Toyota 4Runner Complaints (1997)

261 consumer complaints on file.

#10633382September 15, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY, POWER TRAIN, SUSPENSION
I HAVE A 1997 4RUNNER THAT IS CATASTROPHICALLY RUSTED THROUGH THE FRAME AND HAS BEEN A DANGER SINCE PURCHASING. THE AMOUNT OF RUST HAS COMPLETELY EVAPORATED MY INVESTMENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10630703September 4, 2014
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
1997 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER FRAME ROT AND RUST: I NOTICED RUST DEBRIS IN MY DRIVEWAY. I INSPECTED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE INSIDE OF DRIVER-SIDE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY ROTTED WITH EXTENSIVE RUST ALONG ENTIRE LENGTH OF ADJACENT FUEL TANK. HOLES LARGE ENOUGH TO PUT FOUR FINGERS IN AND CRUMBLE. IT IS CLEAR THAT THE ROT HAS ALMOST GONE ENTIRELY THROUGH THE FRAME AS THERE ARE SEVERAL SMALL HOLES ON OUTSIDE OF FRAME AS WELL. THE RUST HAS ALSO SERIOUSLY COMPROMISED THE WELD SEAM ON THE SUSPENSION COMPONENT ATTACHED TO THE FRAME. RUST AND ROT OF THIS SEVERITY ON THIS VEHICLE IS ISOLATED ONLY TO THIS AREA OF THE FRAME. THE REST OF VEHICLE FRAME SHOWS TYPICAL SURFACE RUST AS EXPECTED WITH AGE OF VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10629946September 1, 2014
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SWAY BAR BROKE OFF FROM CHASIS. UPON EXAMINATION FROM OUR MECHANIC, IT IS DETERMINED THAT THE WHOLE CHASIS IS RUSTED. IT IS NOT REPAIRABLE AND I HAD TO SELL TO THE JUNK YARD. COULDN'T BELIEVE TOYOTA WOULD USE SUCH A CHASIS ON A 30K SUV. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10611097July 16, 2014
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
I HEARD A NOISE TOWARD THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, SO I TOOK IT TO THE GARAGE TO HAVE IT CHECKED. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE LEFT REAR FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED INTO AND THE FRAME ON THE RIGHT SIDE WAS ALMOST AS BAD. I WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT HOME AND PARK IT BEFORE A BAD ACCIDENT HAPPENED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10608290July 5, 2014
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
FOUND CLUNKING SOUND FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE AND FOUND CHASSIS RUSTED THROUGH IN SEVERAL PLACES. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP CONTACTED AND SAID VEHICLE NOT AFFECTED BY ANY WARRANTY OR RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10593735May 23, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED AS HE REPLACED THE FRONT TIE ROD HE NOTICED THE REAR SUBFRAME AREA AND THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM WERE SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 144,216. RK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10586746May 6, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY
ORIGINAL OWNER, BOUGHT NEW. KEPT VEHICLE VERY WELL MAINTAINED WITH REGULAR INSPECTIONS ON A LIFT AND NO EVIDENCE OF FRAME RUST OR OTHER PROBLEMS. THEN ON ABOVE DATE AN INSPECTION SHOWED MANY SPOTS OF RUST ON THE FRAME - IT HAD BEEN ROTTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. MULTIPLE BODY EXPERTS SAID IT WAS TOO FAR GONE TO REPAIR AND NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. FORTUNATELY IT DID NOT FAIL WHEN MY FAMILY AND I WERE ON THE HIGHWAY, POTENTIALLY KILLING US AND ANYONE AROUND US. TOYOTA CUSTOMER "EXPERIENCE" REPS REFUSED EVEN TO ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM - AND I ESCALATED THIS AS FAR AS I COULD. THEY HAD NO ANSWER FOR WHY THEY BOUGHT BACK TACOMAS, TUNDRAS AND SEQUOIAS (WHICH HAVE THE SAME FRAME) BUT DID NOT EVEN ISSUE A MAINTENANCE ADVISORY FOR THE 4RUNNERS. IF THEY WON'T PAY ATTENTION TO THIS, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD FORCE A RECALL. THE REST OF THESE VEHICLES ARE BUILT WELL AND THE FRAME MAY WELL FAIL FIRST, WHICH NO ONE EXPECTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10584966April 25, 2014
SUSPENSION, STEERING, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
REAR FRAME IS RUSTED BADLY WHERE THE REAR SUSPENSION CONNECTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10573904March 20, 2014
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:BODY
