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2003 with irreparable frame rust?

Discussion in '4th Gen 4Runners (2003-2009)' started by JimLoess, Aug 10, 2017.

  1. Aug 10, 2017 at 11:54 AM
    #1
    JimLoess

    JimLoess [OP] New Member

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    car is 14 years old, less than 100k miles, and the frame is rusted beyond repair
    My 2003 4runner is in good condition, but I hit a pothole and then heard a loud bang. The steering was adversely affected as the car was pulling right and I limped home at 20mph. Got home and called a tow truck thru AAA and the person at the auto shop told me that a supporting structure had rusted though and snapped and the entire frame is rusted beyond repair. I'm kinda PO'd because the car never had any problems until this incident and now have been told that Toyota does not have any recalls for extensive frame rust-the car has under 100k miles and now it appears that I will have to search for another car----WTF
     
  2. Aug 10, 2017 at 12:00 PM
    #2
    RonT4R

    RonT4R New Member

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    Where do you live?
     
  3. Aug 10, 2017 at 12:08 PM
    #3
    JimLoess

    JimLoess [OP] New Member

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    car is 14 years old, less than 100k miles, and the frame is rusted beyond repair
    I live in Connecticut
     
  4. Aug 10, 2017 at 1:59 PM
    #4
    jester243

    jester243 rabble rabble rabble

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    I changed some lights, tires and tinted windows...mind blowing huh
    pics? Have you ever used any rust or corrosion protection on the frame?
     
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  5. Aug 23, 2017 at 3:02 PM
    #5
    JimLoess

    JimLoess [OP] New Member

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    car is 14 years old, less than 100k miles, and the frame is rusted beyond repair
    I have never done anything to the frame/undercarriage of this vehicle - Here are the pictures that I received earlier today from my insurance carrier

    1 Suspension heavily rusted.jpg
    2 Fram Rusted photo .jpg
    3  frame rusted.jpg
    4  Frame rusted photo .jpg
    5  Fuel Tank Shield rusted.jpg
    6  holes in frame.jpg
    7  Rear End housing rusted.jpg
    8  Shackle broke.jpg
     
  6. Aug 23, 2017 at 4:34 PM
    #6
    jester243

    jester243 rabble rabble rabble

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    I changed some lights, tires and tinted windows...mind blowing huh
    ouch, that's not good
     
  7. Aug 23, 2017 at 4:53 PM
    #7
    brochacho

    brochacho New Member

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    Wow that is scary...
     
  8. Aug 23, 2017 at 7:21 PM
    #8
    v_man

    v_man New Member

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    fyi all your pics are about the size of a postage stamp, but yea looks bad from the tiny pictures...
     
  9. May 21, 2018 at 3:17 PM
    #9
    BananaCooler

    BananaCooler New Member

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    Did your Insurance cover the issue due to the rust? Curious I have only owned my 2003 4Runner two years and is just as bad. Seeing what my options are.20180521_140645.jpg 20180521_140657.jpg 20180521_140726.jpg
     
  10. Dec 9, 2018 at 5:03 PM
    #10
    toyron

    toyron New Member

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    suspension, tires
    wow, your's is bad! My '03 has rust but not like that> Toyota should be very ashamed putting out material like this and then turning their backs on it!
     
  11. Apr 11, 2021 at 4:05 AM
    #11
    jonzn4suse

    jonzn4suse New Member

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    Hello my fellow owners, here's my story from New Jersey.
    I spoke with Bell Legal Group and gave them my info with pics for the lawsuit about the rust back in 2019. A new lawyer calls me in 2020 and tells me that because my vehicle is a 2003 and the lawsuit is for 2005 - 2011, I could not be a part of the lawsuit. Just last week Bell Legal called me back and I now have an appointment to speak with another lawyer from their office on Monday 12APR21.

    So if you have a rust issue call them!!! ;-))

    https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2018/toyota-4runner-frame-rust-lawsuit.shtml

    https://belllegalgroup.com/

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    Last edited: Apr 11, 2021
  12. Apr 21, 2021 at 9:02 AM
    #12
    captsolo

    captsolo New Member

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    nassau bahamas
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    These 4runners are all from up north? yes?
    My 2005 runner here in the Bahamas has just superficial rust in some "places" - and nothing serious or structural.

    Is it the snow and ice causing the rust?

    Amazingly the outer painted body is 100% rust-free on my 2005.

    My GM Jimmy (owned since new - a 1996) that was 10 years old had rust on the body everywhere you could look - including the door jams. Ran well, but got so unsightly I sold it for $800

    GM builds such garbage. Buy Japanese. Never GM or Ford.

    The blue 4runner with 150,000 miles with no body rust runs and starts like brand new - STILL!

    Replaced a few $100 starters in 15 years. The 2005 OEM lasted 4 years.

    OEM radiator, WP, all hoses, muffler and tailpipe, engine V6.

    The factory undercoating paint (black?) is clearly doing its job

    Toyota should have dealers in Northern places double triple under coat. They need more.
     
    Last edited: May 17, 2021
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  13. Apr 22, 2021 at 6:49 AM
    #13
    JSSRVLZ

    JSSRVLZ -Red Hot-

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    That completely sucks. I would imagine, these vehicles need to be coated by something before leaving the production line.
     
  14. Apr 24, 2021 at 4:26 AM
    #14
    jonzn4suse

    jonzn4suse New Member

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  15. Apr 24, 2021 at 4:55 AM
    #15
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    + salt and a lack of maintenance possibly

    They are. My 2003 lived outside in Wisconsin it's whole life and the frame was rock solid in 2017 when I traded it in.

    Has it been determined that this was caused by a design flaw like the Tacoma frames? At some point, anything will rust if not maintained, especially in areas where snow and salt are factors.
     
  16. Apr 28, 2021 at 3:59 AM
    #16
    importman

    importman The mountains are calling and I must go...

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    Blacked out, Ironman 3" Nitro Gas Suspension lift, JBA High Caster upper control arms, Differential drop and sway bar relocate, Upgraded to Sport Front Cardone Calipers with Brembo Rotors and Akebono Pads, Added Spoiler, Sony XAV-AX100 with Apple Carplay, USB Jack, Backup Camera, Black TRD Pro Wheels with General Grabber ATX 265/70/17, Rear differential vent extension, Auto Dimming Mirror with Compass and Homelink, Map Light Mod, Tekonsha 90160 Trailer Brake Controller, Recoil SL1708 Sub, Sealight LED Headlamps, K&N drop in air filter, Weathertech floor mats, Homemade rear storage compartment with built in pull out table.
    Maybe you should just sue the state for salting the roads. Or, as others have said, do some preventative measures.
     
  17. May 17, 2021 at 7:37 AM
    #17
    captsolo

    captsolo New Member

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    My 2005 with 150,000 miles has zero rust issue, and the undercoating from the factory is still doing the job. The rust on these northern vehicles is unbelievable and unfixable.

    This is Toyota's fault.
     
    Last edited: May 17, 2021
  18. Jun 9, 2021 at 9:02 AM
    #18
    Good351

    Good351 New Member

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    While installing a new exhaust on my 2003, I pushed my finger through the frame. I'll be calling the Bell Legal Group.

    I wash once a week in the winter, as long as they are open. Salt gets into the frame and cannot get out.
     
  19. Jun 29, 2021 at 4:20 PM
    #19
    Bonitobob

    Bonitobob New Member

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    Sorry about this but the beginning of your post sounds like you were clueless as to the condition of your T4R. Miles don't kill frames. Time and harsh conditions do. That cancer was present many years ago.
     

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