Toyota 4Runner Frame Recall Campaign

[thennen]

The OP hasn't posted in this thread in 3 years. Because he found no resolution, and wasted his time complaining. You won't find any either, and are wasting your time as well.

The frame rusting is not typical, more don't rust than do.

:hungry:

Agreed. I have a 2001 with some degree of frame rust, but I haven't determined how much. However, I live in Ohio, where they salt the roads so much that glass will rust. Toyota is a manufacturer of excellent vehicles. The only way they (or any manufacturer) could combat this would be to make frames out of stainless steel (other manufacturers' vehicles don't rust, right?). My 2001 has 18 years and 265,000 miles on it. So for me to expect little rust is ridiculous. Of course, I do WANT that, but I'm realistic.

 

[Mark_BC]

Agreed. I have a 2001 with some degree of frame rust, but I haven't determined how much. However, I live in Ohio, where they salt the roads so much that glass will rust. Toyota is a manufacturer of excellent vehicles. The only way they (or any manufacturer) could combat this would be to make frames out of stainless steel (other manufacturers' vehicles don't rust, right?). My 2001 has 18 years and 265,000 miles on it. So for me to expect little rust is ridiculous. Of course, I do WANT that, but I'm realistic.

Stainless steel rusts in salt water. They could have easily prevented this problem by hot dipping the frames in zinc to galvanise them. Then made it a $1000 extra option. I believe some Jeeps were galvanised maybe?

 

[T4R2014]

I doubt anyone will pay the $1000 option to galvanize. Even then the body will eventually rust. Plus all you web wheelers aren’t going to realize and get metal fume fever while welding on rock sliders to a galvanized frame. Toyota knows the only problem is lazy AF owners that don’t take measures against salt. This is why every generation 4Runner rusts exactly like the one it replaced. Notice the 4th gens. I think they actually rust worse than a 3rd. And the 5th uses the same frame as a 4th.

 

[Spktyr]

Stainless steel rusts in salt water. They could have easily prevented this problem by hot dipping the frames in zinc to galvanise them. Then made it a $1000 extra option. I believe some Jeeps were galvanised maybe?

What with all the people moving to Texas from up north, I’ve been seeing more and more vehicles from up in the Rust Belt around here. Even the domestic trucks that I know had galvanized frames rot out at only a slightly slower rate - check out the YouTube channel for South Main Auto to see the rusty crud that guy in upstate New York sees, and they’re not even all that old.

The Tacoma frame rust issue was because the supplier of the frames, Dana, actually didn’t rust proof them to Toyota spec. The 3rd gen 4Runner has a different frame design from a different supplier, was not made in the same plant - actually, not even the same country - and while some parts do interchange leading people to believe that they’re the same truck, all you have to do is put the 4R and the contemporary Tacoma on lifts side by side and you will quickly realize that they are very different trucks underneath.

The Tacoma is a Hilux pickup. The 3rd gen 4R is a Land Cruiser Prado, a very different beast.

 

[T4R2014]

The Tacoma is a Hilux pickup.

The Tacoma is actually a different animal from the Hilux. They even know the rear section of the frame is unacceptable in foreign markets.

 

[xcmtb83]

Having owned a '96 Tacoma that was bought back by Toyota and currently owning a '96 and '99 Tacoma as well as a '96 4Runner I am quite familiar with the frames. Not to mention the frame swap I personally did on the '99 Tacoma I currently own. I am of the belief that Toyota should have stepped up and replaced and or bought back 3rd gen 4Runners with bad frames.

I know, I know... they didn't make the Tacoma, Tundra and Sequoia frames so they claim it isn't their fault but Dana's instead. This frame quality issue is not an isolated incident. Hell, some frames that they eventually deemed bad weren't even manufactured yet when they first started buying back Tacomas! At this point in time why did Toyota allow Dana to continue making inferior frames? Toyota should have had boots on the ground at Dana correcting these quality issues instead of chasing the same problem for 10 years. Toyota also claims that the 4Runner frames are not affected, please, c'mon Toyota many of us know better.

I have heard it stated that the Japanese culture is too proud and stubborn to admit mistakes. Take this for what it's worth but I don't think it it very far from the truth.

End of rant and thank God for Fluid-Film!

