Toyota 4Runner Complaints (2003)

696 consumer complaints on file.

#11431046August 30, 2021
STEERING, SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:BODY
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11430563August 25, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11427604August 3, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11427020July 29, 2021
SERVICE BRAKES, STRUCTURE:BODY, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11424180July 10, 2021
SUSPENSION, SERVICE BRAKES, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11423734July 7, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
Car inspection at a service center revealed advanced rusting of the frame. I was told this could be dangerous.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11423754July 7, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11421552June 20, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
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 couldn’t repair it without doing the crossmember section and all. The driver side is not at bad but doesn’t look to hot. The crossmember where the radiator sits is also starting to completely rot away
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11421560June 20, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I heard a loud noise (scraping-dragging) from the bottom of the engine area while driving on the highway This was a very dangerous and scary incident Pulled over and My fiancé 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 condition The 4Runner will not pass inspection because of this condition I respectfully request help in this matter
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11421097June 16, 2021
SERVICE BRAKES, STEERING, SUSPENSION
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. There’s no reason 4runner should be overlooked for the same issue as the other full frame trucks.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11420694June 12, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
Frame rusted to the point the shop won’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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11420283June 9, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11416446May 13, 2021
POWER TRAIN, SUSPENSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11415229May 5, 2021
SUSPENSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11414592April 30, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
I HEARD THERE'S AN INVESTIGATION ON THESE FRAMES SO MINE IS ROTTING AWAY
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11414418April 29, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* 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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11414020April 26, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11413582April 23, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION
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 HAVE ATTACHED A PICTURE OF THE BROKEN AREA, BUT CAN SEND MORE PICTURES OF THE ENTIRE FRAME IF NEEDED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11407015April 8, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11406900April 7, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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