Toyota 4Runner Complaints (2003)

696 consumer complaints on file.

#11474448July 18, 2022
STEERING, SUSPENSION
Stabilizer bar connecting the axle to the frame rusted off. I was driving only 25-30mph at the time, luckily. The vehicle swayed violently almost causing an accident and nearly forcing me off the bridge I happened to driving over. Very fortunate no one was hurt and nothing was damaged from the incident. You can imagine the tragedy if that had happened on the highway driving 75mph! Major accident, innocent lives damaged or lost. This is a very dangerous vehicle not only to the driver and passengers but also to anybody that happened to be innocently in the path of an out of control Toyota 4runner. Toyota Please fix this, for your safety and everyone else on the highway. People should be warned!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11470783June 23, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
So much rust has developed the frame is literally giving out. Toyota admitted to a rust issue- it’s now a safety issue with this generation of 4Runner. They did a recall on the same frame for Tacoma but not 4Runner.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11463988May 10, 2022
POWER TRAIN, STRUCTURE:BODY, ENGINE
The frame of the car has been rusting at a significant rate in the last 4 years. Mechanic identified major rust issues that would make the vehicle not safe in case of an accident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11460830April 15, 2022
POWER TRAIN, SUSPENSION, ENGINE
The rust and corrosion underneath the vehicle continually gets worse year after year. The main components of vehicle relating to the engine, powertrain and suspension underneath vehicle are corroded; holes exist in the frame of the truck through out. The frame of truck is rotted due to not being sealed properly during the manufacturing process. Due to the rust and corrosion on the frame of truck, it is impossible to get work done on exhaust and muffler areas. I will send pictures for your reference. This makes driving a safety concern for myself and my son. At this time, I am unable to purchase a new car and do not have money to replace/fix the frame of truck. Inevitably, this problem will get worse and may cause a safety concern for myself and others on the road. I called Toyota on 4/12/22 and was told that there is not a recall for this issue and that any repairs would have to be paid by me. I then proceeded to call the number given to me by the representative to call 800-331-4331 for the Toyota Corporate office. I spoke to Blake who gave me the same answer, there was not a recall on this vehicle for rust/corrosion on the frame of vehicle. At this time, Toyota charges $150 just to check car and unfortunately, I don't have those funds to pay such a fee. I asked Blake if there was a way, Toyota can check without charging a fee and his answer was no. Currently, there is not any warning lights on, but with increased time and pressure of exhaust pipe and muffler will create more problems. I cannot have the exhaust system fixed until the frame of truck is replaced. My car was checked by an independent shop.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11459345April 2, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
I have two 2003 Toyotas, a tundra and 4runner. The 4Runners frame is rusting out everywhere including the welds. My mechanic said it was getting to the point that it’s dangerous to drive and if it was in a wreck the frame would likely fail under the stress. My tundra frame from the same year is immaculate. I believe the are similar frames. This is obviously a defect in the production based on my readings and is very common. The investigation was opened in 2018 and its now 2022, when will this get addressed!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11458884March 29, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
Frame has major rust holes towards the front inside next to the catalytic converters. Hoping to get them repaired before frame failure. The frame design is similar to the 2005 to 2015 Tacomas, which experienced similar issues with rust damage causing frame integrity issues. Toyota had a program to replaced those frames, but not for the 4Runners. The issue seems to be caused by certain factory openings in the frame that allow road salt to enter into the frame cavity, and cause the inside to rust. Being next to the catalytic converter, the heat accelerates the rust. On my 4Runner, the issue has gotten worse in the last 2 years. I cannot understand why Toyota covered all other trucks/suvs that use this similar frame but ignored the 4Runner.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11458230March 24, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
The frame on my 4Runner is rusting through in multiple locations. The rear of the frame has already failed and a trailer I was pulling dragged on the road heavily as it failed. Definitely at risk of caving in long before the engine or transmitoo fails.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11448877January 25, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The frame on my vehicle is rusting prematurely. It's doing this on many other 4Runners and other Toyota trucks.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11448879January 25, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The frame has rusted out. It has many large holes throughout and will not pass State Inspection and is deemed unsafe.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11439856November 9, 2021
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated while his wife driving 60 MPH with the cruise control activated, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle rapidly started to accelerate. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle and parked on the side of the road. The driver was able to restart the vehicle and drive to her destination. The contact stated that in October 2021 his wife experienced a similar failure. The contact also stated that on 11/8/2021 while his wife driving 55 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle accelerated quickly. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver depressed on the brake pedal with both feet and shifted gear to neutral to slow the vehicle. The driver stated she saw smoke coming from both front brakes. The drive was able to park on the side of the road. The driver stated that the brake pedal was seized on the floorboard. The driver stated she applied the parking brake to release the brake pedal. The driver was able to drive to her residence. The contact stated that his wife had experienced the failure on 3 different occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The VIN was associated to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V113000 (Vehicle Speed Control) and NHTSA Campaign Number: 03V146000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 240,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11439132November 2, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
