Has anyone called the toyota customer hotline number and complained about 3rd gen 4runners rotting. I just had mine up on the lift and theres a hole on the passenger side and the drivers side has a long hole the length of the gas tank, in front of the control arm mount.

I was given the toyota number 800-331-4331 to call and open a case with them. Wondering if anyone has gone through with it what has toyota said? I know we have had a few at work that have had holes, mine does, and another guy I know has already had his plated.

 

I'll definately follow your thread if you keep it up to date. I have some frame rust on my car most likely from the colorado snow (where I bought her). Good thing I'm in Texas so it may not be an issue anymore.

 

Ill keep it updated. I didnt have my reg with me until tonight so i didnt call since they will want the VIN. I gave the number to a guy that works at another shop in town since he has already fixed his frame.

I think they will tell me that nothing is going to be done and that they to have the same problems as the tacomas and tundras. Ive seen plenty of them since I work at a dealership with rotted frames. Mostly behind the gas tank, had an 01 the other day.

The other thing is maybe get people to call in with complaints in the masses. They didnt think there was a problem with the 01-04s when the buybacks first came out but people were complaining until something was done. Same thing with the Tundras.


It would be nice if people would post up that have had rust problems repaired or pics of rotted frames.



This is a pic of one a guy in our club had for sale.

 

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/10/r...npage_autoblog

http://blogs.internetautoguide.com/6...mes/index.html

http://www.carbuyersnotebook.com/toy...-frame-recall/


Is anyone doing preventative maintenance that prevents it from getting so bad?

What are the good years/models of Toyota frames?

 

I have similar frame issues on my '98 limited...I have called toyota and they arent doin anything at this time, however..the more of us that call and make claims the better chance we have of gettin a recall too! toyota money from my taco paid for my 'runner.

 

Not to minimize your issues guys but this is just not a widespread issue as far as i know. Not like the Tacomas anyway.

 

There's been a couple threads here on the 3rd gen 4Runner frame rot more recently, I know I'll be keeping an eye on both of mine and calling Toyota if the need arises.

Thanks for posting and keep us updated.

 

I haven't got the issue at all! Have you taking it through salty areas?

 

Everything rusts in the areas where salt or magnesium is used on roads, but these frames look pretty bad. It just doesn't look like they should be rusting through this quick.

 

Look at the axle and drum brake thats crazy!!! No way it should do that by itself there has to be something helping out the process.

 

In in New Hampshire/Maine and mine looks nothing like that. As far as I know the truck has only lived in Mass and north. It's an 01 as well.

 

A little update. Called toyota awhile back and they said very quickly that the 4runner is not involved. The way the lady answered made it sound like they have been getting bothered with calls.

Guess I just play the waiting game. It just sucks that my 95 Tacoma is still good yet the 4runnner isnt.

 

It's getting to the point where Toyota should add a frame swap on in their maintenance schedule for 8 yrs or 150,000 miles. Kind of sad.

 

my duty in life, is to smash salty snowbanks in my NE driven and parked
99 4runner, and never wash it. 1 owner, me, and I thrash this thing...

and it has some surface rust underneath but nothing like the pics and definitely
nothing flaking off....

4runners do not have 'frame rot'
none of them had a bad batch of frame treatment at the factory.

only some tacoma frames got the bad batch of
rustproofing


so it has to be a fluke, or you drove through some chemicals somewhere and it is
eating the frame. nefarious truckers sometimes dump nasties on the highway and if you hit
something corrosive that'll do it over a period of years

 

That's a sad site it's not to late to save your 4Runner.I have owned my 01 4Runner for five years and shes no were nere that rusty. Just a little info I worked for Gfld. DPW for a long time. A lot of calcium is used locally in the winter on the roads in combination with salt,this is a serious rust making duo,it wreaked havoc with the under side of the sand trucks we had too wash them down after every use in order to slow the affects. So I run through the car wash and get the wash & undercarrage rinsed once a week during the winter. It's not good to leave the sand & junk on it the rust gremlins will throw a party

 

I love hear when a man has found his purpose!

 

I use rubberized undercoating, and VHT paint for rollbars, and undercarriages. I have no rust, and want it to stay that way. ALSO eastwood, sells a salt neutralizing solution you can use if you get salt on your roads. You may be able to do the same, and minimize future problems. Just use the salt neutralizing solution first.<br><br><br><br><br><Br><br><br><br><br>

 

I doubt Toyota will do anything for 3rd gens and just say it the result of the area you live in. I live in dry Colorado and while they use Mag chloride in the winter I have no real rust on body or frame.

 

X AWDDRIVER. You should touch up the underside where you see surface rust at least. (rear axle mounts mainly) just preventative. I also live in colorado. Advance auto parts sells a VHT paint called rollbars and chassis. Its great. Also they sell a noise deadening rubberized undercoat that I also use. Yours still looks good don't get me wrong. Just might as well detail the underside too!

 

Yeah,I'm thinking of spraying a few areas under the truck jsut to keep ther minimal rust at bay but it's literally just surface rust and in Colorado time is on our side so I'm not in a huge hurry but in the next year I'll be planning on it.