We own a very nice 2001 Toyota 4 Runner. After sinking about $1600.00 into regular maintenance, we found out a few months later after taking it in for an unusual swaying in the rear end that the frame was cracked and rusted. The 4 Runners is built on the exact same frame as the Sequoia, Tundra and Tacoma all of which were recalled (model years 1999-2004) for cracked and rusting frames. We would like to know why Toyota didn’t include the 4 Runner. So far the only answer we can get from them is that they don’t plan to recall it.
In light of all the neglect that has come to the surface in recent months by automobile companies, I think Toyota needs to be reminded that thousands of this dangerous vehicle are still out on the street. Our vehicle is so bad our mechanic wouldn’t let us drive it home. I can’t make enough noise to get their attention by myself. I need your help.
Best Regards,
Susan Pope
There’s a lot of politics involved with Recalls and the odds of getting something done by making a lot of noise is not likely going to go anywhere.
The country is litigation happy and all car makers will remain non-committal about what they will or will not do. In short, generic canned responses is all you will get.
The only way a Recall will ever happen on your car would be if the NHTSA and Toyota were deluged with similar complaints by thousands of other owners and got a lot of bad press.
Your car is 14 years old and if you live in the Rust Belt then a rotten frame could be considered normal.
well I am a good welder…
Do you have a quote from a body shop to fix it?