2002 Toyota 4Runner Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE TECHNICIAN OBSERVED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED OUT AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. A LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

I HAVE A 2002 4 RUNNER AND PUT ALMOST $2,800.00 IN IT LAST YEAR FOR A NEW REAR END, NEW TIRES, BECAUSE I FELT IT STILL HAD A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF LIFE LEFT IN IT, ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THE FRAME HAS 2 HOLES IN IT FROM EXCESSIVE RUST. THE DEALERSHIP I TOOK IT TO INFORMED ME THAT THEY WERE CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING FRAMES FOR 2003 - 2009 MODELS. WHEN I ASKED ABOUT THE 2002 MODELS, THEY STATED THAT TOYOTA DOES NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE 4 RUNNERS. MY QUESTION IS "HOW DO I FIND OUT IF THE 2002 FRAMES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH THE SAME MATERIALS THAT THE 2003 MODELS WERE MADE OF?" I REALLY WANTED TO HAND THIS CAR DOWN TO MY DAUGHTER. SHE NEEDS A CAR AND WITH THE CURRENT SITUATION OF THE FRAME, THERE IS NO WAY I CAN LET HER DRIVE THIS IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION. PLEASE HELP!!!

THE FRAME ON MY 4RUNNER IS COMPLETELY RUSTING. HAD TO GET IT SPOT WELDED TO PASS INSPECTION. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON 3RD GENERATION 4RUNNERS. PLEASE HELP.

I HAVE OWNED MY 2002 4RUNNER SINCE I BOUGHT IT NEW IN 2002. AROUND 8,500 MILES A YEAR, AND SOMEHOW MY FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. THIS IS NOT NORMAL, AND NOW IT WON'T PASS INSPECTION AND IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. TOYOTA BOUGHT THE FRAMES FROM A THIRD PARTY IN JAPAN WHICH DID NOT COAT THESE FRAMES PROPERLY. WE UNDERCOATED THE CAR FOR 5 YEARS AFTER BUYING IT, AND YET RUST STARTED SHOWING UP AROUND 2009. WE HAVE TAKEN CARE OF THE CAR, EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE FRAME IS PERFECT AND CLEAN. TOYOTA IS KNOWINGLY LETTING 3RD GENERATION 4RUNNERS DRIVERS DRIVE THEIR CARS EVEN WHEN THEY'RE UNSAFE. THEY NEED TO INSTITUTE A BUYBACK OR FRAME REPLACEMENT PROGRAM. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NOW, BECAUSE WE CAN'T DRIVE OR SELL THE VEHICLE, YET EVERYTHING RUNS PERFECTLY.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE MAIN FRAME WAS RUSTING ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 209,000.

WHEN TAKEN TO THE LOCAL AUTOMOTIVE SHOP THEY FOUND THE FRAME HAS ROTTED OUT IN MANY PARTS OF THE FRAME. CAB FRAME MOUNTS ARE ALSO ROTTED. IT WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. THE FRAME IS READY TO SNAP OFFF. THANK THE LORD THE SHOP FOUND THIS BEING THREE OF MY FOUR KIDS RIDE IN IT EVERYDAY TO SCHOOL.

FRAME RUST. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE "FRAME IS ROTTED-SAFETY ISSUE-WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION". THIS 4RUNNER HAS ONLY BEEN EXPOSED TO AREAS OF MILD SOUTH EAST PENNSYLVANIA WINTERS AND THE UNDERCARRIAGE WAS WASHED REGULARLY AFTER EVERY SNOW AND ROAD-SALTING EVENT. 4RUNNER IS TRASH AFTER ONLY 12 WINTERS. 4RUNNER WAS IN STORAGE FOR 04/05 WINTER AND THERE WAS NO SNOW IN 15/16.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, THE TECHNICIAN FOUND SEVERE CORROSION ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

I VISITED A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE (OIL CHANGE) AND INSPECTION OF 4 WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RAISED ON THE LIFT, THE SERVICE ADVISOR ASKED ME TO JOIN HIM AND THE SHOP MECHANIC IN THE SERVICE BAY WHERE I WAS SHOWN THAT THE FRAME / CHASSIS OF THE VEHICLE HAS RUSTED THE POINT WHERE IN THEIR OPINION IT WAS NO LONGER SAFE TO OPERATE. AFTER CLOSE INSPECTION, I HAD AGREED WITH THEIR ASSESSMENT. AN ONLINE SEARCH FOR A RECALL NOTICE WAS PERFORMED, BUT NONE WAS FOUND. OTHERWISE, THIS VEHICLE IS IN METICULOUS CONDITION WITH NO BODY DAMAGE OR RUST OR ANY MECHANICAL PROBLEMS.

