Rust starting on my lift gate already %&*&$#!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LandCruiser]

My 60 series rusted.

My 80 series rusted.

My 3rd gen rusted.

My FJ Cruiser rusted.

...at least Toyota is consistent over the years.

 

[windycity]

Went to the dealer today on a 7:15AM appointment. Service lady said it would fall under 3yr/36k???
Toyota website specifically states 5yrs/unlimited mileage.

How can she put a mileage limit on rust?
Waiting for manager to come in.
I might have to escalate this to toyota by myself if this dealer doesn't help
(West Springfield Ma) it's where I purchased the vehicle

I cannot recommend toyota anymore if their vehicles start to rust thru at 3 years old!
What a shame

Any update?

 

[mdogg]

Mdogg, I'm not sure why you would white night Toyota for what is clearly a rust / corrosion issue that shows up in the painted surface.
The point being that customers bought the 4 runner not expecting it to be like the rest of the pack, but exceed it.
If it is going to have rust after three yrs., there is no value!
I am not a troll nor a hater, the buyer just wants what they paid for. A $40 K vehicle by any one should not show signs of corrosion in three yrs. time.

When you read about other manufacturer issues like warranty work after warranty work (or even worse - work not covered...), it honestly makes a small rust spot seem pretty inconsequential. No, I'm not saying it is ideal or desired at all - but it could be much worse.

Again, what is your alternative in this price range? Value does not mean having a perfect vehicle. It means having a good vehicle when you consider the economic factors like purchase price, maintenance costs, repair costs, and selling/trade-in price. Something tells me that a bit of small rust spots on the surface won't stop the 4R from having higher resale value after an equivalent time/mileage period when compared to any of its competitors.

If there is no alternative to the 4R, what is the remedy? Complain on an internet forum until corporate Toyota decides to up the quality, add on $5k to the cost, and remove other features (or some combination of these)? Then the complaint circle continues about Toyota decontenting and raising prices... What is the single answer that works for all buyers as well as Toyota and their dealers?

It's a free market. The 4R is still arguably the best option for what it is - rust spots and all. I'll take a 4R for the price with the rust spots over a JGC or any other competitor without rust spots but may or may not have to be lemon lawed in short order. Vote with your dollars if you have a better idea than what Toyota is offering you.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Not sure what your talking about with the quality spiraling down lately. Toyota has had rust problems for many years.This same 4Runner tailgate rust around the garnish has been a problem for at least 11 years with plenty of threads and post about it and Toyota even has a TSB http://www.toyota-4runner.org/tsb/77394-bo010-01-9-12-07-rust-tailgate.html#post1525046 for it was so bad a couple of years.
They don't put out a TSB unless there are many many problems. Everyone here that has it needs to complain to maybe get another one for the SAME problem.

I'm referring to other issues in general with Toyota, not just Rust; which I agree has been a consistent issue. But their warranty attitude is getting a bit on the bad side. Like I said its no where near Chry-Corp level, but Toyota stretched themselves thin with so many models over the years, trying new technology (I highly suspect the "Valve-Matic" system in thew new Corollas is a copy of BMW's system and will have many issues in the future; we've already started having TSBs regarding them and the engine barely came out), and competing with other brands (Hyundai and Kia are sneaking up big time in the Industry), as a result their quality started slipping. We had a few thousand brand new Highlanders where the 3rd row seatbelt buckle was not bolted down. The robot (hopefully it was a robot issue) installed the bolt and then placed the seatbelt bracket on top of the bolt. Toyota had us stop sell those Highlanders and fix the issue, but that is something that should never have left the factory in the first place.


I still can't get any information (i.e. they act dumb or deny any possible failure when presented with evidence) from factory reps regarding issues with pre '05 1GR-FE Cylinder Head gaskets (which Toyota had issues before with cylinderhead gasket failures) that seems to be a minor, but obvious defect shown by many points of evidence including consistent failure points, a small sub-set of years affected, and a superseded part number for that headgasket that was roughly after '05.

