Toyota Tacoma

The undercarriage on the Toyota Tacoma 2002 truck I bought in 2009 rusted out. First, the muffler fell off, but frankly I was too broke to get it fixed. So, I waited and was saving up for it. Then, my teenage daughter was driving to work a couple of days ago and heard something scrapping and sparking on the pavement. She turned around and drove home. I was horrified to find that the supports holding the gas tank up had rusted through and the full (thank God) gas tank was scraping on the group. That tore a small hole and the gas was leaking out. Toyota refuses to cover it and the dealer won't do anything either. I certainly can't afford any other vehicle right now and my daughter has to have a car to get to and from college to her job. Help.

My 1996 Toyota Tacoma failed. It has a faulty frame. They cannot replace the frame nor is it worth spraying the undercarriage. My truck is unsafe to drive, and it has been for years. I have put a lot of time and money into this vehicle, and I need my truck for my job in landscaping. It will never pass inspection again. Hyannis Toyota offered me 150% blue book value of my truck. I signed the contract promising this. I was then told I would receive a follow-up call by CECH, Toyota USA.

Before receiving this call, I returned to Hyannis Toyota the next week to hand over my title and get the rental car I was promised. I talked with the sweet woman, who had helped me from the beginning of this process. She had a message from CECH literally moments before we arrived, so right in front of us she called back. Her face turned bright red, and her jaw dropped. I was then informed that I no longer qualify for this program. Again, my truck was deemed unsafe due to rust perforation. I missed the deadline, because the first owner of this vehicle bought the truck in 1995, just before the new year. I am out of the program by weeks. My truck failed and is a 1996.

By my calculations, I was in the time frame for the 15-year program, the last day being December 31, 2011. I am the third owner of this truck and had no idea when the first owner bought it. Now, the only thing they are offering me is $300.00 for parts. Maybe?! I love my truck but have always felt unsafe in it. I was responsible by taking my truck in. I don't want to put my self or others in danger. I have almost sold my truck many times unaware of the recall prior to 2009. My truck at that time passed the frame test, and I spent all day at Falmouth Toyota and $2000.00 instead of getting my truck off the road for safety reasons. I believe because I'm a woman and because they had more recalled trucks than they could handle at the time, they passed my truck.

I am left with nothing and no way to do my job. I would put the money I deserve into a new or used Toyota truck. Bottom line is I have been endangering myself and others for years unaware of the fact that my frame could have fallen out beneath me. More people than I can count with trucks in better shape than mine went to Hyannis Toyota, and under this recall program, they came home with a new truck or a check. I went to Falmouth Toyota, because it's closer, which was a mistake. I just want what I deserve. This slippery, sneaky paperwork is hurting me and others. I didn't even get a letter until 2009. At this point, I feel I deserve more than the original agreement. But really, I just want a truck.

They have me between a rock and a hard place, and frankly, I'm very angry, dissatisfied, and ashamed of Toyota for the way I have been treated. It shouldn't be so black and white, and I will still always have a Toyota. But if this doesn't get dealt with to my satisfaction, maybe not. There are lots of ways to reach the masses, and I know I'm not alone. This is not a threat, but I feel like I have a case and I'm not giving up. Thank you for your time.

Rusty Frame on 2001 Toyota Tacoma - I was getting ready to sell my truck, and went to get a MD inspection. Upon inspection, the mechanic failed the inspection when he found holes all the way through the frame. I contacted Toyota Customer Care, and found that because I hadn't had the truck inspected by Toyota prior to June 2011, that I would not be eligible for the 15-year extended warranty. I never received notices from Toyota, and was unaware of the ongoing problems with the frames on the Tacoma trucks from 1995-2004.

Rust Holes in Frame: I have a 2005 Toyota Tacoma extended cab. I bought it new and had it serviced regularly and it now has 151K miles. I went to get it inspected and they failed the inspection due to rust holes through the frame and metal pulling away. The truck value is $12K and I was told it would cost $15K to repair it. The Freedom Toyota of Harrisburg, PA said there is nothing they can do to help other than give me the phone number to Toyota.

I called Toyota and spoke with a guy named Matt and he told me sorry, the recall was only for 1995 - 2004 and there was nothing more he could do for me. I asked him what he would do and his reply was getting rid of it. It appears they used the same stuff for the 2005 model. I just lost my truck and/or $12,000 because Toyota does not want to stand behind their product and problems.

I have a 2009 Toyota Tacoma on lease. A couple weeks ago, it was noticed that the DRL (daytime running lights) lens was burnt on both sides and the lens in front of the bulb was cracked. The whole headlight assembly is sealed still, but it looks like since the bulb was so close to the plastic lens in front of the DRL, they cracked from heat from the bulb.

