Frame rust
- Thread starter M1911
- Start date
Ski bum
New member
that's odd that it has to be under warranty. Was there an actual recall done because my dad's 03 Seqoia's frame was replaced last year after owning it for 11 years and 275,000 miles only thing my dad had to pay for was new shocks no labor cost nothing. The only difference was there was an actual recall notice sent out about the Seqoia.
VA4Runner09
New member
Put in a claim to Toyota and will be going to the dealership shortly to get there diagnoses. Tired of seeing her all crunchy! Will keep you posted on what comes out of it. Maybe nothing but definitely worth asking. Thanks OP!
Has anyone gotten help from Toyota for 4th Gen frame rust?
Yes. Read this thread. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/1849006-post6.html
The cross member under the transmission is a boxed section. On my '03, it was effectively a U-section. The bottom plate had completely rusted away and wasn't there anymore.
BRUIN8124
New member
Yikes man...
I just took a good look around under there just to be sure. I feel pretty lucky, its in pretty good shape. No reason I shouldn't be able to get a few more years hopefully. Now I can sleep at night...
I think I'm going to go give it a good wash...
Unclear to me.
On the Taco and Tundra frames, Toyota sued the frame manufacturer, Dana, and Dana settled. Word was that Dana did not properly rustproof the frames.
But the 4Runner frames are made in Japan and I don't think they are manufactured by Dana. The 4th Gen 4Runner frame was very similar to the Taco frame. Was the problem due to rustproofing (or lack of same)? Was it due to design issues? Was it due to the specification of the steel itself? Did any of that change in later years?
All I have are questions and no answers.
CookieRoe
Senior Member
If memory serves, the rustproofing (some process) was the problem in US built frames vs. the Japan frames.
That is what I read, but since Toyota and Dana settled the lawsuit, I don't think we really know what it was. It wouldn't surprise me if it was Dana's contention that they applied rustproofing per the specifications from Toyota, but that they settled because it was cheaper than fighting.
Since my Toyota-built frame rusted in the same way as the Taco frames that Dana built in Mexico, I'm skeptical that the fault was solely due to Dana screwing up the rustproofing.
This post implies it was Dana's fault for the Taco frames: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/1942719-post11.html
But then why did my 4Runner frame fail in the same way? As I said, all I've got are questions, not answers.
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Yikes indeed.
Well, that also explains the rust due to Owner neglect.
It states right in the Owners Manual that if the vehicle is driven in conditions that promote corrosion, that it needs to be washed off, or it will eventually rust.
Any vehicle will.
I'd say you were very fortunate that Toyota did anything for a case of vehicle neglect.
I have a pristine '97 4Runner, that has lived it's entire life in a State that uses Salt heavily, all Winter long. I've seen pictures of 4Runners that have rust bad enough to render the vehicle inoperable.
The difference? I've washed my 4Runner as needed, all winter long, since it was new. Even if that meant several times per week. The rusted out 4Runners were neglected by their owners.
A neighbor had a Mercury Mountaineer, (Explorer) which was bought about that same time as my 4Runner. He would laugh at me washing the body and undercarraige of my 4Runner, in the middle of winter. Needless to say he was no longer laughing when his Mountaineer rusted away to the point it was unsafe, and was hauled off to the junkyard 7 years ago. I of course reminded him of all that washing I did, which he had made fun of.
He now washes his cars as needed, too.
toybox
New member
Went to the dealer to inspect the frame rust and there weren't holes all the way through yet but told me I should call Toyota direct. I called Toyota and they won't do anything about it. They did offer some kind of deal on a new Toyota but that's not what I want. Looks like I'll hold out until it won't pass inspection and then patch the frame.
