2007 Toyota 4RUNNER body problems

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

The contact owns a 2007 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that the vehicle was swaying while driving approximately 35 MPH. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the subframe was corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #11476464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

I was having front brakes repaired, and mechanic called me over to lift to see under the car. Extremely rusty, flakes of metal coming off. He advised I do not even try and put it on a lift again, as he does not trust the structural integrity. He advised that it was definitely not normal, and not in keeping with the otherwise excellent and well cared for car.

NHTSA complaint #11447678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

The frame on my 4-Runner is rusted out to the point of being borderline unsafe, as per the Toyota Dealer. I don't have a scanner otherwise I would upload the pictures. The invoice from the dealer has my contact info. Not sure if you want that info.

NHTSA complaint #11444759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

The Undercarriage of my 2007Toyota 4runner sport has irregular rusting issue. The truck has 128,000 miles on it and has been well maintained and garaged most of its life. I was under it the other day to check the exhaust system and noticed the frame is rusting like no other car I know of. Even cars that sat in junkyards for decades. I know they had a recall for similar issues with other vehicles within the same year. However, when I spoke with Toyota they were uninterested in helping me and told me it was my problem. Other than the frame rust the truck is in perfect condition. Is this something that you can help me with. I see I am not alone having this issue and that it is well reported. Please let me know what my options are for getting this defect corrected by Toyota. Thanks, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11435930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

Excessive frame rust on the frame itself and on suspension components including control arms and support brackets. Toyota dealership stated that rust could be an issue with maintenance.

NHTSA complaint #11421608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

RECENTLY LOOKED AT 2007 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LIMITED V8 FOR SALE TO REPLACE MY 2005 LIMITED THAT HAS SEVERE FRAME CORROSION AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS VEHICLE TOO HAS NEARLY THE EXACT SAME CORROSION ISSUES. THE REAR OF THE FRAME BY THE BUMPER, WHERE THE CONTROL ARMS AND RADIATOR ARE ATTACHED TO THE CHASSIS AND FRAME RAILS ARE SO BADLY CORRODED YOU CAN PUSH YOUR FINGER THROUGH THE METAL. HOW MUCH MORE EVIDENCE DOES NHTSA NEED TO DEMAND TOYOTA RECALL THESE VEHICLES? LOOK AT THE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS TO NHTSA AND THOUSANDS OF OWNERS ONLINE POSTING PICTURES AND VIDEOS OF THEIR VEHICLES RUST ISSUES. THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES CORRODING JUST LIKE THE OTHER TOYOTA BODY ON FRAME PRODUCTS THAT WERE RECALLED FOR FRAME REPLACEMENTS. WE OWN TRUCKS 30-40 YEARS OLD AND NOT ONE OF THEM HAS EVER HAD A FRAME RUST THROUGH TO THE POINT YOU CAN LITERALLY POKE HOLES IN IT WITH YOUR FINGER. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE ON A VEHICLE 10-15 YEARS OLD. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11389639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

I HAVE A 2007 4RUNNER WITH CURRENTLY AROUND 180K MILES. WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IT HAD SOME RUSTING TO THE FRAME BUT NOTHING DEEMING IT UNSAFE OR DANGEROUS. WITHIN A MATTER OF MONTHS THE FRAME HAD, AND STILL IS, RUSTING AND DETERIORATING AT AN ALARMING RATE. I AM NOT SURE HOW TOYOTA HAS GOT AWAY WITH THIS ISSUE THUS FAR BUT I'M PRUONG

