2005 Toyota 4Runner Structure

IN NOVEMBER 2011, NISSAN RECALLED MY PATHFINDER DUE TO RUST CORROSION THAT COULD CAUSE THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE. NISSAN BOUGHT BACK MY PATHFINDER, AND I USED THE MONEY TO PURCHASE MY 2005 4RUNNER. I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT MY 4RUNNER HAS A CORROSION ISSUE AS WELL. I HAVE ALSO DISCOVERED THAT TOYOTA KNEW OR SHOULD HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE CORROSION ISSUE WITH ITS 2005 4RUNNERS AT THE TIME I PURCHASED MINE IN NOVEMBER 2011, YET I WAS NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT THE ISSUE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE FROM THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP OR AT ANYTIME SINCE I'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE. I WILL NOT BE DRIVING MY 4RUNNER, AS IT POSES A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK. IS THERE A PARTICULAR REASON WHY THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION IS TAKING SO LONG WITH ITS CURRENT INVESTIGATION CONCERNING COMPLAINTS OF FRAME CORROSION WITH RESPECT TO 2005 4RUNNERS?

FRAME RUSTING AND I HAVE RUST HOLES IN FRAME

WE RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE SALE AND WHEN THE MECHANIC LOOKED AT IT THERE IS A SEVERE AMOUNT OF RUST MAKING IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THIS IS NOT "NORMAL" RUST AND WE DO NOT WANT OUR 16 YR OLD DRIVING SOMETHING THAT COULD BREAK AT ANYTIME. I BELIEVE THAT THIS VEHICLE FALLS INTO THE LAWSUIT CATEGORY, FOR UNREASONABLE RUSTING. TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE TO FIX A FRAME, REGARDLESS OF AGE, IF THEY PUT BAD PARTS ON IT AND THE RUSTING ISN'T ALWAYS DETECTED IN THE EARLIER LIFE OF THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT BECOMES "UNSAFE".

THE AMOUNT OF RUST ON THE FRAME IS GETTING QUITE WORRISOME. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND RECALL WITH THE TACOMA, SEQUOIA AND TUNDRA, SO WHY NOT THE 4-RUNNER? THERE ARE HOLES STARTING TO FORM AND METAL FLAKES OFF ALL THE TIME. IT HAS GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS A LEGITIMATE SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

WE JUST HAD OUR 2005 TOYOYA 4RUNNER IN FOR THE YEARLY INSPECTION AND WERE TOLD THAT IT WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION NEXT YEAR AS THE FRAME IS RUSTED AND CORRODED OUT. WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED IN 2017 FROM A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND WHEN COMPLAINED ABOUT IT AT A ROUTINE INSPECTION WAS TOLD IT IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. WE ALSO HAVE A 2000 LEXUS 300 NO RUST ISSUES WHAT SO FOR A VEHICLE 5 YEARS OLDER. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND EVEN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST TOYOTA REGARDING RUSTING FRAME ISSUES WITH THE TOYOTA 4RUNNERS 2005-2011. OUR MECHANIC EVEN CALLED TOYOTA ABOUT THE FRAME RUST AND ISSUE AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. NOW I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THAT A VEHICLE OF THE AGE AND MILES(141,809) WILL HAVE ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE FIXED AND REPLACED, BUT TO HAVE THE FRAME RUST OUT AND IT IS NOT GOING TO PASS INSPECTION THE FOLLOWING YEAR! THAT IS RIDICULOUS! WE STILL OWE ON THE PERSONAL LOAN FOR THIS VEHICLE! PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE!

I HAVE RUST THROUGH AREAS ON THE FRAME OF MY 2005 4RUNNER NEAR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE FRAME IS FLAKING AND PEALING AT THIS LEVEL. THE INTEGRITY OF THE FRAME IS COMPROMISED TOYOTA RECALLED TACOMA AND SEQUOIA FOR SIMILAR ISSUES BUT NOT 4RUNNER I LIKE THIS TRUCK BUT I DOESN'T SEEM SAFE DRIVING IT

MORE THAN ONCE A MECHANIC WORKING ON MY TRUCK SAID THERE IS EXTENSIVE RUSTING OF MY FRAME. I TREATED THE FRAME TWO YEARS AGO WITH RUST INHIBITOR AND 3M UNDERCOATING. THAT WAS THE SECOND TIME I UNDERCOATED MY TRUCK. I KNOW TOYOTA HAD A RECALL FOR THE FOR RUSTED FRAMES, THE SETTLEMENT COVERED TACOMA TRUCKS FROM THE MODEL YEARS 2005 THROUGH 2010, SEQUOIAS FROM 2005 THROUGH 2008, AND TUNDRAS FROM THE 2007 AND 2008 MODEL YEARS BUT THEY EXCLUDED 4RUNNERS. THERE SEEMS TO REALLY BE AN ISSUE WITH THE MATERIALS USED. I AM WORRIED THE FRAME WILL BREAK BEYOND REPAIR SINCE THERE IS NO GOOD METAL TO WELD TO.

