Frame Rust Class Action Lawsuit Info & Questions

TheCremePuff said:
I just had a 20 minute interview with them today and it seems very promising. And even if it doesn’t go anywhere what’s 20 mins of my time and a few pictures of the rust sent to them for a possibility to have the frame replaced? It’s worth a shot.
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Agree it's worth it as long as they don't try to gig you for any money. Sometimes companies settle just to avoid litigation but given how many 4Runners could be affected and the scope of the necessary repairs, it's a long shot. This isn't replacing an airbag or something like that, this is a multi-day job that has to cost them thousands in time and materials. In fact, they might be better off to pay the book value of the vehicles in lieu of repairs then get back what they could in scrapping the trucks.
 
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moodle said:
My 2004 4R has a dangerously rusted frame, and I came across the law firm that is starting up a class action lawsuit specifically for 4th gen 4Runners.

Do you own a 4th generation 4Runner? - Bell Legal Group

I filled in the online form and they called me for info. I spoke with a clerk making the calls and it seems like they are in the preliminary stages - gathering info from enough angry 4R owners to make it worthwhile for them.

Is anyone else thinking of joining this?

Is there another law firm getting a class action suit going?

Does anyone know this Bell Legal Group? Are they trustworthy?

Thanks for any info you can provide.

BTW, I went to my local Toyota dealer looking to get a new 4Runner and asked if they have changed the frames or gotten a new manufacturer to avoid rust. He said no, they have changed nothing, probably because it only affects the northeastern & mid-western states.
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That doesn't make any sense. The newest 4th gens are 13 years old. It's not reasonable to ask for a frame to last that long without rusting somewhat. Case dismissed.

Far better to burn your calories on having your frame descaled and blasted, then coated. As per the other thread, different people prefer different types of undercoating, but they're all wayyyyyyy better than nothing. It does cost a lot to have this work done correctly, but that's life.
 
2003V8LTD said:
That doesn't make any sense. The newest 4th gens are 13 years old. It's not reasonable to ask for a frame to last that long without rusting somewhat. Case dismissed.

Far better to burn your calories on having your frame descaled and blasted, then coated. As per the other thread, different people prefer different types of undercoating, but they're all wayyyyyyy better than nothing. It does cost a lot to have this work done correctly, but that's life.
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I would agree except for some of the extreme pics I've seen and stories about Toyota frames, for example the image of an '05 4R at the top of this article. That's more than "rusting somewhat."
 
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Bluesky 07 said:
I would agree except for some of the extreme pics I've seen and stories about Toyota frames, for example the image of an '05 4R at the top of this article. That's more than "rusting somewhat."
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You're not wrong; but there is plenty of horror stories of other brands and vehicles with similar issues.

You also have to take into account where the vehicle is located and how the owner is taking care of their vehicle. I do agree with a post above that Toyota and other brands should point out that if you live in a Coastal Area or an Area where Corrosive Salts are used for Winter that you need to add the additional maintenance item of cleaning and possibly protecting your frame. I imagine there's a legal reason for why they don't do this (i.e. this would amount to admitting that frames rust which would open them up to lawsuits, or some such thing, so simply not telling people is better from a liability standpoint?)

That salt will devour anything once it gets a foothold, combine that with cold winters with salt, and humid summers with coastal salt spray, and owner neglect and I'd be shocked if the frame didn't have corrosion.

As I pointed out above, the NSHTA and Toyota appears to have settled with a 12~15yr range after DOFU (Date of First Use) for the Tacomas and Tundras, so they've basically indirectly agreed that a frame should last at least 12yrs. Anything beyond that is a bonus if it lasts that long, but is not considered abnormal, at least from the NSHTA and Toyota's perspective based on the evidence at hand.
 
Id say around here - the body of other makes seem to rust worse after 10-15 years, but the frames of the toyota trucks are pretty bad- IE theres very few pick ups / SUVs that arent rusting around the bumpers, fenders, sides.

Here in NY, its hard to say that yes, this car manufacturer is reliably less likely to rust after 10-20 years than all the other ones.
 
I have a 2005 4Runner at 300k, the rust has finally caught up to it. My mechanic said that it's beyond repair and wouldn't pass inspection. I live in the Northeast....sad. I have to start making plans to get another daily driver.
 
i have a 2005 with 155000 miles. my frame could have been beyond repair if i did not remove all the rust and repainted it around 3 years ago. i have new problems though which is the exhaust leak.

KMG1981 said:
I have a 2005 4Runner at 300k, the rust has finally caught up to it. My mechanic said that it's beyond repair and wouldn't pass inspection. I live in the Northeast....sad. I have to start making plans to get another daily driver.
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KMG1981 said:
I have a 2005 4Runner at 300k, the rust has finally caught up to it. My mechanic said that it's beyond repair and wouldn't pass inspection. I live in the Northeast....sad. I have to start making plans to get another daily driver.
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Sorry to hear that. I'm in MD too about undertake a manual rust removal and conversion then paint and rust prevention paint on top of that.

Any photos of the worst spots on yours?
 
Judge dismissed/closed the case

Although I had a small hope inside of me that maybe Toyota would be forced to compensate somehow everyone with rust issues on their 4Runner, the case is closed.

Now to figure out what I should do with my 4Runner that has less than 100k miles on it and a rusted frame. Can't sell it outright without telling someone it isn't safe, and it isn't worth much of anything with anyone knowing it is safe.

