear wipers (also when i hooked a trailer to it the electrical system seems to be messed up because the trailer lights will not work; went to autozone and tested the trailer and it is fine).the vehicle is starting to act funny again, the engine revs itself to high rpms (this is not the automatic tranny because it happens when it idles as well).the last incident was when i pulled out from a street parking spot and as soon as i put it in drive the vehicle stalled and we lost all power, when i pressed the gas pedal it was as if it was in neutral yet i triple checked and it was in drive.all of the sudden it acted normal and drove about 10 feet then it happened all over again.i also have the rotten egg smell (sulfur?) which is sporadic.of course the dealer always says they can find nothing wrong, nothing is coming up on the computer.luckily no injuries have occurred as of yet but i feel it is only a matter of time before i am on the highway and it decides to play these games.very disappointed in quality of this vehicle, especially since i purchased it because of the reputation.
My 2003 toyota had emissions issues in that all four oxygen sensors would fail quickly.it took me two years and lots of money later to determine that the cause of this is because transmission fluid is wicking its way through the transmission solenoid harness all the way to the ecu and once there because of the way the ecu is mounted gets into all of the other wiring harnesses of just about every other sensor.i went to toyota and the first technician never heard that happening before but another overheard our conversation and said "i bet you have a 4runner" so yeah its happened to others.they wanted nearly $4500 to fix the issue.new engine wiring harness $1500-$2000 and another $1000 for the labor and the rest of the estimate is for other parts not specified.their solution is to cut the wire below the transmission wiring harness connector then splice and solder but i would have to replace nearly all the critical wiring in that car.i cant give an exact date on when it started going wrong but i can look at the service history on the toyota owner's website and give you this timeline.0-89,997 -no, issues with emissions or electrical systems. 89,997mi - 90k service done - transmission fluid change w/flush done at dealer.98,152mi - car reporting lean codes, dealer replaces maf sensor.100,117 - car reporting lean codes, dealer replaces o2 sensor and a/f sensor bank 2 position 1 & 2105,312 - car reporting lean codes, dealer replaces bank 1 position 1 a/f sensor and maf sensor again.total cost $798.76.there are more but i have character limits.i will say this though that the problem should have been obvious because you can clearly see the fluid when you unplug the o2 sensor from the harness but toyota was content charging me $500-$700 every 10k miles without actually fixing it.car still remained functional but ruined fuel economy.
Upon starting vehicle, gas gauge and tachometer did not work. Turned ignition off then restarted and gas gauge fluctuated and finally responded, but no response from tachometer. After driving vehicle with air on, stopped at store then started vehicle and all gauges worked. This has happened quite often since it is getting warm. I have read blogs where other owners of the sport model are experiencing the same issue with the cluster failing. Some have tried to get repaired and that's a 50/50 shot. The only way to resolve is to replace cluster at $300.00 used without labor and an extra fee of $100.00 to calibrate mileage. Toyota is aware of issue, but fails to respond.
The rear tire assembly ripped loose from its mounts under normal driving conditions..a loud clunk noise....then .brakes were lost and the electrical system showed warning lights on dash board...car is not drivable...massive rust at failure points
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noted that there were cracks in the dashboard near the air vents. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the dashboard was cracking and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer also sent a letter asking owners to take the vehicle to a dealer to have the dashboard inspected however, the dealer stated that the repair part was not available. There was no recall on the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.
Failure of automatic braking control and anti-skid control.service light activated but no recall or notice to consumers.see technical service bulletin br 005-03 (dec. 4, 2003).toyota refuses to recognize safety risk or obligation to replace outside of warranty period.
While driving my abs, break, vsc trac and vsc off light came on solid. It was all accompanied by an alarm.i was in heading down a hill in the snow.right after the alerts came on i had a hard break pedal with no movement and no breaks.i was not able to use the emergency break as in snow that would not have helped.i have done some research and this has happened to multiple people online and its concerning that if abs stops/faults you lose all ability to break at all.
While driving uphill in the snow, the automatic stability control on my toyota engaged with a beeping sound and a dashboard indicator light.once this happened, several other lights illuminated on the dashboard and the vehicle began to accelerate up the hill.i attempted to brake, but the vehicle continued to gain speed and struck the back of a parked pickup truck on the side of the road.no airbag deployment occurred.the front end damage was significant, making the vehicle a total loss.
I've been doing research online for the non stop vcs trac, vcs off, abs and brake warning lights and buzzers going off.it has been described as a common issue with toyota and can lead to complete loss of brakes, but no recall.the dealership wants $3200 for the part and $600 to install.i guess toyota needs fatalities to back their product.shame on toyota.
Lost all traction control causing spin off freeway
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. While driving 65 mph, the vsc and traction control warning indicators illuminated. The anti-lock braking system engaged and locked the front brakes. The vehicle violently pulled to the left lane and the steering and brakes failed. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure and repair the vehicle. The manufacturer stated that they were unaware of the failure previously occurring. The failure mileage was approximately 167,000.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. When the contact attempted to start the vehicle, it would not start. The contact mentioned that the head gasket needed to be removed and re-installed in order to start the vehicle. Also, while driving various speeds, the rear of the vehicle swayed uncontrollably to the left and right. The vehicle was taken to big o tires (2245 state st, new albany, in 47150, 812-949-0736) where it was diagnosed that the passenger side control arm was fractured and the driver's side control arm could fracture at any moment. The vehicle was towed to mccormick motor sports (1041 s 6th st, louisville, ky 40203, (502) 584-1981) where the contact was informed that the head gasket was causing cylinder three to misfire. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 217,500.
"takata recall". So i'm not understanding a problem with my toyota 4runner. As of yesterday there was a great amount of smoke coming from the area of the oil stick from my assumption the oil was getting on the cadillac converter. Or something that would hit something hot on the engine to cause it to smoke i'm trying to find out if there is a recall for that.
Tl-the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated while driving various speeds the engine, vsc trac and vsc warning indicators illuminated continuously on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer five times and twice to an independent mechanic. The engine 02 sensors had been replaced even times. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The failure mileage and vin were unavailable. Js
The engine, vsc trac and vsc warning indicators illuminated continuously on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer. The engine 02 sensors were found to be defective. The manufacture will not replace or replace since there are no advisories on the part.there is a high risk the engine may under perform which may cause lack of control and a potential accident while driving. Leading to injury.
This 2003 toyota 4runner has 135,000 miles on the odometer and the frame and exhaust system including catalytic converter are completely rusted out and the vehicle is now unsafe to drive. Some frame components have completely rusted and broken off from the frame i.e. Tow hooks, exhaust and engine mounts. The frame is only held on to the body by the shock absorbers. The vehicle can no longer be driven safely. The cost to repair this damage would be prohibitive and i believe that this issue needs to be addressed by toyota. I purchased this vehicle in good faith and trusted that toyota quality would last. Please advise any possible recourse. Thank you
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner.the contact stated while having routine maintenance performed, she was informed that there was excessive rust and holes on the subframe. Additionally, the calipers were sticking and the oil pan was rusted. The contact completed the repairs. The vehicle was taken to ramey toyota (135 frazier dr, princeton, wv 24740, (877) 825-2186) and diagnosed that the subframe needed to be replaced. The subframe was not replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage 55,000.
I was driving down the highway after getting off the interstate when my vehicle began to overheat. I luckily noticed and pulled over before incurring more damage and warping the engine head. I have heard multiple times that these 4.0 v6's toyota made have head gasket problems. After getting it towed back to the mechanic on thanksgiving, i was told i had a blown/leaking headgasket. I have never drove this vehicle over 3k rpms and find it ridiculous it would fail under such good condition.
While in process of replacing serpentine belt and idler pulleys on engine, i noticed (after removing lower engine shield under vehicle) significant rust damage to front frame segment under radiator support.the right side tow hook and corner of frame it was mounted to fell off in my hand when i touched it.upon further inspection, there are other parts of vehicle frame with rust damage, though none appear to be as severe as area of frame underneath radiator.this portion of frame appears to connect the two side frame rails together.
I bought my 2003 toyota 4runner less than a year ago from an auto group (toyota, honda, ect) and had them perform a safety inspection.since it was used i knew there would be some issues, the only problem it had was the recommended service wasn't completed at 90k miles (timing belt, water pump, ect).i worked that into the deal an was on my way.after departing the u.s. And shipping my car to hawaii, the inspectors here found a lot of rust on the frame and said it could be an issue getting an approved safety inspection (required for registering the car in hawaii).they said it isn't severe now, but can be living in this state as it is very rusted and will continue to do so in such a humid environment.they also said that tacomas for that year had a recall due to excessive frame rust (similar if not the same frames) but 4runners do not, so they recommended i talk to toyota about it.i called the toyota service center here and they said there is no recall and if i wanted the frame fixed or replaced, it'd have to be at my expense.toyota's are fantastic vehicles, i just hope this comment aids in their decision to approve a recall on 4runner's frames due to rust like the other makes for the same year.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that when driving above 25 mph, the check engine light would illuminate on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they were unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 20,000 and the current mileage was 30,000.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner.the contact stated that the vsc tracking light illuminated, causing the vehicle to violently jerk when applying pressure to the brakes. Neither the dealer nor manufacturer had been notified.the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.the current and failure mileages were 100,000.the vin was unavailable.
Bought a 2003 toyota 4runner v6 4wd 2 1/2 years ago as a toyota certified used vehicle..within a year i needed a new serpentine beltdue to excessive noise at start up. The dealer told me there was a tsb for this and to bring the car back if i had further issues. The noise came back but was irregular, it would come at start up every day for a couple weeks and then disappear for another few weeks. The noise got louder and sounded somewhat different a couple weeks ago. Brought it to the dealer and they replaced the idler pulley on friday 07/16/10. It sounded loud again at start up after i picked up the vehicle but the noise eventually went away. However my serpentine belt actually ripped less than a week later (07/21/10) while i was driving 45mph on a curvy road. I first lost my ac, quickly followed by my power steering...somehow managed to pull over but by then smoke was coming from underneath the hood due to the fact that in the ripping process the belt broke a coolant hose. I have been without a vehicle for 5 days now and am waiting on the dealer to get a new hose so that they can actually run the car and make sure the pulleys are all ok. However so far they're telling me that all the pulleys are fine and i am having to fight with them to get them to do the recommended fix to the tsb eg012-13. A noise at start is one thing, but a year and 1/2 old belt actually ripping is not normal! i was fortunate to come out of this unharmed and not damage my car or somebody else's.
My vehicle seemed to become louder when idling over the past 2 years that i've owned it. A couple months ago i noticed it being noticeably much louder. The noise could be heard while idling (red light, drive thrus...) and would become louder with acceleration up to about 40mph. This was a rattling noise located on the driver's side of the underbody, somewhere between the driver's and the passenger's seats. It sounded like loud heavy vibrations, metal on metal. I asked the toyota dealership service department to check out and they found that the heatshield was seriously rusted. They had to order the part in order to replace it but said it was rusted so badly that they had to remove what was left of the original heatshield to prevent further damage to other components. Once the new part was received they were able to put on the new heatshield.
Chirp noise from engine area on cold start--this has repeated 5 times since vehicle purchase--each time the local toyota dealer has repaired under warranty--replaced tensioner and belt--chirp sound returns repeatedly after approx 6 mths operation.
Model : 2003 toyota 4 runner v8issue : automatic acceleration while a/c onhow to duplicate the issue : option 1] while the engine is running and the vehicle is in drive with brakes depressed turn the a/c "on", the vehicle would try to suddenly move forward. The tachometer also shows higher readings.option 2] turn your a/c off drive for a while and then turn your a/c on, the moment you turn your a/c on the vehicle accelerates on its own for a while. This problem is magnified especially in summer and hotter climates and does not fail to occur in summer.
The check engine light came on and the vsc trac turned off, the day after the light came on and the traction turned off...the toyota 2003 4runner flipped over. The vsc traction should not be turned off when a check engine light comes on because it provides the necessary stability of the vehicle that a suv needs no matter what is wrong with the car. The car is now totaled and one passenger still suffering from injuries from the accident.
I own a 2003 toyota 4runner and have been experiencing a sulfur/rotten egg smell since i got it. It is intermittent and seems to occur most frequently upon acceleration. There have been times while driving that i get very dizzy. After researching i found there a quite a few complaints about this very problem. It seems along with the sulfur dioxide there is carbon monoxide inside the cabin, regardless if the windows are up or down. Toyota's response is that this is due to bad gas. I like my 4runner but there is no way i can drive it knowing that not only me, but my son also are being poisoned. Toyota must be held accountable and fix this immediately before someone gets seriously hurt!!!!
Toyota 4-runner 2003 six cylinder. Excessive sulfur dioxide odor. No events leading up to failure.sporadic.dealerships gave me a hard time, wanted $150.00 to run test even though toyota headquarters informed me that the dealer should just replace parts, so i never have had it fixed but i am concerned. I changed gas stations numerous times and still receive the odor. Odor comes and goes and can be strong at times especially in cold months.concerns are that it will become worse and the smell is toxic.
Foul smelling exhaust - ammonia smell - very strong on accelerations uphill or freeway on ramps.
2003 toyota 4runner sport ed, 6 cyl.- at 100,400 miles, both my catalytic converters went out. Also the check engine light goes on which disengages the vehicle skid control, so i hear. Repairs are costly. Can't smog car on the first time car ever needs to get smogged. Seems like a recall issue to me?
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 40 mph uphill, a strong odor was noticed.there were no warning lights illuminated prior to the incident.the dealership was contacted, who determined the catalytic converter was producing the odor.the extended warranty covered the replacement.also, the contact was alerted by an independent mechanic about the front brakes.the mechanic machined the front rotors and installed new pads.as a result of the brakes repair, the pedal was too low when depressed.the brakes were rechecked and the mechanic informed all the brake standards were correct.the contact assumed this was a manufacturer defect.the dealership had not been contacted yet for the brake problem.
- the contact owns a 2003 toyota avalon xls.while attempting to change a flat tire thejack malfunctioned.the vehicle wasreleased from the jack and injured the contact's hand, causing nerve damage.in addition, it damaged the driver side quarter panel.per the contact, the base of the jack hada narrow width of 1 3/4 inches andwas inches in length.the jack wassuppose to be able to lift larger toyota vehicles.the contact felt that the jackwas too flimsy to secure the vehicle andwas requesting an investigation to replace the current jack with one of appropriate size.the contact also spoke with customer relations of toyota.toyota investigators took pictures of the vehicle and the jack ,and promised a response within 90 days.the response from toyota stated that the jackwas not faulty, and the inspection was addressed to evaluate whether the jack was faulty.the contact was concerned about the appropriateness of the jack size in relation to the vehicle. Also, the letterstated this vehicle was not subject to any recalls.the contactspoken to the attorney general.updated 2/6/2007 -
Check engine light was on, failed my emission test. The computer printed out a paper that stated there was a recall defect # 2059 from toyota. When i called toyota they cant find a recall that matches my vin and told me there not responsible.
Erratic throttle response and erratic/unpredictable/difficult to predictbrake application .
Due to severe rust underneath the vehicle, there have been a few issues that have made the vehicle very unsafe to drive. Last week, both of my rear brake lines were completely done and leaking brake fluid leaving me with no brakes. This was due to rust and corrosion that had eaten the metal lines away. The radiator mounts are corroding, as well as the skid plate for my fuel tank and a few spots on my frame near the rear. I was not aware of the rust as i just got the vehicle a few weeks ago. I was driving in traffic when my brake light came on and i noticed my brakes didn't seem to be very effective and they eventually got the point where they were not working or slowing the vehicle at all. Once i took it to the shop and they put it on the lift, the mechanics pointed out just how bad the rust was.
My 2003 toyota had emissions issues in that all four oxygen sensors would fail quickly.it took me two years and lots of money later to determine that the cause of this is because transmission fluid is wicking its way through the transmission solenoid harness all the way to the ecu and once there because of the way the ecu is mounted gets into all of the other wiring harnesses of just about every other sensor.i went to toyota and the first technician never heard that happening before but another overheard our conversation and said "i bet you have a 4runner" so yeah its happened to others.they wanted nearly $4500 to fix the issue.new engine wiring harness $1500-$2000 and another $1000 for the labor and the rest of the estimate is for other parts not specified.their solution is to cut the wire below the transmission wiring harness connector then splice and solder but i would have to replace nearly all the critical wiring in that car.i cant give an exact date on when it started going wrong but i can look at the service history on the toyota owner's website and give you this timeline.0-89,997 -no, issues with emissions or electrical systems. 89,997mi - 90k service done - transmission fluid change w/flush done at dealer.98,152mi - car reporting lean codes, dealer replaces maf sensor.100,117 - car reporting lean codes, dealer replaces o2 sensor and a/f sensor bank 2 position 1 & 2105,312 - car reporting lean codes, dealer replaces bank 1 position 1 a/f sensor and maf sensor again.total cost $798.76.there are more but i have character limits.i will say this though that the problem should have been obvious because you can clearly see the fluid when you unplug the o2 sensor from the harness but toyota was content charging me $500-$700 every 10k miles without actually fixing it.car still remained functional but ruined fuel economy.
I want to know if there is a recall for this vechicle for maniflod/exhaust/catilitic converter
No accident - items need to be investigated for safety defects on toyota's. 1> front brake calipers (constant freezing of the front brake calipers). 2> dash cover (excessive cracking on the dash covers especially areas that contain airbags). 3> fuel pump connection (on top of fuel tank, connection to fuel pump appears to create a short, which in turn causes vehicle to stall also could cause a fire). 4> excessive frame rust (frame has excessive rust outside and inside which is causing frame to fail. This is a manufacturing issue). These are ongoing issues with toyota that have been reported and nothing is being done about it. Multiple 4runners are having big time excessive frame rust, which are causing the frame coming apart during highway driving. These photo's show the rust on the outside and inside, all metal is having rust issues. Paint has been applied to cover said rust but it still reappears with-in a few months. Best way to contact me is via e-mail.
Safety related to 2003 toyota 4runner sport edition suv. Driver's door locking mechanism froze up for the third time in two years. This time, could not open driver side door by any means. 63-year old driver had to exit over console, then through passenger door. Driver later had to re-enter from passenger side, over the console in order to drive vehicle to dealership. Took it to the dealer and was charged over $500 for repairs. Potential of not being able to exit vehicle. This is a flaw or defect is commonly noted on the world-wide web. This should have been a safety recall issue without charge for repairs.
Power door locking mechanism on 2003 toyota 4 runner malfunctions and locks vehicle while running with the inability to exit vehicle from inside.toyota was notified of this safety issue and is ignoring the problem (copies of e-mails from toyota can be provided).customer message boards indicate this may be a systemic safety issue.i hope this complaint initiates an investigation.the inability to exit a vehicle could pose an extreme hazard to driver/passengers.thank you
The door locks on front-right and rear-left sides are malfunctioning. The dealer at bell toyota indicates that there are bad actuators. Considering that the front-right and rear-left locks are not operable, i'm very concerned about the ability to escape the vehicle in an emergency situation. Also, the front-right and rear-left doors are sparingly utilized indicating that there is a quality issue associated with the malfunction.
My 2003 toyota had emissions issues in that all four oxygen sensors would fail quickly.it took me two years and lots of money later to determine that the cause of this is because transmission fluid is wicking its way through the transmission solenoid harness all the way to the ecu and once there because of the way the ecu is mounted gets into all of the other wiring harnesses of just about every other sensor.i went to toyota and the first technician never heard that happening before but another overheard our conversation and said "i bet you have a 4runner" so yeah its happened to others.they wanted nearly $4500 to fix the issue.new engine wiring harness $1500-$2000 and another $1000 for the labor and the rest of the estimate is for other parts not specified.their solution is to cut the wire below the transmission wiring harness connector then splice and solder but i would have to replace nearly all the critical wiring in that car.i cant give an exact date on when it started going wrong but i can look at the service history on the toyota owner's website and give you this timeline.0-89,997 -no, issues with emissions or electrical systems. 89,997mi - 90k service done - transmission fluid change w/flush done at dealer.98,152mi - car reporting lean codes, dealer replaces maf sensor.100,117 - car reporting lean codes, dealer replaces o2 sensor and a/f sensor bank 2 position 1 & 2105,312 - car reporting lean codes, dealer replaces bank 1 position 1 a/f sensor and maf sensor again.total cost $798.76.there are more but i have character limits.i will say this though that the problem should have been obvious because you can clearly see the fluid when you unplug the o2 sensor from the harness but toyota was content charging me $500-$700 every 10k miles without actually fixing it.car still remained functional but ruined fuel economy.
Vehicle is rusting away. From the inside. Very evident when the toyota specialist who works on the 4runner has to service it and work on it. They have taken pictures and are supplying us with them. They are a north carolina safety inspector and concerned about the vehicle in a crash. The vehicle's steering is affected and overall ability to control the vehicle along with the frame holding the vehicle parts in place. We have a 2003 toyota 4runner that doesn't have issues like this one. It has some rust but nothing like this. Started noticing it in 2016 after it had repairs done where you could see the inside of the bottom and frame parts.*this 4runner was built on the tacoma chassis that was recalled.this 4 runner needs to be fixed for it to be safe. My son drives this vehicle. Well, he did. I can't let him now. He has no vehicle.the pictures are disturbing! all of our cars are older and never have we had an issue like this.the 2003 4runners are affected.
Vehicle was maintained at a toyota dealership for over a decade before being informed that vehicle is unsafe to drive due to holes forming throughout the entire frame assembly from corrosion. Further research showes the frame of this vehicle resembles that of the toyota tacoma and tundra models which where recalled due to early and unsafe corrosion leading to components to detach from frame while vehicle is in motion which can lead to serious life hazard. Frame and vehicle were also manufactured in ohio dana company which is the supplier of the recalled frames used in the toyota tundras and tacoma's.
There is excessive rust on the underbody of my 2003 4runner. It has just 165,000 miles and the frame is extremely rusted. Being only 15 years old i find this to be very sad and unreasonable. The car should be able to last 20-30 years and 300,000 miles. The car has been regularly washed and driven in pennsylvania, illinois, ohio, new york. If there was additional treatment required for the frame it should have been coated, or at the very least notify the customers to make sure they do it. These car should last much much longer and as expensive as the 4runners are they should last.
From a completely stopped position, letting off the gas and allowing the truck to idle forward results in a klunk noise whether you accelerate or not. As i have read, it is a problem within the drivetrain. I took the truck to toyota to have it looked at. They say it is because the rear needs to be lubed with every oil change and was completely dry. They lubed it up and said the problem should improve with time. The truck is still making the klunk noise. The truck has only 85k. This seems very similar to the problem with toyota tundra and some lexuses.
Frame is completely rotted out rusted, gas tank straps are rotted/rusted. Rear sway bars are rotted off the frame. This vehicle has the same frame issue as the tacoma and sequoia frames that are on recall.
I have had this vehicle since new, and only travel back and forth to work approx 30 miles a day..(now has 59,000 miles).vehicle has been regularly serviced at a local toyota dealer...vehicle never used for towing or never been off-road, and maintained like a baby...all of a sudden dealer told me my front axle cv joints are leaking and needs replacing including the rear shocks? this is fully loaded 2003 toyota limited edition v8...seems very unusual at 59k miles? will contact toyota to see if they can help out in any way...
The vehicle would rev itself up to a high rpm, from a stopped position when i stepped on the gas the vehicle would go in reverse.the dealership eventually replaced the transmission only after the manager borrowed it overnight and experienced it himself, but i have noticed the problem beginning again.another problem is the radiator leaking and needed to be replaced (i was told it had the wrong kind of antifreeze; it was green and it needs a red kind???).when replacing this i was notified that my front brakes were paper thin and needed to be replaced this repair cost me almost $2000.another problem is the rear window trim has shrunk.i also had the sunroof replaced after owning the vehicle less than two years.the brake light on the rear hatch does not work as well as the rear wipers (also when i hooked a trailer to it the electrical system seems to be messed up because the trailer lights will not work; went to autozone and tested the trailer and it is fine).the vehicle is starting to act funny again, the engine revs itself to high rpms (this is not the automatic tranny because it happens when it idles as well).the last incident was when i pulled out from a street parking spot and as soon as i put it in drive the vehicle stalled and we lost all power, when i pressed the gas pedal it was as if it was in neutral yet i triple checked and it was in drive.all of the sudden it acted normal and drove about 10 feet then it happened all over again.i also have the rotten egg smell (sulfur?) which is sporadic.of course the dealer always says they can find nothing wrong, nothing is coming up on the computer.luckily no injuries have occurred as of yet but i feel it is only a matter of time before i am on the highway and it decides to play these games.very disappointed in quality of this vehicle, especially since i purchased it because of the reputation.
Vehicle has a low gear sound which began when vehicle was relatively new as i travelled down slight grades. I never complained because that wasthe only time it seemed abnormal and there are only a very places in my town where the hill was steep enough to cause it. Plus i assumed it was related to the trac braking system and might be normal. Last weekend on a 5 hour trip each way the problem began to manifest itself as i accellerated on flat ground. The tachometer showed low rpms (under 2000) until 50-60 mph. However the sound was much more noticible with some additional vibration.the vibration is now worse,could it be a speed sensor problem? [xxx]information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Extensive frame rust through and rear differential/axle rust the frame rust is in an area that connects the rear axle to the vehicle.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed. The steering wheel became hard to turn and the vehicle was taken to a mechanic for inspection.the failure was located at the steering wheel system, which failed due to severe corrosion that expanded to the transmission lines and the frame. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vin was not available. The failure and current mileage was 125,000.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the subframe was rusted, causing the transmission to hang very low. As a result, the vehicle was inoperable. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the transmission was re-attached. The manufacturer was aware of the failure. The failure and current mileages were 129,000. ..updated 09/19/11also, the steering intermediate shaft needed to be replaced. Updated 10/28/11
My 4runner has been making an awful clunking noise coming from the rear for about 2 years now. I have done some research and it seems to have happened in the lexus gx470 as well. The 03-06 4runners have the same driveline as the lexus and unlike lexus, toyota has refused to fix this problem. Please help!
My 2003 toyota 4runner makes a clunk sound that is felt throughout the vehicle when coming to a stop or when beginning to take off.this was first noticed at approximately 40,000 miles.per the toyota dealership, removing the driveshaft and greasing the spline yoke quiets the clunk for approximately 20,000 miles.this is partly true, as the greasing quiets it, but it does not go away and the clunk get stronger every day the car is driven until you feel like you are being rear ended.toyota states this is normal for the operation of the vehicle.it is not normal, and it is absurd to think it is normal.the car should accelerate from a stop without a clunk and come to a stop without a clunk.this problem is widely documented, but toyota has yet to provide a fix.the "clunking" changes your driving behavior/habits in order to minimize the clunk, but in the end, the car clunks when taking off, and clunks when coming to a stop.the toyota dealership states no damage is being incurred to the vehicle by the clunking, this may be true, but you certainly do not feel safe and secure when the vehicle clunks and shakes the car at virtually every stop and start. Toyota needs to find a fix to ensure toyota customers are safe when they drive, feel safe when they drive, and are satisfied with the toyota vehicle they drive.
