NOTICED AFTER JUST PURCHACING A USED 4RUNNER FRO A TOYOTA DEALER SHIP THAT MY BRAKES SEEM TO BE MAKING A LOT OF NOISE. WENT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THAT THE FRONT CALIPERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR WERE FROZEN DUE TO RUST AND THAT HE HAS NOTICED THIS ISSUE WITH MULTIBLE SEQUOIAS AND 4RUNNERS. HAD TO HAVE THE WHOLE BRAKE SYSTEM REPAIRS COSTING ME OVER 1000 DOLLARS. *TR
2000
STRUCTURE:BODY
MY 2000 4RUNNER WENT IN FOR PENNSYLVANIA STATE INSPECTION AND FAILED DUE TO THE FRAME BEING RUSTED OUT. AS THIS IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION I WAS FORCED TO PAY FOR THE SPOT WHERE THE HOLE WAS TO BE CUT OUT AND WELDED WITH NEW METAL. THE WHOLE UNDERNEATH OF MY 4RUNNER IS RUSTY AND I BELIEVE THERE ARE OTHER PARTS OF THE FRAME THAT ARE TO THE POINT OF POSSIBLY NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS ALSO ALMOST RUSTED THROUGH. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF BEING IN A CRASH AND HAVING A BRITTLE FRAME THAT COULD BREAK IN HALF EASILY. I REALIZE THAT IN COLD WEATHER STATES THERE IS THE THREAT OF SALT AND CALCIUM CHLORIDE CAUSING OXIDATION BUT MY WIFE HAS A 2000 NISSAN THAT HAS SEEN THE SAME EXACT WINTERS AND ROADS AND IS IN 10 TIMES BETTER SHAPE UNDERNEATH THAN MY 4RUNNER. I HAVE TRIED CALLING TOYOTA CORPORATE TO NO AVAIL. I FEEL LIKE LOGGING A COMPLAINT IS ALL I CAN DO. TOYOTA SAYS THEY DIDN'T HAVE PROBLEMS WITH 4RUNNER FRAMES BECAUSE THEY WERE MADE IN JAPAN BUT WHEN I SEE DOMESTIC VEHICLES AND OTHER IMPORT VEHICLES LIKE MY WIFE'S NOT LOOKING LIKE OR HAVING THE RUST ISSUES MINE DOES I'M INCLINED TO SAY THAT TOYOTA IS EITHER LYING OR DOESN'T KNOW THE FULL EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME ACTION ON THEIR PART BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS INJURED DUE TO FRAME FAILURE. *KB