2025 4Runner - trim, mirror melting in the Harsh northern sun

[Mike West]

My 3rd 4Runner. 2025 TRD Off-Road Premium. Very disappointed in Toyota!
Driver wheel well trim and side view mirror, and rear window trim melting. Parked in driveway in Massachusetts. Dealer and Toyota refuse to address.

I just returned from a week long trip to Northern California and stayed in a cabin, nowhere close to anywhere. The vehicle was parked at least 40’ away from any windows on the cabin. Complete crap. This is my first Toyota, and when I dug I to what would’ve caused this, I learned about low-e sunlight. This has been an issue with some automotive plastics since 2010 or so, so why do they continue to use the plastics with one of the lowest melting points (160-200 degrees)? Anyone have a better option for replacements that keeps the rugged look, but won’t melt like butter?

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[Dr_Al]

Ever use a magnifying glass to burn ants? That's what you have going on. At some point you parked in a place where the sunlight was focused on specific parts of your 4runner. Too bad you didn't notice it right after it happened so you could possibly identify the route cause. It could even have been the light from another car's side view mirror or chrome bumper that did it.

How does a skyscraper melt a car?

 

[Mike West]

Right? I still think that ALL automakers should bear some responsibility. If you park your vehicle anywhere and walk away for a couple hours, the sun obviously moves its angles, so it’s not something that should be totally on the driver/owner. Low-e is new to me. I’ve had sooo many vehicles and it’s never happened. This is my first Toyota and it really disappoints me that I have to act like I’m parking an ice cream cone. Auto manufacturers know this is a thing and won’t take responsibility for it after spending almost 60K. How about changing to a more rigid plastic or painted sheet metal?

 

[Nodak]

lol thats hilarious assumption. no one is going to account for every natural environment effect in real life either in automotive or any other thing.

good luck getting any oem to cover and act of god/nature event. that why there is comprehensive insurance on cars.

the only time an oem gets involved if its a natural defect of the item itself outside of external influence.

and the pictures prove it was an external influence and not a defect of the item itself since the damage so localized

 

[NotApplicable]

Anyone have a better option for replacements

I wonder if high gloss (painted) versions of these areas are less prone to it due to more reflection of the light. Maybe worth a shot if you’re replacing them anyway!

 

[Mike West]

I did think about that. They wanted $1,100 to replace the 3 parts at the dealer today.

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