2003 toyota 4runner was stuck in 4-lo, vehicle unable to travel at safe highway speeds. Part that needs replaced is transfer case actuator.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner.while driving 2 mph with the brakes applied, the vehicle would surge and make a thumping sound.the dealer lubricated the u joint, but the failure recurred a month later. The failure mileage was 2,000 and current mileage was 70,000. Updated 03/04/08.*ljthe consumer stated a propeller assembly/driveshaft was needed to correct the problem. Updated
Continuing problem on my 2003 v8 4runner with the drive shaft.when i come to a stop or when i accelerate after a stop there is a momentary lag that feels like a "clunk" or that someone has just run into your back bumper.toyota dealer "fixes" the problem with grease to the slip yoke but after 2,000 miles it comes back and is only getting worse.i've complained to the dealer continually and lexus 470 (same vehicle) has a tsb on the same occurrence.it has become increasingly annoying and can only be classifies as a dangerous defect.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4 runner. The contact was driving 55 mph when the transfer case imploded and spewed out from under the vehicle, damaging the driveline. The vehicle was then towed to a local mechanic shop. The mechanic replaced the vehicle with a used transfer case and driveline at a cost of $1,374. The manufacturer was contacted and a case was filed. No other assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 152,664.updated 06/16/11*ljthe consumer has since traded the vehicle. Updated 10/12/11
Rear left safety belt does not retract. The vehicle has not been altered or damaged in any way prior to safety belt not retracting. Can not use rear left safety belt. Safety belt is fully extended and will not retract.
Frame has significant rust and has developed a hole up near the front of the car. I've had the rust sandblasted off and the frame re-coated, but should the frame fail, it could result in a real safety problem.driver seat belt does not retract properly, which could result in the seatbelt not being snug enough to prevent injury in the event of an accident
My drivers seat is broken and moves when i drive it developed over a few weeks. My seat belt locks some times because of the seat shifting i have never been in accident and only weight 178 i don't know how it broke but the dealerships said it is not covered in the warranty i explained that i thought it was a safety hazardbut didn't get any response.
I was driving the vehicle at a slow speed and made a turn up a hill.suddenly, i felt the seat jerk backwards and it seemed like the driver's seat went off its track.later, when the vehicle was parked, i checked the seat in an attempt to resecure it to the track, but i could not improve the situation.it seemed as though the seat is not locked anymore.whenever i accelerate or come to a stop, it feels as though the driver seat could come loose as it is not secure to the track anymore.i did some research and found out that there is a toyota technical service bulletin for this issue.the number is nvo11-06.i checked with the dealer, and they said there is no recall to fix this problem.the vehicle owner must pay for parts and labor to fix, with a total cost exceeding $1500 for cars outside of the 3 year/36000 mile warranty.i have a 2003 model vehicle that i purchased on 6/2003, and this tsb was issued on 10/2006 for my vehicle model, which means this tsb was invalid for me at the tsb release.i discovered this problem around 9/2011 because i have very low mileage on the vehicle.many owners are not aware of this issue.i believe this is a safety hazard because even if you are wearing your seatbelt, the driver's seat is not secure and shifts during normal stop of acceleration and can cause whiplash.also, i have felt dizziness during heavy stop and go traffic due to the rocking motion because the seat is not secure to the track.in case of an accident, it is more likely that the seat can become dislodged, thus rendering the seat belt useless during a crash.i am a mechanical engineer and i understand the issue.i have surfed online and many people who have noted this issue have resorted to jerry rigging a fix to the seat because they cannot afford to pay for fixing this defect.i highly recommend a recall for toyota to fix this problem.
I was stopped on the highway behind a truck making a left turn when i was rear ended by another truck going 60 mph.my 4runner was crushed between them, totaled,and my air bags never deployed.i hit the steering wheel so hard i bounced off of it and broke my seat from the momentum.when i awoke i had slid into the back seat (which is all that was really left of the vehicle).although i am thankful to be alive, i feel that at that force, the airbags should have deployed!
Drivers seat is defective.it once rattled and moved on it's own (just little bit).however, the seat frame has now collapsed over the time period.(please note it has been sinking slowly over a long time period.. I just noticed it in 2008) the frame must have been defective and/or is poorly designed.i am presently sitting on the electronics box which i believe to be the electronics for the side impact air bags.i hope sitting on that does not prematurely set off the air bags which could cause an accident. Or short out the air bags so they won't go off when needed.i went to the dealership a few times.i get the run-around and never get a straight answer .now they won't return my calls.
While driving my abs, break, vsc trac and vsc off light came on solid. It was all accompanied by an alarm.i was in heading down a hill in the snow.right after the alerts came on i had a hard break pedal with no movement and no breaks.i was not able to use the emergency break as in snow that would not have helped.i have done some research and this has happened to multiple people online and its concerning that if abs stops/faults you lose all ability to break at all.
While pulling into a grocery store parking lot, aloud cabin alarm sound and abs, vsc and trac and brake warning lights on the dash came on. My vehicle seemed to stop ok so we did our shopping, when we started the car it still had the lights lit up and braked ok. We were close to home so i drove slowly trying to get there about half way home i applied the brakes and the pedal was hard as a rock and would not slow down the car applying emergency break and using shifter in order to stop and avoid crashing we got it home accident free. Today a talked to a toyota specialty shop and explained the problem and his first response was the abs pump and master cylinder failure. Vehicle has 105000 miles and this is a safety issue i have never had a vehicle brakes fail without a back up system for safety.i have read 1000s of posts and threads in blogs from toyota owners with similar issue, and some that caused accidents. I had just come off the highway, so this could have caused a serious accident just minutes earlier. This seems to be a very common occurrence and toyota is very aware of the situation but no recall. This situation merits an investigation by toyota and a recall should be awarded before human life is lost in an accident.
While driving at approximately 30 mph on a city street, with my little girl in the vehicle, breaks failed and loud cabin alarm sound and abs, vsc and trac dash lights came on. We were close to home so we got it there into the garage applying emergency break and using shifter in order to stop and avoid crashing. Had vehicle towed to dealership twice as they said the fixed it after only having it 30 minutes and said the accumulator pump was blocked up. Came home, drove it twice and the one week later all the bells and whistles go off again. Had it towed once again and now being told that it will cost us $4000 to fix. Very odd toyota goes from a thirty-minute charge and fix to a three-day process because they have to order part and cost us $4000. Supposedly the abs pump break master cylinder is bad and has to be replaced. I have read 1000s of posts and threads in blogs from toyota owners with similar issue, and some that caused accidents. I had just come off the highway, so this could have caused a serious accident just minutes earlier.this seems to be a very common occurrence and toyota is very aware of the situation but no recall. This situation merits an investigation by toyota and a recall should be awarded before human life is lost in an accident. They should also find a better less expensive fix. Generations of my family have put our faith into toyota vehicles and to be screwed like this is just not fair. The economy bailed car dealerships out when they were going under and they can't do the right thing taking ownership of this known issue.will analysis my options when buying another toyota.
I am deeply disturbed by the thought itself that my son and i could have died or severely injured while the brakes didn't work last weekend.all of a sudden, bunch of lights on the dashboard came on and continued loud sound started coming from the dashboard when i was reaching my son's school to drop him off for a tennis match. While i feel very fortunate that i was driving very slow and i was able to apply the emergency brake to stop the car before it hit any other vehicle or a tree, i am very concerned for the safety of the other drivers who may face the same issue while driving at a higher speed and/or on a busy road.i would like your immediate attention to this issue and request you to investigate the issue with toyota. There are few others who have reported the same issue. Toyota dismisses the case by saying its 'wear and tear'. How can wear and tear can be a justification when it is a safety hazard and people can lose lives? please don't wait to warn and investigate until someone loses a loved one's life.
The frame on my suv is very rusted and causing continuous problems. I've had to replace numerous parts underneath my car (sway bars, tie rods). Just the other night while driving home in a snow storm, i completely lost my brakes. Two of the main brake lines were completely corroded. A new frame would solve a lot of my problems. They've recalled tacomas and sequoias, wondering what the hold up is on the 4runner recall?
Takata recallmy son and i both have a toyota 4-runner and the abs hydro buster / brake master cylinder went out on the 2004 and is about to go out on the 2003. I recently bought the 2003 and the problem recently started.i'm trying to find out if there is a recall on either of these vehicles. 2003 4-runner toyota very recently 2004 4-runner toyota i need to verify the date of problemthanks
The control arm separated from the rotted rusted frame while driving. Almost died!
The rear tire assembly ripped loose from its mounts under normal driving conditions..a loud clunk noise....then .brakes were lost and the electrical system showed warning lights on dash board...car is not drivable...massive rust at failure points
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner.the contact stated while having routine maintenance performed, she was informed that there was excessive rust and holes on the subframe. Additionally, the calipers were sticking and the oil pan was rusted. The contact completed the repairs. The vehicle was taken to ramey toyota (135 frazier dr, princeton, wv 24740, (877) 825-2186) and diagnosed that the subframe needed to be replaced. The subframe was not replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage 55,000.
Front brake caliper pistons seized up causing me to go through a stop light. See enclosed video. Please review all the complaints regarding toyota 4runner caliper pistons seizing up. This is a serious design defect that requires your immediate attention.
My 4runner was making a funny noise, and the brakes felt weird.i was due for an oil change, and that's when i had the mechanic at the newark toyota world in newark, delaware, which i always use, check the brakes, and that's when i was told it would cost approximately $1,200.00.which is very difficult for me at this time to come up with since my husband has been unemployed since october of 2012.but, i need a car for my job, so i had no other choice, i can't drive it without brakes.
Owner was driving vehicle in a city at 10 mph when abs, vsc, trac and ebrake light came on along with an alarm sound. Brakes completely failed and would not respond on several attempts. Managed to slow car to side of the road without hitting anything by pressing ebrake and pumping brake pedal. Towed to auto repair shop and was told that the hydraulic brake booster completely failed and brakes would not work without replacing the entire brake booster assembly.quoted $3100 for repair. Based on some internet searching, this appears to be a fairly common issue on this model/year. Disappointed that toyota has not provided some fix for this issue which could prove incredibly dangerous.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. When the vehicle was started, the abs, emergency brake, and vsc trac lights remained illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, but the failure recurred. The contact placed the vehicle in drive and then depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle did not stop. The contact quickly placed the gear in park and called a tow truck. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the hydraulic abs and the tc motor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was at the shop for repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 260,000.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. While driving at 65 mph, the brake pedal was depressed and felt stiff, which caused a longer braking time. When the failure first occurred, all the warning indicators were illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated and there were no warning indicators illuminated. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the vehicle was losing brake power while being operated at higher speeds. The mechanic recommended that the master brake cylinder assembly be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Driving on a 3 lane interstate highway, stopped traffic, avs/abs/brake lights came on with a piercing noise. Traffic began moving approx. 10 mph, behind semi, brakes went to the floor. No brakes!!!! from center lane was able to go the the left lane into the the shoulder. Stopped next to cement barrier between north bound and south bound traffic (both 3 lanes). Sat there shaking for tow truck driver for an hour and a half with semi trucks flying by! got it to a mechanic. They called back the next day to say "we are sorry but the component that runs the brake pump is malfunctioning." "we reset it and the brakes are working now, but it will only fail again." it will cost a total of $5,000 to repair!!!! the vehicle is only worth $4,500-$7,000 (at best)!!!! like others on here, this has happened many, many times!!! no recalls!!! this could have been deadly!!! what happened to prevention of health and safety?! are they waiting for someone to die before they do something?!!! this vehicle was going to my 16 year old niece for her first vehicle. Thank god that it was not her driving!!! now she will not have a vehicle because we do not have $5,000 to fix it and a good overall vehicle sitting in our driveway that can't be used. I have had toyota's most of my life, currently drive a tundra as well, this is the first time that i can truly say.....shame on you toyota/manufacturers!!!!
We were driving along normally,the vsc, trac, abs and e-brake lights came onthe dashboard, along with an audible alarm.then we had no brakes.i had to push with all my strength just to slow down at all.we were lucky we did not crash, we could have been killed.i am finding out it is a common problem on this year and model, as well as other toyota models that use the same brake master cylinder/traction control module.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. While driving 65 mph, the vsc and traction control warning indicators illuminated. The anti-lock braking system engaged and locked the front brakes. The vehicle violently pulled to the left lane and the steering and brakes failed. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure and repair the vehicle. The manufacturer stated that they were unaware of the failure previously occurring. The failure mileage was approximately 167,000.
I've been doing research online for the non stop vcs trac, vcs off, abs and brake warning lights and buzzers going off.it has been described as a common issue with toyota and can lead to complete loss of brakes, but no recall.the dealership wants $3200 for the part and $600 to install.i guess toyota needs fatalities to back their product.shame on toyota.
No accident - items need to be investigated for safety defects on toyota's. 1> front brake calipers (constant freezing of the front brake calipers). 2> dash cover (excessive cracking on the dash covers especially areas that contain airbags). 3> fuel pump connection (on top of fuel tank, connection to fuel pump appears to create a short, which in turn causes vehicle to stall also could cause a fire). 4> excessive frame rust (frame has excessive rust outside and inside which is causing frame to fail. This is a manufacturing issue). These are ongoing issues with toyota that have been reported and nothing is being done about it. Multiple 4runners are having big time excessive frame rust, which are causing the frame coming apart during highway driving. These photo's show the rust on the outside and inside, all metal is having rust issues. Paint has been applied to cover said rust but it still reappears with-in a few months. Best way to contact me is via e-mail.
I purchased my vehicle in february of 2010. I have had to replace both front brake calipers three times each. I had to have both rear brake calipers replaced twice each. Currently my right rear brake caliper is malfunctioning. All of my brake calipers have been seizing up and the cost to have them repaired is expensive.this is a serious safety issue along with an expensive one. I have read numerous internet complaints about this particular vehicle edition having brake problems and the company will not address it.something needs to be done such as redesigning the brake calipers for this particular vehicle. Thank you.
My front brake calipers continue to freeze or seize and causes the brake pads to stick to the rotors. This is the third time this has occurred since i owned the truck. Recently, upon replacing the both front calipers, brake pads, and rotors, after bleeding the brakes the brake system now only worked in the front brakes and not the rear brakes.
Recently bought my 4runner, took it to the dealer to be inspected, only for them to tell me that the frame was compromised due to rust damage. Toyota has agreed to replace frames on tacoma's, tundra's and sequoia's, but not 4runners, even though they are all the same frames.
Tamara recall : the master brake cylinder has went out and everyone who i have spoke with has told me these particular vehicles are bad about. My brakes go all way to the floor no pressure at all and will not stop. I was on al hwy 278 in piedmont and went straight through red light almost getting it from from and rear of truck.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. While the vehicle was idling, the abs, parking brake, vsc and traction control lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact lost all braking control immediately. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the master cylinder that controls the abs and booster was defective and would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but declined to provide any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000.
On approximately february 28, 2012, the abs/trac control/vsc lights came on and remained lit on my 2003 toyota 4runner.i called the dealership and they said to bring it in right away.they diagnosed the car and came up with "no sensor reading?. It cost me $150 for the diagnostic test. I picked up the car and a few weeks later i brought it back for the same problem.the computer then indicated that there was a faulty o2 sensor which they replaced my cost was over $650.the next week the lights came on again.the dealership kept the car for a few days but later reported that they could not duplicate the problem.they told me that i should wait until it got worse and bring it back.i suffered with this problem for months.i say suffered because when i was in park and these lights came on, i could not shift out of park.the lights would eventually go away and allow me to drive.on 8/24 the problem became worse.i could not shift my car out of park for more than 15 minutes on over 10 different occasions.the warning lights remained lit almost constantly over 3 days.when i called to return the car to the dealership on 8/27, the service person said that she thought there was a recall associated with that issue, but then told me that there was not.later that day, they called and said that they again could not replicate the problem.after a quick internet search, it seems that many people have had the same experience that i have had on various toyota vehicles.i feel an investigation is appropriate in this instance.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while traveling approximately 65 mph, the brakes failed to respond to deceleration attempts and the contact crashed into another vehicle. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the vehicle was awaiting diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection when they detected that the rear differential, rear lower control arm and frame were severely corroded. One of the two rear lower control arms had become slightly detached from the vehicle. In addition, the emergency brake also exhibited corrosion. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. The vin was unavailable.
Extreme frame rust.car is low mileage, well-kept, and outwardly in excellent condition. Recently suffered near-total brake failure. Towed it to shop for repair.shop refused to repair brakes. They said frame was severely rusted. The rust had eaten away the point where the brake lines attached to the frame, and brake fuid was leaking from that juncture. They said if they removed the brake lines to replace them, they wouldn't be able to reattach them because there wasn't enough good frame metal to work with.they said the frame rust was so severe that they feared it could break clean through, or steering or suspension parts could break loose.they did not want to take responsibility for putting what they believed to be an unsafe vehicle back on the road.they only reason i discovered this was that the rust caused my brakes to nearly fail. Toyota has had recalls and lawsuits on identical issues involving tacomas and other truck-framed vehicles.the 4-runner is a truck-framed vehicle and should be recalled.i have photos that the repair shop sent me, but i can't send them ffrom this computer.
Moving vehicle at school parking lot - 17 year old daughter driving about 3 months after getting her license. Vsc trac abs lights all came on, a low tone noise and the brake peddle was hard as a rock when depressing.
The vehicle feels like it's bottoming out going over the slightest little bump when in motion and the rotors were making a horrible sound going down the highway even after the brakes had been checked.spent $400+ on new brakes & rotors only to find out that the frame is completely rusted out and the mechanic advised us not to drive it at all.it was too dangerous and would cause a bad wreck when it finally did drop out.
My daughter returned from work two days ago and parked the vehicle, she did not notice anything wrong with its drivability. The next morning she started the vehicle and a loud warning tone was being emitted from the dash. She asked me to look at it and i noticed the brake and abs warning lights were on. I tried depressing the brake pedal and it went completely to the floor instantly. I tried backing up the vehicle to see if repeated braking in reverse would pump up the brakes as it does on some vehicles i have owned. That did nothing and also unlike other vehicles i have driven, the brake failure was total. There was little to no manual braking.traveling in reverse at maybe 3 mph took four to five seconds to come to a stop.had this occurred at 60 mph on the rural roads we live on, i don't think we would have been able to safely stop the vehicle.i can't understand why any car would be designed where some kind of electrical/computer failure would render the vehicle undrivable instantly. This could have been a fatal event had it occurred at highway speeds. In searching the internet and your 7 pages of brake related complaints on specifically 2003 4runners, there were overwhelming accounts of the brakes totally failing while driving, and many accidents reported due to this.this vehicle should be removed from the road immediately before further incident and toyota should make owners whole due to this serious design defect.
Continuous brake caliper issues with then locking up causing them to prematurely wear out rotors and pads. Now with the cause of this issue, lost brake pressure all together almost causing me the driver create an accident in an intersection that could have been a devastating outcome. The vehicle only has 155000 miles, this should never have happened, i've already paid it off pocket alot of money for the brake caliper issue that i could have bought a newer vehicle. This needs to be investigated closely.
Due to severe rust underneath the vehicle, there have been a few issues that have made the vehicle very unsafe to drive. Last week, both of my rear brake lines were completely done and leaking brake fluid leaving me with no brakes. This was due to rust and corrosion that had eaten the metal lines away. The radiator mounts are corroding, as well as the skid plate for my fuel tank and a few spots on my frame near the rear. I was not aware of the rust as i just got the vehicle a few weeks ago. I was driving in traffic when my brake light came on and i noticed my brakes didn't seem to be very effective and they eventually got the point where they were not working or slowing the vehicle at all. Once i took it to the shop and they put it on the lift, the mechanics pointed out just how bad the rust was.
Abs problem disables brakes function. While driving the dash alerts lights (vsc track, abs andbrakes ) went on. Thanks god this happened while driving at a very low speed and in a flat terrain. A toyota ex-employee told us that the company became aware of this problem almost 10 years ago. No security alert was issued. However,a companybulletin described the abs malfunctionand offered replacement to those who requested it. This offer is no longer offered. I went to a toyota dealer and the cost to fix the problem is 3622.41 for service and parts. At present the unit is out of service. I am the original owner and bought this unit in march 1, 2003. It has 58,239 miles. I have taken the unit for service whenever a recall has been made for this vehicle. Toyota company has never alerted me about the possibility of brake malfunction and the security risk that this problem involves.
When in motion or stopping, on city streets or the highway, turning included, the abs system makes excessive nosies such as chirping, squeaking, and grinding. Currently, there has not been a crash or injury as a result; however, there is documentation within toyota service and online forums of this issue and concern among 2003 models.
Catastrophic brake loss without warning. Vsc, tac and e-brake lights with loud audible alarm with loss of ability to brake.only with strongest pressure on brake was able to slow vehicle. Fortunately, no collision or injuries occurred.report this to toyota - no advisory or recall notice has been issued. Representative told me that no one would contact me and the case would be close. This flies in the face of a manufactures liability to notify of potential product failure as long a product is in use.this is a 2003 toyota r runner with 166830 miles. Toyota work order list this as a baker booster motor assy internal part failure. Cost to replace this necessary safety equipmentwas 3,817 dollars.
I was driving normally with no issues on local streets. Suddenly the vsc,trac, and e-brake lights came on the dashboard with a very loud audible alarm.no prior issues with this system. I was able to drive slowly home on side roads (1.5 miles away).i made it to my driveway, pulled in on my upsloping driveway and then i had no brakes.pedal went all the way to the floor. I was able to get the car into the street and had it towed to the shop. I feel lucky to have had this happen at low speed and in town.there was little to no warning for a critical system failure. Diagnosis by mechanic is brake master cylinder/traction control module, at approximately $3000 to replace.i have found multiple incidents of this failure across multiple vehicle types.the lack of responsiveness upon failure (including the emergency brake) and the short window to react makes me feel lucky that i did not hit or harm myself or anyone else with this failure.
Only a few months after complete front brake replacement:rotors, calipers, pads,when braking at high speed downhill on good highway, the vehicle began vibrating strongly. Stopped at mechanics to have it checked. I had the tires balanced and rotated. Left front brake rotor was extremely hot, diagnosed as warped rotor. Replaced under warranty,caliper and rotor again. Now only a few thousand miles later the vibration is back again. This should not be. This has all happened within the past 15000 miles. Something more is wrong that is causing the brakes to malfunction but i don't see what it is.
Car was running perfectly. Brakes were services 6 months ago. Traveled from nc to fl for holiday. Started car maintenance light went on showed air bag indicator light with ear piercing buzzer. Went to drive car to toyota service department and had no brakes. They would work slightly but to dangerous to drive. Did not have brakes
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. While driving in a parking lot, the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard when the pedal was depressed. The vehicle was towed to priority toyota chesapeake (1800 greenbrier pkwy, chesapeake, va 23320, (757) 213-5000) where it was diagnosed that the brakes were not working. The contact took the vehicle back to the same dealer where a state safety inspection had been performed two months earlier. The manufacturer was contacted and provided a case number. The manufacturer stated that the vin was not included in a recall. The dealer stated that the brake repair would cost $5,000. The failure mileage was 153,596.
The whole under side of the vehicle is rusted. It can't even be driven. My brake line busted the other day (with my kids in the car) and caused me to lose the use of my brakes. We are okay, and the mechanic was able to repair the brake line. But my mechanic was able to stick a pen through the frame. He said with this excessive rust, i should file a claim. After searching online, it seems that there have been recalls on other models of toyota because of rust. Hoping you can investigate and make this right. Thank you!
Frame is rotted out and brake lines attached to the frame as well as every suspension component. Car failed inspection deemed unsafe to drive. This problem has been addressed for tacoma, tundra and sequoia but not 4runner. These frames have the same issue as those and needs to be repaired by toyota due to lack of rust and corrosion protection. Thereā€™s no reason 4runner should be overlooked for the same issue as the other full frame trucks.
Exact same issue identified in: date complaint filed: 01/07/2015 component(s): service brakes date of incident: 01/05/2015nhtsa id number: 10670783drove car to shop without losing brake power.quoted $3,000 and told the abs actuator requires replacement.i've replaced transmissions and engine parts over car lifetimes, but never run into this part failing before, not even in a ford.would like to know if this is a design defect.
2003 toyota 4runner awd v8 with ~99,990 mileage.front brake caliper inner pistons seized and inner front brake pads failed to apply for indeterminate time period (approximately 3 years and 30,000 miles).heavy corrosion of caliper contact surfaces also prevented normal travel of oem replacement inner brake pads.resulted in reduced braking force and intermittent brake pedal pulsation due to thermal imbalance of the rotors.passenger side inner rotor surface corroded because no brake pad contact was occurring.probably contributed to front wheel bearing premature failure due to unbalanced braking force on the brake rotors and inordinate torque on the bearing assembly.this vehicle has the original factory brake fluid (i.e., the hydraulic brake system has never been flushed.)this is a permanent failure of the braking system in this vehicle.replacement of calipers is anticipated.failed calipers could be made available for inspection but will ultimately be returned for core charge.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. While driving approximately 25-30 mph, the contact applied the brakes and heard a squeaking noise. The contact stopped the vehicle and inspected it; he could find nothing wrong. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop where the contact was informed that the bottom two floating caliper pistons were locked. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact called the manufacturer and filed a complaint. The current and failure mileages were approximately 41,000.updated 1/21/11 updated 02/07/11
We have a 2003 toyota4 runner limited with the all wheel drive v8 engine. I noticed that toyota was going to recall the 2003 sequoia for braking, slowing issues.we have had similar issues with our vehicle with seemingly automatic braking. The vehicle does have a down hill assist button for what i understand to be used in low gear on the transfer.the vehicle being all wheel drive does have a high and low transfer with a center locking differential. The vehicle with slow almost which small lunges, as if the transmission was downshifting with the rpm's being too high for the gear.that is the best i can explain.it is not a sudden stop, no brake lights appear, but the vehicle does slow,as if its dragging, perhaps that is some automatic pulsing of the brakes. Should i take the vehicle to toyota.
Took vehicle in for front brake replacement at 121,679 miles. First set of front brakes were replaced at 70,452 miles. Tech called to inform me that front calipers were frozen and would require replacement. Seems to be a relatively common occurrence for high mileage 4 runners. Same time had right axle boot replaced as well. $1,118.00 for the whole job! of course i almost keeled over but had to have the work done, and wanted dealer to perform the work so i wouldn't have issues later if anything went wrong. Have had all work done at this dealer and they've stood behind all their work, but was still a bit disappointed that the front calipers were shot. Car has always been garage kept, and kept clean, inside and out. In fact, still looks like a new car.
While driving i noticed that my front abs would not activate in an emergency situation. Braking distances became a lot longer. When i went to checkmy front brakes, i discovered that the front lower brake piston had frozen. It was the same for both sides. Took it into the shop, and they said the same thing. They wanted to replace the caliper on both sides for a total of $750.i did it myself.this is the same thing that has happened to many other owners, which can be found on www.t4r.org.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the vehicle stability control system and the traction control system were not functioning. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop and the yaw sensor was re-calibrated. The contact was also informed that the failure could have led to a brake failure in which the brakes would seize. The failure recurred approximately three days later. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 133,500.
When stopped and holding down the brake pedal my 2003 toyota 4runner lurches forward.it feels like the vehicle is going to loose the brakes but then catches. The dealer calls this a known 4runner problem. They say there is no fix from toyota.
2003 toyota 4runner (v6-4wd) had 2 frozen front brake calipers. Had the brakes checked bc intermittent squealing noise and increased braking distances. On each side: outer brake pad barely had anything left (literally less than paper thin) + inner brake pad looked great bc never really used since calipers frozen. Needed both front brake pads and rotors replaced, along with 2 calipers (1 each side). So i basically had no front brakes for months and no way to tell unless someone notices the outer pads are worn and goes to replace them. Poor design leading to safety issue.
While driving front abs does not seem to be activating. Braking distances worsened as my 03 4runner was driven. It turns out a piston in the brake calipers had frozen costing over $650 in repairs to replace the calipers. This is a constant problem. More info can be found at www.t4r.org.