I searched the WWW and found multiple issues with the years 2009 through 2011. Now Toyota expects me to pay $1000.00 for new lights. Since the DRLs are housed in the same housing as the regular lights, the whole assembly has to be replaced. Toyota has yet another problem that they are failing to acknowledge with one of their models.

It sounded like a U-joint is going out, and the A/C heater fan switch is not working all the time. They told me that the U-joints can't be replaced, because they cannot be acquired from Toyota and they would have to replace the entire drive shaft, front and back ($1400). The switch is not working because of a bad blower ($300). Really?

They also found a bad rear-wheel bearing ($800)? This truck has never been subjected to any tough road conditions, off-roading, or towing stresses. So why after only 112K miles is it falling apart? I have driven Fords for years and even used two of them to pull railroad cars down the track, but I never had a Ford give me as much trouble as this 2008 Toyota Tacoma has. I will not buy another Toyota.

Well, I just recently (3 days ago) drove from my house to a friend's, which was about a 45-mile venture. Well, I got to my friends and was there maybe 5 minutes and decided to go together to get some food at the local jack in the box. So I turned into the parking lot (remember, I just drove 45 miles on the freeway traveling at an average speed of 70 mph) and I turned to stop into the jack in the box and the whole front passenger side of my truck drops and in stuck. Well come to find out the lower ball joint connected to the a-arm completely separated and the ball joint was digging into the asphalt completely separated from the wheel itself.

I would like to point out that after this happened, I looked into it a little more online and come to find out there had been a recall on my make and model of truck for a faulty ball joint issue. I have not and have never received any recall information from Toyota or any of their affiliates. They say that I am lucky to be alive. What if it had done this while I was doing 70mph on the freeway? Scary and definitely not right. What can I do about this? My truck is now undriveable.

I own a 1996 Toyota Tacoma extended cab, 4-wheel drive. I love my truck! I would keep it forever because that is what Toyotas are known for...until recently.

I received a letter a few years back regarding the perforation of the vehicle's frame caused by rust corrosion. I brought my vehicle to the dealership and was told that my truck passed the inspection at that time. I just received another letter four years later for the same reason and once again I brought my truck to the dealership but this time I was told that my truck failed the inspection and because the truck is past the warranty enhancement period of 15 years, that there was nothing that they could do. All the service manager could say was "sorry". In my paperwork that I was given it says "frame is rusted through, we do not recommend driving this vehicle until repaired. Not safe to drive". I noticed when I brought the vehicle home, that when they inspected the vehicle they put a hole above the back tire.

So now I have this truck that I took care of for 16 years and I find out that they won't repair the truck or buy it back. I am very angry and disappointed at how Toyota handled this situation. I am a loyal customer and now I am stuck with a truck that can't be fixed or bought back and I can't sell.

I have a 2008 Tacoma. I bought it in February, 2008. The car produces very thick smoke. It blows out smoke like a fire extinguisher, all the way from home to Park & Ride, about 4 miles, even though it's warmed up for 10-20 minutes before take off each morning. I'm also an owner of a 2000 Sienna, 2000 Corolla, and used to have several other models. However, this 2008 Tacoma gives me very unusually thick smoke. I really believe this issue is from the manufacturer, because it happened since I bought it. At first I thought the car is too new to tell, and later I thought Toyota might recall for this matter. I am being patient for 4 years now. I'd like to know if anyone, who owns a Tacoma, has the same issue I have, or not? If so, what should I/we do next?

In Dec 2009, I went to Toyota Dealership in Juneau Alaska when I received recall notice for frame rust on my 2002 Tacoma. Dealer said there was surface rust but the warranty issue/recall did not apply in Alaska. I told them the car was originally purchased in Mass and driven in Maryland previously. Now the frame is literally rotted away and I have little choice but to possibly sue the dealer for denying a claim on a national recall issue. I just want to have it repaired not necessarily bought back, but that would be great too.

I have a 1998 Toyota Tacoma and received my recall notice. I went down on the 27th before the 31st deadline and the guy at the service department was so rude and he talked down to me and asked how long have you had this letter. He stated that they had 7 trucks or vehicles that they had to spray for the frame. He didn't go into details about that. But the thing is the letter said to go before the 31st and I did and they told me they would not do it. So I called some places and am waiting for them to get back with me. While I wait I read these reviews and do not have much time. Are they going to do something? I hope? The Toyota dealership that I went to said they would not!

