1998 Toyota 4RUNNER suspension problems

SUSPENSION

The rear end suspension is sagging on my vehicle. When I look up the VIN number on the nhtsa website it says that there is not a recall, but when I look up my vehicle by year it says that all vehicles of this year should be recalled for rear suspension repair/check. I called usa toyota and they said that they could not send the ticket to my local toyota dealership to for repair because my vehicle was imported from japan to canada. I have tried calling canada toyota but they have not picked up their phone. Reaching out to determine if the nhtsa can help with getting my vehicle suspension checked/repaired. Below is the message/link I receieved from NHTSA when I looked up my car's production year. ----- [XXX] January 18, 2002 NHTSA Campaign Number: 02V021000 TOYOTA/REAR SUSPENSION THIS MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. NHTSA Campaign Number: 02V021000 Manufacturer TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC. Components SUSPENSION Potential Number of Units Affected 273,743 Summary ON CERTAIN 2-WHEEL-DRIVE (2WD) AND 4-WHEEL-DRIVE (4WD) 4RUNNER SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, A COMBINATION OF HEAVY LOADING (SIMULTANEOUS LOADING TO REAR GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING AND GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING) AND SEVERE STEERING MANEUVERS COULD CAUSE THE 2WD 4RUNNER TO LOSE DIRECTIONAL STABILITY. Remedy DEALERS WILL REPLACE REAR SUSPENSION PARTS. ALTHOUGH THE 4WD 4RUNNERS DO NOT EXHIBIT THE HANDLING CONDITION, TOYOTA WILL RECALL THESE VEHICLES TO AVOID ANY PUBLIC CONFUSION AS TO WHICH VEHICLES SHOULD RECEIVE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 28, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331. Notes TOYOTA RECALL NO. SSC 20A. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11548183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

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.

SUSPENSION

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

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

SUSPENSION

1998 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER STARTING TO SWAY SIDE TO SIDE. THE REAR AXLE SUPPORT FRAME IS RUSTED THRU THE BOX TUBE. CALLED TOYOTA TO REPORT THE ISSUE AND DID NOT SEEM TO BE CONCERNED THAT THE ISSUE IS SERIOUS. NO RECOMMENDATIONS GIVEN.

NHTSA complaint #11296815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST CAUSED REAR DRIVER SIDE CONTROL ARM MOUNT TO RUST RIGHT OFF THE FRAME WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING IT. AT THE TIME HER SPEED WAS SLOW AS SHE WAS PULLING INTO GROCERY STORE PLAZA.

NHTSA complaint #11228538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

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.

SUSPENSION

I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE STORE WITH MY WIFE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE TRUCK STARTED TO SWAY WILDLY , GOOD THING THERE WAS NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AT THE TIME SINCE THE TRUCK SWERVED INTO THE OPPOSING LANE , I PULLED OVER AND THOUGHT AT FIRST THE LUG NUTS CAME LOSE BUT WHEN I CRAWLED UNDER THE TRUCK I HAD FOUND THAT THE FRAME IS ROTTED AWAY, APPARENTLY TOYOTA HAS AN ISSUES WITH THERE FRAMES AND I WAS ASKED BY PEOPLE ONLINE IF I GOT A RECALL NOTICE WHICH I DID NOT , I HAD BOUGHT THE TRUCK USED FROM A USED CAR DEALER SO IM NOT SURE IF IT WAS IN THE SYSTEM , IN ANY EVENT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS ON THIS , THE REST OF THE TRUCK IS IN GREAT SHAPE AND RUNS FINE , I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO ENSUE A FINANCIAL LOSE IF THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE , THANK YOU

NHTSA complaint #11217410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

THE TOYOTA 4 RUNNER IS UNSTABLE AND HAS THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE MAKING NOISE. AFTER INSPECTION, THE FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THRU IN SEVERAL AREAS.

NHTSA complaint #11207341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

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.

SUSPENSION

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.

SUSPENSION

THE RIGHT REAR STABILIZER BAR CONNECTED TO THE FRAME FAILED. THE FRAME CONNECTION RUSTED THRU AND SEPARATED. LOTS OF FRAME RUST. I HEARD A LOUD CLINKING NOISE AS I WAS DRIVING AND NOTICED CONSIDERABLE SIDE SWAY WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #11079119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

PASSENGER FRAME RUSTED OUT BAD WHERE CONTROL ARM ATTACHES

NHTSA complaint #10972362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

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.

SUSPENSION

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.