I had issues with the brake pedals ever since 2-3 years into driving the vehicle.i have a 2003 toyota 4runner and the brake pedal is not very responsive.i had the brakes, rotors and brake system checked and there are no issues.my biggest issue is with the brake pedal itself.i feel when i hit the brake, a gentle tap doesn't produce a response.only a mild to hard step on the brakes would cause the vehicle to stop.im very wary of this b/c i always have to hit the brakes hard to get a response.i feel the brake pedal is loose because it is not very responsive and does not respond to tapping.in fact, if i hit the brakes and the brakes drop one inch, there would be no brake response.i had the vehicle checked by toyota dealer and they said its some sort of brake part that needs to be replaced.upon replacing that part, i still feel the same looseness in the brake pedal.my most serious concern is that when i hit the brakes sometimes b/c i have to hit it hard, my vehicle feels like it's drifting.the wheels would go left and right and then go straight.this does not happen often, but when it does, it freaks me out.at freeway speed, when i hit the brakes, whether its light or soft, sometimes, the car just does the random drift.i feel its the result of a loose brake pedal and perhaps delayed response to the tires.i changed the brake pads and i had my brakes inspected often due to this issue.
Brakes failed causing me to run off the road almost rear ending another vehicle. The vsc, abs and brake lights came up on the dash along with an audible alarm. Repair shop said brakes are fine and that is a computer related problem.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that he was involved in a front end crash while driving approximately 50 mph. There were no injuries. A police report was not filed. The vehicle began pulling to the left when the left tire locked or to the right when the right tire locked. Both tires never locked at the same time. The anti-skid light and traction control warning lights illuminated on the dashboard. The failure occurred 5 times in a 4 mile trip. The front end damage was repaired at a body shop. He took the vehicle to the dealer who stated that the yaw rate sensor (in the brake system) needed to be replaced. The contact called the manufacturer but was offered no assistance. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The current mileage was approximately 124,000. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.
1. Right front brake caliper froze. Toyota replaced free of charge. 2. Left rear brake caliper froze on 05/05/2010 at 95, 988 miles. My cost $490.73. Left front brake caliper froze on 11/22/10 at 102,712 miles. My cost $470.40. Toyota claimed no responsibility as there was no required recall on that part. They treat brake calipers like tires and brake pads. I know that calipers should not fail. A frozen caliper can reduce braking efficiency by 25 % plus cause instability during braking. I believe the average owner does not know that calipers should not freeze up, so they are buying toyota's denial as appropriate.updated 01/20/11
Erratic throttle response and erratic/unpredictable/difficult to predictbrake application .
Lower inboard front brake caliper pistons on both sides of the vehicle corroded to the point of being frozen and non-functional leading to excessive braking distance and wear of brake components.calipers are non-rebuildable and had to be replaced with remanufactured calipers by raybestos.brake pads and rotors damaged to point of needing to be replaced also.
The vehicle would rev itself up to a high rpm, from a stopped position when i stepped on the gas the vehicle would go in reverse.the dealership eventually replaced the transmission only after the manager borrowed it overnight and experienced it himself, but i have noticed the problem beginning again.another problem is the radiator leaking and needed to be replaced (i was told it had the wrong kind of antifreeze; it was green and it needs a red kind???).when replacing this i was notified that my front brakes were paper thin and needed to be replaced this repair cost me almost $2000.another problem is the rear window trim has shrunk.i also had the sunroof replaced after owning the vehicle less than two years.the brake light on the rear hatch does not work as well as the rear wipers (also when i hooked a trailer to it the electrical system seems to be messed up because the trailer lights will not work; went to autozone and tested the trailer and it is fine).the vehicle is starting to act funny again, the engine revs itself to high rpms (this is not the automatic tranny because it happens when it idles as well).the last incident was when i pulled out from a street parking spot and as soon as i put it in drive the vehicle stalled and we lost all power, when i pressed the gas pedal it was as if it was in neutral yet i triple checked and it was in drive.all of the sudden it acted normal and drove about 10 feet then it happened all over again.i also have the rotten egg smell (sulfur?) which is sporadic.of course the dealer always says they can find nothing wrong, nothing is coming up on the computer.luckily no injuries have occurred as of yet but i feel it is only a matter of time before i am on the highway and it decides to play these games.very disappointed in quality of this vehicle, especially since i purchased it because of the reputation.
- the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4 runner.the contact heard a noise coming from the front brakes.the contact had to apply the brakes with great force for the vehicle to stop.the vehicle slid to a stop.the dealer's diagnoses was that debris in the rotors caused the noise.however,they were unable to diagnose why the vehicle could not stop without sliding.the front brake pads were replaced, and the rotors resurfaced.the failure mileage was approximately 900 miles.the contact has the repair order.the current mileage was 40,000 miles.
- the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4 runner.the contact heard a noise coming from the front brakes.the contact had to apply the brakes with great force for the vehicle to stop.the vehicle slid to a stop.the dealer's diagnoses was that debris in the rotors caused the noise.however,they were unable to diagnose why the vehicle could not stop without sliding.the front brake pads were replaced, and the rotors resurfaced.the failure mileage was approximately 900 miles.the contact has the repair order.the current mileage was 40,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4-runner. The contact statedthe master cylinder was leaking. When applying the brakes, the brake warning light would illuminate followed by a warning chime. The dealer advised replacing the master cylinder but the part was not available. The dealer advised the part would be available within twenty-four hours. The contact stated the part was still not available after five weeks. The failure persisted and became progressively worse. The vehicle was not repaired. The vin was not available. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000 and the current mileage was approximately 140,000.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 40 mph uphill, a strong odor was noticed.there were no warning lights illuminated prior to the incident.the dealership was contacted, who determined the catalytic converter was producing the odor.the extended warranty covered the replacement.also, the contact was alerted by an independent mechanic about the front brakes.the mechanic machined the front rotors and installed new pads.as a result of the brakes repair, the pedal was too low when depressed.the brakes were rechecked and the mechanic informed all the brake standards were correct.the contact assumed this was a manufacturer defect.the dealership had not been contacted yet for the brake problem.
Frame is completely rusted out. Steel is literally falling off from the rust and my suspensions are completely shot and exposed due to rust.
Frame has extreme and rusting and has been reinforced by welding new steel support frames
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner.while driving 30 mph, the steering wheel shook very badly.the contact pulled the vehicle over because he thought he had a flat tire, but that was not the case.the vehicle was taken to have the tire pressure checked and then to the dealer for inspection.the shaking only occurs while driving over 30 mph.the contact stated that there was a recall for this vehicle.the dealer checked the recall database, but found no recalls.the vehicle is currently at the dealer for inspection.there is a recall for the 2001-2002 toyota 4runner regarding the suspension and the contact believes that the same failure is occurring on his vehicle.the failure mileage was 71,100 and the current mileage was unknown.
I have had this vehicle for many years and i "know" it. I noticed that he steering wheel had a vibration albeit slight, this was something new as well as a noise i could hear under the car. I brought it home complained to my husband - he looked under the car & was appalled - the frame is so rusted he was able to stick his finger through the failing frame!i am afraid this vehicle will kill me!what if it decides to completely break at an axle or part of the undercarriage. Do i drive it and take the chance of getting hurt or killed before someone will order a recall.we can send photos if necessary as this will most certainly add validity to the concern.
Extreme rust/rot throughout my 2003 4runner frame.the body, interior, powertrainare 8.5 out of 10the frame is a 0i live in new england and recently purchased the 03 4runner sr5 based off it looks. I drove the 4runner of about a month before the incident happened. I was driving on a typical new england road, fairly smooth with pot holes here and there going approximately 45 m.p.h.. Without any warning the 4runner sent the front of the truck hard left and the rear of the truck to the right. The tires were screeching and i was sent sideways into oncoming traffic narrowing missing cars and pedestrians in the area.i got the truck to "crab walk" back acrossthe road into a parking out and called a tow truck. When we got the truck home the tow truck driver and i took a look under the truck to see what went wrong. The right rear control armmount had completely separated from the frame. With the truck on ththe ground i was able to roll the rear right wheel forward and backwards about 5 inches without the vehicle moving at all.i then got under the truck and saw that the cross member under the transmission had rusted away and and what not in contact with the driver side of the truck. Also i could push holes in the the frame with my fingers around the driver/ front passenger doors. I have not driven the 4runner since and i dont have 8k+ to pay a shop to replace a frame. Toyota needs to step up and take care of its customers before someone gets killed
Structuralrust to frame. Cracks and holes at welds and attachment points of suspension and steering. Frame is disintegrating under the truck, complete structural failure is imminent.
Binding or sticking power steering on 2003 toyota 4runner. Occurred continuously beginning at about 90,000 miles. Dealer replaced steering "joint" at cost of $500. Tended to lock in straight-ahead position unless extreme force was applied.
Loud noise while driving. Upon inspection, excessive rust and corrosion to frame of vehicle found. Holes in frame larger than 2 inches.
I purchased this 4runner in march, 2015. I began to notice a vibration in the steering wheel at 63mph. I thought it was brakes, i had brakes and rotors surfaced on 3/12/15. Still vibrating! so i figured it was a simple balancing issue, i took it on the same day to have it balanced. It started vibrating and shaking worse! i had the same mechanic re-balance and rotate the wheels/tires. It road the same. They turned me to the toyota dealership because they have the road enforce balancer. I took it to toyota to have them test drive first, they claimed it was indeed out of balance. Toyota balanced. I drove it and it was shaking like a leaf at 32-70mph. I had toyota re-balance again! i drove it again and it remained worse. They informed me that they didn't know what else to do. I left thinking that it was my wheels and or my tires because in my mind toyota knows best! i went to where the tires were bought, tires are 3 months new. They informed me that this same 4runner had been brought in by the previous owner with the exact same issue. They pulled the wheels off and pulled me aside to show me how excessive the balancing weights were on each rim and some all the way around rim (toyota's doing). They balanced using the haweka, it drove better but still vibrating at 32-70mph. They re-balanced again, still same issue. They used a different set of wheels and balanced again, same issue. They installed my original wheels back on and re-balanced again, same issue! they checked hubs, bearings, alignment, brakes, rotors, boots, axle and everything checks out. I have invested nearly 4 days and $300 in locating the issue. I have done research and so many toyota 4runner owners are complaining about the same issue. I am clueless and don't know what else to do. I am running out of patience and money! please help!
Steering wheel has resonate vibration at certain engine rpm.it is not tire vibration but more like a buzz at these speeds.we filed for arbitration and lost because arbitrator would not drive the vehicle to feel the problem.toyota has refused to fix though they know of the problem fleet wide.i feel that a total recall of this model is necessary.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed. The steering wheel became hard to turn and the vehicle was taken to a mechanic for inspection.the failure was located at the steering wheel system, which failed due to severe corrosion that expanded to the transmission lines and the frame. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vin was not available. The failure and current mileage was 125,000.
Exposed parts of toyota steering components all rusted tight. Very dangerous when it finally locks. I am sure there was a recall notice on this when i first got thevehicle. They seem to have wanted to hide this issue.replaced the rack and pinion the steering rack and steering knuckle. Hose ends corroded so bad had to replace it also.
Frame is almost completely rusted out even thought the rest of the car is in good shape.i am afraid to let my son even drive the car.i read about the girl that died from the axle coming loose and part of the frame that holds the axle is in horrible shape.toyota should be required to add these vehicles to the frame recall...
Excessive frame and undercarriage rust. I have owned several other cars over 30-40+ years and this 03 4runner has the worst rust.instead of simple surface rust, this rust has affected frame welds, suspension mounting points, tow and lift points.rusting pace is extremely fast moving. There appears to be only a simple layer of thin paint, with no undercoating anywhere. This 4runner was serviced regularly, motor is running great, body and interior are in great condition. This was a gift from grandpa to grandson, but i am concerned of safety and at this point recommending only local, under 35mph travel only. Probably scrap the car soon as not much to do but replace frame.very disappointed with misled condition, outside/inside/motor perfect, but frame rotting away.my family and friends have purchased toyotas with little incident, but i won't buy or recommended knowing they have a life of ~10yrs.
The control arm separated from the rotted rusted frame while driving. Almost died!
The driver side inner and outer tie rods completely stripped out the adjustment threads on the driver side, resulting in the outer tie rod decoupling and the driver wheel assy swinging out of phase with the passenger tire, thus immobilizing the vehicle.this incident occurred in a parking lot, thank god, as a freeway speed failure would have resulted in potential catastrophe.i scanned the internet for similar failures and got multiple hits.the dealer does not show this failure in any safety recalls.this vehicle is the limited edition with a v8.this seems like a safety issue the gov.'t should look at if my case turns out not to be isolated.car was aligned by a toyota dealer approx 1 yr ago.
Steering binds and sometimes prevents a continued turn. Have to over power steering wheel to complete turns in either direction. Not a fluid, pump, steering rack issue from what i can tell. Understand it may be an unprotected steering shaft u-joint. Dangerous situation if not corrected asap as issue gets worse very quickly.
Steering locked up during turn into busy parking lot sheetz store and gas station safely stopped vehicle after trouble shooting the problem we sprayed penetrating oil on lower steering shaft universal we moved vehicle to be towed home waiting for parts complete failure could have been deadly if driving at highway speed. This is the second rust problem we have had with toyota nothing was ever done we lost a 1997 toyota t-100 in an accident due to frame failure.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the subframe was rusted, causing the transmission to hang very low. As a result, the vehicle was inoperable. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the transmission was re-attached. The manufacturer was aware of the failure. The failure and current mileages were 129,000. ..updated 09/19/11also, the steering intermediate shaft needed to be replaced. Updated 10/28/11
The frame is rusted out and the rear suspension mounting brackets are starting to look like potato chips. Also noticed steering components are severally rusted.
The frame on my 2003 toyota 4runner has almost rusted completely through the frame. While driving on i40 going around a deep curve i lost control of the vehicle and ran off the road without injury or collision. It was inspected and deemed not safe to drive due to the rusted frame. This vehicle is now immobile until the frame is replaced. I am requesting that this vehicle is included in the recall for the toyota 4 runners. This happened 9/26/2018.
At the end of june 2021, while driving i experienced a loud clunk and grinding noise, with reduced control of steering and brakes on my 4runner. I took the 4runner to a goodyear automotive service center on woodward avenue in royal oak, michigan, who told me that the vehicle was not driveable due to severe rust damage of the frame that resulted in a broken sway bar. I thought i should take it to the closest toyota dealership in troy, michigan for advice and they responded that the vehicle was beyond repair and that a new frame would cost around $20,000. I could not leave my car there, and risked driving it home, where it has been parked ever since.
Frame is rotted out and brake lines attached to the frame as well as every suspension component. Car failed inspection deemed unsafe to drive. This problem has been addressed for tacoma, tundra and sequoia but not 4runner. These frames have the same issue as those and needs to be repaired by toyota due to lack of rust and corrosion protection. Thereā€™s no reason 4runner should be overlooked for the same issue as the other full frame trucks.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. While driving 65 mph, the vsc and traction control warning indicators illuminated. The anti-lock braking system engaged and locked the front brakes. The vehicle violently pulled to the left lane and the steering and brakes failed. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure and repair the vehicle. The manufacturer stated that they were unaware of the failure previously occurring. The failure mileage was approximately 167,000.
While driving on the highway the passenger rear side of my toyota 4runner began to move up and down and wobble making the car wander all over the road. We immediately went to the local toyota dealer, carver toyota of columbus in taylorsville, in. Inspecting the car on the passenger rear side we found that the rear suspension had pulled away from the frame where the frame had completely rusted leaving a big hunk out of the frame. There was extensive rusting of the frame in multiple places. The car was inspected and photographed by matt warren, service manager at carver toyota and was determined to be undriveable. This is a well maintained vehiclewhich is in tip-top condition in every other respect than the rusted frame. We are very upset to lose a good car which still had a lot of value still left in it to us. We also feel that this is a very important safety issue. We were incredibly lucky that neither we nor anybody else on the highway that day were injured by this dangerous situation. And we are very concerned that this has been reported in other 4runners as well and there hasn't been a recall and these dangerous vehicles are still on the road. We are holding on to the vehicle hoping that there will be some remedy for this situation. Thank you so much for your attention.
The steering felt like it had been briefly catching or grabbing on something, so we took it in for service since this is a safety issue when the car does not turn as expected. The mechanic said the steering coupler was rusted, causing it to bind up with thejoint when turning.he said the part is completely exposed on the underside of the car, and it rots with the road water salt, etc.the part was unavailable and the parts place said they have sold so many of them recently that it was on backorder.the part has now come in and we will be repairing it tomorrow.we replaced the same part for the same reason on our 2004 toyota sienna six months ago.i would like to know why this has not been a recall issue for toyota.i have had the same thing happen on both of my toyota vehicles, and has cost me money to fix something that appears to be improperly designed to last.there is a recall on the spare tire cable that is rotting from exposure, and i don't understand how there can be no recall related to something that impacts the ability to steer the vehicle as expected. Thank you.
I own a 2003 4 runner and also my daughter.i have reported the following issue to toyota and also have taken the vehicle to a dealer.on snowy or icy roads, the rear end of the 4 runner will flip around when accelerating around a corner at very low speeds.it has happened to me three times and to my daughter 3 or 4 times.both vehicle have new tires and the situation still occurs.i live in nc and we do not get a lot of snow.it happen a week ago when we got some snow. It can just happen so fast. My daughter is scared to drive it. Our 2000 4 runner would not come close of acting this way.bottomline, it is unsafe.you must be extremely cautious or you will spin the car around.
While driving at approximately 72 mph, my pre-owned 4 runner drifted suddenly to the left 3 consecutive times as if a tire was blown.the drift was similar to a lateral shift and was not gradual.i thought it could be due to some foreign object on the road, so i proceeded with caution.slowed down to near 55 mph, it occurred again.slowed down to 45 mph, and it occurred again.prior to any of these, i was not able to accelerate the vehicle beyond a certain speed!we checked the suspension, tires, front end, etc., all was good.again, this is a very serious incident that could have resulted in the death of all 4 passengers.
Rotting out frame with gaping holes. There are several large holes in the frame, and along the weld lines and soft spots leading to more as well.unsafe to drive and now off the road (i am now without a car or value for trade in).apparently, according to 3 separate mechanics i brought the truck to, it resembles the tacoma rotting that led to recall (that i had never known about). According to last mechanic who i was going to get a quote for repair said the whole frame is rotted, soft spots in several other areas, and it is a matter of time and not worth fixing.i have called toyota twice and they basically said "to bad for you".nothing they are going to do.i've taken good care of my car, bought it new and have been the only driver.planned on another couple years at least.very disappointed in toyota and lucky that i was in get to an inspection sticker as i wouldn't have known. I imagine could have been very dangerous to myself and the general public hadn't i been made aware....updated 07/30/15 updated 9/24/15
Dash cracking in 2003 toyota 4 runner.cracks materialized from drivers side to passenger side.numerous.exact dealer recommendations to not use anything other than a damp cloth to clean the dash board.this suv is garaged and normally not out in direct sunlight.i haven't seen a dash crack like this since the old ones back in the late 70's.toyota needs to step up to the plate and fix this obvious flaw in their dash design.
Dashboard is cracked from driver side to passenger side. Spider web like cracks over glove box.
The contact owns a 2004 toyota 4runner. The contact stated thedashboard was exhibiting cracks near the air bag. The failure began years prior but became progressively worse over time. The dealer advised him to contact the manufacturer. The manufacturer was contacted but would not provide any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 123,000. Updated 10/20/10 updated 10/26/10
The gas-filled struts that holds up the hood experienced premature failure.once the hood is opened, the hood would begin slowing coming down and the pace picks up.the hood would slam shut violently and can potential cause injury to someone who is working on the engine.
I have a crack in the dash 1 foot long above the passenger airbag only 15000 miles on truck.alot of other post are on the internet with same crack or more. Ithas always been garaged.i am worried that something will spill and shortthe airbag. For a truck drove so little and always in the dark this should not happen.toyota place 9670 trask av garden grove ca asked toyota to replace it they said it was a defect. Anika from toyota came to look at a showroom condition truck and said no it is out of warranty. I would have to pay to replace it if i am worried about it.it would be $1000.00.i do not have the money at this time.they do not care. Called toyota on same day they said anika said no so that is as good as in stone nothing more to talk about.this is the new toyota money over safety.
My 2003 4runner has a big rust problem... The frame is rotting at an exponential rate... Recently took in for an oil change, and my mechanic said the frame was severely rusted out, and was starting to have perforations...i haul my children around in the vehicle and it is starting to worry me that it is going to be unsafe to drive... I called toyota to try and remedy the situation, but they pretended like there was no problem... I have done lots of research and found thousands of complaints with 4runner owners in the same years and body styles as mine who are having the same exact problem-this needs to be recalled by toyota before someone gets killed, if it hasn't already happened...
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the dashboard was developing a crack on the passenger side. The vehicle was taken to two different independent mechanics and both stated that the air bag was leaking causing the dashboard to crack. The vehicle was not repaired. The vin was unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 27,000.
2003 toytoa 4-runner that has a 5 to 6 in crack in the pasenger side dash that could cause huge problems with the airbag if it were to deploy. With this crack ii the dash it could cause the airbag to not deploy, not deploy properly or pop when deploying. In all of these situations a passenger could be severly injured or killed because of this problem. They are numerous reports of this happening and toyota has just said that they will not fix it because if you have used armoral or a cleaner such as this it can cause this crack. I have never used this on my vehicle and will only use a damp clouth to wipe down the dash. The vehicle is always in the garage and when outdoors in the sun then i place sunshades in the front window to reflect the sun away from the dash. The failure was discovered when driving to work one morning and according to reports on toyota sites this is a frequent occurence for all toyota vehicles. Nothing was done to correct the issue or to fix the problem.
Dashboard is melting becoming sticky and cracking due to heat exposure.dashboard is defective and needs to be replaced.their is a high risk the dashboard could fall apart and cause a serious accident.
While in process of replacing serpentine belt and idler pulleys on engine, i noticed (after removing lower engine shield under vehicle) significant rust damage to front frame segment under radiator support.the right side tow hook and corner of frame it was mounted to fell off in my hand when i touched it.upon further inspection, there are other parts of vehicle frame with rust damage, though none appear to be as severe as area of frame underneath radiator.this portion of frame appears to connect the two side frame rails together.
I'm an owner of a 2003 4runner and have researched the issues involving the paint on the wheels pealing.i have found that it is an issue with several, if not all wheels that toyota uses on their 4runners and other trucks.why does toyota continue to sell and use a wheel when they know it is defective, and why aren't they correcting the problem by issuing refunds, or repair services?the defect leads to the wheel being corroded and eventually compromises the integrity of the wheel's strength. The safety of the wheel is a big concern of mine, especially since the problem continues to get worse.sincerely, [xxx]information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
The dash of my 4 runner has split all the way across the front.it's not from the sun because my car is in the garage when i'm not at work.i keep my windows cracked when i'm at work it's hot outside. It's on the front where all my gauges are not on the top. I googled the problem i have and it looks like i'm not the only one with this problem.one picture i saw looked just like mine.i took it to our locate toyota dealership and they said they have never saw one split like it has split. I'm not the only one with this problem.if you need pictures i will send them to you.please look into this.thank you
My dashboard is melting from the sun.it's sticky, cracking and everything is sticking to it. The safety and biggest issue is the glare on the windshield affecting my ability to see clearly.it's the entire dash, but most of the glare is on the driver's side.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the dashboard was cracked from the driver to the passenger side air bag areas. The contact was concerned that the air bags would deploy. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 115,000 and the current mileage was 118,364.updated 02/28/12
Frame rusted recall :i am the original owner of this 4runner and i am told that i cannot pass inspection because the frame is rusted out.there are a number of areas of the frame that has holes rusted out and i feel the saftey of the vehicle is very much jeopardised now and toyota should recall the frame or give a credit towards a new toyota 4 runner.i would be interested in that.i can upload pictures of my frame if necessary. I created a toyota customer compliant record a few years ago and was told that toyota rejected being responsible.seems very unfairthat toyota is replacing frames from tacomas, tundras and sequioas around the same year as my 4runner and they say they are not responsible for my 4runner and anyone else's as well..i can provide this toyota compliant # if needed.
Extensive frame rot on both sides right after the engine. The rest of the frame is ok with "normal" surface rust. Tried to treat rust but it has gotten worse in
Vehicle frame has excessive rust, broke apart at frame joint. Vehicle unsafe to drive 156k.
Rear driver side control arm broke off at the frame after striking pothole at highway speed. After the failure the vehicle was very hard to control and almost led to a rollover. The vehicle was unable to be driven and had to be towed. Toyota recalled tundra's, tacoma's, and sequoia's for frame replacement so it is a known problem. Will toyota be held liable for accidents resulting from premature frame failure?by recalling theother models they obviously acknowledged it was a problem and 4runners share the same platform as the tacoma so why were they not included?
Frame is rusted almost completely in two where back axle ties to the frame.also various other areas of the frame are rusting as well.took to several mechanics and each said it is a mfg issue and should have been recalled due to severe safety issues.putting a young driver, or anyone for that matter, into a car to drive that has serious frame rust issues which could lead to a wreck and serious injury is inexcusable and toyota needs to get this taken care of immediately with a recall.we bought vehicle in 2016, however it was rusted far before then based on rust evidence present.
Vehicle frame is severely rusted and rotted to the point where there are holes in the frame itself making it extremely unsafe to drive. Other toyota trucks around the same year have been recalled with similar frame issues, does not make any sense why toyota has not recalled the 2003 4runner frames yet. Vehicle is over 205,000 miles and would probably run another 200k if not for the frame which makes this car almost undrive-able. Frame to be replaced asap.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the dashboard was cracked. The contact took the vehicle to a private mechanic. The technician stated that the entire dashboard needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 48,000.
My 2003 toyota 4runner started making a thump and scratching sound when drivingas the road dips, turns, and when hitting any type or size of speed bumps and pot holes.after a closer inspection, the entire passenger side of the frame is rusted through.tire discounter staff identified the rust issue.the body of the car is laying on the frame and the shock is hitting the body of the vehicle.tire discounter staff state, 'you are one pot hole away from this frame breaking in half.''the car is not safe to drive.'the vehicle is rusted so bad that it looks to be 100 years old.the car is not drivable due to the rusted through frame.
My 2003 toyota 4runner sport has experienced extreme, and dangerous, levels of rust on the frame cross bars, despite being washed regularly. The rust appears to be originating from inside the supports, and i was advised by a toyota dealer mechanic that the rust could potentially lead to complete frame failure in the very near future. At this point, sizable areas have rusted through entirely.i have brought this to the attention of toyota, and they have regularly refused to acknowledge that there is any problem with the frame.
There is extensive rust damage on the frame towards where the transmission connects to the engine. In 1-2 years, my 4runner will need frame repairs, if not sooner.
Frame rusted throughout to the point that mechanics and body shop employees have advised us not to drive vehicle or sell it. We were told it needs a new frame and is beyond repair. We purchased 11/29/16. Previous owner spray undercarriage black to hide rust. Only 151k miles!
Takata recall. Car is a hazard to drive. Rust has consumed the frame to the point that major parts are at risk of separating from the frame and falling from it.
Frame is rotting away and needs replaced.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the subframe was rusted. In addition, there were three large holes in the front passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.
Excessive rusting on frame
This 2003 toyota 4runner has 135,000 miles on the odometer and the frame and exhaust system including catalytic converter are completely rusted out and the vehicle is now unsafe to drive. Some frame components have completely rusted and broken off from the frame i.e. Tow hooks, exhaust and engine mounts. The frame is only held on to the body by the shock absorbers. The vehicle can no longer be driven safely. The cost to repair this damage would be prohibitive and i believe that this issue needs to be addressed by toyota. I purchased this vehicle in good faith and trusted that toyota quality would last. Please advise any possible recourse. Thank you
Frame broken
Excessive and heavy rust/flaking of the frame components pointed out by my mechanic while performing a minor repair to a heat shield under the vehicle.vehicle has been garage kept since new and there is no rust on the body.i reported this to toyota customer experience and received a case number 1710131927, but they advise there are currently no active campaigns which cover my vehicle.others had suggested i notify the nhtsa.
