2003 Toyota 4Runner power train problems

“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.”

“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,…”

“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.”

“VEHICLE IS RUSTING AWAY. FROM THE INSIDE. VERY EVIDENT WHEN THE TOYOTA SPECIALIST WHO WORKS ON THE 4RUNNER HAS TO SERVICE IT AND WORK ON IT. THEY HAVE TAKEN PICTURES AND ARE SUPPLYING US WITH THEM. THEY ARE A NORTH CAROLINA SAFETY INSPECTOR AND CONCERNED ABOUT THE VEHICLE IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE'S STEERING IS AFFECTED AND OVERALL ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE ALONG WITH THE FRAME HOLDING THE VEHICLE PARTS IN PLACE. WE HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER THAT DOESN'T HAVE ISSUES LIKE THIS ONE. IT HAS SOME RUST BUT NOTHING LIKE THIS. STARTED NOTICING IT IN 2016 AFTER IT HAD REPAIRS DONE WHERE YOU COULD SEE THE INSIDE OF THE BOTTOM AND FRAME PARTS. *THIS 4RUNNER WAS BUILT ON THE TACOMA CHASSIS THAT WAS RECALLED. THIS 4 RUNNER NEEDS TO BE FIXED FOR IT TO BE SAFE. MY SON DRIVES THIS VEHICLE. WELL, HE DID. I CAN'T LET HIM NOW. HE HAS NO VEHICLE. THE PICTURES ARE DISTURBING! ALL OF OUR CARS ARE OLDER AND NEVER HAVE WE HAD AN ISSUE LIKE THIS. THE 2003 4RUNNERS ARE AFFECTED.”

“VEHICLE WAS MAINTAINED AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR OVER A DECADE BEFORE BEING INFORMED THAT VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO HOLES FORMING THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE FRAME ASSEMBLY FROM CORROSION. FURTHER RESEARCH SHOWES THE FRAME OF THIS VEHICLE RESEMBLES THAT OF THE TOYOTA TACOMA AND TUNDRA MODELS WHICH WHERE RECALLED DUE TO EARLY AND UNSAFE CORROSION LEADING TO COMPONENTS TO DETACH FROM FRAME WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION WHICH CAN LEAD TO SERIOUS LIFE HAZARD. FRAME AND VEHICLE WERE ALSO MANUFACTURED IN OHIO DANA COMPANY WHICH IS THE SUPPLIER OF THE RECALLED FRAMES USED IN THE TOYOTA TUNDRAS AND TACOMA'S.”

“THERE IS EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE UNDERBODY OF MY 2003 4RUNNER. IT HAS JUST 165,000 MILES AND THE FRAME IS EXTREMELY RUSTED. BEING ONLY 15 YEARS OLD I FIND THIS TO BE VERY SAD AND UNREASONABLE. THE CAR SHOULD BE ABLE TO LAST 20-30 YEARS AND 300,000 MILES. THE CAR HAS BEEN REGULARLY WASHED AND DRIVEN IN PENNSYLVANIA, ILLINOIS, OHIO, NEW YORK. IF THERE WAS ADDITIONAL TREATMENT REQUIRED FOR THE FRAME IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COATED, OR AT THE VERY LEAST NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS TO MAKE SURE THEY DO IT. THESE CAR SHOULD LAST MUCH MUCH LONGER AND AS EXPENSIVE AS THE 4RUNNERS ARE THEY SHOULD LAST.”