MY 2002 4RUNNER'S FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH IN MANY PLACES. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AND TOYOTA SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM. THEY HAVE YET TO RECALL THE 4RUNNERS BUT, HAVE RECALLED THE TACOMA AND SEQUOIA. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO DO THIS REPAIR. I AM BURIED IN DEBT FROM A HEART TRANSPLANT AND THIS IS JUST UNACCEPTABLE. I THINK PEOPLE WILL DIE FROM THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE RESPOND SO I HAVE SOME INFORMATION PLEASE. THANKS, [XXX] COLUMBUS, OHIO INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

FRAME IS BADLY RUSTED OUT. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 80,000 MILES

FAME DETERIORATING PREMATURELY,SKID PLATE THAT PROTECTS FUEL TANK SHOWED SIGNS OF RUST. AFTER INSPECTING FOUND ROTTING FROM INSIDE OUT.WHEN REPLACING IN MAY OF 2014,FOUND THAT STRAP THAT HOLDS FUEL TANK RUSTED COMPLETELY AWAY,TWO BOLTS FROM THE RUSTED SKID PLATE ONLY THING HOLDING FUEL TANK IN PLACE.SAME CONDITIONS EXIST OVER ENTIRE FRAME,RUST FALLS OFF IN SHEETS WHEN FRAME IS TAPPED ON WITH HAMMER.BROUGHT MY CONCERNS TO DEALERSHIP IN JAN.OF 2015 OF RUST ISSUE, THEY INFORMED ME NOTHING WOULD BE DONE.

FRAME CRACKED/RUSTED DEALERSHIP REPORTED THAT THE FRAME (RIGHT REAR) WAS CRACKED.... CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

MY 2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER HAS A COUPLE QUARTER SIZED RUST HOLE ON THE REAR RIGHT SIDE OF THE FRAME. LOCATED ON THE INSIDE NEXT TO THE EXHAUST MUFFLER. THE ENTIRE REST OF THE FRAME IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION, IT'S WEIRD TO ME THAT JUST THIS PARTICULAR SPOT IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH, THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD AND I KNOW TOYOTA SHOULD STEP UP AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. I READ ONLINE MOST PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM IN THE SAME EXACT SPOT. SEEMS LIKE A DEFECT IN THE FRAME. I'M HOPING TO HAVE TOYOTA COVER THIS INCIDENT. THANKS FOR READING. BRANDON

FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH ON RIGHT SIDE FROM MIDDLE OF THE FRAME TO JUST OVER THE REAR AXEL. THERE ARE LARGE HOLES AND RUSTED SLOTS THAT ARE OVER 10 INCHES LONG DAMAGE STARTS BEFORE THE REAR SUSPENSHION SUPPORT AND CONTINUES TO THE OTHER SIDE AND THE SIDE WHERE THE RUST HAS CAUSED HOLES AND LONG SLOTS THE WHOLE FRAME CAN BE SQUEEZED EASILY WITH YOUR HAND.

HELLO. I PURCHASED A 2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LIMITED EDITION LAST FALL IN PENNSYLVANIA. THE CAR HAD PASSED THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE INSPECTION WITH PASSED VALIDATED INSPECTION TAGS IN THE FRONT WINDOW. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC, WELDER AND BEECHMONT TOYOTA (CINCINNATI OH) AND THE CONSENSUS IS THE CAR NEEDS THE CAR FRAME REPLACED. THE CAR FRAME HAS RUST HOLES AND IS RUSTED ALONG WITH A RUSTED UNDERCARRIAGE. THE INTEGRITY OF THE CAR IS COMPROMISED, BECAUSE THE CAR FRAME HAS RUSTED HOLES IN IT, CRITERIA THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE PASSED PA STATE INSPECTION. IT DOES NOT HAVE A SAFE CAR FRAME. I WAS SOLD A VEHICLE THAT PASSED PA STATE INSPECTION AND THE CAR HAD HOLES IN THE RUSTED CAR FRAME.THE SALES GUY WHO SOLD ME THE CAR, SAID THAT THE CAR HAD PASSED STATE INSPECTION IN WHICH THE STICKER IN THE WINDSHIELD SHOWS. I RESEARCHED THE STATE INSPECTION CRITERIA AND I THINK IT IS 5A AND 5III THAT REFERENCE CHECKING THE CAR FRAME. PENDOT DID NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR FAILURE OF APPROVING THE STATE INSPECTION. I ASKED FOR MY MONEY BACK ($6,200) FROM THE CAR SALESMAN PLUS I HAD TO PAY ABOUT $500 OHIO TAX AND WAS TOLD THAT IT HAD PASSED PENNSYLVANIA STATE INSPECTION AND THEY WOULD NOT REFUND MY MONEY. THIS CAR HAS A RUSTED DAMAGED FRAME WITH HOLES AND NEEDS TO BE OFF THE ROAD AS IT'S DANGEROUS. I AM ASKING FOR MY MONEY BACK, AND I'LL RETURN THE VEHICLE AS IT SHOULD NOT HAVE PASSED PENNSYLVANIA STATE INSPECTION. THANK YOU. *TR

THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE IS ROTTING OUT WITH RUST. THE 4RUNNER HAS NEVER BEEN IN SNOW AND HAS BEEN TAKEN WELL CARE OF AND THE FRAME IS STILL ERODING AWAY WITH RUST AT AN UNNATURAL RATE. THIS ISSUE MUST BE ADDRESSED FOR THE SAKE OF SO MANY UNAWARE OWNERS!

2002 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER SR5, 98,000 MILES. ALWAYS DEALER SERVICED. THIS WILL BE MY LAST STATE NYS INSPECTION AS I WILL BE UNABLE TO HAVE THE TRUCK INSPECTED IN 2015 DUE TO BODY FRAME ROT, NEED TO INCUR COSTS TO REPLACE BODY FRAME. TRUCK IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION WITH THE EXCEPTION OF FRAME ROT. HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE BUMPER, THE GAS TANK SHIELD AND HAVE BEEN TOLD FRONT OIL PAN SHIELD NEEDS REPLACING AS DEALER CAN NOT PERFORM OIL CHANGE, DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA WAITING FOR A REPLY. *TR

FRAME RUSTED THROUGH. THERE IS A HOLE IN FRAME BECAUSE OF RUST.

FRAME RUSTED UNDER 4 RUNNER AND ON BUMPER TOLD BY PERSON WORKING ON SWAY BAR LINKS. STATED EXCESSIVE RUST ON FRAME AND REAR AXLE.

I WAS HAVING SERVICE WORK DONE AT TOYOTA ON MY 2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER AND THE SERVICE MANAGER BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THE VEHICLE'S FRAME WAS RUSTING THROUGH, NEAR THE MUFFLER AND THE FRAME WOULD EVENTUALLY FAIL. HE SAID WAS A KNOWN DEFECT BUT NO RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE TOYOTA TACOMA HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THE TACOMA. THE RUST HOLES IN THE FRAME POSE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE HAD SEEN OTHER 4RUNNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND EVEN SUGGESTED TO THOSE OWNERS THAT THEIR VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRAILING ARM WAS CORRODED AND THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

THERE IS EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE FRAME RAILS WHICH SUPPORT THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE THUS WEAKENING THE CRITICAL SUPPORTIVE COMPONENTS. THIS CREATES A POSSIBLE DANGEROUS SITUATION WHICH MAY GO UNNOTICED UNTIL FAILURE OCCURS. THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM WITH OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED FOR THE 4RUNNERS. *TR

MY VEHICLE IS A 2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SE5 WITH 112,080 MILES. I HAVE SEVERE FRAME RUST ON THIS VEHICLE. HOLES THOUGH FRAME ON RIGHT SIDE AND FRAME TO REAR AXLE IS COMPLETELY BROKEN TO RIGHT SIDE OF ATTACHMENT AT DIFFERENTIAL AXLE. TOYOTA HAS RECALLED THE U.S VERSION OF THE TACOMA TRUCK WHICH IS THE SAME FRAME, ETC. AS THE 4RUNNER BUT NOT THE 4RUNNER WHICH IS MADE IN JAPAN WITH THE SAME ISSUES. THIS VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE AND TRUTH BE KNOWN UNDRIVEABLE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. TOYOTA 4RUNNER FORUM IS FULL OF THESE 3RD GENERATION 4RUNNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. TOYOTA NEEDS TO STEP UP AND ADD THE 3RD GENERATION 4 RUNNER TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ON THE TACOMA, TUNDRA AND SEQUOIA VEHICLES. *TR

FRAME RUSTED THROUGH AT LOWER CONTROL ARM AREA. TOYOTA HAS HAD RECALLS FOR OTHER MODELS FOR RUSTED FRAMES BUT NOT ACKNOWLEDGING 4RUNNER FRAME ISSUES THAT ARE DANGEROUS. *TR