My 2003 4runner sr5 looks great and its v8 engine hums like it is new but the frame rails are totally rotten and i have been advised not to drive it at all as it is too dangerous to drive. So its value should be about 5-,6000 and now it is totally junk and has only scrap value.toyota usa recalled the sequoia, the tundra and the tacoma from the time period, approximately 2003-2007 maybe more year models, but did not recall the 4runner because there were too many sold and it would have cost too much money.the frame and frame rail rot on the 4runner from that time period is well documented and many complaints have been filed with the nhta yet toyota has seen fit not to recall the 4runner!! . What a disgrace!!the most important fact is the 4runners, past and present, sit on the exact same frame as the tacoma. The tacoma was recalled for the frame rot but the 4runner were not.could you please provide the reasoning for not recalling the 4runner for frame rot while the tacoma with the exact same frame from the exact same factory was not/has not been recalled?
I was ready to give 4runner to my daughter and ask toyota dealer to inspect and give me run down of what needs to be replaced after 150000 miles. One of the line item says frame need patches. Upon a closer look, there is a rust on specific sides of the frame. The rust is located very specific in the joint. The rust has penetrated deep into the steel around half inch and needs to be replaced. I believe this is manufacturing defect which if not repaired will cause severe damage even in non collision accident because just the weight of the car and driving in rough terrain will cut the body in the middle into 2 sections
Extreme frame corrosion.frame condition is making vehicle unsafe to drive.
The frame of my 4runner is so so rusted that my mechanic put his finger through a piece of the frame it is so unsafe for mr and my grand children and everyone else on the road that it literally makes me sick. It'd the only vehicle i have so i have no choice but to drive it. It terrifying. It is available to inspect at anytime. I just bought this vehicle less than a year ago from a dealership and it so sad that they wld sell it to anyone knowing the frame was rusted its criminal in my opinion. It is for sure a safety hazard to everyone. I hope that this investigation proves to help get all of these 4runners off the road. So that a preventable tragedy doesn't happen.
Three mechanics said the frame was rusted with holes and is unsafe to drive.the vehicle is not inspectable, so had to have mechanic weld steele on frame to be able to pass inspection.
Badly rusted frame
Extensive and severe frame/chassis rust and corrosion throughout . This is a well-know problem with both 4runner and tacomas
Frame is completely corroded. We live in the midwest (cincinnati area) so nowhere near the ocean. The 4runner has been maticulously maintained. We have researched this issue and found these models' frames were not properly coated before sold...hence the rust. Our local toyota dealership deemed it unsafe to drive. The video speaks for itself....we are hoping there is a recall on this as this is extremely dangerous. Video link taken by toyota: http://isre.us/6qtrkd
Severe rusting on the frame. Has gone completely through the frame.
Excessive frame corrosion
The frame is rusted through on passenger side bottom of frame section has large rusted through hole and i have removed a large freezer bag full of rust from inside this hole. I believe the root cause was that the air condition condensate drain hose exited down directly on top of the frame in the engine compartment and the condensate(water) then ran down the frame to the rusted location as this is how i discovered the rust problem, it dripped from that location leaving a rust spot on garage floor. The driver side frame in same area is fine. I have since re-routed the condensate drain to keep problem from accelerating.
While having an oil and filter change performed by midas auto service experts on my 2003 toyota 4 runner, the owner of the shop found the entire frame is rotted with rust to the point where there are holes where the frame is welded.he was able to push his finger through the rusted frame of the car.he stated the vehicle is unsafe to drive due to structural rot of the frame.
Excess frame rusting, holes in frame
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. While the vehicle was being serviced for annual routine maintenance, the dealer observed that the frame was severely corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 235,000.
Really bad frame rust, holes in frame, engine mounts....cracked dash board. All problems shared by many 2003 4runner owners too. I'll take more photos.. Thanks for your attention.
Had a mechanic look at it and pointed out a few holes in the frame of the vehicle.
I purchased my 2003 4runner brand new. The vehicle has 70,000 original miles. Never in an accident. The truck is garaged. Always maintained by toyota. Not a scratch on the truck. Interior looks brand new. However the frame has excessive rust. Found a few spots that will eventually needs to be addressed. Toyota needs to step up and fix the rust problems
This vehicle has a rotted frame which is perforated in at least 3 places
Rear axle badly rotted. Car has 66,000 miles on it. Requires replacement which is apparently an extremely expensive and sensitive process. The corrosion seems to beextraordinarily premature and due to substandard frame materials and treatment of same. Acton toyota had already welded in a frame bar 2-3 years ago. Called (800)331-4331 (toyota motor manufacturing)spoke with a customer service rep (angie) and her supervisor (maria) who stated that the warranty on the frame expired in 2006, they were clear about toyota's position that they will do nothing w/o a factory recall. This is, apparently, not an isolated issue. Https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/inv/2018/inbc-dp18002-73038.pdfhttps://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2018/toyota-4runner-frame-rust.shtmlhttps://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2017/toyota-rusted-frame-settlement.shtmlhttps://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2016/toyota-tacoma-rusted-frames-lawsuit.shtml
Frame has significant rusting issues. Failing connectors,heavy rust scaling of frame with one area at 3/4 failure of box frame.
Rusted frame , looking very dangerous and not safe
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4-runner. The contact stated that the dash board was severely cracked and the problem had worsened over the passenger side where the air bag was located. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.
I bought the car new and other than a couple of fender benders caused to the rear of the vehicle, the car has been kept in excellent condition and garage kept both at home and at work. I noticed a hairline crack from the left (driver's side) on the top dash panel extending to the middle (top of the stereo). After researching online (several complaints both here as well as other websites), i called toyota @ 1-800-331-4331 and opened case # 1211091043 after mentioning that the issue seemed to have been widespread and citing another case # by a forum member (1208280716). However, toyota denied being aware of this issue and was unwilling to help citing an out-of-warranty condition. My concern of deployment of the airbag as a result didn't appear to concern them. I was given a contact name of the number customer relations manager at my dealership for possible help. I have also read that newer models use a different material (plastic) for the dash panel. I haven't taken it to the dealer yet but i believe the widespread nature of the defect calls for further investigation and possible recall.
Excessive corrosion on frame. The skid plate has fallen off the vehicle due to rotten contact points on the frame.secondary frame elements have fallen off the vehicle in transit dues to corroded welds. Multiple mechanics have told me this is a well known and common problem with these vehicles.
I have a 2003 toyota 4runner sport 4.7 with severe frame rust issues. I am concerned that the frame will fail soon. Toyota should be responsible for recalling these vehicles like the tacoma's and tundras that used the same frames! what gives toyota?
Frameis getting large rust holes throughout entire frame.
Frame rusting out
Chassis/frame on 4th generation 4runners have a severe rust problem.many are documented & discussed at http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs.similar trucks in toyota's product line qualified for frame replacement but the 4runner was ignored. The rest of the truck is 100% rust free except for the frame.recently had a body shop look at the frame - was described as "too rusty to weld onto" when discussing patches.below i am asked for a date when this event happened. I am putting todays date, 2003 because logically the truck has been rusting since it was built.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the vehicle would not pass inspection because the frame was corroded. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Vehicle had frame perforations from corrosion and completely corroded gas tank straps (both straps).both of these represent safety hazards and had to be repaired to pass state inspection.the frame corrosion problem with the 2003 4runner and similar vehicles is well known and needs to be addressed by toyota.since toyota has known about this for some time and not acted on it there needs to be intervention from the nhtsa to address the issue.
Due to severe rust underneath the vehicle, there have been a few issues that have made the vehicle very unsafe to drive. Last week, both of my rear brake lines were completely done and leaking brake fluid leaving me with no brakes. This was due to rust and corrosion that had eaten the metal lines away. The radiator mounts are corroding, as well as the skid plate for my fuel tank and a few spots on my frame near the rear. I was not aware of the rust as i just got the vehicle a few weeks ago. I was driving in traffic when my brake light came on and i noticed my brakes didn't seem to be very effective and they eventually got the point where they were not working or slowing the vehicle at all. Once i took it to the shop and they put it on the lift, the mechanics pointed out just how bad the rust was.
Rust covering all chassis components discovered during routine maintenanceneeds to be scraped primed and painted to protect against further damage
My mechanic showed me that my 4runner has severe frame rust.the mechanic stated that it cannot be repaired.the mechanic is warning that the vehicle will not pass it's next safety inspection.the 4runner was purchased and kept in virginia.
"takata recall"my 2003 toyota 4runner failed state inspection today for the first time ever due to extreme frame rust. The vehicle is totally unsafe to drive because of rusted out holes in the metal frame . Yes, if i drove over large pothole or involve in a collision, this vehicle would separate in pieces and not to mention what level of bodily harm you would sustain . Even though my odometer reads 255,000+ miles, the engine seems to be able to run another 200,000 plus miles with no electrical or mechanical issues and body looks fantastic for the year. On-the-hand vehicle frame below is in horrible condition, with holes rusted through the metal and no signs of any under coat paint protection (hate to lose such a wonderful vehicle). Please add my vehicle and safety concerns to the list of other 4th generation toyota 4runners owners facing the same frame rust issue.
We bought a used toyota 4 runner in september 2017 from a used car dealer. The vehicle looked great and drove amazing but after having it serviced we were informed that the vehicle was rusty on the frame and to keep an eye on it. Over time the vehicle got worse and we had it looked at and were told it would need to have a frame or be repaired. Essimate around $5000 since the vehicle was financed we dont feel safe driving it as we were told it is unsafe. We dont have the money to buy another vehicle is this covered uder the lemon law. Toyota wil not do anything regarding this. But it is clearly a defecitive prouduct. They were recalls done on toyota trucks with the same issue but not the 4 runner. Please add me to any pending lawsuits regarding this issue. [xxx]information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Heavy frame rust....i have heard of other toyota suvs and pu's with frame rust that were recalled due to the frame rusting through.this vehicle's life started out in wny, and has been in virginia the last 3- 4 years. If toyota is recalling the tacomas and sequoias then the 4runner should be included.i know i am not the only one with this issue.thank you
The rust on the frame of this vehicle is unlike anything i've seen in comparison to it's age. I work on vehicles frequently and have not seen anything like this in a modern age vehicle, and vehicles that are over 40 years old that i own or work on don't have rust that is remotely this bad. Upon further investigation, i found the entire weld line of the frame rails to be corroded through in an approximately 28" section. With further investigation, the entire bottom section of that rail was rusted out to be extremely thin and separated at the seam, entirely compromising the integrity of the frame rail. 2 of the body mounts are also rusted out as well as some of the suspension mount components. The vehicle is at risk for having the spring and strut assembly or the control arm assembly detaching from the frame under normal operation conditions. This is an incredible safety risk as it could result in the vehicle losing all steering control. Luckily it was found before an accident occurred.
Excessive frame dusting causing driving problems
2003 4runner with excessive rust of the frame and undercarriage. Potential failure of frame and frame components due to rust could cause serious injury. Dealer submitted photos to toyota.
My 4 runner failed va safety inspection due to "frame rusted through" see attached photo
Heavily rusted areas on the frame on my 2003 toyota 4runner. Vehicle is garage kept and routinely maintained.
I heard a loud noise (scraping-dragging) from the bottom of the engine area while driving on the highwaythis was a very dangerous and scary incidentpulled over and my fiancć© checked under the engine a very large metal piece was dragging the road i did not hit a bump or anything.a body shop mechanic informed me that the chasis of the 4 runner was in extremely bad conditionthe 4runner will not pass inspection because of this conditioni respectfully request help in this matter
I heard there's an investigation on these framesso mine is rotting away
This vehicle failed state safety inspection at an independent auto repair center due to excessive frame rust.then had vehicle inspected by a local toyota dealer who indicated "needs new frame - all rotted - there's no where to weld."the body of this vehicle is in great shape but has become a safety hazard due to frame rust.this rusting issue seems very similar to that of the tacoma.toyota acknowledges the frame issue on the tacoma but has not done the same for the identical problem with 4runners.
There is excessive rust on the underbody of my 2003 4runner. It has just 165,000 miles and the frame is extremely rusted. Being only 15 years old i find this to be very sad and unreasonable. The car should be able to last 20-30 years and 300,000 miles. The car has been regularly washed and driven in pennsylvania, illinois, ohio, new york. If there was additional treatment required for the frame it should have been coated, or at the very least notify the customers to make sure they do it. These car should last much much longer and as expensive as the 4runners are they should last.
Rust holes in frame at 140,000 miles.
Frame rusted to the point the shop wonā€™t fix the brakes and allow me to drive the car. The brake line rusted through since it was attached to the frame and when repairing the brakes they found the frame rusted too bad and coming apart. Looking online this seems to be a common problem with this year toyota 4runner.
While driving on the highway the passenger rear side of my toyota 4runner began to move up and down and wobble making the car wander all over the road. We immediately went to the local toyota dealer, carver toyota of columbus in taylorsville, in. Inspecting the car on the passenger rear side we found that the rear suspension had pulled away from the frame where the frame had completely rusted leaving a big hunk out of the frame. There was extensive rusting of the frame in multiple places. The car was inspected and photographed by matt warren, service manager at carver toyota and was determined to be undriveable. This is a well maintained vehiclewhich is in tip-top condition in every other respect than the rusted frame. We are very upset to lose a good car which still had a lot of value still left in it to us. We also feel that this is a very important safety issue. We were incredibly lucky that neither we nor anybody else on the highway that day were injured by this dangerous situation. And we are very concerned that this has been reported in other 4runners as well and there hasn't been a recall and these dangerous vehicles are still on the road. We are holding on to the vehicle hoping that there will be some remedy for this situation. Thank you so much for your attention.
My 4runner has been a very reliable vehicle, yet has extensive frame rust. The vehicle did not pass new hampshire state vehicle safety inspection in march of 2018 as a result of the frame deterioration. I have been unable to use the vehicle since then, and feel that toyota should address the issue with a recall as they have already done on the tacoma, tundra and sequoia. I have heard many similar reports on the 4runner frames and toyota has yet to address the problem.
Vehicle frame is rotted/perforated,unsafe as per toyota dealership.
4runner frame rust. Multiple techs have told me my frame should have been included with an existing toyota recall but was not.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact took the vehicle to toyota wallingford (859 n colony rd, wallingford, ct 06492) where it was diagnosed that the frame was severely corroded and the vehicle was not safe to be driven. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 134,363.
03 4runner has excessive frame rust near rear wheel area and front radiator mount.
I was driving my 4runner at about 20 miles per hour when it suddenly jerked to the right. I stopped and got out to see the frame had rotted apart and one of the suspension bar mounts had dropped. Luckily no one was hurt. I contacted toyota and they said there was nothing they could do for me.
Severe rust.
I own a 2003 toyota 4runner that i purchased new.the vehicle has ~129k miles and was garaged kept to 11/2015.it recently failed pa state inspection due to a rust hole in a frame rail.since 11/2015, the vehicle is driven less than 5k miles a year.prior to this event, i have never owned a vehicle that experienced a rust hole in the frame.i did some research and found that frame rust in 4th generation 4runners is an issue.after looking at the hole and the amount of rust on the frame it is obvious to me that more rust holes will occur.toyota created this problem and has a moral and ethical obligation to their customers to make it right!toyota needs to own the problem, not their customer!i truly believe that the nhtsa needs to issue a recall because it is a safety related issue affecting the structural integrity of the vehicle.
The frame on the 2003 toyota 4runner has an excessive amount of frame rust. Others have reported this issue and it is believed to be a design flaw by toyota. Due to the excessive amount of rust, there is a major safety concern.
The frame is rusted away but the body is perfect. Purchased as is. Was not informed in writing about the bad frame
I took my vehile to ispection theframe has rust perforetion the vehicle is unsafe. That the dealers makers infection also differential housing is rusted badly/scaling.
I took my car for an oil change on 5/29/18 and they came back and told me my frame was unsafe to drive on. We took it to another shop and put it up on the lift and the frame is about to crack in half from the amount of rust. My car is garaged and barely driven during the snow. I realize it is 15 years old, but the two individuals that looked at it stated that the holes and rust found on the frame should not be that bad. Toyota has stated that they will not do anything about this. I am extremely mad, as i feel that the dealership should have notified me sooner that the frame was rusting. It is beyond patch repair work and probably could have been patched earlier, had i been notified of the issue. My car is taken in for all routine maintenance and other than the frame is in great condition. It only has $126k miles and shouldn't be falling apart like this.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. While the vehicle was undergoing routine maintenance, the independent mechanic noticed corrosion on the rear frame. The vehicle was not repaired. Toyota of la crosse (800 3rd st s, la crosse, wi 54601, (608) 793-7000) was contacted and informed the contact that they were aware of the failure and to bring the vehicle in for a second diagnostic test. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 269,000.*pm
Currently the frame rust is very severe and is getting to the point that i am becoming hesisitant to have it out on the road.there are areas around suspension components and axles that are very rusted which could potentially lead to casualties if the mounts were to fail.
Failed state inspection 1/25/16 due to rusted and perforated frame.it passed the inspection 1/26/15 just before selling vehicle to us.we have put less than 7000 miles on it since purchase on 1/28/15.
While driving to work on august 22, 2018 my power steering suddenly gave out while turning making the vehicle difficult to maneuver. Luckily, i was on city streets and only doing 30 mph. The next day i took the car to the mechanic to have that fixed along with an oil change and other normal maintenance. The mechanic called me and informed me that he found that my frame has significant corrosion to the point that the frame would most likely fail in the next few months. He also informed me that the power steering had failed due to corrosion, and since the frame and other components that needed to be removed to access the power steering were so rusted the labor needed for the repair would be significantly higher. This increased cost put the repair above the salvage value of the vehicle. My otherwise wonderful vehicle has been rendered useless because of the frame corrosion. I fear to think what could have happened ifthis failed on the highway while my pregnant wife and infant son were in the car with me.
Took vehicle for new muffler. Advised not only muffler rusted through but the frame has extensive rust and deemed unsafe.
Our 4runner's frame is rusting away and toyota refuses to fix their mistake. The frame is similar to the tacoma that was recalled and repaired, so i contacted them and was informed that they weren't going to fix our 4runner that has the same issues.i was less than pleased with their response. This could've quite easily caused a severe accident. Luckily my mechanic caught it in time before that happened
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. While the vehicle was stationary, the contact noticed that the frame of the vehicle near the trailing arm brackets was rotted with holes and slight corrosion. A dealer was not contacted about the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and stated that there was no recall on the vehicle. The failure mileage was 196,000.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. While the vehicle was undergoing a wheel alignment, it was noticed that the frame was rusted. The vehicle was taken to white river toyota (802-299-2800, located at 303 sykes mountain ave, white river junction, vt 05001) where it was confirmed that the frame was rusted and the vehicle would not pass the state inspection. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. The vin was unknown.
Frame and under parts are rusted
Car inspection at a service center revealed advanced rusting of the frame. I was told this could be dangerous.
Today, i drove my 2003 4runner limited that has 135409 miles with the entire frame was deemed "unsafe" by toyota dealership today.this was after i took my 4runner for front brakes and the mechanic told remove my kids car seats from the back seat and told me to bring to this toyota attention.the 2003 4runner frame is unsafe and i should not drive until they repair / replace frame.
While changing the brakes and roters, it was noticed that the frame where the gas tank straps attach, is completely rusted and rotted through. Several areas on the frame are rotted through. The mechanic stuck his finger right through my frame. Also, there is body rust all around the back window, causing water to get into the back door, causing the 3rd brake light to not work, and causing the latch to lock and keep the hatch closed is seized due to rust.
I found out in late 2018 or early 2019 that the frame was rusted through. After looking closer the rusted out area is 2 foot long by 3 inch wide.there was no incident but concerned for the safety while drive g it.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. While the vehicle was undergoing an oil change by an independent mechanic, the technician noticed that the front and rear sections of the frame were corroded through. The technician declared the vehicle unsafe to drive. The vehicle was later taken to toyota of kingsport (2525 e stone dr, kingsport, tn 37660, (423) 246-6611) where the technician performed a visual inspection and stated that there was excessive rust and holes in the frame. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the dealer notified the manufacturer and was provided case number: tas-906032087. The approximate failure mileage was 138,000.
We purchased the vehicle in 2008 for $14,000 from a local toyota dealer, with 84,000 miles on it.the transmission lines rusted out shortly after that, the steering rack has been replaced twice, and now the gas tank has fallen down, and there is nothing left to attach a new support to.an automobile that should have a value of $6,000 + is now worthless, and we cannot even drive it safely. This was a chronic problem that was addressed by toyota early on, but they managed to avoid repairing this vehicle. Is there anything that i can do, other than warn others against buying a toyota."ask someone who drives one".
I have a 2003 4runner with severe frame rust through making the vehicle a hazard to drive and to others on the road. This is clearly consistent with toyota's other recalls.
My 4runner has parts of the structure with above average rust.that frame element intended to hold the skid plate on is completely rusting through.for fear of safety performance issues in the event of a collision i refuse to drive my family in this vehicle.in one instance a steel piece designed to stabilize the muffler popped off it's weld while i was driving, causing a potentially dangerous situation to the cars around me.i was driving down a hill to my near my home at the time.
The passenger side frame rail has rusted so badly that it has split and cracked. Absolutely crazy that the 4runners weren't included in the pervious frame recall with the tacoma's.
Frame is rusting and deforming uniformly on both sides of the vehicle just behind the front wheels and engine, in front of the transfer case.
While my 2003 toyota 4runner was in a service appointment, i was notified that the frame has severely deteriorated due to corrosion and rust. I was able to inspect and document the corrosion with photographs. The vehicle will soon become unsafe to operate or drive.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that there was rust on the frame of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to sunrise toyota (3984 sunrise hwy, oakdale, ny 11769, (631) 589-9000) where it was diagnosed that the frame was rusted and the frame hose needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 200,000. The vin was invalid.
Excessive and premature corrosion has developed at various locations on the vehicle frame such that i am concerned about the structural integrity of the vehicle frame and it's impact on the operational safety when i'm driving this vehicle. It appears that the corrosion has originated on both the external frame surface welded seams and also from internal frame surfaces. I took proactive measures to have my frame treated for corrosion resistance by an after market vendor in an attempt to abate early signs of corrosion but the corrosion from internal surfaces has now worked it's way thru showing clear holes/gaps/separation in the frame structural components. Rusting from the inside out adds to my concern about the vehicle operational safety. My vehicle has had all regular, scheduled maintenance performed by a toyota dealer whom has also pointed out the structural issues resulting from corrosion. I learned about and was shown the corrosion problems directly from the dealer service department while my vehicle was elevated on a lift in a service bay. Attached are pictures taken recently (5/17/19) while at the dealer of the more obvious problems at various locations on the frame.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. While the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for routine repair, the technician diagnosed that the subframe underneath the front part of the vehicle was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,834.
We had just bought the vehicle when the rear end began swaying from side to side and we took it to the mechanic at toyota and was told that the whole frame was rusted out and was to dangerous to drive but they could not help us. The same frame was on the other 3 makes and was recalled and that ours needs to be recalled. They all know it needs to be recalled and i wish they would just do itbecause it just sits out there and is in great condition all but the frame rust.
Severe rusting of frame
I was doing some maintenance and service on my 2003 4 runner and noticed a huge rot hole in the framed just ahead of the right rear track bar.
My 2003 4runner has serious frame rust issues with less than 150,000 miles. The piece of the frame that supports the radiator and a/c condenser has rusted completely through and the radiator is unsupported on the driver's side. I have not experienced this problem with my old 1996 4runner which had 100,000 more miles on it.
In reference to nhtsa action number: dp18002. My mechanic informed me that my 2003 4runner is starting to experience excessive corrosion on the frame. He informed me that this is common with this model. I contacted a body shop to inquire about possible solutions. I was informed that they get inquiries about the 2003 4runner often yet they do not like working on them as the frame is constructed in such a way that it is difficult to address the corrosion issues. I'm reporting this to help facilitate the ongoing investigation and to inquire about any progress being made on the investigation.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. While the contact was performing routine maintenance on the vehicle, he found that the vehicle's frame was corroded with holes. The corrosion extended to the exhaust system that connected to the muffler. The fuel tank cover was also corroded. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
The frame is rusted beyond repair and the vehicle has spent the majority of its life in a n underground garage protected from the elements, as well as in florida. It has very low mileage, and no other serious problems.
During a visit to a body shop to have my fuel door fixed, i found out that the frame of my vehicle has significantly deteriorated due to rust.there are holes in the frame, welds that have rusted completely through, and one of the transmission mounts is gone.i was told by the body shop who reviewed the frame, a second body shop that i consulted for a second opinion, and my local toyota dealership that my vehicle is not safe to drive and should no longer be driven.one body shop said that they normally sees this type of rust on vehicles that are 30-40 years old!they also said that the entire frame and all rusted parts will need to be replaced and would cost between $12,000 and $15,000 depending on the parts that need to be replaced.my truck only has about 122,000 miles on it, and the body, paint, and interior are immaculate!fortunately, having my 4runner looked at prevented a potential accident.i know that there are several class action lawsuits concerning frames that have rusted out on the tundra, tacoma, and the sequoia vehicles for which toyota is performing repairs and replacements.the 4runner should also be included because there are numerous complaints for this same problem.
Have rust on my frame. Have hole near my cat converter that toyota found during inspection which failed because of the hole. They recommended i take somewhere else to patch to save money. Seems dangerous that frame is rusting to the point that it caused a hole.
Front cross member rusted into on one side and rusted bad on the other.plus, frame has several holes in it.
My 2003 4runner has a ton of rust and the frame is rusting badly. I do not feel this vehicle is safe to drive.
We have owned our 2003 4runner in our family since new. It has always been incredibly well taken care of, weekly washes etc.. Now at 106,000 miles our frame has significantly more rust than expected of a car of this age and condition. We are very concerned that toyota has addressed many corrosion incidents within tacoma frames and not addressed the frames in the 4runner especially based on the condition of our frame and many others i see on the road. This is a serious safety concern and needs to be investigated as i believe it is an issue with the vast majority of 4runner frames from this generation vehicle.
Frame holding/securing radiator, skid plate is rotting away. Took too dealer/service dept.( kool toyota)and they took several pictures to add to the hundreds theyve already taken and submitted.
The frame of my car is corroding at an alarming rate and even after treatment it continues to rust to the point where my car is not safe to drive
Vehicle is rusting away. From the inside. Very evident when the toyota specialist who works on the 4runner has to service it and work on it. They have taken pictures and are supplying us with them. They are a north carolina safety inspector and concerned about the vehicle in a crash. The vehicle's steering is affected and overall ability to control the vehicle along with the frame holding the vehicle parts in place. We have a 2003 toyota 4runner that doesn't have issues like this one. It has some rust but nothing like this. Started noticing it in 2016 after it had repairs done where you could see the inside of the bottom and frame parts.*this 4runner was built on the tacoma chassis that was recalled.this 4 runner needs to be fixed for it to be safe. My son drives this vehicle. Well, he did. I can't let him now. He has no vehicle.the pictures are disturbing! all of our cars are older and never have we had an issue like this.the 2003 4runners are affected.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to repair the rear bearing. The technician diagnosed that the rear frame was rotted and had holes. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000. The vin was not provided.
We were hearing a noise in the rear suspension (lh) when braking or accelerating. The car was not stable to drive.we lift the vehicle and found that the frame is rusted due to the manufactuer did not protect it at the factory. The rear left suspension bracket was almost dissapeared. The vehicle was dangerous to be driven.we had to reinforce the affected part to keep the vehicle in service, but the frame is rotten.the engine, body and interior are in perfect condition but the frame.
The frame is completely rusted out making the vehicle unsafe, undriveable and unfixable with only 60,000 miles.we cannot find a frame or anyone to fix it.