SUSPENSION

I WAS IN REVERSE AND A JOLT AND POP OCCURRED IN THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT WHERE MY SON WAS SEATED. HE FELT IT AT HIS FEET AND ALL OTHER PASSENGERS HEARD AND FELT A JOLT. WHEN I RETURNED HOME I CRAWLED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED RUST AND STRESS CRACKS ON THE INSIDE OF THE REAR PASSENGER TORSION BAR.WHILE APPLYING PRESSURE WITH MY TWO FINGERS I PUSHED THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF THE FRAME RAIL. THE VEHICLE IS NOT ROAD WORTHY. MY BRAKING PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN I HAVE TO STOP SUDDENLY IN SNOW OR EXTREME WET ROAD SURFACES THERE IS A METAL GRINDING AN NO BRAKES. WHEN THIS OCCURS IN SNOW I WAS IN 4WHEEL HIGH. I HAD NO BRAKES SO I PUT THE VEHICLE IN 2 WHEEL AND HAD BRAKES. IN RAIN I PUMPED THE BRAKES UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO GET BRAKES. ALL DRIVING BRAKES OCCURRED AT 35 MPH IN CITY DRIVING WITH NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME.

NHTSA complaint #10861150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH AND I WENT OVER AN OVERPASS WITH A BUMP AT THE BEGINNING OF IT, I HEARD A CLUNK THEN MY CAR STARTED SWAYING BACK AND FORTH VERY BADLY,I MANAGED TO PULL OVER ON THE EMERGENCY PULL OFF, I THOUGHT A WHEEL HAD COME LOOSE,I FOUND NO LOOSE WHEEL SO I STARTED LOOKING UNDERNEATH AND WOW!!!!!..THE TORSION BARS HAD BOTH RUSTED OFF THE FRAME AND BOTH SWAY BARS WERE BROKE OFF,THE ONLY THING HOLDING THE BACK AXAL ON WAS THE BACK OF THE TORSION BARS,,,NEEDLES TO SAY MY FAVORITE CAR IS OUT FOR THE COUNT.

NHTSA complaint #10749623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

FRAME RUSTED THROUGH PREMATURELY ON MY TRUCK. TRUCK IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND A HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT.

NHTSA complaint #10733798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR STARTED TO MOVE VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT. I ALMOST WENT UNDER A COMMERCIAL TRUCK AS I COULD NOT CONTROL THE MOVEMENT OF MY TRUCK.. I MANAGED TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY AND STOPPED AND CHECKED UNDERNEATH MY TRUCK FOR DAMAGE , BUT COULD SEE NOTHING. I DROVE SLOWLY TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND MY CAR STILL KEPT MOVING TO THE RIGHT AT 20MPH. MY MECHANIC LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THE REAR TRAILING ARM HAD BROKE DUE TO RUST, AND I WAS VERY LUCK TO BE ALIVE. (IT HAPPENED ON A SATURDAY MORNING WITH LITTLE COMMUTER TRAFFIC OTHERWISE I MIGHT HAVE BEEN KILLED) HE SAID IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 4 RUNNERS 1998 AND LATER YEARS.I CALLED TOYOTA BUT THEY SAID THEY WERE NOT OBLIGED TO ISSUE A RECALL FROM NHTSA?? OR WHATEVER IT IS CALLED. MY MECHANIC DID A WELDING JOB TO REPAIR THE ISSUE WHICH COST ME $750.00 TO FIX. I HAD NO RECOURSE DUE TO TOYOTAS RELUCTANCE TO FIX THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO PLEASE FORCE TOYOTA TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE BEFORE INNOCENT LIVES ARE LOST. PLEASE DO NOT WAIT FOR A FATALITY BEFORE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. I FEEL I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR REPAIRS I INCURRED BUT TOYOTA DO NOT WANT TO KNOW!! I BEG YOU TO INVESTIGATE IMMEDIATELY. MY CAR IS IN PERFECT MECHANICAL ORDER EXCEPT FOR RUST AND ROTTING UNDERNEATH, BECAUSE TOYOTA DID NOT ADDRESS THIS ISSUE WHEN MANUFACTURING THIS MODEL. I AM STILL SCARED DRIVING THIS CAR BUT AM FORCED TO DO SO AND PRAY NOTHING HAPPENS GOING FORWARD. (PROBLEM : REAR CONTROL ARM BOTH SIDES BROKE DUE TO RUST IN CHASSIS)

NHTSA complaint #10695020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM BROKE FREE FROM FRAME DUE TO RUSTED FRAME.