I HEARD A BANGING FROM THE REAR END SO I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE FRAME IS TOTALLY CORRODED AND IS NOW A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE HAD TO TAKE IT OFF THE ROAD AND NOW I AM WAITING TO SEE IF THE RECALL WILL INCLUDE MY VEHICLE LIKE IT DID WITH THE TACOMA, TUNDRA, AND SEQUOIA SAME WHICH THE YEAR OF MY VEHICLE IS INCLUDED.

2005 4RUNNER IN REALLY GOOD SHAPE EXCEPT FOR FRAME RUST. THIS CAR WOULD EASILY HAVE GONE ANOTHER 100K WITH A STRONG DRIVETRAIN AND INTERIOR IN GREAT SHAPE. WAS BROUGHT IN TO DEALER FOR MAINTENANCE AND WHEN THE TECH PUT IT ON THE LIFT HE SAW THE RUST DAMAGE. CALLED AND EXPLAINED THE ISSUE AND SUGGESTED THIS WAS NOT SAFE FOR THE ROAD. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT IF BY CHANCE IT WAS NOT AT THE DEALER. RUST IS SERIOUS ENOUGH TO HAVE FRAME BREAK AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. SO I GO FROM A RELIABLE GREAT VEHICLE TO A PIECE OF JUNK THAT CAN'T BE DRIVEN. THIS ISSUE SHOULD DEFINITELY BE COVERED AND REPAIR BY TOYOTA, AS TOYOTA IS FAMOUS FOR RUST ISSUES!!! THERE'S NO QUESTION THE FRAME WAS NOT COATED PROPERLY. RUST THIS SEVERE FOR A 2005 YEAR CAR IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. TOYOTA SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND FIX THIS CAR.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND PIECES WERE FALLING OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED ROUTE 22 TOYOTA (LOCATED AT 109 US-22, HILLSIDE, NJ 07205, (855) 691-0898) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DOWLING TOYOTA OF LITCHFIELD (451 BANTAM RD, LITCHFIELD, CT 06759, (860) 567-0815) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.*CW *DL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA OF BROOKFIELD (20655 W CAPITOL DR, BROOKFIELD, WI 53045, (262) 236-7992) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.*DT *TR*DT *TR*DT CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HAS BEEN SITTING BY HIS HOUSE SINCE IT WAS DETERMINED IT COULD NOT BE DRIVEN.*JB*LN*JB

EXCESSIVE RUST AND CORROSION ON FRAME. FRAME HAS SEVER RUST AND HOLES. FRONT LOWER FRAME SUPPORT HAVE RUSTED OUT AND NO LONGER STRUCTURALLY STABLE. EXCESSIVE CORROSION ALONE ENTIRE FRAME RAIL FRONT TO BACK. GAS TANK RETAINING BELTS/STRAPS RUSTED OUT COMPLACENTLY, NO LONGER SECURING GAS TANK TO VEHICLE.

2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LIMITED, EXCESSIVE FRAME CORROSION/ROTTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHEN THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO OURISMAN CHANTILLY TOYOTA (4135 AUTO PARK CIR, CHANTILLY, VA 20151, 703-832-4827) TO BE SERVICED, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRAME HAD EXTENSIVE RUST DAMAGE. DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE RUST, A HOLE FORMED IN THE FRAME. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DANGEROUS TO OPERATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 55 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SWERVE BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE LANES AND WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO CORRECT. ONCE I PULLED OVER I LOOKED UNDERNEATH AND THE FRAME IS EXTREMELY CORRODED AND THE LOWER CONTROL LINK SUPPORT ON THE RIGHT REAR OF THE VEHICLE HAD COMPLETELY CORRODED AND BROKE. I HAD THE SHOP LOOK AT IT AS WELL AS MYSELF AND THE FRAME HAS SEVERAL HOLES AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME IS FALLING APART AND IS BEYOND REPAIR DUE TO THE RUST/CORROSION. IT IS ONLY AFFECTING THE FRAME AS THE ENTIRE REST OF THE VEHICLE IS IN GREAT WORKING ORDER AND CONDITION.

FRAME RUST AND FAILURE. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE PATCHES PUT IN.

CORRODED AND RUSTY FRAMES ON MOST OF THESE YEAR TOYOTA 4RUNNERS, INCLUDING MINE.

EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST. HAS HAD EXCESSIVE DECOMPOSITION AND ROTTING IN THE VERY FRONT FOR SEVERAL YEARS. NOW NOTICING ROT WITH LARGE HOLES NEAR CRITICAL STRUCTURAL SUPPORT NEAR REAR AXLE, SPRING AND SHOCK ATTACHMENT POINTS. TOOK TO LOCAL WELDING SHOP TO SEE ABOUT PATCHING THE AREA NEAR THE REAR AXLE AND WAS ADVISED TO STOP DRIVING THE VEHICLE SOON AS THE FRAME'S INTEGRITY IS AT RISK. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. WELL TAKEN CARE OF VEHICLE, ALWAYS GARAGED AND ROUTINELY WASHED.

