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

[Unhappy_owner]

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.

Sponsored

 

[Mad Ghost]

Now that is bizare, I live in Texas so clearly alot hotter and my 4runner was in Death Valley this summer and looks perfect. The fender flares are weird, the mirror caps look like something in the enviornment could have gotten on them and same for the window trim. I say try another dealer and if none will help out those parts are cheap to replace if you needed to.. The trd pro ones go for $230 for the set

 

[Nodak]

that looks like heat reflection off something.

you wouldnt have a very specific narrow band of melting if it was just general in the open melting.

 

[glocke12]

Something isn't right here. How long have you had your vehicle ?

I live in eastern pa and I got my 4runner on August 7...Between than and now we've had week long periods of 100 dg/100% humidity days, and I park in direct sunlight ( no garage and I don't park under trees to avoid tree sap ). I think it take a lot more heat and sunlight to damage those parts than you or I will ever see.

that looks to me more like it reacted chemically with something. I am assuming you have washed the vehicle with something..what cleaners have you used and what have you used to bring out the blackness on those black trim pieces.

The fender flares also look like they had something applied to them that caused a reaction with the plastic.

As an FYI, a different dealer may be willing to help you so I'd warranty shop if it were me and not mention anything about prior experiences.

If that fails, I would just pay out of pocket for replacement parts and put it behind me.

 

[Vincenzo]

That clearly looks like an extraordinary heat event. That is not normal wear from the elements. I’m gonna say, maybe, localized exposure to a heat source or light transmission. Light magnified off of a reflective surface

 

[glocke12]

That clearly looks like an extraordinary heat event. That is not normal wear from the elements. I’m gonna say, maybe, localized exposure to a heat source or light transmission. Light magnified off of a reflective surface

it would require a lot of heat and light focused very intensely for that to happen. Not really buying that, but not saying it couldn't happen, but it would have to be very intensely focused sunlight reflected for a long period of time for that to happen.


OP's driveway also looks like it is North-South facing so doesn't get direct sunlight all day long so I doubt it happened there.

 

[Imp]

This is 100% Sun reflection off low-e glass from a building/house. Either yours, neighbor, or work/street.

I know this because I had it happen to a Subaru I used to own. Sun reflected off my south facing windows onto my driveway.

If your house, you need a (bug) screen over the windows to help diffuse (what I did), or a film that can go over the glass. If neighbor/work... park somewhere else.

 

[IVD6G [SCAMMER]]

Probably sun reflection . Sorry about that

 

[glocke12]

This is 100% Sun reflection off low-e glass from a building/house. Either yours, neighbor, or work/street.

I know this because I had it happen to a Subaru I used to own. Sun reflected off my south facing windows onto my driveway.

If your house, you need a (bug) screen over the windows to help diffuse (what I did), or a film that can go over the glass. If neighbor/work... park somewhere else.

I never would have guessed. I am going to have to find another parking spot where I work because I park near a building that reflects like that...

 

[Badkarma8541]

Wow! I initially thought chemical but heat reflection makes sense. Park the car figured out exactly what it was reflected off of and go hit the building up to pay for repairs..

 

[Imp]

Wow! I initially thought chemical but heat reflection makes sense. Park the car figured out exactly what it was reflected off of and go hit the building up to pay for repairs..

Yep. There are many cases where the business owners have paid for the repairs, and the town/city should be notified. However, you need to document time of day and which windows.

In my case, it was my windows on my house. If your house and parking position near absolutely cannot reflect the sun onto your 4R, then you need the above. And, don't park there.

 

[Badkarma8541]

Take yourself to court. Lol

 

[djw4run]

There are cases of melting trim, side view mirrors etc on the 5th gen Toyota RAV forum which is what my wife drives. It is not pervasive or widespread but is affecting some owners mostly in hot areas of the country. I know that for a few owners, Toyota initially replaced those trim pieces but refused to replace them when the same damage occurred a second time.

 

[Dog4Runner]

This is 100% Sun reflection off low-e glass from a building/house. Either yours, neighbor, or work/street.

I know this because I had it happen to a Subaru I used to own. Sun reflected off my south facing windows onto my driveway.

If your house, you need a (bug) screen over the windows to help diffuse (what I did), or a film that can go over the glass. If neighbor/work... park somewhere else.

100% this is the truth. I've had the same thing happen with a FORD. Direct sun reflection mixed with radiant heat source can damage this soft parts.

 

[127.0.0.1]

solar convergence

all makes all models complaints in every forum

back in the day plastics were a lot more robust

nowadays, you really need to consider where you
long-term park and watch for concentrated reflections
and avoid those areas

Sponsored