My post was more a general statement in regards to their overall quality these days seems to be heading downwards, I still love Toyota and would still buy one over other vehicles any day. I am just also very aware of the large number of TSBs, Recalls, and campaigns we are releasing these days. Many of which seem contradictory to helping the customer (as the two examples I posted earlier),others genuinely good customer service (i.e. our recent issues with seat heaters resulting in a stop sell of Avalons and Camrys affected to fix them BEFORE the customer purchases the vehicle), and some just seem like they never should have happened in the first place (as in the Highlander example I mentioned.) I'm not saying Toyota is a bad company or their products are utter garbage, I am just noting that they seem to be heading towards a direction we've seen other companies go when they need to save costs and maximize profits and I hope that Toyota realizes this will hurt them in the long run and turns around before they damage their reputation.

 

[Curt Sauve]

I'm referring to other issues in general with Toyota, not just Rust; which I agree has been a consistent issue. But their warranty attitude is getting a bit on the bad side. Like I said its no where near Chry-Corp level, but Toyota stretched themselves thin with so many models over the years, trying new technology (I highly suspect the "Valve-Matic" system in thew new Corollas is a copy of BMW's system and will have many issues in the future; we've already started having TSBs regarding them and the engine barely came out), and competing with other brands (Hyundai and Kia are sneaking up big time in the Industry), as a result their quality started slipping. We had a few thousand brand new Highlanders where the 3rd row seatbelt buckle was not bolted down. The robot (hopefully it was a robot issue) installed the bolt and then placed the seatbelt bracket on top of the bolt. Toyota had us stop sell those Highlanders and fix the issue, but that is something that should never have left the factory in the first place.


I still can't get any information (i.e. they act dumb or deny any possible failure when presented with evidence) from factory reps regarding issues with pre '05 1GR-FE Cylinder Head gaskets (which Toyota had issues before with cylinderhead gasket failures) that seems to be a minor, but obvious defect shown by many points of evidence including consistent failure points, a small sub-set of years affected, and a superseded part number for that headgasket that was roughly after '05.

My post was more a general statement in regards to their overall quality these days seems to be heading downwards, I still love Toyota and would still buy one over other vehicles any day. I am just also very aware of the large number of TSBs, Recalls, and campaigns we are releasing these days. Many of which seem contradictory to helping the customer (as the two examples I posted earlier),others genuinely good customer service (i.e. our recent issues with seat heaters resulting in a stop sell of Avalons and Camrys affected to fix them BEFORE the customer purchases the vehicle), and some just seem like they never should have happened in the first place (as in the Highlander example I mentioned.) I'm not saying Toyota is a bad company or their products are utter garbage, I am just noting that they seem to be heading towards a direction we've seen other companies go when they need to save costs and maximize profits and I hope that Toyota realizes this will hurt them in the long run and turns around before they damage their reputation.

Just lease or trade every 3 years or 36 miles and your problems are solved, durable goods just are not that durable in the 21st century,,,,, how old is your cell phone, your computer, your fridge or your lawn mower? Technology, environmental concerns, and safety requirements have changed the world forever, and life is to short to worry about it, so focus on the important things that matter.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Just lease or trade every 3 years or 36 miles and your problems are solved, durable goods just are not that durable in the 21st century,,,,, how old is your cell phone, your computer, your fridge or your lawn mower? Technology, environmental concerns, and safety requirements have changed the world forever, and life is to short to worry about it, so focus on the important things that matter.

That's what my father did with his many vehicles and I don't have anything against it. But what do you tell the Toyota owners who bought their vehicle based on a history of quality, a promise of healthy customer service, and a desire to share their vehicle for decades to come?

Many members of this forum are members who purchase their vehicles based on their history and the promise of a Toyota that has been instilled in them for decades, we do not plan on tossing these vehicles aside; many of us make them our own and some pass them down to their sons, daughters, and others.

 

[Sputnik]

Not here to start fights.