HAVING COMPLAINED ABOUT A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE FOR QUITE SOME TIME TO THE TOYOTA DEALER, I WAS SOLD A NUMBER OF REPAIRS OVER THE LAST 15,000 MILES, INCLUDING REAR STABILIZER LINKS AND REAR SHOCKS. HOWEVER, THE NOISE PERSISTED. AFTER SPENDING HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS ON REPAIRS, I HAVE NOW DISCOVERED THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE PORTION OF THE FRAME IN THE AREA UNDER THE REAR SEAT HAS TOTALLY ROTTED AWAY AND THE LOWER REAR CONTROL ARM WELDMENT IS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE FRAME, LEAVING THE VEHICLE UNSTABLE (SWAYING SIDE TO SIDE) AND UNSAFE. THE DEALERSHIP NEVER ADVISED ME OF ANY PROBLEM, LEADING ME TO SPEND THE MONEY ON THESE OTHER REPAIRS. THIS FRAME DESIGN HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED AS A PROBLEM BY TOYOTA A FEW YEARS BACK. TOYOTA PROVIDED RELIEF FOR THE SAME ISSUE ON THE TACOMA. OBVIOUSLY THE 4RUNNER SUFFERS THE SAME PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE EVALUATED AS THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10572601March 15, 2014
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
THE VEHICLE HAD A BAD MUFFLER IN IT SO I TOOK INTO TO THE MUFFLER SHOP AND AS THEY FIXED THE MUFFLER THEY FOUND THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME OF THE CAR IS RUSTED OUT. THERE ARE SEVERAL HOLES IN THE FRAME. I DRIVE MY CHILDREN IN THIS CAR EVERYDAY ( 4 YEARS OLD AND 1 YEAR OLD) CAR IS NOT SAFE AND I AM CURRENTLY OUT A VEHICLE AND CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER ONE. STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT A SOLUTION. THE ENTIRE FRAME IS DAMAGED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10566643March 1, 2014
SUSPENSION
VEHICLE DEVELOPED SERIOUS REAR END SWAY WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS IN ROAD. LOUD POPPING NOISE WAS HEARD IN THE VICINITY OF THE REAR AXLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. UPON INVESTIGATION IT WAS OBSERVED THAT THE FRAME RAIL HAD RUSTED THROUGH IN SEVERAL AREAS. ADDITIONALLY THE FRAME HAD RUSTED AWAY FROM THE LOWER TRACK ARM MOUNTING PLATE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE RESULTING IN FORWARD AND BACKWARD MOVEMENT IN THE MOUNTING PLATE. THE VEHICLE IS OTHERWISE VIRTUALLY RUST FREE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10563636February 10, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY
RUST. THE FRAME HAS ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH, AS HAS THE REAR FENDER. 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER WITH MAJOR RUST ISSUES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10563519February 8, 2014
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
EXTENSIVE RUST ON FRAME AROUND WELD OF THE CONTROL ARM OF THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL. THIS CAUSED THE CONTROL ARM TO DETACH MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT APPEARS THERE ARE QUITE A FEW COMPLAINTS ABOUT FRAME RUSTING FOR TOYOTA 4RUNNERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10558356January 3, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 175,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10557339December 26, 2013
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY CLOSE TO HOME WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED SWAYING. PULLED OVER AND BEGAN TO DRIVE SLOWLY ON SIDE OF ROAD, NO TRAFFIC, TIL I GOT HOME. SHOP OWNER SAID FRAME BROKE ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE. TRUCK IN GREAT SHAPE, NOBODY EVER GAVE ME AN INDICATION SOMETHING WAS WRONG UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. I COULD HAVE POSSIBLY CRASHED IF GOING FASTER AND MORE TRAFFIC, I WAS VERY LUCKY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10550732November 4, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WAS BEING PERFORMED, HE WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO VERIFIED THE DEFECT AND STATED THAT THE CONDITION OF THE FRAME WAS SO SEVERE THAT IT WAS UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10548221October 17, 2013
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 20 MPH AND NOTICED AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR SWAY BAR OF SUB FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,500. ...UPDATED 11-18-13 *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10522571July 1, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, HE HEARD A CRACK. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE FRAME HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION . THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10511769May 13, 2013
SUSPENSION, STEERING, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE UNDERSIDE OF THE BODY IS FINE BUT THE FRAME IS ROTTED. THERE ARE HOLES RUSTED THROUGH IN MULTIPLE SPOTS INCLUDING SUSPENSION MOUNTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10510357May 2, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY
FRAME IS RUSTING OUT ALONG FULL LENGTH. THE OUTSIDE LOOKS FINE IN MOST PLACES BUT THE INSIDE IS FLAKING OFF. IF YOU HIT IT WITH A HAMMER IT WILL GO RIGHT THROUGH AND MAKE A HOLE. I HAVE SEEN MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON TOYOTA 4RUNNER FRAMES ON INTERNET SITES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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