I have Toyota Tacoma 1998. They failed the inspection, because the chassis frame is rusted. What can I do?

I own a 2002 Toyota Tacoma. During a service visit, I was informed the frame was badly rusted and told if any perforations developed, there was the possibility Toyota would replace the frame. This indeed happened and the frame was replaced under a "program". Now the differential, a $2500 part, is in the same condition, but Toyota is saying nothing can be done, as the vehicle is no longer under warranty. I believe this is a defect with the vehicle, same as the frame.

I have a 2001 Toyota Tacoma Xtra cab pre-runner with a little over 60,000 miles. I was driving to work and noticed a noise in the engine and took it to the dealer to get checked out. After they checked it out, they found a problem with the crankshaft and the initial estimate would be about 25 hours to fix if they could even do that and a new engine might even be required. I have only had Toyota's (my previous truck had well over 100,000 miles and was still going strong when I got a new car) and I am very disappointed in the lack of quality and I doubt that I would purchase a Toyota in the future.

I received a recall letter to schedule an inspection for frame rust my 1996 Tacoma by 12/31/2011. This was in bold lettering. I took my truck to the dealership on my vacation and was told that my truck did fail the inspection but because the truck was 2 months past the 15 year mark of the in service date that Toyota did not have to repair or give a refund for my truck. The letter was very misleading, causing one to think that they had until 12/31/2011 to have the vehicle inspected. I am now driving a truck that Toyota deemed unsafe with no way to repair or replace. I feel that Toyota made these vehicles they should stand behind them regardless of the date of in service.

I own a 2006 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport 4x4. The Frame is starting to rust badly, and large chunks of the frame is falling off. Are there any recalls on the 2006 Tacoma frames. I love my truck, but the frame is going away quickly. Is there anything that can be done.

On a good note, it has been the best vehicle I have ever owned.

I have a 1996 Toyota Tacoma. There was a recall on this car for body rust but my car failed the inspection. Toyota refused to buy it back because I was 7 months late and they only offer the warranty for 15 years since the car was made. I did take this car for the same problem in 2009 and it passed inspection somehow. The holes on the frame are huge so there is no way it rusted in 7 months period. They did not tell me that I had to inspect it every year and no recall mail was sent to me. Can anyone help me with this problem?

My 1997 Toyota Tacoma was completely rusted and had a rotted undercarriage. I was told by 3 independent mechanics that it was unsafe to drive or resell. I knew nothing about the recall and had not received any notice of a recall for this problem. The truck was scrapped by a local junk yard. Two weeks later I received notice from Toyota. I tried to put in a claim and received no satisfaction. My truck was in perfect condition otherwise with only 77k miles. It should have lasted another 10 years. I am seriously considering legal action. I have affidavits from independent mechanics, proof of active insurance and registration. We should have received some compensation from Toyota instead of a curt 'who cares, you sold the truck' attitude; you lose.

My 2000 Tacoma suffers from the rust condition that Toyota has a recall for right now. Toyota will not cover my truck because it has a repaired title, although the frame was not damaged in the accident. I have photos to prove. This truck is in great shape, besides the frame. I know I purchased a salvaged title vehicle, but I feel that this frame recall is really a safety issue; repaired title or not.

I purchased a new 2005 Tacoma manual speed regular cab. I have had to change the fuel pump and compressor for air conditioning by 2010. Now the truck quit running again like the fuel pump is gone again. I called Toyota Customer Service to see if there were any recalls on problems with fuel pump issues. I got no help, just people paid to answer the phone and pretend to be nice.

I took my truck to a local service repair center when I was in West Virginia. The next time, I was in Cleveland and had to call a local repair center. After calling Toyota, I was not going to take it to an over-priced, do nothing dealer. Well, they pulled the gas tank and checked the fuel pump. They said it's not the fuel pump. They can't find any reason why it won't start. So now I have a truck that won't start.

I will never buy a Toyota again. We have had other cars and trucks we have bought new and never had these problems. I thought Toyota was supposed to be the best. Oh yeah, it is all rusty too.

I have a 2001 Toyota Tacoma 4X4. I do not have a Toyota dealer near, so my local mechanic services my vehicle. It was in for routine service today (Oct.13,2011) & the mechanic tells me the differential is leaking fluid due to rust perforation. This cannot be repaired other than a complete replacement of the rear axle housing. Is there a recall for this defect?

A previous vehicle was a 1997 Tacoma. I had to stop driving this vehicle due to the back end of the frame separating the from the front part. I sold this vehicle for $4000.00 to a friend (former Toyota mechanic) who sold it back to Toyota for $18750. I received the recall notice 5 days after I sold the truck.