Update: the service manager came in at 8AM and we talked. He pretty much told me that toyota is VERY picky when it comes to warrantee after 3/36k miles. I pointed out to him that the toyota website states 60 months/unlimited miles. He told me that it isn't up to him, and he will gladly push it up the ladder with toyota. In order for him to get the ball rolling, he told me I needed to visit a toyota body and colission center. They need to look at the vehicle and give me a paper stating that it is a manufacturer defect, not damage caused from end user. He himself looked at the vehicle and agreed that he was concerned about the spots on the tailgate that are starting to rust and bubble up. As far as the rust around the chrome piece, he said that that's just water build up, and warrantee wouldn't cover it.
While waiting for him to come in, I took a look around their lot and found another blizzard pearl 4runner, that looked to be newer then mine. It had the rear satellite antenna which mine doesn't, and had the stock crappy tires with lots of tread left. Based on those 2 things I figured its newer then mine. That being said, it also is starting to have this corrosion problem. I pointed this out to the manager as well.
I told him I will visit the toyota body shop, and have them look at it. The manager also stated that maintenance and where you do it also comes into play for these kind of warrantees. I told him I'm very OCD about my vehicle and do most of the maintenance myself.
I'll have the wife take it to the body shop this week.


As to some of the comments here:
Someone said get a new vehicle every 3 years; I'm not a millionaire to do that. I have other things to spend my money at. You can buy a new car every 3 years. I'll spend that money on my house, and my family instead.
Others said that it's just some rust, and some are defending toyota. Your guys comments are invalid to me. How can you even start defending toyota when their supposed to be one of the best when it comes to reliability? Their vehicles cost much more then domestic, so they need to be much better!

I paid $34000 for a base model SUV. I expect it to be rust free for atleast 5 years. Am I asking too much? Toyota isn't known to have rust issues, Honda is. My inlaws have a 1994 toyota camry that is 100 percent rust free. Spent its whole life in New England. Harper7, yes toyota always had rust on tailgates, but what you are talking about is around the chrome, which is their for obvious reasons. What about the small specs ALL over the whole tailgate that are starting to bubble up? No where else on the car, just the tailgates. It's as if they shipped the 4runner to America without a tailgate, and Chrysler made the tailgate. The other major issue about toyota is them declining warrantee work as stated many times before. They will loose credibility fast if they continue down this road.

I still think toyota is the best. No other vehicle is as reliable or has such a high resale, but at the same time, if they cannot take care of my rust issue that happened just 3 years into owning the vehicle, I will not buy another toyota after this one. I'll take my chance with Acura, Audi, Volvo, point is I'll look elsewhere. Toyota isn't the only maker. It's a shame, but Toyota quality IS in fact going down. Yes I'd rather pay EVEN more for a new toyota if their quality would be up to par

 

[Sputnik]

I encourage and ask all members of 5th Gens to go to your dealer and complain about this issue, if your vehicle is showing the same signs.

Don't let the best car manufacturer get away with poor quality defects. If you do, that's what they will continue to produce!

It is just mind boggling that some middle class people are defending a billion dollar corporation, when it's clearly a manufacturer defect

 

[perkdog258]

Just as side note to all of you. I have taken my 4runner in to 2 different dealers. The first one did not get the job fixed under warranty. The second one (where I happen to purchase it) was able to get the work approved.

Like others have said before Toyota is a little picky about the paperwork. So my guess is that the warranty thing is more a dealer thing then toyota thing.

Like [MENTION=8206]harper7[/MENTION] said earlier in this thread. The issue is due to the sharp edge on the 4runner label on the hatch pressing into the paint each time you lift and close the hatch with the handle. I personally plan on pulling mine off this summer and rounding the edges some and then painting it to help prevent this issue in the future.

Oh for all you people who do not believe that Toyota does not listen to us owners or watch the issues take a look at the rear end of the 2014's. They are now painted to help prevent this very problem.

 

[Whiplash Willy]

Just lease or trade every 3 years or 36 miles and your problems are solved, durable goods just are not that durable in the 21st century,,,,, how old is your cell phone, your computer, your fridge or your lawn mower? Technology, environmental concerns, and safety requirements have changed the world forever, and life is to short to worry about it, so focus on the important things that matter.

Yea, most consumer grade items are junk nowadays. My parent's $2500 GE Refrigerator has needed major repair 2 times, then replaced, and the replacement has required major repair again, all within the first 2 years of ownership. My stepfather is still using the same Whirlpool Washer and Dryer for the last 20 years, and they are still going strong. I would like to see a new equivalent washer and dryer last that long today.

I am still using the same Honda HR215 mower today, that my dad paid $600 for back in 1991, and it works as well, if not better then today's equivalent. He says his new Honda replacement isn't as powerful, and wishes he kept the old one

My 1989 commercial grade Beverage-Air BM23 Kegerator that I picket up for $100 still runs well, and can freeze a 5 gallon bucket of water with no problem (even with a bad seal!) I guarantee it cools better then a modern consumer grade danby kegerator.

