2004 Toyota 4Runner power train problems

“2004 Toyota 4Runner SR5 - Frame rust: currently not drivable due to complete breakage from the rust. Driving 2 hours home on the highway I almost lost control, pressing/releasing the brake and/or gas pulls the steering side to side and sways the truck (fish tail) due to damage from the frame rust/breaking. There is no control of the rear end. Truck was in great condition prior to the frame snapping. Vehicle has been inspected by multiple mechanics (including Firestone, Welding/fabricating Auto Repair shops and small owned mechanic shops), possibly won’t be able to weld due to the amount of rust. Firestone won’t perform any service if the vehicle needs to go in the air (tires, oil..etc) due to frame rust. This has been a huge problem with Toyota, they addressed other models around the same year but excluded the 4Runner for unknown reasons. The dealership will not address the issue unless instructed by corporate. This problem jeopardized my safety and the safety of others around while I was driving at highway speeds, there was no warning when it occurred. Vehicle is available for inspection any time, as it currently is not going anywhere without a tow.”

“TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT IN MOTION LEAVING FROM A STOP SIGN. I LATER FOUND OUT MY TRANSMISSION LINES HAD CORRODED AWAY LEAKING A LARGE AMOUNT OF TRANSMISSION FLUID. AFTER REPLACING BRAKES AND ADDING BRAKE FLUID I NOTICED THE BRAKE FLUID HAD LEAKED FROM BOTTOM. I HAD TO REPLACE ALL BRAKE LINES AND FITTINGS DUE TO CORROSION.”

“EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST. REPLACED COMPLETE REAR END IN 2013. TOLD BY HYANNIS TOYOTA THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE RUST. THE REAR END IS NOW RUSTED OUT AGAIN IN 2019 AND NEEDS REPLACING. IN APRIL 2019 COULD NOT HAVE SUSPENSION REPLACED UNTIL FRAME WELDING WAS COMPLETED. ADDITIONAL WORK OF CUTTING OUT REAR UPPER TRAILING ARM BRACKETS AND WELD IN PLACE AND FABRICATE FUEL TANK STRAP MOUNT AND WELD IN PLACE. COMPLETE FRAME AND UNDERSIDE OF THIS VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. WE HAD THIS WORK DOWN BECAUSE THE GAS TANK WAS FALLING OUT AND WE COULD NOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE.”

“TAKATA RECALL FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED. CAUSING ALL THE UNDERCARRIAGE TO RUST OUT AND MAKE THE VEHICLE VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. EVEN THE BODY IS STARTING TO RUST AWAY. ONLY HAS 116,000 MILES ON IT WHICH IS CRAZY.”

“TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO RUSTED TRANSMISSION LINES. LEADS UP TO FINDING OUT THAT FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. UNABLE TO FIX IT DUE TO FRAME RUST. SUSPENSION ARE OF FRAME RUSTED AS WELL...BARELY HOLDING ON. TRAVELING FROM TN TO PA WHEN ALL THIS HAPPENED.”

“PARTS OF THE VEHICLES EXTERIOR AND INCLUDING FRAME AND SUBFRAME COMPONENTS ARE EXCESSIVELY RUSTED. PARTS ARE OF THE SUSPENSION AND OTHER HARD PARTS ARE HAVING TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION.”