The "check engine light" came on, on my 2007 Toyota Prius. I took it to the nearest dealer. They ran diagnostics on it & told me there were codes they had not seen. I was to bring it back at a later time. I was assured the vehicle was safe to drive. The engine seized up due to overheating from lack of coolant. They charged me $5200.00 to replace the engine and I told them I would not pay for the coolant & the labor involved to repair that problem because I was told it was safe to drive. I took them to court & lost. They claimed they offered me a loaner vehicle but they did not. $5200 repair. $800.00 paralegal costs. $650.00 for their legal fees. No more Toyotas for me.

Toyota is doing a great job with replacing frames or buying back customer vehicles. However, they have not addressed the issue of corrosion on their rear axle housings. Serious corrosion on the rear axle housings of Toyota Tacomas cause gear oil to leak out. This will lead to eventual failure, due to lack of lubrication. This will lead to a structural failure due to such thin metal with tiny pinholes from rust. This also causes an environmental concern with pollution of ground water from millions of rusty axle housings leaking drops of gear oil.

I purchased my new Tacoma in October 2008 from a local Toyota dealership. Aside from the unintentional acceleration issues that I have dealt with, another equally as troubling problem is the braking system on my truck; disc brakes should have been installed on the rear instead of drums, which in my opinion, are inadequate to properly stop this vehicle. After almost three years of ownership, I have experienced overheating in the front brakes which required replacement as well as a complete fluid replacement before it is scheduled.

Also, for almost a year now, I have been experiencing some rear brake sticking and stopping issues; I recently replaced the rear brakes and still have the problem. Power Toyota in Buena Park insists that there is nothing wrong with my brakes, however, according to my research and my experience in driving this vehicle, the brakes are in need of redesign. I believe Toyota is aware of the problem but refuses to act due to recent revelations regarding the quality of their vehicles. Instead, Toyota insists on customers dealing with the issues themselves.

My 2009 Toyota Tacoma's brakes were spongy and became even softer when driven. The brake pedal slowly loses height, sinking towards the floor. Stopping distance becomes unpredictable and the vehicle becomes more difficult to stop. I have to depress the pedal to the floor in order to stop under all driving conditions. Yes, even when just inching up in traffic. If you pump it, then it gets a little better. But this is not the 1960's, why do I need to pump my breaks when coming to a stop? These are not a manual drum set up. They are disc breaks on a 2009! Worst breaks out of any car or truck I have ever owned. The dealer said it's all normal, nothing wrong within Toyota specs blah blah blah.

I bought a brand new Tacoma in 2005. I had it back three times for squeaking noises in the rear leaf springs. The last time, they replaced the leafs. It was quiet for a month or two.

Now it is very squeaky and sounds like a piece of junk. I thought I would get over it and am ready to trade for a Nissan Frontier but I like the Tacoma. Now the warranty is up. I am very pissed off and embarrassed to ride around. It squeaks so bad. What can be done to satisfy me?

I bought a used 1995 Toyota Tacoma in 1997 with 60,000 miles. I was not informed by the Toyota dealer when I purchased it that the head gaskets were replaced under the warranty at 22K miles.

At 104,000 miles, a Toyota dealership in Santa Fe, NM replaced the head gaskets again on recall. I did not experience any problem with the gaskets at that time, but I trusted Toyota and let them do it.

Within a couple years, I began losing coolant from the coolant reservoir. I did not know why until 2005 when the vehicle broke down with a miss-firing number 3 spark plug. I was informed by a Toyota service technician that the head gasket was leaking coolant into the number 3 cylinder. They said new head gaskets would cost $1,800 plus tax. I did not have the money to make this repair, and continued to drive the truck, replacing the number 3 plug whenever it quit firing.

Eventually, by May 2009, the gasket deteriorated further. Both number 3 and 5 spark plugs were being fouled by coolant. I paid out of pocket to have Gladstone Toyota replace the head gaskets with newly designed original manufacturer equipment head gaskets. I was assured by Gladstone Toyota's service department that this new gasket was designed to permanently solve the long standing problem.

After 23,000 miles, in July 2011, the fourth head gaskets that were installed in engine failed again. The coolant leaked into the same number 3 cylinder and fouled the spark plug. This was discovered by Power Toyota of Tempe, AZ.

I have a 2006 Tacoma TDR Sport 4x4. I have noticed that my frame is rusting away, chips of metal are flaking off, and I'm wondering will this be an accident in the near future. I am not the only one who has experienced this problem according to the internet. Is Toyota going to wait until someone else dies or is injured from an accident from frame failure?

