2010 Toyota 4runner Body & Structure Problems

Your 4Runner's frame is beginning to rust and develop soft spots, even though it has undercoating applied. This rust can weaken the structural integrity of your vehicle over time. Frame rust repair typically involves removing damaged sections, treating the rust, and applying new protective coating or replacing affected frame components.

Your 2010 4Runner's paint is peeling, and Toyota approved a warranty repair to repaint all the metal panels in late 2021. However, the body shop has repeatedly delayed the work—first saying May 2022, then August, then telling you in July that you're fourth in line with no clear timeline. Toyota is refusing to provide written documentation of the approved claim or extend the December 11, 2022 warranty expiration date, leaving you at risk of losing coverage if the work isn't completed in time. You may need to pursue this through small claims court, a lemon law attorney, or escalate the complaint with your state's attorney general's office.

Your 4Runner has developed a rust hole in the frame on the passenger side rear track arm mount, which weakens the frame at the point where the rear axle attaches. This appears to be due to insufficient rust prevention from the manufacturer during production. Addressing this will likely require frame repair or replacement of the affected section and protective coating to prevent further rust.

Your vehicle's frame is experiencing significant rust damage, particularly where the suspension attaches. The upper rear control arm bracket on the passenger side has rusted away from the frame, and the driver side has a large hole forming around the lower control arm bracket—meaning these suspension parts may separate from the frame over time. The frame welds above the rear axle on both sides are corroded or deteriorating, and your rear sway bar has already rusted through and broken. You'll likely need professional frame repair or replacement of affected suspension components and the sway bar.

Your 2010 4Runner's clear coat is peeling from the paint surface. Toyota issued a recall to fix this problem, but you didn't receive the recall notice and are now outside the repair window. The dealership won't cover the repair under the recall since the deadline has passed, even though you weren't notified in time. Addressing this would likely involve having the affected paint areas sanded and recoated or repainted by a professional.

Your 4Runner's paint has been recalled, but the dealership refused to fix it because your vehicle has a salvage title. You spent $40,000 on this vehicle and believe the recall should be honored regardless of title status. The dealership has been unhelpful and dismissive when you've called back about the issue. Resolving this may require contacting Toyota corporate, filing a complaint with NHTSA, or consulting a lawyer about your rights as a salvage title owner.

BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE IT RATED HIGH, EVEN THOUGH IT COST MORE MONEY THAN COMPETITOR MODELS. RELIABILITY IS WORTH IT TO ME. HOWEVER, THE FRAME STARTED HAVING SIGNIFICANT RUST AFTER JUST A FEW YEARS AND WAS CAUSING SOME EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. FIRE SHIELD RUSTED OFF AND WAS REMOVED. NOW THE MASSIVE SKID PLATE BRACKET RUSTED OFF. TOYOTA SERVICE JUST REMOVED THE ENTIRE UNREPAIRABLE SKID PLATE DUE TO THE LEVEL OF RUST. THERE IS NOTHING LEFT TO ATTACH TO. THE MECHANICS SAID THEY WERE AFRAID TO SCRAPE OR CHIP ANY MORE RUST BECAUSE THEY WERE AFRAID THAT OTHER STUFF WOULD FALL OFF AND MAKE THE VEHICLE EVEN MORE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THEY INDICATED THAT THIS IS ABSOLUTELY EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE FRAME THAT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. THEIR OFFICIAL TOYOTA REPAIR ESTIMATE TO FIX THE RUSTING, FAILING FRAME AND MAKE IT SAFE AGAIN IS $17,783.71 WHICH IS HALF THE VALUE OF A BRAND NEW VEHICLE! TOYOTA CORPORATE SAID, SORRY, WE HAVE RECALLED MANY OTHER RUSTING FRAMES ON OUR OTHER MODELS BECAUSE THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE RUSTED THE WAY THAT THEY HAVE, BUT UNFORTUNATELY FOR YOU, WE WILL NOT STAND BEHIND YOUR 4RUNNER THAT YOU PAID $34,500 FOR. I AM TOLD THAT IT IS THE SAME FRAME AS SOME OF THE OTHER RECALLED MODELS. THE TOYOTA CORPORATION TRIED TO COMFORT ME BY ENSURING ME THAT THEY LOGGED MY CASE WILL CONTACT ME VIA FIRST CLASS MAIL IF THEY EVER DO DECIDE TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND MAKE GOOD ON MY $17,000 PILE OF UNSAFE, USELESS RUST.

PASSENGERS ARE FALLING WHILE USING THE FOOT STEP INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE WHEN LOADING AND UNLOADING DUE TO THE IMPROPER DESIGN AND INSUFFICIENT SURFACE PROVIDED BY THE FOOT STEP TO SECURE PROPER FOOTING. SEVERAL INCIDENTS INVOLVING FRONT AND BACK PASSENGERS, WORSE UNDER WET CONDITIONS. FOOT STEP TOO NARROW AND I AM NOT SURE THAT MEETS FEDERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE LIFT GATE WAS OPEN AND CLOSED ON ITS OWN WITH FORCE WHILE THE CONTACT WAS STANDING UNDERNEATH IT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFT GATE WAS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING AUTOMATICALLY AND THAT SHE HAD TO MANUALLY OPEN IT. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,500.