My 2003 toyota 4runner will no longer pass inspection and is no longer safe to drive as the frame is rotted beyond repair on the driver's side rear.while attempting to have new tires put on and am inspection done we noticed the severe rust/ holes and also a crack in the weld. The rest of the frame is pretty ugly as well,i did not look over the entire frame but i'm sure there are probably other areas that are very bad. I've read about catastrophic failure due to frame rot in these models. Toyota has to do something about this. I'm supposed to get a phone call from toyota tomorrow and if they continue to do nothing about it then i'll start calling all the news stations and start spreading the word. I have 45 thousand dollars invested in the company thus far and will never spend another cent on them if this issue isn't resolved.
Frame rust - car is basically not safe to drive
The frame is very badly rusted also to the point of being unsafe to drive
Noticed the right front wheel making awful sound. I had my mechanic to take a look. It is the wheel bearings going out, but then proceeded to tell me that the rust is so bad underneath that all the hose lines will have to be replaced. Brake lines leaking, transmission line leaking. All will have to be replaced. The rust is eating away underneath the car like cancer. No stopping it. The sway bars are rusting into as well. Our mechanic will let us know how much it will cost to repair the lines...but is it worth spending the money on??? this is our 7th toyota that we have owned, always taken excellent care of vehicle, and i have never experience such a rusty mess. Love my 4runner but really don't know what to do with it!
Severe frame rust
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that there was frame corrosion on the underside of the radiator. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that there were no open recalls for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.*dtconsumer stated two main support areas is severe corrosion just like the recalled tacoma's.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection when they detected that the rear differential, rear lower control arm and frame were severely corroded. One of the two rear lower control arms had become slightly detached from the vehicle. In addition, the emergency brake also exhibited corrosion. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. The vin was unavailable.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The vehicle was taken to the atlantic toyota dealer located at 145 albany ave, amityville, new york, 11701, for a check up when the dealer diagnosed that the front frame was rusted. The dealer stated that the failure was as a result of salt on the road, and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was no longer under warranty, but did not offer additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 125,660.
I was warned by my toyota dealer that my 4runner may be unsafe to drive due to the amount of rust on the frame. The entire frame has rust spread out and it has a few really bad areas. I bought the vehicle used and i was told that there was a spot that was rusted through and needed a bracket to be welded over it. In the image attached you can what the general state the frame is in but it does not show the worst areas. I don't have a car jack available so its difficult for me to take pictures of the whole frame.
Excessive frame rot.4runner should of been part of the tacoma recall and is absurd it was not in the first place.my whole passenger side frame rail is gone.i have had to constantly fix weld new metal to it.
The vehicle feels like it's bottoming out going over the slightest little bump when in motion and the rotors were making a horrible sound going down the highway even after the brakes had been checked.spent $400+ on new brakes & rotors only to find out that the frame is completely rusted out and the mechanic advised us not to drive it at all.it was too dangerous and would cause a bad wreck when it finally did drop out.
Frame has significant rust and has developed a hole up near the front of the car. I've had the rust sandblasted off and the frame re-coated, but should the frame fail, it could result in a real safety problem.driver seat belt does not retract properly, which could result in the seatbelt not being snug enough to prevent injury in the event of an accident
Rear of the frame is rusted out there is a big hole in the side of the frame. I just bought this vehicle an i looked at it before i bought it an looked at the frame just figured maybe the rest of the frame would be fine but it was not.
I purchased this vehicle a week ago. It appears the dealer themselves never inspected the vehicle prior to my purchase. If they had, they would have know it was an unsafe vehicle to drive due to the amount of rust to the suspension, frame, and everything underneath. Just today, a toyota mechanic had told me that it is unserviceable. If i had owned this vehicle for years, that finding wouldn't be as painful to hear. But having owned the vehicle for a week, this has made me very angry. It only has 88k miles on it. I am now afraid to drive the vehicle.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the dashboard was cracked. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to mount airy toyota (508 n andy griffith pkwy, mount airy, nc 27030, (336) 786-2118), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer informed the contact that the extended warranty expired on may 31, 2017 and provided case number: 1808210330. The failure mileage was 164,000. The vin was not available.
I purchased my toyota new in 2003 and have had it serviced by the same dealer as per schedule. I have 300469 miles but have rusting frame even though i wash under frame on a regular basis.i have been toldby the mechanics at the dealer that is just thw nature of the make.i plan on keeping my car because it runs very well with little or no problems witb exception of rust.the tacoma of the same year was tecslled.for this same reason but not the 4 runner with the same frame
Recall: structure of truck. I have 2003 toyota 4 runner that is rusting real bad. The structure frame is loosing a lot of rust . I have even have at least 3 wholes in my passenger side frame under my truck. I see many other people are having this issue. I would like to see someone look into to see why this is happening and take action because i feel this will become a serous safety issue to people who are having this issue with the structure rusting of the truck. I just had my vehicle at the dealer for warranty work and nothing was noted on the final checkout paper work about the serous issue with the rust. My vehicle is driven for daily use no off tossing or crazy activities with my vehicle. We even wash our vehicle regularly doing the winter months.... I see they have did a structure recall to ( toyota tacoma, tundras, and sequios. I am really surprised how this is happening to tony vehicle. Please note this has been a issue for awhile with the truck with rusting it just did not start .
Frame of vehicle is rotting out- not likely to pass inspection for very long.similar issues to frames of toyota tacoma and tundra frames that have been recalled.4runner should be recalled as well.just discussed condition of frame with local toyota dealership today- recommended filing a complaint.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4unner. While driving over a pothole at approximately 25 mph, a loud bang emitted outside of the vehicle. The vehicle wandered out of the lane independently and became difficult to steer. The failure occurred when encountering uneven road surfaces and potholes. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the entire frame was completely corroded. The vehicle was beyond repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. Updated 04/14/16*lj
Extensive premature frame rust
Rear axle badly rotted. Car has 66,000 miles on it. Requires replacement which is apparently an extremely expensive and sensitive process. The corrosion seems to beextraordinarily premature and due to substandard frame materials and treatment of same. Acton toyota had already welded in a frame bar 2-3 years ago. Called (800)331-4331 (toyota motor manufacturing)spoke with a customer service rep (angie) and her supervisor (maria) who stated that the warranty on the frame expired in 2006, they were clear about toyota's position that they will do nothing w/o a factory recall. This is, apparently, not an isolated issue. Https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/inv/2018/inbc-dp18002-73038.pdfhttps://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2018/toyota-4runner-frame-rust.shtmlhttps://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2017/toyota-rusted-frame-settlement.shtmlhttps://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2016/toyota-tacoma-rusted-frames-lawsuit.shtml
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the subframe of the vehicle had excessive rust. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 62,000
Frame is rotting apart. Several holes and cracks
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. While at an independent mechanic for repairs, the mechanic diagnosed that the entire subframe was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 141,000.
My frame is rusting from the inside out. There's a hole in my frame right about where the driver sits. I'm including a picture of the frame damage and documents from toyota indicating the frame rust and damage (highlighted in red) from when they inspected it. Not sure when this started happening, because i bought the 4runner in 2018. The inspection from toyota on 12/15/2017 is the only thing i can find documenting the rust/damage, but it definitely started long before then.the tacoma's and tundra's both had their frames recalled... When's it our turn?
Frame is showing excessive rust. Remainder of the vehicle is in excellent shape. Engine runs great, but the frame is now in a dangerous state. Gas tank support is completely gone.
Our 2003 4runner frame is rusted throughout. Not even safe to drive with 127,000 miles. The control arm is ready to fall off. Thankfully, a busted brake line got us into the shop before a bad accident happened. Now we're looking at spending $4000 on framework to make it safe to drive. So sad that this issue has been know for years and no one is making toyota make it right. Please do something before people get hurt. We were ready to take a 1000 mile trip from alabama to texas when we found out about the rust. My mechanic stuck a pencil through the frame! it's sooooo bad! please do something!
Premature corrosion of framevsc light onatrac system permanently disengaged
Extreme rust on the undercarriage eating completely through the frame.
I had some issues with my car and the mechanic put the car up on the lift and saw some holes created by corrosion into the frame of the truck. I understand that the toyota tacoma has the same frame and was recalled. Why is it that the same frame on a different vehicle and from the same manufacturer, toyota, isn't being recalled on teh 4runner? i insist that there be a recall and will hold all accountable.
The vehicle frame has multiple perforations greater than 10mm.one such perforation has created a crack on the frame just in front of the right rear lower control arm mount.if this vehicle were to hit a bad enough bump or pot hole, there exists a possibility the frame could snap and allow the control arm to become free and the vehicle would lose control
Excessive frame rust has resulted in the frame almost completely disappearing, making the vehicle unsafe to drive and forced to be taken off the road. There is less than an inch of frame holding the rear right axle in place
I took my 2003 toyota 4runner into my local mechanic to do my annual state safety inspection and the mechanic informed me the frame was too rusted to pass inspection. Furthermore, he said that the rust was so severe it had separated the suspension from the frame. He told me it was the worst frame rust he had ever seen and that the cars frame looked like it was 20 years older then it was. It was totally rusted through in several spots. I called toyota to see if they would work with me to fix this issue and they offered no help. All the other cars built on this frame have been recalled, i'm not sure why this one hasn't been.
My vehicle has severe frame rust and rot.part of frame at the front of the car has holes in it and is not safe to drive.this vehicle has been well maintained.it was driven primarily in maryland and virginia.
We recently purchased a 2003 toyota 4runner limited. Great vehicle with the exception of the frame rusting and having weak spots. We have done some research and this seems to be a common issue with the third and fourth generations. These are built on a truck frame and the toyota sequoias, tundras and tacoma's have been recalled for this issue.
I bought the 2003 toyota 4 runner in august 2015. At the time of purchase, there had already been a repair to the exhaust system.in january of 2016, a brake caliper malfunctioned and i took it in for repair. At that time, i was informed there were rot holes in the frame that needed to be repaired. They showed me pictures of the rust holes and i about fell over. I couldn't believe my eyes. I had the holes repaired. When i took the car for inspection in august 2016, there were more rot holes and it couldn't be inspected. I had those holes repaired, and the repair guy said it was dangerous to keep driving this vehicle. He said it is rusting from the inside out. I was so mad because i just bought it less than a year ago, and am now facing losing thousands of dollars due to this faulty frame. I got the oil changed recently and the comment on the multipoint inspection is that the frame is rusting. When i parked the car today, i had the wheel turned, and i saw another rot hole in the frame by the wheel that i will have to get repaired. This is a terrible safety hazard, the frame could rust through while i'm diving it. I can't just go out and get another car while losing thousands on this one which is what will happen if i have to trade it in. Something needs to be done here.yes it is a 2003, and i would expect some rust on an older vehicle, but this is ridiculous. I do have repair bills, but i can't scan them in.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. While having routine maintenance performed on the vehicle, the independent mechanic informed the contact that the frame was rusted on the passenger side. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The failure mileage was 171,000.
Extreme corrosion of frame and brackets
I took my 2003 4runner in for its routine oil change and the technician informed me my car was unsafe to drive do to excessive rust and corrosion on the frame.my vehicle is in perfect visual condition. I believe this is a major safety concern.
Went to inspect my 4 runner, was told i have major rot and rust on the frame they are unable to inspect, vehical is unsafe to have on the road. My suv is mint with low mileshow can this be.i always take care of my vehicals.
My 4runner was classified unsafe to drive by a safety inspector because of advanced degradation of the frame due to extensive rust. It is not able to be repaired.
Frame is almost completely rusted out even thought the rest of the car is in good shape.i am afraid to let my son even drive the car.i read about the girl that died from the axle coming loose and part of the frame that holds the axle is in horrible shape.toyota should be required to add these vehicles to the frame recall...
My vehicle although in perfect visual condition has excessive rust on the frame. I have been told it should not be driven as it could be hazardous. The car is in great shape with no rust on any other part of the car aside from the frame flaking away
Significant frame rust has compromised the safety of the vehicle.several holes have perforated through the frame and it has been deemed unsafe to drive due to frame rust.toyota needs to replace these 4runner frames.
Our 2003 toyota 4runner has an unsafe frame from completely rusting through. The rear end of the vehicle, after being involved in a minor accident completely collapsed in on itself, bending the 1/4 inch steel support bracket. The frame shows the same type of rust throughout.
The frame of my 2003 toyota 4runner v8 demonstrates excessive and concerning rust damage.the body is in extremely good condition and has almost zero rust, a stark contrast against the frame.the frame has rust damage heavily on the lower radiator support, a 8" long spot on the bottom of the frame directly behind the transmission crossmember on the passenger side, and by the driver's side rear lower trailing arm mount.these areas of rust damage cause me to be concerned for the safety of the vehicle in the long term.the vehicle has only 180k miles, which should leave many years of enjoyable toyota ownership for me, if only the frame was still in half as good of shape as the body.i understand that toyota has recently done frame replacements for other similar vehicles, and i do not understand why they would not do at least something for the 4runner.living in michigan i always expect some rust on a 15 year old vehicle, but this is certainly excessive.i have started to use por15 rust coating to hopefully slow the rot so that the vehicle may remain safe to drive for a few more years, but i am highly disappointing none the less.i had expected this on my previous vehicle, a nissan with open recalls for excessive rusting, but i had faith that this toyota 4runner would not have these issues since toyota has historically been good about making things right where rusty frames are concerned.clearly not in this case.this does genuinely have an impact on my likelihood to purchase a new toyota in the future, as rust is a nightmare to deal with and i don't intend to risk having to again, unless i see some signs that toyota will help where there was clearly some kind of mistake.
Excessive amount of frame rust for a car that has been garage stored in mild vancouver bc climate. Frame is exact same as toyota tacoma which have known frame rust and frame rot, but not covered under the frame recall from toyota
I have a 2003 toyota 4runner, that the frame is severely rusting. It has been garage kept and/or carport kept the entire duration of owning the vehicle. It was bought new and only one owner. When you turn right it makes a scratching sound.. From other complaints, i can see this is a common issue associated with the rusted frame.
Excessive rusting of frame while rest of vehicle remains intact.
I took my 4runner to the dealership that is was purchased and was informed that it needs a new frame due to excessive rust/rot. I am being told that it is beyond repair and is a safety issue at this point.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be serviced, but it was discovered that there was extensive corrosion on the frame of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 139,000. .....updated 12/08/15
The whole under side of the vehicle is rusted. It can't even be driven. My brake line busted the other day (with my kids in the car) and caused me to lose the use of my brakes. We are okay, and the mechanic was able to repair the brake line. But my mechanic was able to stick a pen through the frame. He said with this excessive rust, i should file a claim. After searching online, it seems that there have been recalls on other models of toyota because of rust. Hoping you can investigate and make this right. Thank you!
The frame of my vehicle is suffering from extreme and premature corrosion and rusting. There is signifiant rotting due to rust and corrosion on parts of the frame. Although no incident has yet to occur, i fear an unsafe incident could occur while driving due to the corrosion and rust of the vehicle's frame.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. While the vehicle was undergoing routine maintenance, severe rusting and corrosion was discovered on the subframe of the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not determined. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 165,000.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the subframe was corroded causing both rear control arms to detach while driving. The contact inspected under the vehicle and noticed there were several spots covered with a black tape and painted over to conceal the rust and holes. The contact stated that the rear tire move forward and backward causing the tires to damage the bumper and the plastic trim panel. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact called aaa and informed them of the failure and was informed to contact nhtsa. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
Frame rust thru.documented by the dealer. Nourse in chillicothe,ohio
Vehicle has 100 000 miles. Heavy rust is observed since 2018 on the main frame near the front end. Holes and openings on the frame are rusted out and large amount of metal is falling. Same problems as reported on tacoma. I am concerned about safety and structural strength of the vehicle in case of impact.
Heavy rust and rot holes near welds possible causing vehicle undrivable. Same issue tacoma had. The date is unknown just putting a random date in.
My 2003 toyota 4runner's frame has outrageous rust issues. I have as big as quarter size holes that have rusted through in the middle of the frame on the passenger side and driver side. This is my family car transporting my kids and is unacceptable for toyota to have known about this for years and refuse to resolve it.
My 4runner got rear ended on the freeway and during the repair process i found out that the hitch receiver that was original installed (51909-35010) was superseded to an 'improved' one (51909-35011).however, when i installed my bicycle carrier, i realized that the universal foot was standing one inch out of the hitch receiver causing it to virulently shake and bounce around.when inspecting the new hitch receiver more closely, i realized that the hole for the hitch receiver pin is now only 1.5 inches from the end of the hitch away while before it was 2.5 inches. I compared this to other manufacturers hitches (e.g. Gmc, chevrolet, jeep, etc) and they all have a 2.5 inch distance from the end of the receiver to the hole for the pin. I contacted toyota to find out whether this is the correct part and why they changed the design in that way, but they were unable or unwilling to provide further information.in my opinion, the new hitch receiver is unsafe as it allows more play of the ball mount and appears less stable as less material is around the hitch receiver pin.since i am unable to obtain more information from toyota and toyota is not willing to look further into this, it would be great if you could have a detailed look in this issue.best regards.
Scheduled vehicle for regular inspection.toyota rep advised substantial rot on frame, rear passenger side. Did not pass inspection.rep advised that no current remedies/recalls in place.rep suggested to trade it in.153000 miles, engine/transmission excellent condition. Frame washed and treated w/ rust prevention 2x a year.unacceptable structural problem, given the circumstances with no remedy from toyota.
The frame of the 2003 toyota 4runner became so rusted that when trying to put the car on the lift at a mechanic shop, the frame began to crumble and fall apart at the point where the lift contacted the frame. The entire frame has multiple points where the metal has rusted away and become very weak, compromising the structural integrity of the frame and potentially weakening areas where steering and suspension components attach to the frame.
The frame is rotting and cracking.it was bought brand new and has been used for short commutes.it is now unsafe for me and my kids.
I have a 2003 toyota 4runner that has 165k miles and i was told it is unsafe to drive due to the frame having crack due to rust.
Everything about my toyota 4runner is in great condition except when i brought it in for an inspection i was devastated to find out that my car was no longer safe to drive due to the rust corrosion on the frame. Ever since i purchased this car at the dealership in 2003, i've always taken my car to toyota dealer services for all maintenances and yet they have failed to tell me about this rust corrosion problem until now that due to the rust is eating through the main frame and will not even pass the inspection. For the safety please have it recall and get it done the right way as for tundra and sequoia recall
The frame is completely rusted through and soon will be unable to support the steering, engine or drive train.the problem was confirmed to me by an independent service center that i have used for 10 years and i trust.
I have been in contact with toyota several times over the past 4 years about rust issues with this frame, but the refuse to fix it. They recalled the tacoma, tundra and sequoia of the same year for this reason. The frame rusts and falls apart. While driving up my road i felt the rear of the car shift to the side, i turned around and went straight home to find the frame at the rear passenger tire broken.i haveattached a picture of the broken area, but can send more pictures of the entire frame if needed.
My frame is seriously rusted and needs replacement making my vehicle unsafe. There is rust in numerous locations. I just visited a repair shop and they told me that i would need to reinforce or replace the frame. The cost for reinforcing the frame is over 5000 dollars. The vehicle is in great shape other than the frame and i was hoping to drive it for at least a few more years. Your department has found similar issues with other toyotas that have exactly the same issue and are built upon similar frames made exactly the same way. These models includethe tacoma, sequoia, and tundra. It is my opinion that toyota failed to treat their frames properly and the dealer failed to take the necessary steps to inform me of the issue when the vehiclewas brought in for regular maintenance.
Excessive frame rust causing vehicle to fail safety inspection.
My 2003 toyota 4 runner has significant frame rust that the toyota dealer identified during routine service and noted that the vehicle is unsafe to drive.they refused to fix the problem, saying it could not be fixed (beyond repair), but that i should no longer drive the vehicle as it is now unsafe to be on the road.
Brought the vehicle in for a suspension check and the mechanic found the passanger rear frame completely rotted.
Vehicle has a cracked dashboard from one side to the other, could spread and affect air bags, toyota dealership in north miami beach stated there is a recall but have not corrected in three years, i have checked with them three times
The frame has rusted almost completely through near the front upper and lower control arms near the cross member there. The passenger side is so bad the welder i took it too sad he couldnā€™t repair it without doing the crossmember section and all. The driver side is not at bad but doesnā€™t look to hot. The crossmember where the radiator sits is also starting to completely rot away
Recently bought my 4runner, took it to the dealer to be inspected, only for them to tell me that the frame was compromised due to rust damage. Toyota has agreed to replace frames on tacoma's, tundra's and sequoia's, but not 4runners, even though they are all the same frames.
Vehicle has excessive rust and holes in the frame, while only having about 100,000 miles.
Vehicle is currently stationary at dealer getting scheduled maintenance.the technician called me back to the shop to show me what he found with the vehicle on the lift.excessive rust & corrosion on the frame rails to the point where the vehicle will soon be unsafe to drive.he also informed me that if the vehicle experienced a side impact, the damage & possible injuries to occupants would be much worse due to the diminished integrity of the frame.i am currently looking into my options such as welding frame reinforcement but i believe that toyota should replace the frames on these models as they did with the tacomas, sequoias, & tundras which have the exact same frames & experience the exact same rust & corrosion problem.
Frame is rusted out, excessive rust throughout the entire frame and suspension components. Sway bar mounts for rear axle have rusted out vehicle is unsafe to drive
Frame is badly rusted.after a minor accident, the body shop stated they were unable to weld in a replacement crossmember due to excessive rust.i understand toyota has recalled frames of similar vehicles but not 4runners.
The back of the truck frame has rusted through. Stationary.front axle pics included as well.rust, wear and tear.not sure when it happened bc the dealership sold the vehicle to me like this.rusted metal proves it happened awhile ago. Plus someone tried to weld it to cover up the problem.i've also put in a radiator and new muffler was completely rusted through.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner.the contact stated while having routine maintenance performed, she was informed that there was excessive rust and holes on the subframe. Additionally, the calipers were sticking and the oil pan was rusted. The contact completed the repairs. The vehicle was taken to ramey toyota (135 frazier dr, princeton, wv 24740, (877) 825-2186) and diagnosed that the subframe needed to be replaced. The subframe was not replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage 55,000.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. When the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for routine maintenance, the contact was informed that the front bumper and the frame were severely corroded with holes and the corrosion penetrated the radiator support, the rear passenger side trailing arm, and the interior frame of the front passenger door. The mechanic advised the contact that the vehicle was unable to be driven. The manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 165,232.
The front cross member has developed a hole, and another is starting on rear of the frame. No rust anywhere on car except frame. Car was garaged or parked on pavement always, never on grass or dirt.
Excessive frame rust in multiple spots on frame on both sides and on crossmember. This is a well documented problem for this generation of 4runner and needs to be addressed. My vehicle has been garage kept since new i am the original owner of the vehicle.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the front passenger side frame, front driver side lower support, and radiator bar contained rust. The vehicle was taken to toyota of naperville (located at 1488 ogden ave, naperville, il 60540, (630) 528-1459), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 184,000.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. While backing out of the driveway, the lower control arm failed and the vehicle became inoperable. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and an inspector sent by the manufacturer examined the damage. The inspector determined that the subframe bracket, which holds the lower control, had rusted and caused the lower control arm to fail. The inspector recommended that the entire frame of the vehicle be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 104,000.
The frames on 2003-2008 4runners rust very badly and have deemed hundreds of otherwise good vehicles unusable. Note that just the frame components are rusting through while the bodywork remains intact..toyota recalled and replaced frames on several similar vehicles in their lineup but did not offer the same to 4runner owners. Hopefully this changes.
The vehicle has excessive frame rust, covering 100% of lower frame, bumper to bumper.it has at least 2 holes, and is weak in several areas of frame.it failed inspection due to this.only 133k miles on vehicle.well maintained.finally, tailgate door is significantly rusted above window, but at least this isn't a safety problem.
At the end of june 2021, while driving i experienced a loud clunk and grinding noise, with reduced control of steering and brakes on my 4runner. I took the 4runner to a goodyear automotive service center on woodward avenue in royal oak, michigan, who told me that the vehicle was not driveable due to severe rust damage of the frame that resulted in a broken sway bar. I thought i should take it to the closest toyota dealership in troy, michigan for advice and they responded that the vehicle was beyond repair and that a new frame would cost around $20,000. I could not leave my car there, and risked driving it home, where it has been parked ever since.
The frame on my suv is very rusted and causing continuous problems. I've had to replace numerous parts underneath my car (sway bars, tie rods). Just the other night while driving home in a snow storm, i completely lost my brakes. Two of the main brake lines were completely corroded. A new frame would solve a lot of my problems. They've recalled tacomas and sequoias, wondering what the hold up is on the 4runner recall?
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. While the vehicle was stationary and while driving various speeds, the frame became severely rusted and corroded over the period of two years. The contact stated that an independent mechanic made a series of repairs for the following failures: the drive shaft was rusted, the tow hooks detached from the vehicle, the muffler detached from the vehicle, and the frame fractured into pieces upon the contact's initial assessment of the damages. The contact stated that the series of failures occured due to the severe rust and corrosion of the frame. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The contact owns a 2003 4runner. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being repaired, he was informed that the undercarriage and subframe of the vehicle was extremely rusted. The vehicle had not been taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be inspected. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 139,000.
The frame is rusting from the inside out. My 4runner was bought brand new and has been babied and used for short commute i have read about numerous other 4runner owners with the same problem.the rusted car frame is unsafe for driving .i'm told the frame is rusting from the inside out.my vehicle has been babied and is in exceptional condition except for the frame. The is no rust on the body or other places... Just the frame that makes the vehicle unsafe to drive.the car should have a lot of life left in it as the engine and other components are in excellent shape.i should not have to sell it for parts.i'm told that toyota has replaced some frames and they do this on a case by case basis.apparently the 4runner is on the same frame as a couple of their trcks (tundra, etc.)the truck frames are also rusting and going bad.toyota should replace the bad frames.i live in the southern part of virginia.i do not live in the rust belt.we get very little snow and ice.the frames have a factory defect.any frame, when used in the capacity as we have used our 4runner should never go bad as this one has.the frame is a serious car safety issue.from reading the internet, this is a major problem for toyotas as there are many many other toyota owners who have complained about the same problem as mine (bad rusted frames that make their vehicles undriveable).please have toyota replace the frames. If they are unwilling to do this, then at least give a general trade-in allowance to purchase another toyota vehicle.. I never would have bought my 4$unner if i new this was a problem with them.
Large rust holes in the passenger side of the frame
I was driving the vehicle and normal highway speed on the interstate. When i let off the accelerator, the vehicle lurched to one side, causing the vehicle to cross into the other lane. When i applied the accelerator again, the vehicle lurched in the other direction, requiring me to apply corrective action to maintain control. Upon inspection, the passenger side rear suspension link support had mostly separated from the frame due to rust. I can bend it back and forth with my hand. I have not driven the vehicle since due to safety concerns. It is difficult to control the vehicle, especially a highway speed.
The entire frame is rusted.the front section has rotted thru and the right section has rot thru more than half way pass the muffler area.above the spare tire carrage isrotted and the tire carrage is siezed. I found this while jacking up the truck for an oil change and hear the frame crumble.
Excessive rust / rot on the frame like the tacoma, sequoia, and tundra. Toyota hasnt put anything out for the 4runners.found damage 31oct2020
My 4runner frame is showing excessive rust. The rest of the vehicle is in excellent shape and i am diligent in keeping the vehicle in good condition. Please consider my 4runner as a frame replacement candidate.
Frame is rusted out and should be replaced for safety
Frame rust, severe extensive rust to frame, vehicle is unsafe to drive, toyota has recalls for tundra and tacoma, need to add 4runner to recall list. Vehicle has not been involved in accident, frame rot was pointed out while having vehicle serviced.the frame needs to be replaced.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed. The steering wheel became hard to turn and the vehicle was taken to a mechanic for inspection.the failure was located at the steering wheel system, which failed due to severe corrosion that expanded to the transmission lines and the frame. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vin was not available. The failure and current mileage was 125,000.