HI, I OWN A 2005 4RUNNER AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE HEAVY AMOUNT OF RUSTING ON THE FRAME. THE FRAME IS RUSTY WHICH IS CAUSING HEAVY FLAKING OF THE AFFECTED MATERIAL. THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE IS PRISTINE BUT I FEAR THAT THE PREMATURE RUSTING OF THE FRAME WILL AFFECT THE ABILITY TO SAFELY DRIVE MY 4RUNNER IN THE FUTURE. I AM A SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER WITH TWO YOUNG DAUGHTERS AND DON'T HAVE THE INCOME TO GO OUT AND REPLACE THE FRAME OR BUY A NEW VEHICLE. THIS 4RUNNER IS THE ONLY VEHICLE I OWN AND IS MY DAILY DRIVER. MY STUDENTS AND THEIR GUARDIANS DEPEND ON ME TO ARRIVE SAFELY TO SCHOOL EVERYDAY SO THERE IS CONSISTENCY IN MY STUDENTS' LIVES. I HAVE SEEN MANY 4RUNNERS IN THIS AGE RANGE SUFFER FROM THIS SAME CORROSION. I AM CONCERNED THAT MY FAMILY WILL BE INJURED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT OR THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY MECHANISMS FAILING BECAUSE OF FRAME DAMAGE. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT I WILL LOSE MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTING MYSELF TO WORK. I AM A HUGE FAN OF TOYOTA, ESPECIALLY 4RUNNERS, AND WANT TO KEEP MINE AROUND FOR A LONG TIME. KEEPING TOYOTA VEHICLES AROUND FOR A LONG TIME IS WHAT THE COMPANY WAS BUILT UPON.

FRAME RUST

FRAME RUST: THE AMOUNT OF RUST IS SUBSTANTIAL. I HAVE OLDER TOYOTA VEHICLES WITH THE FRAMES IS MUCH BETTER CONDITION. I AM METICULOUS WHEN IT COMES TO MAINTAINING AND DETAILING MY VEHICLES. I THOROUGHLY HOSE DOWN THE UNDERSIDE OF MY 4RUNNER AFTER LONG DRIVES TO DRIVE TO PRESERVE THE FRAME, THOUGH I FEEL AS IF IT IS TOO LATE. I ALSO HAVE A 2010 TACOMA THAT THE FRAME WAS SERVICED AT NO COST TO ME. I AM A LOYAL TOYOTA CUSTOMER AND WOULD LOVE TO MAINTAIN MY 4RUNNER AND KEEP IT ON ROAD FOR MANY MORE YEARS.

THE FRAME ON MY 4RUNNER IS SEVERELY RUSTED AND PIECES OF IT IS FALLING OFF. THE FRAME RIGHT BEHIND THE FRONT WHEELS HAS SEVERAL HOLES WHICH ARE ABOUT 3" BY 5" ON THE BOTTOM AND SMALLER ON THE SIDES. THERE ARE TOW HOOKS ON THE FRONT PART OF THE FRAME AND ONE HAS RUSTED OFF AND THE OTHER ONE IS ABOUT READY TO FALL OFF. NOTHING WAS EVER HOOKED TO THEM. THE RADIATOR CORE SUPPORT IS RUSTING AWAY AND WILL NOT LAST MUCH LONGER. I FEEL THAT THE FRAME IS DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO COLLAPSING AND PUTTING MY FAMILY AT RISK OF SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH.

WHILE THE TRUCK WAS IN FOR INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE. UPON REMOVING THE FRONT SKID PLATE TO ACCESS THE OIL FILTER, WE FOUND MAJOR FRAME RUST / ROT / HOLES IN FRAME ON PASSENGER SIDE UNDER FRONT SKID PLATE. THE CROSS MEMEBER WHICH HOLDS THE FRONT AXEL AND SUSPENSION IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. THE VEHICLE IS UNDRIVABLE AT THE MOMENT AND WILL NEED COSTLY REPAIRS TO EVEN COME OFF THE LIFT.

THERE IS SIGNIFICANT FRAME RUST AND I AM CONCERNED IT WILL RESULT IN FRAME FAILURE AND A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE REST OF THE VEHICLE IS IN GREAT SHAPE AS IT HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND GARAGE KEPT. IT ONLY HAS 135,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE VIEWED THE SIGNIFICANT CONCERNS ABOUT THIS ISSUE ON THE WEB ALONG WITH THE NHTSA INVESTIGATION INTO THIS ISSUE. UNFORTUNATELY AT THIS TIME TOYOTA IS STILL REFUSING TO FIX THE ISSUE. WHAT LIABILITY DOES TOYOTA HAVE IF THE FRAME FAILS AND IT RESULTS IN A SERIOUS INJURY? I FIRST NOTICED THE ISSUE IN 2017 BUT DO NOT KNOW HOW LONG IT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE YOU HAVE TO BE UNDER THE CAR OR SEE IT ON A LIFT TO UNDERSTAND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ISSUE.