Also, my Italian made, beast of an commercial espresso machine (Built in 1996, Bezzera BZ40) works flawlessly every day. I have $200 into it, and it's quality and functionality couldn't be compared to anything that can be had today for under $1500. Not much plastic on this thing, like with everything you see today, just Stainless Steel, Painted Steel, Brass, and Copper!

It seems that today's consumer grade goods are just engineered to last just past the warranty date, and be thrown away. In order to get something that lasts these days, you need to get commercial grade, or something built like 20 years ago.

I think Japanese vehicles had a sweet spot as well as far as quality and durability, around 10-20 years ago, before they started de-contenting and using cheaper parts to meet a price point.

 

[ant-ny]

Was washing mine today and noticed a spot of rust just to the left of the Toyota emblem on the rear hatch. Hope its not as much of a headache to get fixed as others are having. So far, my dealer where I bought it from has been very good with taking care of warranty work with no questions asked. They also have a Toyota body shop next to the dealer. 2011 SR5, 28000 miles.

 

[FlyNavy]

Not the hatch, but close

Was curious with all this rust talk. Lo and behold, rust under the weatherstripping! A little bummed out by this, as it seams water migrated inside the rubber and was unable to drain. Has anyone had any issues like this? Curious what other hidden gems might lie out of sight.

Off to the dealer to see what can be done......

 

[2013Trail]

Hey, where did you get the color-matched body side molding? I'd like to put some on my 2013 Shoreline Blue TE.

 

[2013Trail]

Was curious with all this rust talk. Lo and behold, rust under the weatherstripping! A little bummed out by this, as it seams water migrated inside the rubber and was unable to drain. Has anyone had any issues like this? Curious what other hidden gems might lie out of sight.

Off to the dealer to see what can be done......

Good old Toyota "quality." I guess that's "normal" like a bunch of members have claimed about the rust on the undercarriage on new and near-new 5th Gen 4Rs. The reason there's rust is that Toyota is cutting corners. Consumers pay for these cut corners in more ways than one.

 

[Antman]

Was curious with all this rust talk. Lo and behold, rust under the weatherstripping! A little bummed out by this, as it seams water migrated inside the rubber and was unable to drain. Has anyone had any issues like this? Curious what other hidden gems might lie out of sight.

Off to the dealer to see what can be done......

My 2011 hatch weatherstripping is completely full of clear grease to prevent that from happening.

Does yours have any grease or is it completely dry?

 

[desertred]

Oh for all you people who do not believe that Toyota does not listen to us owners or watch the issues take a look at the rear end of the 2014's. They are now painted to help prevent this very problem.

I doubt that Toyota painted the rear wings on the SR5 as a means to address the rust issue and alleviate consumer concerns over tailgate rust. If they did, they would have done it on the TE and Limited models as well, but the wings remain status quo on the '14 models as that of earlier years. I think the SR5 treatment was more of a marketing move to differentiate that trim line from others as part of the refresh.

Glad you got your warranty claim approved. I haven't seen any issues with mine, but I'll be keeping a close eye out.

 

[eddiebx]

My 2011 hatch weatherstripping is completely full of clear grease to prevent that from happening.

Does yours have any grease or is it completely dry?

Do you mean the sheet metal seam is lubed with grease from the factory before the weather stripping is installed? Or did you apply it yourself? If so, KY or astroglide? I need to check this once it warms up! This friggin' forum is going to be the death of me :tape:

 

[Antman]

Do you mean the sheet metal seam is lubed with grease from the factory before the weather stripping is installed? Or did you apply it yourself? If so, KY or astroglide? I need to check this once it warms up! This friggin' forum is going to be the death of me :tape:

It came that way :rockthrow:

 

[eddiebx]

It came that way :rockthrow:

Why did you even take it off to begin with, looking for somewhere else to put an LED? :lmao:

 

[Antman]

Why did you even take it off to begin with, looking for somewhere else to put an LED? :lmao:

Actually, I was looking for a clue so I could mail it to you.



OOOOOOOOOHHHHH!!!