NHTSA complaint #11384510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

VEHICLE HAS PREMATURE EXCESSIVE RUST OF THE FRAME AND ASSOCIATED COMPONENTS AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE SAME RECALL MY 05 SEQUOIA (AS WELL AS TACOMAS AND TUNDRAS) OF THE SAME ERA SINCE ALL WERE MANUFACTURED WITH THE SAME PROCESS THAT LACKED ADEQUATE APPLICATION OF RUST PROTECTION/COATING. MANY OTHERS ON HERE AS WELL AS ONLINE ON OTHER SITES ALSO ARE REPORTING THIS GENERATION OF 4RUNNER TO HAVE RUSTING. I HAVE RUSTED MOTOR MOUNTS THAT CAUSE MOTOR VIBRATION, RUSTED BRACKETS HOLDING MY GAS TANK TO THE FRAME, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALL TRANSMISSION LINES DUE TO RUST THAT LEFT ME STRANDED WHILE MOVING ACROSS THE COUNTRY. I HAVE HAD TO DO REPLACE SEVERAL RUSTED PARTS LIKE CV AXELS, WHEEL BARRINGS, AND POSSIBLY RUSTED STEERING BOX LEAK/RACK AND PINION (CONFLICTING INFO FROM2 MECHANICS SO UNDETERMINED). I PURCHASED THIS IN 2014 AND JUST PAID IT OFF AND NEED HELP AS IT SHOULD HAVE LASTED ME MORE THAN 7 YRS AND SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD THIS KIND OF RUST IN YRS 7-11 AFTER BEING MADE! IT HAS LOW MILES AND SHOULD HAVE LASTED MANY YEARS TO COME. EVERYTHING ELSE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION BUT THIS FRAME ISSUE THEY EXCLUDED THIS MODEL FROM NEEDS TO BE EXTENDED FOR 4RUNNERS IN THE SAME GENERATIONS OF THE RECALL MENTIONED ABOVE. THIS IS LEAVING MANY DRIVERS WHO PAID THE EXTRA PRICETAG TO HAVE A TOYOTA LEFT WITH A FINACIAL LOSS OF PURCHASE AS WELL AS LOSS OF USE OF A VEHICLE. PLEASE LOOK AT ALL THE COMPLAINTS. SOME ARE MISLABELED ON THIS SITE BUT DESCRIPTIONS SHOW IT IS A FRAME ISSUE THAT CAUSES MANY SECONDARY ISSUES/RELATED REPAIRS. I HAVE TAKEN EXCELLENT CARE OF THIS VEHICLE AND JUST OUT A LOT MORE MONEY INTO IT AT THE DEALERSHIP WITH REPAIRS SINCE NO ONE SAID IT WAS RUSTED LIKE THIS. AFTER MOVING, I HAVE HAD 3 NON-DEALERSHIP MECHANICS TELL ME IT IS BAD. PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH AN UPDATE.

NHTSA complaint #11352927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE FRAME HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH IN MANY PLACES. WE HAVE HAD IT CHECKED AND BEEN ADVISED THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE.THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON MANY 4 RUNNERS AS WELL AS OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES IN THE SAME ERA.

NHTSA complaint #11341867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND FRAME IS RUSTING THRU IN MULTIPLE SPOTS ALREADY

NHTSA complaint #11191999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

VERY RUSTY FRAME. RADIATOR MOUNT RUSTED OUT AND ALSO CROSSMEMBERS.

NHTSA complaint #11183753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

MY REAR WINDOW SHATTERED AFTER USING THE DEFROSTER. ONCE I GOT OUT OF MY CAR AFTER PARKING IT IN MY JOB'S GARAGE IT BUSTED ON IT'S OWN. I FOUND OUT THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY 4TH GENERATION 4RUNNER OWNERS BUT TOYOTA WON'T RECALL OR EXTEND THE WARRANTY FOR THIS ISSUE ANY LONGER. NOW I HAVE TO EITHER NEVER USE MY REAR DEFROSTER AGAIN WHILE LIVING IN COLORADO OR RISK IT SHATTERING AGAIN AND HURTING PASSENGERS IN MY CAR. I WOULD HAVE NEVER BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IF I HAD KNOWLEDGE OF SUCH A DANGEROUS ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #11176664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

I PURCHASED MY 2007 4RUNNER AND FOUND A-LOT OF RUST ON THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF MY FAVORITE VEHICLE. IT SPREADS EVERYWHERE; INCLUDING THE ENGINE BAY. NOT ONLY DOES IT COMPROMISE THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE BUT IT SHORTENS THE LIFE ALSO. I WANTED TO BUY A NEW 4RUNNER THIS YEAR BUT AFTER LEARNING OF THE RUST ISSUES I THOUGHT TWICE.