I have had this vehicle for many years and i "know" it. I noticed that he steering wheel had a vibration albeit slight, this was something new as well as a noise i could hear under the car. I brought it home complained to my husband - he looked under the car & was appalled - the frame is so rusted he was able to stick his finger through the failing frame!i am afraid this vehicle will kill me!what if it decides to completely break at an axle or part of the undercarriage. Do i drive it and take the chance of getting hurt or killed before someone will order a recall.we can send photos if necessary as this will most certainly add validity to the concern.
Excessive frame and undercarriage rust. I have owned several other cars over 30-40+ years and this 03 4runner has the worst rust.instead of simple surface rust, this rust has affected frame welds, suspension mounting points, tow and lift points.rusting pace is extremely fast moving. There appears to be only a simple layer of thin paint, with no undercoating anywhere. This 4runner was serviced regularly, motor is running great, body and interior are in great condition. This was a gift from grandpa to grandson, but i am concerned of safety and at this point recommending only local, under 35mph travel only. Probably scrap the car soon as not much to do but replace frame.very disappointed with misled condition, outside/inside/motor perfect, but frame rotting away.my family and friends have purchased toyotas with little incident, but i won't buy or recommended knowing they have a life of ~10yrs.
My entire vehicle is rusted out completely and is not in driveable condition.
There is extensive corrosion on the right hand side of the car frame.it's of greatly safetyconcern and it seems that the problem is consistent with other 4runner type of frames.our mechanic seen a few related issues in the last year or so.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. While the vehicle was in the process of a state inspection, it was discovered that the subframe was severely rusted and corroded. The vehicle was deemed unsafe to drive. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer (bairel toyota, 19045 perry hwy, mars, pa 16046) were notified. The vin was not available. The failure mileage was 107,000.
While vehicle was at the repair shop (vehicle was stationary) ongoing a service maintenance, the technician noticed a huge rot hole going along the passenger frame and another rust hole on the bottom radiator support.
Vehicle frame has multiple holes due to rust, unsafe to drive and not repairable
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. While driving various speeds, the vehicle shook and vibrated. The vehicle was taken to heritage toyota owings mills (9801 reisterstown rd, owings mills, md) where it was discovered that the subframe had experienced severe rusting. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 153,000.
In my 2003 toyota 4runner sr5 the open engine hood falls without warning.a small hydraulic piston automatically holds the hood open when the hood is lifted.there is no rod or other mechanical device to hold the hood open, just the piston.the hood stays open for a few minutes, then quietly falls, at first very slowly for a few inches, then rapidly enough to possibly cause serious injury to a person leaning over the open engine compartment.the hood is fairly heavy probably due to the thick and heavy fiberglass insulation. The piston worked properly until about early 2009 when it started occasionally falling, now (april 2010) the hood falls after a few minutes every time the hood is opened.since this started happening i've been using a wood stick i cut to size to hold the hood open when i need access.now i'm going to have the piston replaced but i'll ask for the removed parts back in case they need to be examined.even with the new piston, though, i intend to use the wood stick as a safety measure.i just don't trust the piston design since it apparently requires perfect sealing to maintain the lifting force.also, according to my independent auto repair shop that does mainly toyota's, this is a frequent enough problem that their repairmen always brace the hoods open when working in engine compartments.thanks.
Substantial corrosion of the frame, technician advised owner not to drive the vehicle.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the vehicle's frame was corroded. While driving, the rear driver's side was pulling to the side. The contact was a certified mechanic and noticed that the trailing arm that held the rear differential bracket separated from the frame and was completely detached. The contact welded the bracket back to the frame. He called corwin toyota of fargo (222 40th st s, fargo, nd 58103, (701) 282-8425) and was informed that there was no recall on the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not under warranty and there were no recalls. The approximate failure mileage was 255,000.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while having maintenance performed on the vehicle, the technician found that there was a hole on the subframe near the rear passenger side wheel. The technician added that the frame had corroded from the inside out and stated that the failure was caused by a manufacturing defect. As a result, the frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered to assist with the replacement of the frame. The approximate failure mileage was 110,380.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the subframe was rusted, causing the transmission to hang very low. As a result, the vehicle was inoperable. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the transmission was re-attached. The manufacturer was aware of the failure. The failure and current mileages were 129,000. ..updated 09/19/11also, the steering intermediate shaft needed to be replaced. Updated 10/28/11
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. While the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for unknown repairs, the technician found excessive rust on the rear frame of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 187,000.
2003 toyota 4runner has very excessive amount of rust and corrosion on the undercarriage. Took the vehicle to a local auto repair shop to have a rattling sound checked out. Turns out, the heat shield broke loose and was resting on the exhaust assembly. Also, amuffler hangar was ready to come loose. In addition to this, the mechanic informed me the gas tank supports were also rotted away. I've been doing some research ononline forums and found that other toyota vehicles, such as the tacoma, have been recalled for this same problem. In the interest of safety, i think these issues merit further investigation.
No failure.flame is rusted through in parts and vehicle deemed unsafe to drive by dealership during routine maintenance. Failure is imminent and could be catastrophic.toyota factory personnel handling complaints acknowledged the risk associated with a rusted frame, but insisted that they could do nothing.frame is same/similar to the tundra and tacoma vehicles of like model year, both of which have had manufacturer recalls.no factory support exists for the 4runner.i am to keep my receipt for any repairs and if a recall happens in the future, toyota would "consider" reimbursing me for costs.
I am the original owner of the 2003 toyota 4runner ltd.i always seen rust on the frame since i purchased the truck and had it serviced at a toyota dealership.they never told me the rust was bad or had through holes in the frame because they never looked.recently i decided to request the dealership to look specifically at the frame for holes.they found may holes near the gas tank crossmembers and passenger side under bumper and driver side bumper.there are no campaigns or programs to cover under warranty for corrosion issues. However we know that toyota had a recall for 110,000 tundras and are performing undercoating for tacomas.(my brother is having this done on his 2006)i tow a boat with my 4runner and i am not sure if it is safe to tow anymore.i feel toyota is responsible for the frame rusting so bad and should fix the rusted parts like they did for the tundras or tacomas.
2003 4runner was in for service and i was informed that there was an excessive amount of rust damage on the front frame cross member and there is a danger that the radiator, which is supported by the cross member, could shift or work loose.the rust damage is most evident near the front right (passenger side) frame member where the tow hook is mounted.due to weakness in this area, the tow hook pulled out when the truck was being winched onto a flatbed for towing.
My 2003 4runner was brought in on the above date for routine service to fox toyota, east providence, ri.the service advisor notified me that in the process of servicing the vehicle,the tech noticed severe frame rot and broken welds on the frame.this condition was confirmed by the service advisor. Service advisor then suggested that i call toyota's customer service 800 number since there have been recalls on other vehicles based on the same frame.a series of calls to toyota have produced no result.they are denying any responsibility for this problem. I am now afraid to be operating the vehicle, and toyota is washing their corporate hands of responsibility beyond their basic five year warranty.
Frame rust through. Front main frame support.
The front crossmember of the vehicle frame has severe corrosion.the amount of corrosion was identified to me by a service technician during recent routine maintenance, and the technician pointed out that toyota has had numerous problems with suspension/ structural corrosion on other models.the amount of corrosion has the potential to weaken the structural integrity of the vehicle in a crash situation and potentially during normal vehicle use as well.the problem was discussed with dealership service manager who referred me to the toyota national hotline.toyota representative at that department stated that toyota has not provided any extended warranty or repair programs for this condition, nor do they offer any financial reconciliation for the costs of correcting this problem. The information was documented in toyota case number [xxx].information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Took the vehicle in to have work done on the struts and discovered that the entire frame underneath is completely rusted through and unsafe to drive. This appears to be a very common problem, but toyota still refuses to replace the frames or address the issue in any way, despite having issued a recall for other vehicles with the exact same problem. *ln *dl
Excessive amount of frame rust for a car that has been garage stored in mild vancouver bc climate. Frame is exact same as toyota tacoma which have known frame rust and frame rot, but not covered under the frame recall from toyota
Structuralrust to frame. Cracks and holes at welds and attachment points of suspension and steering. Frame is disintegrating under the truck, complete structural failure is imminent.
Frame is almost completely rusted out even thought the rest of the car is in good shape.i am afraid to let my son even drive the car.i read about the girl that died from the axle coming loose and part of the frame that holds the axle is in horrible shape.toyota should be required to add these vehicles to the frame recall...
Vehicle was maintained at a toyota dealership for over a decade before being informed that vehicle is unsafe to drive due to holes forming throughout the entire frame assembly from corrosion. Further research showes the frame of this vehicle resembles that of the toyota tacoma and tundra models which where recalled due to early and unsafe corrosion leading to components to detach from frame while vehicle is in motion which can lead to serious life hazard. Frame and vehicle were also manufactured in ohio dana company which is the supplier of the recalled frames used in the toyota tundras and tacoma's.
The front crossmember of the vehicle frame has severe corrosion.the amount of corrosion was identified to me by a service technician during recent routine maintenance, and the technician pointed out that toyota has had numerous problems with suspension/ structural corrosion on other models.the amount of corrosion has the potential to weaken the structural integrity of the vehicle in a crash situation and potentially during normal vehicle use as well.the problem was discussed with dealership service manager who referred me to the toyota national hotline.toyota representative at that department stated that toyota has not provided any extended warranty or repair programs for this condition, nor do they offer any financial reconciliation for the costs of correcting this problem. The information was documented in toyota case number [xxx].information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Excessive rust on the frame and under structure of the vehicle for a 2003 4runner limited. Noticed during inspection 10/19/17 and prior years.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the vehicle's frame was corroded. While driving, the rear driver's side was pulling to the side. The contact was a certified mechanic and noticed that the trailing arm that held the rear differential bracket separated from the frame and was completely detached. The contact welded the bracket back to the frame. He called corwin toyota of fargo (222 40th st s, fargo, nd 58103, (701) 282-8425) and was informed that there was no recall on the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not under warranty and there were no recalls. The approximate failure mileage was 255,000.
I have a 2003 4runner with severe frame rust through making the vehicle a hazard to drive and to others on the road. This is clearly consistent with toyota's other recalls.
No accident - items need to be investigated for safety defects on toyota's. 1> front brake calipers (constant freezing of the front brake calipers). 2> dash cover (excessive cracking on the dash covers especially areas that contain airbags). 3> fuel pump connection (on top of fuel tank, connection to fuel pump appears to create a short, which in turn causes vehicle to stall also could cause a fire). 4> excessive frame rust (frame has excessive rust outside and inside which is causing frame to fail. This is a manufacturing issue). These are ongoing issues with toyota that have been reported and nothing is being done about it. Multiple 4runners are having big time excessive frame rust, which are causing the frame coming apart during highway driving. These photo's show the rust on the outside and inside, all metal is having rust issues. Paint has been applied to cover said rust but it still reappears with-in a few months. Best way to contact me is via e-mail.
I was driving the vehicle and normal highway speed on the interstate. When i let off the accelerator, the vehicle lurched to one side, causing the vehicle to cross into the other lane. When i applied the accelerator again, the vehicle lurched in the other direction, requiring me to apply corrective action to maintain control. Upon inspection, the passenger side rear suspension link support had mostly separated from the frame due to rust. I can bend it back and forth with my hand. I have not driven the vehicle since due to safety concerns. It is difficult to control the vehicle, especially a highway speed.
The control arm separated from the rotted rusted frame while driving. Almost died!
Everything about my toyota 4runner is in great condition except when i brought it in for an inspection i was devastated to find out that my car was no longer safe to drive due to the rust corrosion on the frame. Ever since i purchased this car at the dealership in 2003, i've always taken my car to toyota dealer services for all maintenances and yet they have failed to tell me about this rust corrosion problem until now that due to the rust is eating through the main frame and will not even pass the inspection. For the safety please have it recall and get it done the right way as for tundra and sequoia recall
The rear differential housing and third meander are extremely rusted i contacted toyota and was told that they know there is a issue with rust on some 4runners but they are not recalling them
Extreme rust/rot throughout my 2003 4runner frame.the body, interior, powertrainare 8.5 out of 10the frame is a 0i live in new england and recently purchased the 03 4runner sr5 based off it looks. I drove the 4runner of about a month before the incident happened. I was driving on a typical new england road, fairly smooth with pot holes here and there going approximately 45 m.p.h.. Without any warning the 4runner sent the front of the truck hard left and the rear of the truck to the right. The tires were screeching and i was sent sideways into oncoming traffic narrowing missing cars and pedestrians in the area.i got the truck to "crab walk" back acrossthe road into a parking out and called a tow truck. When we got the truck home the tow truck driver and i took a look under the truck to see what went wrong. The right rear control armmount had completely separated from the frame. With the truck on ththe ground i was able to roll the rear right wheel forward and backwards about 5 inches without the vehicle moving at all.i then got under the truck and saw that the cross member under the transmission had rusted away and and what not in contact with the driver side of the truck. Also i could push holes in the the frame with my fingers around the driver/ front passenger doors. I have not driven the 4runner since and i dont have 8k+ to pay a shop to replace a frame. Toyota needs to step up and take care of its customers before someone gets killed
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. When the contact attempted to start the vehicle, it would not start. The contact mentioned that the head gasket needed to be removed and re-installed in order to start the vehicle. Also, while driving various speeds, the rear of the vehicle swayed uncontrollably to the left and right. The vehicle was taken to big o tires (2245 state st, new albany, in 47150, 812-949-0736) where it was diagnosed that the passenger side control arm was fractured and the driver's side control arm could fracture at any moment. The vehicle was towed to mccormick motor sports (1041 s 6th st, louisville, ky 40203, (502) 584-1981) where the contact was informed that the head gasket was causing cylinder three to misfire. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 217,500.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the subframe was corroded causing both rear control arms to detach while driving. The contact inspected under the vehicle and noticed there were several spots covered with a black tape and painted over to conceal the rust and holes. The contact stated that the rear tire move forward and backward causing the tires to damage the bumper and the plastic trim panel. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact called aaa and informed them of the failure and was informed to contact nhtsa. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
The frame on my 2003 toyota 4runner has almost rusted completely through the frame. While driving on i40 going around a deep curve i lost control of the vehicle and ran off the road without injury or collision. It was inspected and deemed not safe to drive due to the rusted frame. This vehicle is now immobile until the frame is replaced. I am requesting that this vehicle is included in the recall for the toyota 4 runners. This happened 9/26/2018.
The frame is rusted away but the body is perfect. Purchased as is. Was not informed in writing about the bad frame
Vehicle frame is severely rusted and rotted to the point where there are holes in the frame itself making it extremely unsafe to drive. Other toyota trucks around the same year have been recalled with similar frame issues, does not make any sense why toyota has not recalled the 2003 4runner frames yet. Vehicle is over 205,000 miles and would probably run another 200k if not for the frame which makes this car almost undrive-able. Frame to be replaced asap.
My 2003 toyota 4 runner sr5 was swaying back and forth at speeds up to 35 mph something is wrong thinking maybe the sway bars so took itto a mechanic and after he drove it and put it up on a lift he was frightened on how much rust and separation on the frame especially the rear passenger side right next to the muffler complete separation and then you walk to the middle any day now that would have separated .i was told to to have a tow truck take it back to my house which is about two-three miles away which i did but now it sits in my garage - and with only 139,000 mile on it not able to drive or sell unless its for junk.
Loud noise while driving. Upon inspection, excessive rust and corrosion to frame of vehicle found. Holes in frame larger than 2 inches.
I have been in contact with toyota several times over the past 4 years about rust issues with this frame, but the refuse to fix it. They recalled the tacoma, tundra and sequoia of the same year for this reason. The frame rusts and falls apart. While driving up my road i felt the rear of the car shift to the side, i turned around and went straight home to find the frame at the rear passenger tire broken.i haveattached a picture of the broken area, but can send more pictures of the entire frame if needed.
I was driving my 2003 toyota 4 runner about 1 mile from my home when all of a sudden there was a loud pop and the 4 runner raised up in the rear like a cat and there was another loud bang and i was stopped dead in my tracks almost getting thrown into the windshield and dash. The 4 runner would not move, and there was a loud popping noise against the floorboard and also on the ground.i got out and looked under the rear and saw all the damage and what caused it.the cause was complete rust, i have never saw a vehicle rust that fast that badly. It was fine in the spring when i washed it and underneath it as i always do after winter.the rear end was rusted so bad it would crumble in your hands the whole underside was in the same shape. The gas tank guard was half rusted away the frame was covered in rust, every piece of metal under the 4 runner was badly rusted. Now back to the damage that was caused, the big bar that connected the rear end to the frame on the passenger side had rusted completely off and the rear end shifted back and down pulling out the drive shaft and it stuck into the pavement making the 4 runner suddenly stop. The big bar on the drivers side bent down from the force bending it and the shocks pulling the rubber brake lines loose and bending the metal brake lines. The front of the rear end was cracked in a long line on the front. This is a lot of damage due to rust from inferior metal which toyota fixed on their trucks which the frame is the same. They need to recall these vehicles before someone gets killed or hurt.this 4 runner only has 102375 miles and should not be in this shape. I have 84, 91, and 94 fords that do not have this rust.i can't help but think what would have happened if i had been doing 55 or more on a four lane road when this broke off. My grand sons or i could have been killed or someone else. Recall
This vehicle has accumulated a scary amount of rust on the underbody.i took it to a local toyota dealership and they told me it probably wasn't safe to have my kids riding in this vehicle because of the amount of rust on the suspension.
Frame has extreme and rusting and has been reinforced by welding new steel support frames
Etensive undercarriage rusting.
The frame of my 2003 toyota 4runner v8 demonstrates excessive and concerning rust damage.the body is in extremely good condition and has almost zero rust, a stark contrast against the frame.the frame has rust damage heavily on the lower radiator support, a 8" long spot on the bottom of the frame directly behind the transmission crossmember on the passenger side, and by the driver's side rear lower trailing arm mount.these areas of rust damage cause me to be concerned for the safety of the vehicle in the long term.the vehicle has only 180k miles, which should leave many years of enjoyable toyota ownership for me, if only the frame was still in half as good of shape as the body.i understand that toyota has recently done frame replacements for other similar vehicles, and i do not understand why they would not do at least something for the 4runner.living in michigan i always expect some rust on a 15 year old vehicle, but this is certainly excessive.i have started to use por15 rust coating to hopefully slow the rot so that the vehicle may remain safe to drive for a few more years, but i am highly disappointing none the less.i had expected this on my previous vehicle, a nissan with open recalls for excessive rusting, but i had faith that this toyota 4runner would not have these issues since toyota has historically been good about making things right where rusty frames are concerned.clearly not in this case.this does genuinely have an impact on my likelihood to purchase a new toyota in the future, as rust is a nightmare to deal with and i don't intend to risk having to again, unless i see some signs that toyota will help where there was clearly some kind of mistake.
Excessive frame rust. Multiple reports of this.
My 2003 4runner sr5 looks great and its v8 engine hums like it is new but the frame rails are totally rotten and i have been advised not to drive it at all as it is too dangerous to drive. So its value should be about 5-,6000 and now it is totally junk and has only scrap value.toyota usa recalled the sequoia, the tundra and the tacoma from the time period, approximately 2003-2007 maybe more year models, but did not recall the 4runner because there were too many sold and it would have cost too much money.the frame and frame rail rot on the 4runner from that time period is well documented and many complaints have been filed with the nhta yet toyota has seen fit not to recall the 4runner!! . What a disgrace!!the most important fact is the 4runners, past and present, sit on the exact same frame as the tacoma. The tacoma was recalled for the frame rot but the 4runner were not.could you please provide the reasoning for not recalling the 4runner for frame rot while the tacoma with the exact same frame from the exact same factory was not/has not been recalled?
Frame is completely rusted out. Steel is literally falling off from the rust and my suspensions are completely shot and exposed due to rust.
I heard a loud noise (scraping-dragging) from the bottom of the engine area while driving on the highwaythis was a very dangerous and scary incidentpulled over and my fiancć© checked under the engine a very large metal piece was dragging the road i did not hit a bump or anything.a body shop mechanic informed me that the chasis of the 4 runner was in extremely bad conditionthe 4runner will not pass inspection because of this conditioni respectfully request help in this matter
Vehicle is rusting away. From the inside. Very evident when the toyota specialist who works on the 4runner has to service it and work on it. They have taken pictures and are supplying us with them. They are a north carolina safety inspector and concerned about the vehicle in a crash. The vehicle's steering is affected and overall ability to control the vehicle along with the frame holding the vehicle parts in place. We have a 2003 toyota 4runner that doesn't have issues like this one. It has some rust but nothing like this. Started noticing it in 2016 after it had repairs done where you could see the inside of the bottom and frame parts.*this 4runner was built on the tacoma chassis that was recalled.this 4 runner needs to be fixed for it to be safe. My son drives this vehicle. Well, he did. I can't let him now. He has no vehicle.the pictures are disturbing! all of our cars are older and never have we had an issue like this.the 2003 4runners are affected.
My 2003 toyota 4 runner has massive frame rot. I fixed what i could, but still fighting with the problem. I know toyota recalled their pick up trucks because of frame issues, they should do the same for their 4 runners.
Excessive frame rot.4runner should of been part of the tacoma recall and is absurd it was not in the first place.my whole passenger side frame rail is gone.i have had to constantly fix weld new metal to it.
Adding my name to the list of people who have experienced excessive and premature frame rust on their 4runner, potentially causing unsafe conditions which could lead to a collision. Toyota addressed this problem for the tacoma, sequoia, and tundra of the same years, and they should do the same for the 4runner.
My entire vehicle is rusted out completely and is not in driveable condition.
Extreme rust and corrosion in frame, suspension components. This will lead to catastrophic failure at some point if holes and frame deterioration is not addressed quickly.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner.while driving 30 mph, the steering wheel shook very badly.the contact pulled the vehicle over because he thought he had a flat tire, but that was not the case.the vehicle was taken to have the tire pressure checked and then to the dealer for inspection.the shaking only occurs while driving over 30 mph.the contact stated that there was a recall for this vehicle.the dealer checked the recall database, but found no recalls.the vehicle is currently at the dealer for inspection.there is a recall for the 2001-2002 toyota 4runner regarding the suspension and the contact believes that the same failure is occurring on his vehicle.the failure mileage was 71,100 and the current mileage was unknown.
The rear axle assy mount bracket rusted straight through and it does a loud clunky noise while driving. Brought it to a body shop and they said i have to change the whole assy, it cant be fixed. The car was purchased from down south, theres literally no body rust, but the frame is almost all chewed away. I also cant pass ny inspection until i get it fixed, which will cost more than i paid for the car.
I own a 2003 4 runner and also my daughter.i have reported the following issue to toyota and also have taken the vehicle to a dealer.on snowy or icy roads, the rear end of the 4 runner will flip around when accelerating around a corner at very low speeds.it has happened to me three times and to my daughter 3 or 4 times.both vehicle have new tires and the situation still occurs.i live in nc and we do not get a lot of snow.it happen a week ago when we got some snow. It can just happen so fast. My daughter is scared to drive it. Our 2000 4 runner would not come close of acting this way.bottomline, it is unsafe.you must be extremely cautious or you will spin the car around.
Frame and undercarriage rust. Rotted bolts affecting ability to have complete alignment performed. Failed wheel bearings causing loud rotational friction sounds while in motion. Rusted exhaust system causing failure and required replacement.
Frame is rotting apart. Several holes and cracks
I've come to find out that these models and years ..... Are riddled with excessive rust.unsafe rust to the point that my vehicle will no longer pass inspection.the rust has compromised the frame where it is unsafe for my family to travel in!!! my problem was detected by my mechanic after routine service.
Frame rusting underneath the rear of vehicle.happened within the last year because when the auto was inspected in 5/2016 the rust was not there.
Excessive frame rust, especially at rear area of vehicle.body mounts disintegrating at rear.other attachment mounts (for example rear anti-sway bar) are rusting severely.rust noted 11/2/2018 when vehicle was in the air for service.
Currently the frame rust is very severe and is getting to the point that i am becoming hesisitant to have it out on the road.there are areas around suspension components and axles that are very rusted which could potentially lead to casualties if the mounts were to fail.
The frame on my 2003 4runner has rusted to the point of breaking. Toyota had a recall on the tacoma of the same year for this issue and that vehicle has the same frame. As an owner of a 4runner i am upset because my vehicle costs more, but toyota will not fix this.
This 2003 toyota 4runner has 135,000 miles on the odometer and the frame and exhaust system including catalytic converter are completely rusted out and the vehicle is now unsafe to drive. Some frame components have completely rusted and broken off from the frame i.e. Tow hooks, exhaust and engine mounts. The frame is only held on to the body by the shock absorbers. The vehicle can no longer be driven safely. The cost to repair this damage would be prohibitive and i believe that this issue needs to be addressed by toyota. I purchased this vehicle in good faith and trusted that toyota quality would last. Please advise any possible recourse. Thank you
The rear tire assembly ripped loose from its mounts under normal driving conditions..a loud clunk noise....then .brakes were lost and the electrical system showed warning lights on dash board...car is not drivable...massive rust at failure points
Frame broken
2003 toyota 4 runner was brought into dealership on saturday august 29, 2015 to inspect the frame rust. The rust was verified by the dealer, and was sent on my way, with no warning that it was unsafe. Monday august 31, 2015, the vehicle experienced a frame failure that could have been catastrophic. The driver side rear control arm mount broke free from the frame at approximately 30 mph. The rearend started to shake, wobble and vibrate and was immediately pulled off the road. Talked to dealer, no recalls on said vehicle. Talked to toyota corporate, they said there is nothing they can do. Tacoma's and tundra's have a recall, but not the 4runner. A complaint was filed here on july 5, 2015.
Recently bought my 4runner, took it to the dealer to be inspected, only for them to tell me that the frame was compromised due to rust damage. Toyota has agreed to replace frames on tacoma's, tundra's and sequoia's, but not 4runners, even though they are all the same frames.
Frame is showing excessive rust. Remainder of the vehicle is in excellent shape. Engine runs great, but the frame is now in a dangerous state. Gas tank support is completely gone.
On 10/03/16 i took my 4-runner to an auto repair shop for front end brake replacement. A couple of hours later, i contacted the repair shop an asked them to also replace all shock absorbers, which they agreed to do. Later, i went to the shop and the mechanic informed me that the undercarriage and frame were severly corroded and did not install the shock absorbers due to the severity of the corrosion. The mechanic wrote the following statement on my invoice. "frame of car is rotted in several places. Do minuium repairs to keep on road. Should not be used on highway!!!
Rear driver side control arm broke off at the frame after striking pothole at highway speed. After the failure the vehicle was very hard to control and almost led to a rollover. The vehicle was unable to be driven and had to be towed. Toyota recalled tundra's, tacoma's, and sequoia's for frame replacement so it is a known problem. Will toyota be held liable for accidents resulting from premature frame failure?by recalling theother models they obviously acknowledged it was a problem and 4runners share the same platform as the tacoma so why were they not included?
The vehicle feels like it's bottoming out going over the slightest little bump when in motion and the rotors were making a horrible sound going down the highway even after the brakes had been checked.spent $400+ on new brakes & rotors only to find out that the frame is completely rusted out and the mechanic advised us not to drive it at all.it was too dangerous and would cause a bad wreck when it finally did drop out.
Extreme corrosion of frame and brackets
My 2003 4runner frame is rusted out at the rear trailing arm support and half way down the rail. This 4runner is in perfect shape and only has 200k. Toyotas were supposed to lass for a lot longer that's why we bought it. Something has to be done and corrected just like the other frame problems toyota hasdealt with in thepast!!
