I HAVE A TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2004 W/ 62000 THAT HAS BEEN KEPT IN THE GARAGE AND IS IN IMMACULATE CONDITION EXCEPT FOR CRACKS ON THE DASHBOARD AROUND INSTRUMENT PANEL AND ABOVE GLOVE BOX . I BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID I HAVE TO REPLACE IT AND WOULD COST AROUND $1500. THE SAME DEALERSHIP REPLACED ANOTHER 4RUNNER DASHBOARD FOR FREE PLUS $300 FOR INSTALLATION. I WENT ONLINE (REPAIRPAL)AND THERE IS MANY TOYOTA CUSTOMER W/ SAME PROBLEM . *TR
1996
STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
DUE TO A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF RUST THE FRAME BROKE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. LUCKILY THE BREAKAGE DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, BUT IT DID CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE SIDE TO SIDE UNCONTROLLABLY. IF THE BREAKAGE HAD OCCURRED AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED OR IF THE BREAKAGE (CAUSING INCREASED TORQUE/PRESSURE IN OTHER AREAS) HAD SPAWNED ADDITIONAL BREAKAGES IN THE MANY OTHER RUSTED THIN LOCATIONS, I FEEL SURE AN ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE BEEN UNAVOIDABLE. A QUICK SEARCH OF THE INTERNET SHOWS NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF SERIOUS RUST PROBLEMS ON 4RUNNERS....AND TOYOTA HAS ALREADY RECALLED MANY OF THEIR TRUCK FRAMES FOR SIMILAR EXCESSIVE RUST PROBLEMS. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED A FATAL ACCIDENT AND 4RUNNER OWNERS ALL OVER THE US ARE AT RISK. I HOPE MY COMPLAINT IS THE ONE THAT FINALLY FORCES TOYOTA TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND CORRECT IT BEFORE MORE PEOPLE HAVE TO EXPERIENCE A NEAR-MISS (OR WORSE). *TR