NHTSA complaint #11172293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

THERE IS LOT OF RUST ON THE FRAME AND TOYOTA IS NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

NHTSA complaint #11171357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

NOTICED RUST ON FRAME FEW YEARS AGO BUT THE DEALER SAID TOYOTA WILL NOT DO A ANYTHING. IF TACOMA IS BEING RECALLED, 4 RUNNER SHOULD BE SINCE IT IS BUILD ON THE SAME FRAME. *DT

NHTSA complaint #11164160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

FRAME IS VERY RUSTY. REPLACING SEVERAL STEERING AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. THE METAL IS VERY THIN AND RUSTY RIGHT UNDER THE RADIATOR TO THE POINT WHERE THERE IS NOW A HOLE IN IT AND MAY COLLAPSE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

NHTSA complaint #11133400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE WHOLE AREA OF EXPOSED STEEL HAS BEEN SO CORRODED WITH RUST THAT I ACNNOT EVEN REMOVE BOLTS TO SERVICE SEVERAL OF THE KEY COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FRAME, CROSS MEMBERS, SUSPENSION ETC. ARE ALSO AFFECTED IN THIS WAY.I'M NO EXPERT BUT IT IS PROGRESSIVELY BECOMING MORE AND MORE UNSAFE TO DRIVE ESPECIALLY IF I LOSE BRAKES OR SOME OTHER NECESSARY FUNCTION. PLEASE HELP, IS THIS A BAD BATCH OF CHEAP STEEL?

NHTSA complaint #11129441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

VEHICLE FRAME IS EXTREMELY CORRODED TO THE POINT WHERE REPLACING NECESSARY ITEMS SUCH AS SHOCKS/STRUTS/STEERING COMPONENTS IS NOT POSSIBLE WITHOUT IRREPARABLE DAMAGE. FACTORY WELDS AT CRITICAL POINTS OF THE FRAME STRUCTURE ARE STARTING TO FAIL AND CAUSING SAFETY CONCERNS. THIS VEHICLE IS REGULARLY GARAGED AND ONLY HAS 85,000 MILES. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE, THERE HAVE BEEN PREVIOUS RECALLS AND FOR OTHER MODELS THAT SHARE THIS EXACT SAME FRAME AND SUSPENSION.

NHTSA complaint #11129200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

I WAS DRIVING WITH MY CHILD IN THE CAR AND LOST CONTROL OF STEERING AND HEARD LOUD NOISE. I HAD NO CONTROL OF STEERING AND THE CAR CROSSED LANES LUCKILY MISSING OTHER VEHICLES. IT STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND A BODY SHOP HAPPENED TO WITNESS THE WHOLE THING. HE TRIED TO DRIVE IT INTO HIS SHOP (TWO DRIVEWAYS AWAY) BUT ENDED UP HAVING TO DRAG/TOW IT IN BECAUSE THE FRONT END FRAME HAD RUSTED AND FALLEN FROM THE VEHICLE. THAT BODY SHOP LOOKED AT IT AND I ALSO GOT A SECOND OPINION AND THEY TOLD ME THE SAME THING. THE FRONT END OF THE CAR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE FRONT STEERING RUSTED SO BADLY IT DISCONNECTED COMPLETELY AND FELL OUT FROM THE FRAME. IT IS ALSO SO RUSTED THERE IS NOT ENOUGH METAL TO RE-WELD IT TOO. THE CAR IS TOTALED WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED. IT WAS TERRIFYING AND WAS LUCKY I HAPPENED TO ONLY BE GOING 25 MPH DOWN A STRAIGHT ROAD AND NO ONE WAS HURT. THE CAR THAT WAS RUNNING GREAT AND WAS WELL MAINTAINED IS NOW NOT DRIVABLE OR EVEN FIXABLE AND MY CHILD AND MYSELF WERE IN SERIOUS DANGER. EVERY MECHANIC IS TELLING ME THIS IS A FAULT COMMON IN TOYOTAS AND IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FRAME AND SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED. I AM EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED AND WAS TOLD THE ONLY THING I COULD DO WAS FILE A COMPLAINT BUT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT TOYOTA SHOULD BE RESOLVING.

NHTSA complaint #11083510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE HATCH LATCH HAS MELTED AND PRESENTS PROBLEMS IN UNLATCHING. THE DEALER DENIES THIS IS A PROBLEM. ESPECIALLY IN COOLER WEATHER, I AM OFTEN NOT ABLE TO OPEN THE REAR HATCH. MY RESEARCH INDICATES THAT MANY OWNERS OF THIS MODEL EXPERIENCE THE SAME ISSUES. THERE IS SOME CONCERN THAT THE CAUSE IS FAULTY WIRING THAT OVERHEATS THE MATERIAL. ALSO, THE REPLACEMENT PART IS THE SAME AS THE ORIGINAL; THEREFORE, NOT RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY CONCERN AND SHOULD BE REMEDIED BY THE MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA complaint #10925292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER WAS ACCIDENTALLY TURNED ON (RIGHT ADVICE CUP HOLDER) CAUSING REAR WINDOW TO SHATTER WHILE DRIVING. IT WAS STATIONARY AT A LIGHT AT THE TIME.