NHTSA complaint #10693128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

I WAS INFORMED OF AND SHOWN EXCESSIVE FRAME ROTTING/RUSTING THROUGH FROM A MECHANIC. THE FRAME LOOKED RELATIVELY NORMAL ROUGHLY 6 MONTHS AGO. I AM AWARE THAT SOME OF THEIR OTHER TRUCKS HAVE RECALLS DUE TO THE SAME ISSUE, AND I AM SEEING INSTANCES OF THIS ON THE INTERNET FOR THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10679595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND I HIT A BUMP DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT UNTIL I WENT ON THE HIGHWAY, THE REAR END STARTED JUMPING AS THE CAR INCREASED SPEED. I STARTED TO LOSE CONTROL SO I SLOW DOWN AND EVENTUALLY PULLED OVER. I EXITED THE CAR AND PROCEEDED TO INSPECT THE CAR'S UNDER BODY, I DIDM;T SEE ANYTHING SO I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE HOME DOING UNDER 20MILES PER HOUR AS TO NOT MAKE THE REAR END JUMP. WHEN I ARRIVED AT HOME I LIFTED THE CAR UP AND FURTHER INSPECTED THE UNDER SIDE,I THEN NOTICE THAT THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WAS COMPLETELY DISLOCATED FROM THE FRAME UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I NOTICED THE FACTORY WIELD DISENGAGED FROM THE FRAME.

NHTSA complaint #10610187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKET RUSTED AND BROKE FREE FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE AT FULL FREEWAY SPEED DURING AM RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. MANAGED TO MAKE IT TO THE NEAREST EXIT RAMP APROX. 1/4 MILE. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT TO A FRAME REPAIR SHOP. THE FRAME WAS RUSTED SO BAD THEY COULD NOT EVEN GIVE ME A ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR. I CONTACTED TOYOTA TO CHECK ON RECALLS AND REGISTER A COMPLAINT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN MY GARAGE SOON TO BE JUNKED.

NHTSA complaint #10574080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

FRAME HAS RUST PERFORATION WHERE THE REAR CONTROL ARM BRACKET MOUNTS TO FRAME.....APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH 1996-2002 4 RUNNERS AND TOYOTA HAS REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

NHTSA complaint #10573362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

VEHICLE STARTED A CLUNKING SOUND AND BEGAN TO SWAY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. MECHANIC INSPECTED AND FOUND FRAME HAD RUSTED ON DRIVERS SIDE NEAR REAR SWAY BAR.

NHTSA complaint #10557913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM FRAME MOUNT BROKE DUE TO FRAME ROT. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SWAY BACK AND FORTH VIOLENTLY AND I WAS ABLE LIMP IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP. THE FRAME AND MOUNT FOR THE CONTROL ARM ARE ROTTED THROUGH AND THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, THIS IS MY MAIN DAILY DRIVER VEHICLE. THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS BESIDES REPLACING THE FRAME. I KNOW THERE IS ALOT OF MILES ON THIS TRUCK BUT MECHANICALLY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT AND IT RUNS GREAT.

NHTSA complaint #10532892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

I WAS DRIVING AND SUDDENLY IT FELT LIKE THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE FELL OFF. FURTHER INSPECTION SHOWED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM BRACKET WAS ROTTED OUT OF THE FRAME. THERE IS NO WAY I CAN DRIVE MY TRUCK ANYMORE. I HAD SOMEONE LOOK AT THE FRAME AND WAS TOLD ITS COMPLETELY ROTTED AND THE TRUCK IS A TOTAL LOSS. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE IS NOT A RECALL FOR THE 4RUNNERS WHEN THE FRAME IS SIMILAR TO THE TACOMAS. THE TACOMAS DID HAVE A RECALL FOR ROTTING OF THE FRAME. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THE FRAME ON THE 4RUNNERS SINCE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. THE AXLE OF THE 4RUNNER COULD FALL OUT AND COULD CAUSE A FATAL ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #10519408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

I WAS DRIVING ON A BACK ROAD, HIT A POTHOLE AND THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE CONTROL ARM RIPPED AWAY FROM THE FRAME. FOUND OUT FRAME WAS RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT, AND SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN INSPECTED. I HAD JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, AND IT HAD GONE THROUGH PA INSPECTION TWO MONTHS BEFORE I BOUGHT IT. ITS A SHAME, THE REST OF THE TRUCK, MOTOR, INTERIOR, BODY PANELS, WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION.

NHTSA complaint #10514736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING AND CLUNKING. I WAS NEAR HOME AND ABLE TO GET IT BACK TO MY DRIVEWAY. UPON TOWING TO THE MECHANIC, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR CONTROL ARM HAD RUSTED OUT AND DETACHED FROM THE FRAME. FRAME ROT WAS DISCOVERED ON THE SIDE RAILS. CAR IS CONSIDERED UNDRIVEABLE AND SHOULD BE TOTALED.

NHTSA complaint #10485150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

FRAME IS RUSTED OUT AROUND REAR CONTROL ARM BRACKETS. NUMEROUS RUST HOLES IN FRAME. THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION AND TOYOTA DOES NOT WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF THE SAME MODEL VEHICLE ONLINE WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL, JUST LIKE THE TACOMA FRAMES. VEHICLE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. IT IS A SHAME THIS 4RUNNER IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. BEAUTIFUL TRUCK, UNSAFE FRAME.

NHTSA complaint #10479319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.