1998 Toyota 4RUNNER body problems

STRUCTURE:BODY

The frame is rusting out and broke while driving. The frame is almost totally destroyed from rust . The rear started swinging violently but luckily got it stop without crashing. The entire frame is a joke. I can't believe it hasn't been recalled STILL. The body is in perfect shape but a frame that can snap at any moment....I thought Toyota put safety first?

NHTSA complaint #11493158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

CRITICAL FRAME RUST CAUSING TRAILING ARMS TO DETACH UNDER NORMAL USE.

NHTSA complaint #11377826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM MOUNTING BRACKET THAT IS WELDED TO THE FRAME HAS RUSTED AND COMPLETELY FRACTURED OFF OF THE FRAME. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP LIGHT ON A CITY STREET AT NORMAL SPEEDS. I FELT AND HEARD A LOUD POP, THEN HAD SEVERE REAR END INSTABILITY WHILE DRIVING, REQUIRING ME TO "LIMP HOME" TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #11373711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

RUSTED FRAME. HOLE RIGHT THROUGH IT. CAN'T SELL, REGISTER OR DO ANYTHING WITH IT. CAR HAS 188K MILES, DRIVES LIKE A TANK, AND HAS YEARS LEFT IN IT, BUT NOT WITH A RUSTED OUT FRAME. NO ONE SHOWED IT TO ME BEFORE I TRIED TO SELL IT. I HAVE OWNED FOR 7 YEARS, 2ND OWNER.

NHTSA complaint #11338847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE FRAME HAS RUSTED OUT AND THE SWAYBAR HAS BROKE LOOSE FROM THE FRAME.

NHTSA complaint #11323412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE FRAME OF MY VEHICLE IS RUSTING OUT TO THE POINT OF BEING UNSAFE. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 68K MILES. THE REAR TRAILING ARM BRACKET HAS A HOLE INSIDE

NHTSA complaint #11286337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

REAR PASSENGER SIDE SWAY BAR ATTACHMENT RUSTED THROUGH AND SNAPPED FROM FRAME. AND ON OTHER SIDE SWAY BAR LINK SNAPPED. IN ADDITION THE FRAME NEAR IT IS ROTTING AWAY. NOTICED IT WHILE DRIVING IT WAS SWAYING BADLY. IN ADDITION THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL UNLATCH OCCASIONALLY WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #11220136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

CAN NOT GET INSPECTION BECAUSE OF FRAME RUSTED

NHTSA complaint #11210412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

WHILE ON A CITY STREET WITH A 45MPH SPEED LIMIT, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED THE BACK END OF THE CAR STARTED TO FISHTAIL TO THE SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DISCOVERED THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE HAD RUSTED AND BROKE WHERE THE REAR CONTROL ARM TO THE DRIVER SIDE REAR AXLE ATTACHED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN WELL MAINTAINED BY THE ONLY OWNER AND THE BODY IS IN NEAR EXCELLENT CONDITION WITH NO ACCIDENTS.

NHTSA complaint #11191774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

MY 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER FRAME IS COMPRISED AND DEEMED UNSAFE AND UNDRIVABLE DUE TO SEVERE FRAME RUST. I HAD TO REMOVE IT FROM THE ROAD SINCE THE BODY ROCKS ON THE FRAME AND IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA complaint #11156503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

SENT MY VEHICLE FOR SAFETY INSPECTION AND IT WAS FAILED. BADLY RUSTED FRAME WAS SITED AS ONE REASON.

NHTSA complaint #11155392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

TAKEN MY 4RUNNER FOR ANNUAL MAINTENANCE AND MY MECHANIC FOUND EXTREME RUST DAMAGE ON LEFT REAR FRAME SUPPORT. ADVISE ME IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO A 2 1/2 FOOT LONG RUST HOLE IN THE FRAME. PICTURES ATTACHED. CHECKING TO SEE IF TOYOTA HAS IMPLEMENTED RECALL ON YOUR DEFECTIVE FRAME MATERIAL. IT LOOKS LIKE THE RUST ISSUE HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR MANY YEARS.

NHTSA complaint #11120077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

LEFT BALL JOINT BROKE WHILE DRIVING AFTER IT WAS SERVICED AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THEN THEY TOLD ME MY FRAME WAS RUSTED AFTER THEY INSPECTED IT. I HEARD THERE WAS A RECALL ON RUSTED FRAMES.

NHTSA complaint #11114286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST OPEN HOLES AND CRACKS OVER TIME.

NHTSA complaint #11109497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

WAS TOLD BY LOCAL DEALER, WHO HAS SERVICED THIS TRUCK SINCE PURCHASED, IN MARCH 2018, THAT THE FRAME HAD RUST THROUGH AND WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I HAD HEARD OF THIS COMMON PROBLEM WITH OUR TACOMA. THE DEALER HAD NEVER PRESENTED US WITH THE OPTION OF REPLACING OR BEING BOUGHT OUT OR BUYING AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE FRAME. WE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS AN OLD TRUCK, BUT GIVEN THE LOCAL DEALER NEVER TOLD US OF ANY POTENTIAL PROBLEM, WE WERE UNAWARE OF ANY POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEMS. IN FACT, JUST A YEAR EARLIER THE WE HAD THE TRUCK IN FOR BASIC SERVICE (OIL CHANGE), AND TOLD THE SERVICE REP THAT MY WIFE WAS PLANNING A 1,000 TRIP AND ASKED IF THE TRUCK WAS OKAY FOR THE TRIP, AND WAS TOLD IT WAS FINE - HOW IT BEEN FINE A YEAR AGO, WHEN THIS YEAR THE FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH. IPLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

NHTSA complaint #11088918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

MAJOR ISSUE WITH FRAME RUST. IT NOW HAS A 6 INCH HOLE IN MY FRAME. VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. I HAVE CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING

NHTSA complaint #11084588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

DURING A STATE INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE I WAS MADE AWARE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO BE ON THE ROAD. THE ENTIRE FRAME RUSTED OUT FRONT TO BACK. YOU CAN EVEN STICK YOUR HAND INSIDE THE HOLLOWED OUT FRAME.