Wonder if I could get lucky attempting to trade it in somewhere and if they wouldn't look under it? Back when I was first told by the service tech at a Toyota dealer that it had rust holes in the frame (I think about 5 years ago) I was walking around the lot at used cars and then when talking to the used car manager he asked if I had something to trade in. I said sure, my 4Runner. Didn't tell him what the service tech told me. He drove it around their lot a bit, came in and gave me a quote of 5k for my trade in, I never saw him look under it as I was watching him the whole time. At that time I really wasn't sure what to do, and honestly didn't want another Toyota from their lot so I left. Probably should have traded it in then.

Toyota 4Runner Frame Rust Lawsuit Dismissed | CarComplaints.com
 
drew_351 said:
Although I had a small hope inside of me that maybe Toyota would be forced to compensate somehow everyone with rust issues on their 4Runner, the case is closed.

Now to figure out what I should do with my 4Runner that has less than 100k miles on it and a rusted frame. Can't sell it outright without telling someone it isn't safe, and it isn't worth much of anything with anyone knowing it is safe.

Wonder if I could get lucky attempting to trade it in somewhere and if they wouldn't look under it? Back when I was first told by the service tech at a Toyota dealer that it had rust holes in the frame (I think about 5 years ago) I was walking around the lot at used cars and then when talking to the used car manager he asked if I had something to trade in. I said sure, my 4Runner. Didn't tell him what the service tech told me. He drove it around their lot a bit, came in and gave me a quote of 5k for my trade in, I never saw him look under it as I was watching him the whole time. At that time I really wasn't sure what to do, and honestly didn't want another Toyota from their lot so I left. Probably should have traded it in then.

Toyota 4Runner Frame Rust Lawsuit Dismissed | CarComplaints.com
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Rusty underneath or not, being offered only $5000 for a 4th gen with under 100k miles is ridiculous. Especially 5 years ago. I have been selling my cars private party and with the car market still berzerk, consumers are looking at the private party ads to avoid the price gouging and fees.
 
drew_351 said:
Now to figure out what I should do with my 4Runner that has less than 100k miles on it and a rusted frame. Can't sell it outright without telling someone it isn't safe, and it isn't worth much of anything with anyone knowing it is safe.
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I'd sell it private sale and mention the frame issue. I bet someone mechanical will buy it to fix up or maybe frame swap. These things are still worth money here even with a bad frame especially with such low mileage.
 
2006 with rusted frame..

moodle said:
My 2004 4R has a dangerously rusted frame, and I came across the law firm that is starting up a class action lawsuit specifically for 4th gen 4Runners.

Do you own a 4th generation 4Runner? - Bell Legal Group
Click to expand...

I had a phone meeting with someone from that law firm last week but they were a no-show. Never heard back and just noticed the link was dead. Called and learned the class action suit was abandoned by that firm.

My 2006 4runner flunked state inspection in early 2022 due to extreme frame rust with just over 100K miles on it. I was hoping to get some compensation for the defect and contacted Bell early in 2022 toward that goal. The 2006 weary soldier is still sitting outside and I needed to understand if I should keep it any longer as evidence. But looks like it is time to move it along.

As with any vehicle I could always donate it to charity. But I'm wondering whether there is any market for it as fix-up candidate or parts donor? I'm in southern NH.
 
uhmgawa said:
I had a phone meeting with someone from that law firm last week but they were a no-show. Never heard back and just noticed the link was dead. Called and learned the class action suit was abandoned by that firm.

My 2006 4runner flunked state inspection in early 2022 due to extreme frame rust with just over 100K miles on it. I was hoping to get some compensation for the defect and contacted Bell early in 2022 toward that goal. The 2006 weary soldier is still sitting outside and I needed to understand if I should keep it any longer as evidence. But looks like it is time to move it along.

As with any vehicle I could always donate it to charity. But I'm wondering whether there is any market for it as fix-up candidate or parts donor? I'm in southern NH.
Click to expand...

I'm also in Southern NH and may be interested in it if the price is right. My 03 is getting kinda tired.
 
2008 #Toyota #4Runner Sport 4WD w/major frame rust found at rear of frame. Virginia rig, majority of it's life; suspected salt water abuse via boat ramp minus the wash. All frame outside of rear was found in decent condition. We spent 18 hours of love on this project spread over 3 days, grinding, cutting, measuring, more cutting, more grinding, prepping, painting, welding & painting again. A huge thanks goes tomy buddy Jarrett on this one for the clean welds on this one; you have a true talent my friend! Thank you for watching!

#4thgen #4runner Frame Repair - YouTube

Credits:
​⁠​⁠Safe-T-Cap, you make a phenomenal #americanmade product...God Bless!!!

Rear Frame Section Set:
Rear Frame Section (ART-204-S) Set - autorust.com

Rear Cross Member Set:
Rear Cross Member End (ART-205-S) Set - autorust.com
 
elijah.rawls said:
2008 #Toyota #4Runner Sport 4WD w/major frame rust found at rear of frame. Virginia rig, majority of it's life; suspected salt water abuse via boat ramp minus the wash. All frame outside of rear was found in decent condition. We spent 18 hours of love on this project spread over 3 days, grinding, cutting, measuring, more cutting, more grinding, prepping, painting, welding & painting again. A huge thanks goes tomy buddy Jarrett on this one for the clean welds on this one; you have a true talent my friend! Thank you for watching!
Click to expand...

Wow, I don't think I've seen one that bad that was repaired. Looks great. Do you have yearly inspections there? I would think it would have been noticed earlier if you did.

The dirty face at the end made me chuckle. I've looked like that many times. :D
 
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