 

[Spktyr]

The Tacoma is actually a different animal from the Hilux. They even know the rear section of the frame is unacceptable in foreign markets.

Eh, it's a Hilux frame, basically - it's just weakened or softened for the US market for ride quality reasons.

 

[Mark_BC]

I have heard it stated that the Japanese culture is too proud and stubborn to admit mistakes. Take this for what it's worth but I don't think it it very far from the truth.

This is true. I follow Thom Hogan the photographer who is Nikon's biggest critic. It is ingrained in their culture.

 

[jgue467]

The recalled frames were made by Dana, American made. Japanese only made the high level design, Dana did the detailed work and is truly the responsible party. Are we proud now?

https://autoweek.com/article/recalls/toyota-frame-settlement-could-cost-company-34-billion

:cowboy:

 

[xcmtb83]

The recalled frames were made by Dana, American made. Japanese only made the high level design, Dana did the detailed work and is truly the responsible party. Are we proud now?

https://autoweek.com/article/recalls/toyota-frame-settlement-could-cost-company-34-billion

:cowboy:

Are you saying that the 3rd gen 4Runner frames were made by Dana? I didn't see that in the article but I also just woke up. Haha

 

[jgue467]

Are you saying that the 3rd gen 4Runner frames were made by Dana? I didn't see that in the article but I also just woke up. Haha

4runners, Tacomas and tundras; not sure if they continue making them but the certainly did for many years. But yeah the Japaneses are responsible since they are the end seller but of course don't want to admit fault, kinda expensive but in reality is just 1/4 of one years net profit for Toyota. :cowboy:

 

[xcmtb83]

I am fairly certain 3rd gen frames were made in Japan. Tundras, Sequoias and Tacomas were made by Dana somewhere on this continent. For any other generation of 4Runners outside of the 3rd gen I am unable to comment on their place of manufacture. I only know a lot about a little you might say but am always interested in learning more Toyota trivia.

Has Toyota formally recognized the 4th gens to have frame issues?

 

[Spktyr]

4runners, Tacomas and tundras; not sure if they continue making them but the certainly did for many years. But yeah the Japaneses are responsible since they are the end seller but of course don't want to admit fault, kinda expensive but in reality is just 1/4 of one years net profit for Toyota. :cowboy:

Dana didn’t make the frames for the 4Runner.

 

[T4R2014]

Eh, it's a Hilux frame, basically - it's just weakened or softened for the US market for ride quality reasons.

Not even. Yes, the 1st Gen Taco uses the same coil spring front suspension as a 3rd gen 4Runner. L=However, look under an equivalent year Hilux (95-04) and you will see torsion bar suspension up front, similar to the 2nd gen 4Runner.

Toyota knows different markets have different demands. Similar to why there was a 100 and 105 series LC sold in Australia. The 105 essentially reused FZJ80 suspension. As such they aimed the 4Runner for comfort in the US market.

With that said, they all rust in the exact same ways.

 

[kolelt]

Pretty sure the tag on the door jam said made/assembled in Japan. On my 97.

 

[Sporin]

Sorry, wrong

 

[DreadPirateJon]

Just like how Toyota never recalled or even really mentioned that the head bolts on the 7M engines in the MK3 Supras was half of what it should have been, leading to pretty much every engine blowing a head gasket at some point.

 

[Lyninsky]

I am looking into buying a 2011 4runner. Is this a bad choice. I just looked up and there is a rust problem 2005-2011 4runners for rust on the frame. Is this true. And if the one I am looking at does not have rust on the frame is it a good one to buy or as someone told me it could still be susceptible to rust.

 

[FD7683]

I am looking into buying a 2011 4runner. Is this a bad choice. I just looked up and there is a rust problem 2005-2011 4runners for rust on the frame. Is this true. And if the one I am looking at does not have rust on the frame is it a good one to buy or as someone told me it could still be susceptible to rust.

Just look under the car and see if there is alarming amounts of rust anywhere on the frame. A smart owner would coat the frame black to hide the rust but you could check and see hidden rust underneath - try to look for a fresh layer of coated black paint on the frame and see if it looks to be bubbly and not a smooth finish. Flakes of rust is not good and I did hear that it starts to rust from the inside out.

You should post this on the 5th gen 4Runner forum since they might know a bit more about their frame.

 

[Lyninsky]

I am new to forum and I can't start a new thread.