NHTSA complaint #10917503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

BACK DOOR LATCH HAS BECOME A STICKY MESS. WHEN OPENING, A TAR LIKE SUBSTANCE GETS ALL OVER YOUR FINGERS.

NHTSA complaint #10913683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

SEVERE RUST PROBLEM ON THE FRAME/HITCH/REAR HATCH. WE WERE ADVISED NOT TO USE THE REAR HITCH DUE TO THE RUST AND THAT IT COULD COME LOOSE WHEN TOWING..

NHTSA complaint #10870228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE TAILGATE LATCH IS MADE FROM SOME RUBBER COMPONENT. IT HAS MELTED INTO MUSH. THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO OPEN BACK HATCH DOOR. IT ALSO HAS MADE A MESS ON PAINT ON TAIL GATE.

NHTSA complaint #10692260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

I HAVE AN INSURMOUNTABLE LEVEL OF RUST ON THE FRAME AND SURROUNDING COMPONENTS. THERE SHOULD NOT BE THIS LEVEL OF RUST AT THIS POINT ON THE VEHICLE'S LIFE.

NHTSA complaint #10682236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE

THE RUBBER ON THE INSIDE THE TAILGATE HANDLE HAS MELTED AND ERODED. IT IS STICKY TO THE TOUCH AND CONSISTS OF A BLACK TAR-LIKE SUBSTANCE. YEAR ROUND THE HANDLE IS DIFFICULT TO LATCH AND MAY CAUSE TAILGATE TO OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY. THIS COMPLAINT INVOLVES THE 2007 4-RUNNER. THIS MAY POSE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE SHOULD THE TAILGATE OPEN WHILE TRANSPORTING CARGO ON THE ROAD. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS FAULTY PART ON THE VEHICLE. UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS MODEL YEAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, IT SHOULD STILL BE CORRECTED AS THE MANUFACTURER IS WELL AWARE OF THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10680423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

THE BACK HATCH HANDLE HAS MELTED AND GETS A TAR LIKE RESIDUE ON YOUR HANDS, TOYOTA SHOULD FIX THIS PROB SINCE IT SEEMS TO BE A HUGE COMPLAINT.

NHTSA complaint #10649843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

THE RUBBER ON THE INSIDE THE TAILGATE HANDLE HAS MELTED AND ERRODED. IN WARM WEATHER, IT IS STICKY AND CAUSES BLACK TAR-LIKE SUBSTANCE ON HANDS. IN COLDER WINTER MONTHS, IT IS DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS TO OPEN THE TAILGATE. IN QUICKLY SCANNING ALL COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE RELATED TO THE 2007 4-RUNNER, ABOUT 10% ARE FOR THIS ISSUE! NOT A SERIOUS SAFETY OR VEHICLE OPERATION ISSUE, BUT INDICATES A FAULTY PART ON THE VEHICLE. UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS MODEL YEAR IS LONG OUT OF WARRANTY, IT SHOULD STILL BE CORRECTED, AS A GOODWILL MEASURE IF NOTHING ELSE.

NHTSA complaint #10632245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

THE LIFT GATE HANDLE IS STICKY AND LEAVE BLACK RESIDUE ON FINGERS. WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS MELTED. I THINK IT IS A REAL PROBLEM. I'M RESEARCH HOW TO REPAIR, BUT ONCE I'VE BEEN ON THIS SITE I SEE THERE ARE OTHERS WITH THIS ISSUE. I THINK TOYOTA NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10629908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

THE BACK GATE DOOR HANDLE MELTED AND GETS VERY STICKY. THIS MAKES THE DOOR SOMETIMES NOT ABLE TO OPEN IN COLD WEATHER AND IS VERY HOT AND CAN BURN IN THE HOT WEATHER. THIS CAR AS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND ALL OTHER SEALS AND GASKETS WORK. THIS RUBBER HANDLE COVER HAS FAILED AND IS NOT DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR BUT MANUFACTURER DEFECT.

NHTSA complaint #10610464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.