It’s disheartening to discover a critical flaw in a vehicle you’ve cherished, especially when it impacts safety. Recently, the owner of a 2004 Toyota 4runner Limited faced this exact scenario, uncovering severe frame rust that rendered her beloved SUV unsafe to drive. Despite the vehicle being in otherwise excellent condition with only 155,200 miles, a common issue for this model year surfaced in the worst way possible.
Severely rusted frame of a 2004 Toyota 4Runner, deemed unsafe due to extensive corrosion.
This 2004 Toyota 4Runner, a trusted companion for a grandmother raising grandchildren, was expected to last for many more years and reach the 300,000-mile mark. Driven by brand loyalty and past positive experiences with Toyota, the owner reached out to the manufacturer, hoping for some form of assistance despite knowing there wasn’t an active recall for this specific issue.
Initially, the Toyota customer service representative was understanding and helpful, directing the owner to a local Toyota dealership to assess the rust damage. Toyota covered the cost of this inspection, which unfortunately confirmed the owner’s fears. The dealership identified holes in the frame near the passenger side door and a significant 12-inch rust section at the front core support.
Upon reporting these findings back to Toyota, the customer experience took a sharp turn. A different representative, who then transferred the call to a Customer Advocate Supervisor, offered a starkly contrasting response. This supervisor, already aware of the inspection results, immediately questioned what the customer expected Toyota to do.
The owner explained the pristine condition of her 2004 Toyota 4Runner, its low mileage, and the estimated $10,000 value it would hold if not for the frame rust. She also conveyed the staggering $16,000 frame replacement quote, hoping for some goodwill gesture – perhaps assistance with a down payment on a new Toyota or a fair settlement considering the circumstances. However, the supervisor’s dismissive and rude reply, “we are NOT doing anything for you!!”, abruptly ended any hope of resolution.
Left with a vehicle deemed unsafe due to 2004 Toyota 4Runner frame rust and feeling abandoned by a brand she had trusted for decades, the owner has filed a report with NHSTA.gov. She intends to escalate the issue further within Toyota, seeking someone in a higher position who might understand the value of customer loyalty and the disappointment caused by this 2004 Toyota 4Runner frame issue. This experience has understandably shaken her faith in Toyota, leading her to reconsider future purchases from a manufacturer that seemingly disregards long-term customers facing significant, safety-related vehicle problems like frame rust on a 2004 Toyota 4Runner.