The frame of the vehicle is rusted to the point my fist can fit through a hole in the frame.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11437422October 19, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
The frame on the vehicle is rusting out. If not repaired, serious injury could occur if the frame breaks. A compromised frame could cause serious injury if an accident occurs. The driver side main frame has a gaping hole on the inside and another hole forming underneath that is in close proximity to the larger hole. The entire back cross bar member supporting the bumper is rusting out as well as the front cross bar member. The vehicle was inspected in July 2020 and the dealership said the frame was OK and had plenty of life left in it. After getting a muffler installed at a local independent shop in October 2021, the hole grabbed the attention of the technician. After inspecting, rusty flakes kept falling away.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11435309October 3, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
Extreme frame rust. The vehicle has extreme frame rust and Toyota should be held accountable for poor quality frame material. I have heard tons of stories of other peoples steering components snapping due to rust and frame damage.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11434215September 24, 2021
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:BODY
I own a 2003 Toyota 4Runner with very low mileage for its age. It has been garage kept for most of its life. I was experiencing difficulty steering, and when I took the car to a mechanic, it was determined that the frame was prematurely rusted and rotted to a dangerous level putting my life at risk while driving it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11434037September 23, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
The frame is rusted very bad and it’s a major safety issue for this type of vehicle I don’t know when it’s going to fall apart. I am sure I am not the only one to have this problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11433476September 18, 2021
SUSPENSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have not actually had an incident yet, but have been advised by the Toyota service team that I should no longer tow trailers and should consider not driving it at all due to frame rust/perforation in front of the rear control arms. This has been a well cared for vehicle that is in otherwise great shape (It has had every repair the dealership has ever recommended) the vehicle was bought per the dealerships claim that it could be driven "forever" as long as the dealership takes care of it. And now I'm faced with a massive expense to repair or replace the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11433481September 18, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY, STEERING
Vehicle frame and suspension components are completely rusting out. Having issues with the corroded steering column lower shaft not allowing the vehicle to turn properly.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11433249September 16, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, SUSPENSION
The main rust issues are claims arising out of a pending class action lawsuit pleadings’ that the Toyota Manufacturer perform at no cost inspections, in addition to dire emergency needed replacement of including my 2003 Toyota 4Runner frame because of premature rusting of the undercarriage-my vehicle’s frame due to improper treatment against rust corrosion during manufacturing-inadequate rust protection, which has lead to severe excessive rust corrosion significant enough to affect structural integrity, compromising the vehicle’s safety, stability & crash-worthiness, & poses a dangerous risk.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11432719September 13, 2021
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while driving at limited speeds of 45 mph, the vehicle would wobble and swerve and was very unstable. The vehicle was taken to a Certified Auto Mechanic Shop and an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the failure was caused by severe rusting, perforation and corrosion of the rear subframe and suspension system. The vehicle was also driven to Muffler Shops in Bladensburg, MD on 8-20-2021, and on 10 -22-2021 to Hyattsville Toyota's Certified Toyota Collision Center for Repair Estimates of $4,000.00 and $7,268.00. The vehicle frame manufactured by Dana Holding Corporation which really requires fixing or replacing was not yet repaired. The Toyota manufacturer and local dealer Global Auto Outlet were notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 1 85,000. The used vehicle was purchased from Global Auto Outlet in Temple Hills, MD for $9,552.24 on 8 -1-2019 with 175,000 miles on the odometer. The windshield had a crack in it, the air conditioning & emergency brake didn't work. The Complainant hadn't noticed the perforated excessive rust corrosion on the undercarriage of the vehicle until numerous months afterwards. Moreover, at the time of the purchase the Owner also didn't notice that the spare tire carrier was rusted, as well as undiscovered that the wrong size 265/65/17 spare tire it was held in was perforated and flat. After the purchase of the vehicle shortly later, the exhaust tailpipe rusted broke first and the muffler had to be replaced which costed $258.79. The Owner was nervously forced to operate a more than unsafe motor vehicle for up to 6 months.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11432386September 9, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The frame is rusted beyond repair and is dangerous to drive. The frame cross members are rusted through. One cross member that supports the transfer case is about to fail and would cause the transfer case to drop out of the bottom of the truck causing a catastrophic failure and possible accident. The vehicle cannot be driven. The problem is unrepairable. The truck has to be junked. The problem was brought to my attention by the Toyota Service Rep during a routine service appointment. The rust appeared several years ago but not to this extent.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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