NHTSA complaint #11065666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK ONLY 20 DAYS AGO. I HAVE BEEN LOYAL TO TOYOTA ALL MY LIFE AND MY FAMILY TOO. THE TRUCK APPEARED TO BE IN IMMACULATE SHAPE. HOWEVER AFTER ITS 3RD DRIVE I NOTICED A SWAY WHEN LETTING OFF THE ACCELERATOR. I TOOK IT TOYOTA AND THEY DEEMED IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE ENTIRE FRAME IS ROTTED OUT. I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AND IS VERY DANGEROUS CAUSING THE FRAME TO BREAK AND PEOPLE WRECKED. TOYOTA NEEDS TO RECALL THESE 3RD GEN 4RUNNERS. SEEING AS HOW THEY RECALLED EVERY OTHER MODEL FOR THE SAME ISSUE EXCEPT THE 4RUNNER.

NHTSA complaint #11065701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

I OWN A 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER THAT I BOUGHT FROM A TOYOTA DEALER IN 2001, AFTER ABOUT THREE TO FOUR YEAR LATER, I STARTED TO NOTICE RUST SHOWING UP ON THE REAR BUMPER AND ALSO UNDER NEATH THE VEHICLE SO I BOUGHT A GALLON OF RUST PROF PAINT AND STARTED TO COAT BENEATH THE TRUCK WITH THE HOPE TO STOP THE RUST FROM TAKING OVER THE VEHICLE. WELL THE LONG AND SHORT STORY IS I HAVE FINALY LOST THE BATTLE AFTER REPLACING REAR BUMPERS,TWO REAR SHOCKS AND A MUFFULER SYSTEMS. I WAS TOLD TODAY THAT MY 4 RUNNER IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I WILL INCLUDE SOME PICS AND LET YOU DECIDE WHAT HAPPEN.

NHTSA complaint #11034149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

WHEN TO GET INSPECTION STICKER AND FAIL BECAUSE FRAME HAD HOLES ON UNDERCARRIAGE AND ALSO ON THE CHASSIS

NHTSA complaint #11030571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

FRAME IS LOADED WITH HOLES BODY PANELS ARE PERFECT. CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND WILL NOT PASS SAFETY INSPECTION. WITH ONLY 80,000 MILES

NHTSA complaint #11012928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

BADLY RUSTED FRAME, BY MECHANIC UNSAFE TO DRIVE IT. STARTED MAKING NOISES UNDER THE CAR REASON WHY I TOOK TO THE MECHANIC.

NHTSA complaint #10984586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CHASSIS AND CONTROL ARM WERE ROTTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA complaint #10956538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

AFTER MULTI-POINT INSPECTION, DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE "FRAME IS VERY RUSTED AND IS ROTTING OUT WHERE REAR SUSPENSION MEETS FRAME. DO NOT RECOMMEND TO DRIVE."

NHTSA complaint #10938653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

FRAME RUSTED OUT AND REAR AXLE SUPPORT DETACHED FROM FRAME WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SWAY UNCONTROLLABLY ALMOST ROLLING OVER. FOUND THAT MANUFACTURER HAS RECALL ON TRUCKS WITH SIMILAR FRAME FOR RUST ISSUE, BUT NOT THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS OR DEATHS.

NHTSA complaint #10936518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

EXTENSIVE UNDER BODY FRAMES SCALY RUST AND WITH SPECIFIC SERIOUS DAMAGE TO REAR STRUTS BASE. WHOLE PIECE SUPPORTING STRUT BASE BROKEN COMPLETELY BROKEN AROUND AND SUNK IN CREATING LOUD NOISE WITH THE LIST IMPACT. I HAVE SEVERAL PICTURES AS PROOF.

NHTSA complaint #10929820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 161,000.

NHTSA complaint #10928399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT BEFORE WOBBLING VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE FRAME WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000.

NHTSA complaint #10895292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE FRAME OR THE CHASSIS AND ALL AROUND IT ARE HEAVILY CORRODED THAT I WAS ADVISED BY THE INSPECTOR AND THE TIRE PLACE (COSTCO) WHERE I BROUGHT THE CAR FOR TIRE REPLACEMENT NOT TO DRIVE IT AS IT IS UNSAFE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE TOYOTA TACOMA OF THE SAME YEAR WITH THE SAME KIND OH CHASSIS WAS RECALLED BY TOYOTA. MY QUESTION IS WHY NOT DO THE SAME FOR THE 4RUNNER?

NHTSA complaint #10875597 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

I OWN A WONDERFUL 1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LTD SPORT VEHICLE. THE FRAME IS DISAPPEARING DUE TO SEVERE RUST. THE HEAT SHIELD HAS WORN AWAY, AND NOW MY FEET GET VERY HOT AFTER JUST 20 MINUTES OF LOCAL DRIVING. HAVE HAD IT CHECKED BY A GARAGE, NOTHING FUNCTIONALLY WRONG WITH MY SUV.

NHTSA complaint #10871289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.