Get your 4Runner frame inspected at a dealership

[404NotFound]

Considering there is no sort of recall or special service campaign, I would say be prepared for them to charge you as they would any other used vehicle inspection. You might find a nice dealer who will for free.

I apologize, I didn't mean for my 4Runner. My cousin has an 07 Tacoma that's why I was asking.

My Runner hasn't been north of Missouri except in the summer so I'm not too worried.

 

[frankramo777]

That’s all well and fine to say, but some of us have way too much invested in our trucks and can’t afford to have it “deemed unsafe” and taken off the road. I have a couple of spots I plan to cut out and weld in plates, but for the most part it’s still fine. I sandblasted, primed and painted it, and will be using Eastwood internal coating on the inside to try to keep it preserved as long as I can. I’d love to get a new frame under a class action, but can’t afford to have my truck taken off the road for what could be years while this gets settled.

terminator, what you are saying is exactly my feelings. i paid 8k for my truck, have put TRD Bilstein Coil overs, full OEM timing belt kit, with all the pulleys and tensioner, Doug Thorley headers, Gibson catback, new Blizzaks, full transaxle service, cv axles, and dudes like its a Shitty $3000 truck.. I have been trying to have folks voice their experience if they had frame issues, but some dudes just live to try and ruin other people's day..

 

[Terminator03]

terminator, what you are saying is exactly my feelings. i paid 8k for my truck, have put TRD Bilstein Coil overs, full OEM timing belt kit, with all the pulleys and tensioner, Doug Thorley headers, Gibson catback, new Blizzaks, full transaxle service, cv axles, and dudes like its a Shitty $3000 truck.. I have been trying to have folks voice their experience if they had frame issues, but some dudes just live to try and ruin other people's day..

Yep, I have around $10-12k (including purchase price) so far into mine and haven’t even had it for a year yet. All cash, but I worked too hard for that money and the time into modding the truck to just have someone try to junk it because of this issue, so I’ll do my best to keep the rust at bay, and repair sections as necessary regardless of what happens with this campaign.

 

[T4R2014]

Yep, I have around $10-12k (including purchase price) so far into mine and haven’t even had it for a year yet. All cash, but I worked too hard for that money and the time into modding the truck to just have someone try to junk it because of this issue, so I’ll do my best to keep the rust at bay, and repair sections as necessary regardless of what happens with this campaign.

I think you took the right way out for now. I’d say that if a recall even did happen, it would take at least a year to finalize. In other words, more depreciation. If dealer trade-in value is at $3000(and let’s say they add 40% for inconvenience), you still won’t see a penny beyond what you have into the truck. Those values might not even cover a frame replacement. Not to mention the nickle and diming from all the smaller parts that will break if they decided to go through with the procedure.

 

[dinorunner]

Thanks to the OP for starting this thread and thanks to the moderator for stepping in when needed. I am not an auto mechanic or even mechanically inclined, but I try to educate myself if and when something is brought to my attention or I notice something myself. While I know what rust looks like, I've never considered the fact that a modern (for the sake of argument Yr 2000 plus vehicle) could have a rust issue that on its own would make the car unsafe to drive for my family (or send it to the junk yard). I had heard about the Tacoma rust issue, but just assumed (due to being naive) it was isolated to Tacomas. Like other folks who are the internet looking for one thing, I stumbled onto something else (and that is the carcomplaints article about rust on 2002-2006 runners).

So, now that there could be an issue, I am on this site reading opinions (sometimes heated) and facts to understand what I should do. The point to this ramble is that NOW I know there could be a problem, and living in Pennsylvania, I should take some kind of preventative action. I'm not exactly sure what that will be! I own three 4Runners (08 V6 w 160K, 07 V6 w 140K, and a 04 with only 90K). I guess I will focus on my V6 2004 after reading this. I just bought the 04 for 8.5K and sunk another 1K into it for needed maintenance. So, I am bit worried now. I quick ignorant look at my 2004 tells me the rust looks worse on that one versus the other 2. I doubt I will try to do anything myself, so I am asking the crowd what would you do? Take it to dealer and specifically ask for some kind of rust assessment? Take it body shop and ask for similar assessment?

Special Note: I am not the original owner of any of my 4runners (04 and 07 are from private party, and 08 was bought certified used), but they are all taken to the dealer for required maintenance. Never in any of those trips did I ever hear anything about vehicle rust OR preventive maintenance regarding rust from my dealer. Given the service reps have part of their salary based on selling maintenance, I guess it surprises me that my dealer has been silent on any kind of rust prevention.