Excessive frame and undercarriage rust. I have owned several other cars over 30-40+ years and this 03 4runner has the worst rust.instead of simple surface rust, this rust has affected frame welds, suspension mounting points, tow and lift points.rusting pace is extremely fast moving. There appears to be only a simple layer of thin paint, with no undercoating anywhere. This 4runner was serviced regularly, motor is running great, body and interior are in great condition. This was a gift from grandpa to grandson, but i am concerned of safety and at this point recommending only local, under 35mph travel only. Probably scrap the car soon as not much to do but replace frame.very disappointed with misled condition, outside/inside/motor perfect, but frame rotting away.my family and friends have purchased toyotas with little incident, but i won't buy or recommended knowing they have a life of ~10yrs.
The frame is rusted beyond repair and the vehicle has spent the majority of its life in a n underground garage protected from the elements, as well as in florida. It has very low mileage, and no other serious problems.
Frame rusting out. Was told could not drive of dealers lot after being brought in for break job.
2003 4runner failed inspection due to rotting frame.recall was available on the tundra's tacoma's and sequoia's.why not the 4runners?
At the end of june 2021, while driving i experienced a loud clunk and grinding noise, with reduced control of steering and brakes on my 4runner. I took the 4runner to a goodyear automotive service center on woodward avenue in royal oak, michigan, who told me that the vehicle was not driveable due to severe rust damage of the frame that resulted in a broken sway bar. I thought i should take it to the closest toyota dealership in troy, michigan for advice and they responded that the vehicle was beyond repair and that a new frame would cost around $20,000. I could not leave my car there, and risked driving it home, where it has been parked ever since.
Vehicle would not pass new york state inspection.the vehicle was inspected twice. Once by a national auto chain, and by a toyota dealer.the reason for failure in both cases was,rusted cracked frame rails.the dealer gave a verbal estimate for repair of $21,500. ($12,250 parts $12,250 labor)
I have had this vehicle since new, and only travel back and forth to work approx 30 miles a day..(now has 59,000 miles).vehicle has been regularly serviced at a local toyota dealer...vehicle never used for towing or never been off-road, and maintained like a baby...all of a sudden dealer told me my front axle cv joints are leaking and needs replacing including the rear shocks? this is fully loaded 2003 toyota limited edition v8...seems very unusual at 59k miles? will contact toyota to see if they can help out in any way...
The rear sway bar and axle have rotted out. The sway bar dropped to the ground while driving and caused the vehicle to lose control.
The dealer discovered severe rusting and a hole in the vehicle frame. The vehicle has been properly maintained and should not be rusting and creating a safety issue at these miles and vehicle age. Toyota was notified and said that there is nothing that can be done.since these vehicles share the same frame manufacturer issues as the previous frame recalls for tundra and tacoma vehicles, toyota should do a recall and replacement of the defective frames on the 4runners as well.
Took my 2003 toyota 4runner in for service and to have it inspected.the service guys say they cannot inspect my truck because it has a hole in the frame of the truck.the front of my frame is severely corroded after only 160k miles and completely unsafe for the road.this truck has always been well taken care of and kept clean in the winter months.this is entirely unacceptable for a vehicle of this era and highly unsafe to drive.i am sure there are many others out there driving around not knowing their trucks are rusting away to the point the frame they are riding on is falling apart under them.
I took my 4runner to the dealership that is was purchased and was informed that it needs a new frame due to excessive rust/rot. I am being told that it is beyond repair and is a safety issue at this point.
2003 4runner with excessive rust of the frame and undercarriage. Potential failure of frame and frame components due to rust could cause serious injury. Dealer submitted photos to toyota.
Frame is completely rotted out rusted, gas tank straps are rotted/rusted. Rear sway bars are rotted off the frame. This vehicle has the same frame issue as the tacoma and sequoia frames that are on recall.
My vehicle although in perfect visual condition has excessive rust on the frame. I have been told it should not be driven as it could be hazardous. The car is in great shape with no rust on any other part of the car aside from the frame flaking away
The frame is completely rusted out making the vehicle unsafe, undriveable and unfixable with only 60,000 miles.we cannot find a frame or anyone to fix it.
I purchased my 2003 4runner brand new. The vehicle has 70,000 original miles. Never in an accident. The truck is garaged. Always maintained by toyota. Not a scratch on the truck. Interior looks brand new. However the frame has excessive rust. Found a few spots that will eventually needs to be addressed. Toyota needs to step up and fix the rust problems
Excessive frame rust has resulted in the frame almost completely disappearing, making the vehicle unsafe to drive and forced to be taken off the road. There is less than an inch of frame holding the rear right axle in place
The vehicle frame has multiple perforations greater than 10mm.one such perforation has created a crack on the frame just in front of the right rear lower control arm mount.if this vehicle were to hit a bad enough bump or pot hole, there exists a possibility the frame could snap and allow the control arm to become free and the vehicle would lose control
The rust on the frame of this vehicle is unlike anything i've seen in comparison to it's age. I work on vehicles frequently and have not seen anything like this in a modern age vehicle, and vehicles that are over 40 years old that i own or work on don't have rust that is remotely this bad. Upon further investigation, i found the entire weld line of the frame rails to be corroded through in an approximately 28" section. With further investigation, the entire bottom section of that rail was rusted out to be extremely thin and separated at the seam, entirely compromising the integrity of the frame rail. 2 of the body mounts are also rusted out as well as some of the suspension mount components. The vehicle is at risk for having the spring and strut assembly or the control arm assembly detaching from the frame under normal operation conditions. This is an incredible safety risk as it could result in the vehicle losing all steering control. Luckily it was found before an accident occurred.
Frame is rotted out and brake lines attached to the frame as well as every suspension component. Car failed inspection deemed unsafe to drive. This problem has been addressed for tacoma, tundra and sequoia but not 4runner. These frames have the same issue as those and needs to be repaired by toyota due to lack of rust and corrosion protection. Thereā€™s no reason 4runner should be overlooked for the same issue as the other full frame trucks.
Frame rot and unable to pass inspection new even though i have kept this truck in pristine condition. It is a real shame the don't use better steel.
2003 toyota 4runner with excessive frame rot on rear of frame. Rear control arm mount is compromised with extreme rust perforation. Bump stop over axle is missing because of 2"-4" hole in outer frame rail. Car is deemed unsafe to drive.
The trailing arm mount on the frame broke off.the stabilizer bar end link mount broke free of the frame
Noticed the right front wheel making awful sound. I had my mechanic to take a look. It is the wheel bearings going out, but then proceeded to tell me that the rust is so bad underneath that all the hose lines will have to be replaced. Brake lines leaking, transmission line leaking. All will have to be replaced. The rust is eating away underneath the car like cancer. No stopping it. The sway bars are rusting into as well. Our mechanic will let us know how much it will cost to repair the lines...but is it worth spending the money on??? this is our 7th toyota that we have owned, always taken excellent care of vehicle, and i have never experience such a rusty mess. Love my 4runner but really don't know what to do with it!
My private mechanic informed me that my vehicle's frame was rusting and was a safety concern.he notified toyota customer care who stated that toyota was not responsible.toyota has taken responsibility in the past for other vehicles with the same problem.my case # with toyota is [xxx].please investigate and advise.thank you!information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
After an inspection by our mechanic we were informed that our 2003 4runner's frame rusted through in multiple locations and will bedrivable for a limited time.we are an original owners, the car has been maintained by a professional mechanic and has been garaged its entire life.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection when they detected that the rear differential, rear lower control arm and frame were severely corroded. One of the two rear lower control arms had become slightly detached from the vehicle. In addition, the emergency brake also exhibited corrosion. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. The vin was unavailable.
I took my 2003 toyota 4runner into my local mechanic to do my annual state safety inspection and the mechanic informed me the frame was too rusted to pass inspection. Furthermore, he said that the rust was so severe it had separated the suspension from the frame. He told me it was the worst frame rust he had ever seen and that the cars frame looked like it was 20 years older then it was. It was totally rusted through in several spots. I called toyota to see if they would work with me to fix this issue and they offered no help. All the other cars built on this frame have been recalled, i'm not sure why this one hasn't been.
Frame and under parts are rusted
2003 4runner has significant frame rust and is a common and well known problem. Toyota has acknowledged the same problem with other similar models. Toyota has taken action on other models but will not with the 4runners with same frame.
The frame on my 2003 4runner has "perforations" in it's frame rails and the front cross-member is totally rotted away...this has been and issue with these suvs for years..the toyota tacoma shares the same frame/platform as the 4runner and has had similar issues, with 1 difference toyota has repaired many of them free of charge ,but has not extended these repairs to the 4runner...a $30,000 dollar 12 year old suv shouldn't have a rotted frame. I brought the truck to a toyota dealership and they said "front crossmember is rotted off. Only be held by frotn skid plate. Found a hole in frame rail drivers side by fuel tank." i was then told i would be informed when a toyota usa engineer would be able to look at it to see if they would do anything about it. I was called about a week later and told the engineer refused to look at it and would not be helping me with this matter..i then called toyota usa and explained what was going on (i have a case # they gave me) , they told me to expect a call from the dealership (where the suv was purchased & where the frame was inspected) in 2 days..that call never came....
The frame is rotting out.
Frame is rusted out, excessive rust throughout the entire frame and suspension components. Sway bar mounts for rear axle have rusted out vehicle is unsafe to drive
While driving on the highway the passenger rear side of my toyota 4runner began to move up and down and wobble making the car wander all over the road. We immediately went to the local toyota dealer, carver toyota of columbus in taylorsville, in. Inspecting the car on the passenger rear side we found that the rear suspension had pulled away from the frame where the frame had completely rusted leaving a big hunk out of the frame. There was extensive rusting of the frame in multiple places. The car was inspected and photographed by matt warren, service manager at carver toyota and was determined to be undriveable. This is a well maintained vehiclewhich is in tip-top condition in every other respect than the rusted frame. We are very upset to lose a good car which still had a lot of value still left in it to us. We also feel that this is a very important safety issue. We were incredibly lucky that neither we nor anybody else on the highway that day were injured by this dangerous situation. And we are very concerned that this has been reported in other 4runners as well and there hasn't been a recall and these dangerous vehicles are still on the road. We are holding on to the vehicle hoping that there will be some remedy for this situation. Thank you so much for your attention.
The frame is rusted out and the rear suspension mounting brackets are starting to look like potato chips. Also noticed steering components are severally rusted.
I purchased this vehicle a week ago. It appears the dealer themselves never inspected the vehicle prior to my purchase. If they had, they would have know it was an unsafe vehicle to drive due to the amount of rust to the suspension, frame, and everything underneath. Just today, a toyota mechanic had told me that it is unserviceable. If i had owned this vehicle for years, that finding wouldn't be as painful to hear. But having owned the vehicle for a week, this has made me very angry. It only has 88k miles on it. I am now afraid to drive the vehicle.
The back of the truck frame has rusted through. Stationary.front axle pics included as well.rust, wear and tear.not sure when it happened bc the dealership sold the vehicle to me like this.rusted metal proves it happened awhile ago. Plus someone tried to weld it to cover up the problem.i've also put in a radiator and new muffler was completely rusted through.
My 4runner frame is showing excessive rust. The rest of the vehicle is in excellent shape and i am diligent in keeping the vehicle in good condition. Please consider my 4runner as a frame replacement candidate.
Frame and suspension attached to the frame corroded early.the attachments for therear shocks are almost corroded through.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. While backing out of the driveway, the lower control arm failed and the vehicle became inoperable. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and an inspector sent by the manufacturer examined the damage. The inspector determined that the subframe bracket, which holds the lower control, had rusted and caused the lower control arm to fail. The inspector recommended that the entire frame of the vehicle be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 104,000.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. While driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle swerved to the left and right and became uncontrollable without warning. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rear passenger side control stabilizer arm was rusted and detached from the frame. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 182,835.
I purchased this 4runner in march, 2015. I began to notice a vibration in the steering wheel at 63mph. I thought it was brakes, i had brakes and rotors surfaced on 3/12/15. Still vibrating! so i figured it was a simple balancing issue, i took it on the same day to have it balanced. It started vibrating and shaking worse! i had the same mechanic re-balance and rotate the wheels/tires. It road the same. They turned me to the toyota dealership because they have the road enforce balancer. I took it to toyota to have them test drive first, they claimed it was indeed out of balance. Toyota balanced. I drove it and it was shaking like a leaf at 32-70mph. I had toyota re-balance again! i drove it again and it remained worse. They informed me that they didn't know what else to do. I left thinking that it was my wheels and or my tires because in my mind toyota knows best! i went to where the tires were bought, tires are 3 months new. They informed me that this same 4runner had been brought in by the previous owner with the exact same issue. They pulled the wheels off and pulled me aside to show me how excessive the balancing weights were on each rim and some all the way around rim (toyota's doing). They balanced using the haweka, it drove better but still vibrating at 32-70mph. They re-balanced again, still same issue. They used a different set of wheels and balanced again, same issue. They installed my original wheels back on and re-balanced again, same issue! they checked hubs, bearings, alignment, brakes, rotors, boots, axle and everything checks out. I have invested nearly 4 days and $300 in locating the issue. I have done research and so many toyota 4runner owners are complaining about the same issue. I am clueless and don't know what else to do. I am running out of patience and money! please help!
I purchased a brand new 2003 toyota 4runner in may 2003.in one cold morning of jan. 2005, i was driving it in highway that was still covered with some snow.all of sudden, an engine check light on the dashboard was automatically turned on, followed by vsc lights, indicating that a vehicle skid control function was automatically turned off.at that point, i could not drive the car beyond 50 mph, no matter how hard or frequently i pushed the accelerator pedal.i pulled over, restarted, and re-entered the highway but had the same results.i managed to drive the car to a dealer for inspection the same day.the dealer could not find a cause and simply reset the computer controller.this seemed to have resolved the problem at that time.however, the engine check and vsc light issues resurfaced about two years later.the difference this time was that there was no acceleration issue.no inspection was made.the dashboard lights were automatically turned off after driving for about a month.in jan. 2010, those lights reappeared and have remained turned on.no impact on acceleration has been observed.
2003 toyota 4runner vsc trac, vsc off, brake, abs lights on.
Abs warning lite stays on, brake lite is on, vsc trac lite on.goes on & off intermittently. Mostly stays on. Brakes occasionally feel crunchy and do not stop properly. Am calling for service today.vehicle will be parked until problem can be resolved.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. While driving 65 mph, the vsc and traction control warning indicators illuminated. The anti-lock braking system engaged and locked the front brakes. The vehicle violently pulled to the left lane and the steering and brakes failed. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure and repair the vehicle. The manufacturer stated that they were unaware of the failure previously occurring. The failure mileage was approximately 167,000.
My 2003 toyota 4runner has the vsc trac/trac off light on. Ever since these 2 lights have been on my vehicle performance has been affected. I have had 2 incidents where my 4runner fishtails on mild wet road, the 2 times when this happened i was entering a ramp, and while slightly turning onto the street my vehicle fishtailed violently and turning the vehicle facing the opposite direction against approaching traffic. It was a very scary scenario. I was going very slow since it was an exiting ramp with a stop light so i hit on the brakes to slow down and make the turn at the light onto the street and this is what the vehicle did...this has happened twice already. I've seen many reports on the internet from many people having this problem. Is there a recall in place for this type of problems (vsc trac/trac off) on the 4runners?? please advice.
After replacing an oxygen sensor several times, the dealership finally discovered the root of the problem that is making the oxygen sensor and traction control circuit short out.the air divertor flap inside the hvac box under the dash had grease applied to the flap hinges in the factory.directly below the flap is a wiring harness which drops down from the hvac box and plug into the ecu.over time the grease has traveled down through the wiring harness to the electrical connection plug into the ecu causing various circuits to short.no damage at present, however various safety circuits such as traction control are being affected.furthermore, as oil is combustible, an interior fire could result from the oil penetrating the 12 volt electrical connection point on the ecu.this issue/ problem should be considered hazardous and should be a recall to replace the wiring harness and ecu as well as clean the grease out of the hvac box.
Failure of automatic braking control and anti-skid control.service light activated but no recall or notice to consumers.see technical service bulletin br 005-03 (dec. 4, 2003).toyota refuses to recognize safety risk or obligation to replace outside of warranty period.
Near the end of august four warning lights came on at the same time in my 2003 4runner.they were the vsc trac, vsc off, abs and brake.i scheduled an appointment with the local toyota authorized repair shop to determine and fix the problem.they looked at the vehicle and discovered significant rust and corrosion on the frame, rear axle and attached parts.i have asked for an estimate to repair, and they are unable to do so as there is so much rust, corrosion, and lack of material to work with.i am the second owner of this vehicle.the first owner, a friend of mine, had the vehicle undercoated the day after purchase, kept the car in a garage, and washed the vehicle frequently including the underside.i purchased the vehicle in february 2007 with 13,750 miles.it has also lived in a garage here.as of august 29, 2013, the date of the inspection, the vehicle had 24,005 miles.the exterior of the vehicle is in perfect condition, and the interior is the same.however, the underside is a different story.i have contacted toyota and received this response."there are no known issues or current recalls relating to body and frame rust issued for your vehicle...your vehicle is out of warranty, and we would be unwilling to offer you any compensation for any repairs to the vehicle.while we understand your dissatisfaction with this decision, it does represent toyota's final position in this matter."
The frame on my 4 runner rotted so badly it was unsafe and not repairable.i took vehicle in to the dealer to have brakes worked on.when they put it up on the rack, they asked me to come back and look at it.the frame was rotten with rust.they told me that it was unsafe to drive, not practical to repair, and could only be sold for parts. This vehicle only had 65,257 miles on it.the frame was rusted so bad that the service man told me that he thought he could poke a screwdriver right through it.large rusty chunks were falling right off of the frame.there are two steel u pieces welded, one on either side, to the front of the frame for towing purposes.one of these was hanging down by a rusty thread.i later pulled on it with my hand and it came right off with a bunch of scaly rust flakes.i have saved it as evidence of how badly the frame had disintegrated.the dealer would only allow me $100 on a trade in, but i did as i had to have a vehicle to drive.i felt very fortunate that the frame did not break up while i was driving it as i could have been killed!my working career has been as an engineer and i am very familiar with metals and corrosion, but i have never seen steel this prone to rotting.
I was at a complete stop.right after i let my foot off the brake, the car lunged forward violently.it was a traumatic experience.i don't know if this was an isolated incident, will it happen again or is this common?also, shortly after i took ownership of my car, the paint started to peel on the rear hatch below the license on the left, where there are somewhat sharp angles.toyota repainted the rear hatch, excluding the spoiler.i just noticed two rust spots above the rear window.it appears water is seeping in from above the black strip and ponding on thr bottom of it (above the window), resulting in rust.i am wondering if this is common or a problem because the black strip was removed to repaint, or wasn't sealed as well by the factory?
The frame on my 2003 4runner has rusted to the point of breaking. Toyota had a recall on the tacoma of the same year for this issue and that vehicle has the same frame. As an owner of a 4runner i am upset because my vehicle costs more, but toyota will not fix this.
The frame it's rusted
Noticed the right front wheel making awful sound. I had my mechanic to take a look. It is the wheel bearings going out, but then proceeded to tell me that the rust is so bad underneath that all the hose lines will have to be replaced. Brake lines leaking, transmission line leaking. All will have to be replaced. The rust is eating away underneath the car like cancer. No stopping it. The sway bars are rusting into as well. Our mechanic will let us know how much it will cost to repair the lines...but is it worth spending the money on??? this is our 7th toyota that we have owned, always taken excellent care of vehicle, and i have never experience such a rusty mess. Love my 4runner but really don't know what to do with it!
I purchased my 2003 4runner brand new. The vehicle has 70,000 original miles. Never in an accident. The truck is garaged. Always maintained by toyota. Not a scratch on the truck. Interior looks brand new. However the frame has excessive rust. Found a few spots that will eventually needs to be addressed. Toyota needs to step up and fix the rust problems
Informed toyota of hollywood, florida , two years ago , of my dashboard replacement letter and they still have not replaced my cracked dashboard.
Premature corrosion of framevsc light onatrac system permanently disengaged
The auto has 130,000 but the frame has rusted through in several places and is considered unsafe to drive.
We bought a used toyota 4 runner in september 2017 from a used car dealer. The vehicle looked great and drove amazing but after having it serviced we were informed that the vehicle was rusty on the frame and to keep an eye on it. Over time the vehicle got worse and we had it looked at and were told it would need to have a frame or be repaired. Essimate around $5000 since the vehicle was financed we dont feel safe driving it as we were told it is unsafe. We dont have the money to buy another vehicle is this covered uder the lemon law. Toyota wil not do anything regarding this. But it is clearly a defecitive prouduct. They were recalls done on toyota trucks with the same issue but not the 4 runner. Please add me to any pending lawsuits regarding this issue. [xxx]information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Frame on 2003 toyota 4runner is completely rusted.gas tank straps are rotted and rusted along with the plate underneath the gas tank is completely rusted.tried to get them replaced and the service advisor damaged his tools trying to get the bolts out.also had to replace the skid plate in the front of the vehicle.it was completely rusted through and just hanging off the front of the truck.now the frame is completed rusted and our service technician told us that it needs to be replaced.took it to a auto body repair shop, technician worked for toyota for 30 years and told us to call them because the frame should be replaced.toyota does not agree.
The entire frame is rusting away i had a mechinic look at it and he said 'it is not safe to drive theres no strength in the frame if you get into a crash ' the truck has only 105,000 miles on it
Structure complaint.frame , frame mounting points, and suspension mounting points.heavy rust. Upon maintenance diagnostics forevap system the mechanics indicated significant serious corrosion problems with the forward and rearward sections of the frame.significant and dangerous deterioration to mounting points for track bars, brake line brackets, and other suspension components.structurally the frame is questionable in places and likely hazardous to continue driving, recommended that vehicle be retired as is.
The frame is rusted with areas that need to be repaired or frame replaced. When the vehicle is in motion the steering wheel moves back and forth after hitting a bump. It is like the front end is lose. I have had it aligned, so it is not out of alignment.
My dash is cracked from drivers side to passenger side and it appears to be kind of melting. When i am driving over 50mph and my back window is down it makes an horrible noise but the dealership says its fine not
The trailing arm mount on the frame broke off.the stabilizer bar end link mount broke free of the frame
I own a 2003 toyota 4runner.i was aware that toyota had issues with the tacoma, tundra, and sequoia vehicles with rusting frames, but i was unaware that the 4runners were plagued with the same frame rot issues.i have owned the 4runner for over a year and have had to repair the frame due to rust through issues now on three seperate occasions.the frame is vertually a total loss.the engine, transmission, and other components are great, but the frame rust has made the vehicle too unsafe to continue to own.
Frame is badly rusted.after a minor accident, the body shop stated they were unable to weld in a replacement crossmember due to excessive rust.i understand toyota has recalled frames of similar vehicles but not 4runners.
Vehicle was maintained at a toyota dealership for over a decade before being informed that vehicle is unsafe to drive due to holes forming throughout the entire frame assembly from corrosion. Further research showes the frame of this vehicle resembles that of the toyota tacoma and tundra models which where recalled due to early and unsafe corrosion leading to components to detach from frame while vehicle is in motion which can lead to serious life hazard. Frame and vehicle were also manufactured in ohio dana company which is the supplier of the recalled frames used in the toyota tundras and tacoma's.
Three mechanics said the frame was rusted with holes and is unsafe to drive.the vehicle is not inspectable, so had to have mechanic weld steele on frame to be able to pass inspection.
Car was running perfectly. Brakes were services 6 months ago. Traveled from nc to fl for holiday. Started car maintenance light went on showed air bag indicator light with ear piercing buzzer. Went to drive car to toyota service department and had no brakes. They would work slightly but to dangerous to drive. Did not have brakes
Frame is rotting apart. Several holes and cracks
The frame of my vehicle is extremely rusted for it's age. Every component attached to the frame is overly rusted as well. It is spreading like a virus throughout the under body. I am becoming increasingly concerned about hauling, towing, or even driving my vehicle due to this rust. With only 172,000 miles, this should not be occurring. I have been keeping it in a garage for the past 5 years but as the 2nd owner it's probably too little, too late. Toyota should recall these vehicles as they did some other models.
Frameis getting large rust holes throughout entire frame.
Really bad frame rust, holes in frame, engine mounts....cracked dash board. All problems shared by many 2003 4runner owners too. I'll take more photos.. Thanks for your attention.
Took the truck for inspection it won't pass frame is rotted beyond fixing!!
Took the vehicle in to have work done on the struts and discovered that the entire frame underneath is completely rusted through and unsafe to drive. This appears to be a very common problem, but toyota still refuses to replace the frames or address the issue in any way, despite having issued a recall for other vehicles with the exact same problem. *ln *dl
Frame has rusted out.
Excessive frame rust. Multiple reports of this.
My 2003 4runner has been suffering from extremely bad frame corrosion. During a recent inspection it became clear that the frame is at failure point. Large holes have developed on the passenger side main box rail (bottom and sides). Additionally, holes have developed on front frame rails, just inside fender wells (both sides). Vehicle is no longer safe to operate. Body is in excellent condition, absolutely no corrosion at all on the body. Engine/transmission/drivetrain are all in perfect working order. This frame issue needs attention from toyota.
Extreme frame rust.car is low mileage, well-kept, and outwardly in excellent condition. Recently suffered near-total brake failure. Towed it to shop for repair.shop refused to repair brakes. They said frame was severely rusted. The rust had eaten away the point where the brake lines attached to the frame, and brake fuid was leaking from that juncture. They said if they removed the brake lines to replace them, they wouldn't be able to reattach them because there wasn't enough good frame metal to work with.they said the frame rust was so severe that they feared it could break clean through, or steering or suspension parts could break loose.they did not want to take responsibility for putting what they believed to be an unsafe vehicle back on the road.they only reason i discovered this was that the rust caused my brakes to nearly fail. Toyota has had recalls and lawsuits on identical issues involving tacomas and other truck-framed vehicles.the 4-runner is a truck-framed vehicle and should be recalled.i have photos that the repair shop sent me, but i can't send them ffrom this computer.
I heard a loud noise (scraping-dragging) from the bottom of the engine area while driving on the highwaythis was a very dangerous and scary incidentpulled over and my fiancć© checked under the engine a very large metal piece was dragging the road i did not hit a bump or anything.a body shop mechanic informed me that the chasis of the 4 runner was in extremely bad conditionthe 4runner will not pass inspection because of this conditioni respectfully request help in this matter
Excess frame rusting, holes in frame
Frame rusted out in less than 13 years on the road.
The frame is rusted out and the rear suspension mounting brackets are starting to look like potato chips. Also noticed steering components are severally rusted.
Excessive rust on the chassis. Abnormal noise noise.the metal could detach and cause accident. See pictures for details
Excessive amount of frame rust for a car that has been garage stored in mild vancouver bc climate. Frame is exact same as toyota tacoma which have known frame rust and frame rot, but not covered under the frame recall from toyota
Extensive frame rust through and rear differential/axle rust the frame rust is in an area that connects the rear axle to the vehicle.
Loud noise while driving. Upon inspection, excessive rust and corrosion to frame of vehicle found. Holes in frame larger than 2 inches.
My 2003 toyota 4 runner sr5 was swaying back and forth at speeds up to 35 mph something is wrong thinking maybe the sway bars so took itto a mechanic and after he drove it and put it up on a lift he was frightened on how much rust and separation on the frame especially the rear passenger side right next to the muffler complete separation and then you walk to the middle any day now that would have separated .i was told to to have a tow truck take it back to my house which is about two-three miles away which i did but now it sits in my garage - and with only 139,000 mile on it not able to drive or sell unless its for junk.
Extreme rust/rot throughout my 2003 4runner frame.the body, interior, powertrainare 8.5 out of 10the frame is a 0i live in new england and recently purchased the 03 4runner sr5 based off it looks. I drove the 4runner of about a month before the incident happened. I was driving on a typical new england road, fairly smooth with pot holes here and there going approximately 45 m.p.h.. Without any warning the 4runner sent the front of the truck hard left and the rear of the truck to the right. The tires were screeching and i was sent sideways into oncoming traffic narrowing missing cars and pedestrians in the area.i got the truck to "crab walk" back acrossthe road into a parking out and called a tow truck. When we got the truck home the tow truck driver and i took a look under the truck to see what went wrong. The right rear control armmount had completely separated from the frame. With the truck on ththe ground i was able to roll the rear right wheel forward and backwards about 5 inches without the vehicle moving at all.i then got under the truck and saw that the cross member under the transmission had rusted away and and what not in contact with the driver side of the truck. Also i could push holes in the the frame with my fingers around the driver/ front passenger doors. I have not driven the 4runner since and i dont have 8k+ to pay a shop to replace a frame. Toyota needs to step up and take care of its customers before someone gets killed
Frame rusting excessivly
This 2003 4runner has 85k miles on it and has severe rust on the front corners of the frame. The safety of driving this vehicle is questionable. There's also significant rust on other metal components as well. I previously owned a 2006 tundra that was recalled for severe frame rust and i know several other people that had tundras and tacomas with severe rust problems on the frame. The 4runner has a truck frame under it like the other toyota trucks and has the same frame rust issues. Why is there no recall for the 4runner?
Toyota seems to be dragging their feet in replacing the sticky dashboards as promised. Surely they are not replacing these dashboards out of pure concern for vehicle owners. They must have been pressured through the class action lawsuits and by dragging their feet may be effectively in contempt of that promise. I first heard from toyota in the spring of 2014 that i will be further contacted in the spring of 2015 about my replacement. After receiving that letter in the spring of 2015, i contacted my local toyota dealership but was not able to get an appointment until june 2015. Since then i have been waiting for them to receive the necessary parts. Surely toyota have not stopped making cars so their inability to complete their promise appears to be out of indifference. Hopefully the department of consumer protection can put more pressure on toyota to honor their promise.
Frame has severe rust. Much more than would ever be considered normal.
Frame and undercarriage rust. Rotted bolts affecting ability to have complete alignment performed. Failed wheel bearings causing loud rotational friction sounds while in motion. Rusted exhaust system causing failure and required replacement.
"takata recall". So i'm not understanding a problem with my toyota 4runner. As of yesterday there was a great amount of smoke coming from the area of the oil stick from my assumption the oil was getting on the cadillac converter. Or something that would hit something hot on the engine to cause it to smoke i'm trying to find out if there is a recall for that.
Frame rotting.4 runner garaged and short commute.very well maintained at local dealer.vehicle low maintenance. Rotting reported by toyota technician.
Upon driving our 4runner, we noticed that the brakes were completely gone. We immediately turned around and parked the vehicle. We got it to the service facility and upon inspection the entire undercarriage has excessive rust causing the rear caliper o leak which destroyed the rear brakes. The technician advised us that the brake lines will need replaced and the motor mounts and frame are severely corroded. His opinion is close to be unsafe to drive.
I've come to find out that these models and years ..... Are riddled with excessive rust.unsafe rust to the point that my vehicle will no longer pass inspection.the rust has compromised the frame where it is unsafe for my family to travel in!!! my problem was detected by my mechanic after routine service.
Frame rusting out
Frame has holes and cracks caused by excessive rust. One cross member is non functional. Has rusted through entirely.i called toyota's customer care 800 number. Was told the 3 year 36,000 mile warranty has expired. I am the original owner and the vehicle has always been garage kept. The body is in perfect condition. It has only 104,000 miles.collision repair shop looked at the frame yesterday and i was told it is a safety issue.
Rust all over the frame. There are many parts where it has ate through the frame in welds.
I took my 4runner to the dealership that is was purchased and was informed that it needs a new frame due to excessive rust/rot. I am being told that it is beyond repair and is a safety issue at this point.
My 2003 toyota 4 runner has massive frame rot. I fixed what i could, but still fighting with the problem. I know toyota recalled their pick up trucks because of frame issues, they should do the same for their 4 runners.
Excessive frame rust preventing it from passing inspection
Took 2003 4runner to dealer for alignment. Was informed that frame has rusted to point of making car unsafe to drive. No other original components have rust.
My 2003 toyota 4runner is suffering from widespread underside rust. Including but not limited to the frame, radiator support, suspension components, brake lines and tow hitch.
Everything about my toyota 4runner is in great condition except when i brought it in for an inspection i was devastated to find out that my car was no longer safe to drive due to the rust corrosion on the frame. Ever since i purchased this car at the dealership in 2003, i've always taken my car to toyota dealer services for all maintenances and yet they have failed to tell me about this rust corrosion problem until now that due to the rust is eating through the main frame and will not even pass the inspection. For the safety please have it recall and get it done the right way as for tundra and sequoia recall
We have owned the vehicle since 2010 and the frame is rusted completely thru.
The frame on my 2003 4runner has "perforations" in it's frame rails and the front cross-member is totally rotted away...this has been and issue with these suvs for years..the toyota tacoma shares the same frame/platform as the 4runner and has had similar issues, with 1 difference toyota has repaired many of them free of charge ,but has not extended these repairs to the 4runner...a $30,000 dollar 12 year old suv shouldn't have a rotted frame. I brought the truck to a toyota dealership and they said "front crossmember is rotted off. Only be held by frotn skid plate. Found a hole in frame rail drivers side by fuel tank." i was then told i would be informed when a toyota usa engineer would be able to look at it to see if they would do anything about it. I was called about a week later and told the engineer refused to look at it and would not be helping me with this matter..i then called toyota usa and explained what was going on (i have a case # they gave me) , they told me to expect a call from the dealership (where the suv was purchased & where the frame was inspected) in 2 days..that call never came....
Had this vehicle for 4 months. Low owner count, and 160k miles with good maintenance history. Noticed a slight sway at times on the road, suspected tires and/or alignment. After replacing and servicing it, it was discovered the frame is rotted out extremely bad from front to back. The passenger side frame rail is completely open on the bottom from corrosion, causing stability issues and now the vehicle is unsafe to drive.
I have had this vehicle for many years and i "know" it. I noticed that he steering wheel had a vibration albeit slight, this was something new as well as a noise i could hear under the car. I brought it home complained to my husband - he looked under the car & was appalled - the frame is so rusted he was able to stick his finger through the failing frame!i am afraid this vehicle will kill me!what if it decides to completely break at an axle or part of the undercarriage. Do i drive it and take the chance of getting hurt or killed before someone will order a recall.we can send photos if necessary as this will most certainly add validity to the concern.
I purchased my toyota new in 2003 and have had it serviced by the same dealer as per schedule. I have 300469 miles but have rusting frame even though i wash under frame on a regular basis.i have been toldby the mechanics at the dealer that is just thw nature of the make.i plan on keeping my car because it runs very well with little or no problems witb exception of rust.the tacoma of the same year was tecslled.for this same reason but not the 4 runner with the same frame
The frame on my 2003 4runner is completely rusted beyond what is reasonable and safe. I purchased the 4runner new and now i have been told by several auto repair shops the frame is not safe to drive. Some shops refuse to put the 4runner on a lift in fear the frame will break. This is a serious issue and i fear for the safety of my family. I feel this rust issue is the fault of toyota to not prep the frame to resist corrosion.
Re: 2003 4- runneri recently sold my 4-runner but want to report an incident that caused my car to crash into the side of my house causing considerable front-end damage to the car. I was maneuvering the car into its usual parking space, as i had done several hundred times before, when with my foot on the brake, the car surged forward into the side of the house. I did not report this issue at the time of the accident, but recent events have raised questions in my mind and i now believe that an acceleration issue may have been the cause of my accident.the 4-runner is not included in the recall involving floor mats or toyota's more recent spate of braking recalls.please advise.*tw
The frame of my 4runner is so so rusted that my mechanic put his finger through a piece of the frame it is so unsafe for mr and my grand children and everyone else on the road that it literally makes me sick. It'd the only vehicle i have so i have no choice but to drive it. It terrifying. It is available to inspect at anytime. I just bought this vehicle less than a year ago from a dealership and it so sad that they wld sell it to anyone knowing the frame was rusted its criminal in my opinion. It is for sure a safety hazard to everyone. I hope that this investigation proves to help get all of these 4runners off the road. So that a preventable tragedy doesn't happen.
I purchased my 4runner new.it currently has 189,500 miles.even though i keep my car inside my garage, the dashboard is cracked and sticky. I see many other complaints like this one. Toyota needs to fix this problem.
The frame in the rear of my 03 4 runner has rusted out near the rear passengers side.
The frame on my 2003 4runner is completely rusted beyond what is reasonable and safe. I purchased the 4runner new and now i have been told by several auto repair shops the frame is not safe to drive. Some shops refuse to put the 4runner on a lift in fear the frame will break. This is a serious issue and i fear for the safety of my family. I feel this rust issue is the fault of toyota to not prep the frame to resist corrosion.
Frame is completely rotted out rusted, gas tank straps are rotted/rusted. Rear sway bars are rotted off the frame. This vehicle has the same frame issue as the tacoma and sequoia frames that are on recall.
Frame is rusted out, excessive rust throughout the entire frame and suspension components. Sway bar mounts for rear axle have rusted out vehicle is unsafe to drive
Frame rusted recall :i am the original owner of this 4runner and i am told that i cannot pass inspection because the frame is rusted out.there are a number of areas of the frame that has holes rusted out and i feel the saftey of the vehicle is very much jeopardised now and toyota should recall the frame or give a credit towards a new toyota 4 runner.i would be interested in that.i can upload pictures of my frame if necessary. I created a toyota customer compliant record a few years ago and was told that toyota rejected being responsible.seems very unfairthat toyota is replacing frames from tacomas, tundras and sequioas around the same year as my 4runner and they say they are not responsible for my 4runner and anyone else's as well..i can provide this toyota compliant # if needed.
Adding my name to the list of people who have experienced excessive and premature frame rust on their 4runner, potentially causing unsafe conditions which could lead to a collision. Toyota addressed this problem for the tacoma, sequoia, and tundra of the same years, and they should do the same for the 4runner.
The frame on my 2003 toyota 4runner has severe rust damage. I have always taken great care of this truck. Regular washing, cleaning, maintenance etc... I have tried to grind off the rust, use rust inhibiting products, and undercoating without any luck. The truck is in excellent condition, but the frame is rotting away right before my eyes. I'm afraid this $37000 truck will not make it to 75000 miles. I know toyota has had recalls on the tacoma and tundra truck frames, but did not include the 4runners for some reason. The 4runner truck frames are total junk and should also be recalled. Thank you for your help in this matter.
Frame is rusted through making the vehicle unsafe and will not pass safety inspection
This vehicle is unsafe to drive due to the frame that supports the car is rusted out where the structure of the frame is compromised and the vehicle is unsafe to drive.every other component on the car is in very good working order.
Frame is rusting through where "front clip" joins side rails. Found during normal vehicle service. Vehicle deemed "safe" to use at present, but the frame will fail in the future. Vehicle was purchased new, one owner, garaged, approximately 125,000 miles, all street miles, never off-roaded.
The frame on my 2003 4runner is completely rusted beyond what is reasonable and safe. I purchased the 4runner new and now i have been told by several auto repair shops the frame is not safe to drive. Some shops refuse to put the 4runner on a lift in fear the frame will break. This is a serious issue and i fear for the safety of my family. I feel this rust issue is the fault of toyota to not prep the frame to resist corrosion.
Frame rusting out
Structuralrust to frame. Cracks and holes at welds and attachment points of suspension and steering. Frame is disintegrating under the truck, complete structural failure is imminent.
My 2003 toyota 4runner only has 79,000 miles on it and the frame has prematurely rusted with large holes throughout. The coupling between the steering shaft and the rack and pinion is completely rotted. The steering shaft was almost completely rusted through causing faulty steering. My mechanic has deemed the car unsafe to drive.
Frame and suspension attached to the frame corroded early.the attachments for therear shocks are almost corroded through.
Frame is very rusted and i feel it may becoming unsafe to drive. I recently had a recall on my 2006 toyota tacoma due to rust and the frame was replaced. My 2003 toyota 4runner has more rust than the tacoma did and would expect that it should also be recalled as was the tacoma for the extensive rust.
Excessive frame rust, especially at rear area of vehicle.body mounts disintegrating at rear.other attachment mounts (for example rear anti-sway bar) are rusting severely.rust noted 11/2/2018 when vehicle was in the air for service.
My accelerator pedal got stuck on my toyota 4runner. I believe the floor mat was involved as when i managed to pull over and stop, i pulled the floor mat away and the pedal released.
Sudden acceleration of 2003 toyota 4 runner as my wife was pulling into parking space.the vehicle jumped over a flower bed and struck two parked cars.the front end sustained approximately $2,000 in damages.
-the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner.a police report was filed for the incident. Updated 6/1/10 the consumer stated as she reached from the passengers side of the vehicle to turn the motor off, the vehicle suddenly accelerated backwards. The consumer stated she tried to run with the vehicle, but it was moving too fast. The passenger door was open and it knocked her down and she hit her head. The vehicle then went into the street and then began to accelerate forward and then the front wheel of the vehicle ran over her. Updated 06/15/10.*jp
I purchased a brand new 2003 toyota 4runner in may 2003.in one cold morning of jan. 2005, i was driving it in highway that was still covered with some snow.all of sudden, an engine check light on the dashboard was automatically turned on, followed by vsc lights, indicating that a vehicle skid control function was automatically turned off.at that point, i could not drive the car beyond 50 mph, no matter how hard or frequently i pushed the accelerator pedal.i pulled over, restarted, and re-entered the highway but had the same results.i managed to drive the car to a dealer for inspection the same day.the dealer could not find a cause and simply reset the computer controller.this seemed to have resolved the problem at that time.however, the engine check and vsc light issues resurfaced about two years later.the difference this time was that there was no acceleration issue.no inspection was made.the dashboard lights were automatically turned off after driving for about a month.in jan. 2010, those lights reappeared and have remained turned on.no impact on acceleration has been observed.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. On several occasions, while attempting to slow down the vehicle, it independently accelerated. The failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to be diagnosed at sunrise toyota north (located at 910 middle country rd, middle island, ny 11953, (631) 924-8100). The mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure or retrieve a fault code. The manufacturer was contacted and notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
The engine, vsc trac and vsc warning indicators illuminated continuously on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer. The engine 02 sensors were found to be defective. The manufacture will not replace or replace since there are no advisories on the part.there is a high risk the engine may under perform which may cause lack of control and a potential accident while driving. Leading to injury.
2003 toyota 4-runner. Consumer states vehicle surged forward.*tgwthe consumer stated while pulling into her garage the vehicle acceleratedout of control and hit a workbench. The consumer paid for the damages out of pocket.
On approximately february 28, 2012, the abs/trac control/vsc lights came on and remained lit on my 2003 toyota 4runner.i called the dealership and they said to bring it in right away.they diagnosed the car and came up with "no sensor reading?. It cost me $150 for the diagnostic test. I picked up the car and a few weeks later i brought it back for the same problem.the computer then indicated that there was a faulty o2 sensor which they replaced my cost was over $650.the next week the lights came on again.the dealership kept the car for a few days but later reported that they could not duplicate the problem.they told me that i should wait until it got worse and bring it back.i suffered with this problem for months.i say suffered because when i was in park and these lights came on, i could not shift out of park.the lights would eventually go away and allow me to drive.on 8/24 the problem became worse.i could not shift my car out of park for more than 15 minutes on over 10 different occasions.the warning lights remained lit almost constantly over 3 days.when i called to return the car to the dealership on 8/27, the service person said that she thought there was a recall associated with that issue, but then told me that there was not.later that day, they called and said that they again could not replicate the problem.after a quick internet search, it seems that many people have had the same experience that i have had on various toyota vehicles.i feel an investigation is appropriate in this instance.
We were driving along normally,the vsc, trac, abs and e-brake lights came onthe dashboard, along with an audible alarm.then we had no brakes.i had to push with all my strength just to slow down at all.we were lucky we did not crash, we could have been killed.i am finding out it is a common problem on this year and model, as well as other toyota models that use the same brake master cylinder/traction control module.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4-runner. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked when he shifted into drive and the vehicle surged forward and crashed into a curb. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the fuel jets were plugged with carbon, causing the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure had not since recurred. The failure mileage was 62,160 and the current mileage was 63,160. Updated 07/08/11updated 07/181//
Brakes failed causing me to run off the road almost rear ending another vehicle. The vsc, abs and brake lights came up on the dash along with an audible alarm. Repair shop said brakes are fine and that is a computer related problem.
I have written to you in the past but have not received any response.my daughter and i both drive 2003 toyota 4 runners.i have brought the following issue to toyota several times.i am rewriting to you especially after the lx460 recall.in snow or ice, the vehicle will spin to easy as you drive around a turn while giving it some gas.we both have spun out.i have on two occasions.it is very dangerous.my daughter hates to drive it when it is icy or snowy.my 2000 4runner never did it.my bmw z4 will not do it.some thing is wrong with the vsc logic.can you help me?
2003 toyota 4runner with 57,000 miles accelerated from 5 mph after taking a turn, to 50 mph.i pumped the brakes but the car did not slow down.i put all of my weight (i weigh 230 lbs.) on the brake pedal and after 3 or 4 seconds the car stopped accelerating.the 4runner is not on the recall list but there are many similar complaints on both the 4runner and other toyota models that are not on the recall list.toyota cannot be trusted.if you own one, sell it.if you don't then don't buy any toyota.they continue to try to hide the truth.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact while driving 60 mph, the vehicle suddenly accelerated without any warning. The contact mentioned that she was able to decrease the speed by continuously depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vin was not available. The failure and current mileage was 142,000.
2003 toyota 4runner v6 sport.on saturday i floored the gas pedal and when i let up the vehicle continued to accelerate.i pumped the brakes but acceleration continued.i applied strong continuous force to the brakes and after a few seconds the acceleration disengaged.yesterday's announcement of other non-4runner toyota models being recalled for exactly the same problem has me very concerned.is it possible that the 4runner has the same issue and should also be recalled?
I was driving normally with no issues on local streets. Suddenly the vsc,trac, and e-brake lights came on the dashboard with a very loud audible alarm.no prior issues with this system. I was able to drive slowly home on side roads (1.5 miles away).i made it to my driveway, pulled in on my upsloping driveway and then i had no brakes.pedal went all the way to the floor. I was able to get the car into the street and had it towed to the shop. I feel lucky to have had this happen at low speed and in town.there was little to no warning for a critical system failure. Diagnosis by mechanic is brake master cylinder/traction control module, at approximately $3000 to replace.i have found multiple incidents of this failure across multiple vehicle types.the lack of responsiveness upon failure (including the emergency brake) and the short window to react makes me feel lucky that i did not hit or harm myself or anyone else with this failure.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while driving 5 mph, the vehicle accelerated without any warning. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred on three occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 70,000 and the current mileage was 92,000.
Near the end of august four warning lights came on at the same time in my 2003 4runner.they were the vsc trac, vsc off, abs and brake.i scheduled an appointment with the local toyota authorized repair shop to determine and fix the problem.they looked at the vehicle and discovered significant rust and corrosion on the frame, rear axle and attached parts.i have asked for an estimate to repair, and they are unable to do so as there is so much rust, corrosion, and lack of material to work with.i am the second owner of this vehicle.the first owner, a friend of mine, had the vehicle undercoated the day after purchase, kept the car in a garage, and washed the vehicle frequently including the underside.i purchased the vehicle in february 2007 with 13,750 miles.it has also lived in a garage here.as of august 29, 2013, the date of the inspection, the vehicle had 24,005 miles.the exterior of the vehicle is in perfect condition, and the interior is the same.however, the underside is a different story.i have contacted toyota and received this response."there are no known issues or current recalls relating to body and frame rust issued for your vehicle...your vehicle is out of warranty, and we would be unwilling to offer you any compensation for any repairs to the vehicle.while we understand your dissatisfaction with this decision, it does represent toyota's final position in this matter."
The vehicle would rev itself up to a high rpm, from a stopped position when i stepped on the gas the vehicle would go in reverse.the dealership eventually replaced the transmission only after the manager borrowed it overnight and experienced it himself, but i have noticed the problem beginning again.another problem is the radiator leaking and needed to be replaced (i was told it had the wrong kind of antifreeze; it was green and it needs a red kind???).when replacing this i was notified that my front brakes were paper thin and needed to be replaced this repair cost me almost $2000.another problem is the rear window trim has shrunk.i also had the sunroof replaced after owning the vehicle less than two years.the brake light on the rear hatch does not work as well as the rear wipers (also when i hooked a trailer to it the electrical system seems to be messed up because the trailer lights will not work; went to autozone and tested the trailer and it is fine).the vehicle is starting to act funny again, the engine revs itself to high rpms (this is not the automatic tranny because it happens when it idles as well).the last incident was when i pulled out from a street parking spot and as soon as i put it in drive the vehicle stalled and we lost all power, when i pressed the gas pedal it was as if it was in neutral yet i triple checked and it was in drive.all of the sudden it acted normal and drove about 10 feet then it happened all over again.i also have the rotten egg smell (sulfur?) which is sporadic.of course the dealer always says they can find nothing wrong, nothing is coming up on the computer.luckily no injuries have occurred as of yet but i feel it is only a matter of time before i am on the highway and it decides to play these games.very disappointed in quality of this vehicle, especially since i purchased it because of the reputation.
Vehicle has a low gear sound which began when vehicle was relatively new as i travelled down slight grades. I never complained because that wasthe only time it seemed abnormal and there are only a very places in my town where the hill was steep enough to cause it. Plus i assumed it was related to the trac braking system and might be normal. Last weekend on a 5 hour trip each way the problem began to manifest itself as i accellerated on flat ground. The tachometer showed low rpms (under 2000) until 50-60 mph. However the sound was much more noticible with some additional vibration.the vibration is now worse,could it be a speed sensor problem? [xxx]information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
The check engine light came on and the vsc trac turned off, the day after the light came on and the traction turned off...the toyota 2003 4runner flipped over. The vsc traction should not be turned off when a check engine light comes on because it provides the necessary stability of the vehicle that a suv needs no matter what is wrong with the car. The car is now totaled and one passenger still suffering from injuries from the accident.
I was at a complete stop.right after i let my foot off the brake, the car lunged forward violently.it was a traumatic experience.i don't know if this was an isolated incident, will it happen again or is this common?also, shortly after i took ownership of my car, the paint started to peel on the rear hatch below the license on the left, where there are somewhat sharp angles.toyota repainted the rear hatch, excluding the spoiler.i just noticed two rust spots above the rear window.it appears water is seeping in from above the black strip and ponding on thr bottom of it (above the window), resulting in rust.i am wondering if this is common or a problem because the black strip was removed to repaint, or wasn't sealed as well by the factory?
The driver's side sun visor of my 2003 toyota 4runner broke and hangs down, partially blocking my visibility.the plastic portion of the shaft the visor connects to is chipped and is not holding the visor in place.
The contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. While attempting to lower the front driver side window, the contact heard a popping sound as the glass became stuck midway and did not move up. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 112,000.
Toyota installed a sunroof that had known design defects in the 2003 4runner, the first model year of the 4th generation 4runner. The sunroof would eventually stop working, and the drainage tubes in the sunroof would clog and back up. This would cause water to rain down on the head of the driver and front seat occupants during acceleration or a sudden stop. Toyota has known about the sunroof issue since at least 2006, and had issued multiple toyota service bulletins on the assembly without initiating a recall.
Moonroof rattle.i did nothing wrong and it started to rattle
Sunroof broke in open position. Cost $1600 to repair. Car was purchased in february 2006.
Please visit this site and you find over 600 complaints regarding toyota's wheels corroding. Http://www.nuckleslaw.com/software-negotiations-expert/toyota-alloy-wheels-bubbling-toyota-quality-concerns/comment-page-12/#commentsi'm an owner of a 2003 4runner and have researched the issues involving the paint on the wheels peeling. I have found that it is an issue with several, if not all wheels that toyota uses on their 4 runners and other trucks. Why does toyota continue to sell and use a wheel when they know it is defective, and why aren't they correcting the problem by issuing refunds, or repair services? the defect leads to the wheel being corroded and eventually compromises the integrity of the wheel's strength. The safety of the wheel is a big concern of mine, especially since the problem continues to get worse. Sincerely, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
This vehicle has accumulated a scary amount of rust on the underbody.i took it to a local toyota dealership and they told me it probably wasn't safe to have my kids riding in this vehicle because of the amount of rust on the suspension.
Frame and undercarriage rust. Rotted bolts affecting ability to have complete alignment performed. Failed wheel bearings causing loud rotational friction sounds while in motion. Rusted exhaust system causing failure and required replacement.
While traveling southbound on i-85 in north carolina at mile marker 51.4 , at 65 mph the left rear tire sidewall exploded causing a near accident. The tires had been on the vehicle less than two weeks as they were replaced as a four tire set, they were all new tires. Apparently there is a problem with the sidewalls with these tires. I googled this sidewall blowout and there have been over 198 cases of cooper tires with sidewall blowout.the tire brand is copper tires, model- cooper discoverer a/t 3 265/70 r 16dot- utc2 1a6 4716date code- 2013
I'm an owner of a 2003 4runner and have researched the issues involving the paint on the wheels pealing.i have found that it is an issue with several, if not all wheels that toyota uses on their 4runners and other trucks.why does toyota continue to sell and use a wheel when they know it is defective, and why aren't they correcting the problem by issuing refunds, or repair services?the defect leads to the wheel being corroded and eventually compromises the integrity of the wheel's strength. The safety of the wheel is a big concern of mine, especially since the problem continues to get worse.sincerely, [xxx]information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
My entire vehicle is rusted out completely and is not in driveable condition.
Frame and under parts are rusted
I purchased this 4runner in march, 2015. I began to notice a vibration in the steering wheel at 63mph. I thought it was brakes, i had brakes and rotors surfaced on 3/12/15. Still vibrating! so i figured it was a simple balancing issue, i took it on the same day to have it balanced. It started vibrating and shaking worse! i had the same mechanic re-balance and rotate the wheels/tires. It road the same. They turned me to the toyota dealership because they have the road enforce balancer. I took it to toyota to have them test drive first, they claimed it was indeed out of balance. Toyota balanced. I drove it and it was shaking like a leaf at 32-70mph. I had toyota re-balance again! i drove it again and it remained worse. They informed me that they didn't know what else to do. I left thinking that it was my wheels and or my tires because in my mind toyota knows best! i went to where the tires were bought, tires are 3 months new. They informed me that this same 4runner had been brought in by the previous owner with the exact same issue. They pulled the wheels off and pulled me aside to show me how excessive the balancing weights were on each rim and some all the way around rim (toyota's doing). They balanced using the haweka, it drove better but still vibrating at 32-70mph. They re-balanced again, still same issue. They used a different set of wheels and balanced again, same issue. They installed my original wheels back on and re-balanced again, same issue! they checked hubs, bearings, alignment, brakes, rotors, boots, axle and everything checks out. I have invested nearly 4 days and $300 in locating the issue. I have done research and so many toyota 4runner owners are complaining about the same issue. I am clueless and don't know what else to do. I am running out of patience and money! please help!
My dash is cracked from drivers side to passenger side and it appears to be kind of melting. When i am driving over 50mph and my back window is down it makes an horrible noise but the dealership says its fine not
I have a 2003 4 runner with only 102375 miles and the rims are crumbling away like chalk.these should not do this, it has to be defective materials and should be recalled before someone is hurt or worse. Toyota is aware of this problem and will be responsible and they need to recall and fix their mistake.
Frame is completely rusted out. Steel is literally falling off from the rust and my suspensions are completely shot and exposed due to rust.
Read more