My 2003 Toyota Tacoma with 70K miles, which I keep updated with maintenance, came to an abrupt end. On December 17, 2010 my son while driving home made a right hand turn and the vehicle started shaking violently. He immediately drove it home. It had the check oil light on. I checked the oil and found it clean and full. I turned the truck on and it shook violently and the check engine light came on as well. I parked the truck and on December 18th, 2010 I took the truck to the nearest automotive repair shop. They told me after putting the computer on it that the first cylinder is missing. They suggested a spark plug and wires change. They informed me that there were two different types of plugs on my 6 cylinder, 3 on one side and 3 on the other side.

By the way, did I mention my 2003 Tacoma only has 70K miles on it? After the plugs were changed, the truck ran rough still. They did a compression check and found the first cylinder was not firing. After paying $200 and some change, I then towed the truck to the nearest Toyota dealership. They said that they needed to diagnose the problem and would cost $95. After the diagnoses that I already knew what was wrong with it, they said I needed a new motor. I asked why and they said it could be due to a variety of reasons. I asked if this has ever happened before and they said no. They said they were having problems with 4 cylinders, but not 6 cylinders. If I wanted a rebuilt engine short block, I was looking at 5600 plus or another type of engine for 7600 plus or minus.

Then they said that Toyota of North America will not get involved until they find out what is wrong with it. I needed to authorize a tear down of the engine for $2500 first; then they could find out what the problem is. I recently had to authorize the tear down, because of Murphy's Law that says, "Anything that can go wrong will." Well, after the tear down I was called and told that I threw a rod in the first cylinder. I asked how could that have happened. They said it was not, I repeat, not due to lack of lubrication, so the only thing they could come up with is excessive revving? I mean you say that driving is excessive? I haven't even got to 75K miles yet and I need a new motor? Are you kidding? I purchased Toyota's and Honda's because of their reliability and service records.

Now, I need a new motor through no fault of my own. In fact the service mechanic said there should have been a loud bang when it happened and neither my son nor myself heard anything like that. In fact, it happened and the check oil/engine lights came on. No warning, no nothing. So now this Toyota dealership is putting together an estimate of a new short block engine repair and sending it to Toyota of North America to see if they will help with the cost since it is a manufacture's defect. So now that I am into this engine deal for about $2900 plus or minus, I have to wait to see if Toyota will man up and stand behind their product.

Being a Toyota owner, Highlander and Tacoma, and owning Hondas as well, I have started to lose all faith in Toyota. Waiting to see what breaks next is not what wanted in a car or truck. The economic damage that has been caused by this so far has been $235 for the first diagnosis and new plugs an wires, $45 for towing, $95 for the second diagnosis and $2500 engine tear down, and I'm still waiting for next amount to come. Also, I insured a vehicle that is not being driven because it is sitting at the dealership waiting for a new engine.

I purchased a 2006 Toyota Tacoma and am incredibly dissatisfied with it. I had the truck less than three years before both door locks stopped working. No covered. $600 repair bill each. Two days ago my "SRS" light came on. (It is a picture of a large red circle in front of someone sitting). I looked in the manual and it said, "Take to Toyota Dealer Immediately." That is all it said. I called Toyota of El Cajon, where I purchased my truck and asked what that light meant. I was told by their repair department that it had to do with my "traction control". I said that I think it looked more like an airbag issue and she said it was most certainly "traction control" and that it wasn't a big deal. I then looked up the warning light on the internet and it said that it was a faulty airbag warning. That does seem like a big deal.

I took the truck into Toyota of Hollywood and the real fun started. They charged me $99 just to hook up the computer to find out what the problem might be. Five hours later I called them, they were suppose to call me after three hours, to check in. I was told that "More extensive diagnostics were needed and they couldn't find the problem yet. "But they did let me know that I needed a $300 brake job. (I also requested that they do the free gas pedal replacement per the recall. Since my truck got a recall letter). I also mentioned that I could remove the ignition key while driving and that when I shut the truck down and removed the key, it sometimes continued to have power.

They said that I had "worn down the cylinders in the ignition and I would need to pay $800 to get that repaired. (Not covered by warranty). FYI, I had purchased the additional 6-year/100,000 warranty. I mentioned this to the mechanic and he said, "Yeah, I don't think that covers any of this."I asked if it would cover the "airbag warning light" issue. His response, "Probably not." I said that it had to be a "mechanical" problem and he said, "What makes you think it is a mechanical problem?" Because there is no way I could have done something to break an airbag by just driving. He paused and said, "Listen this truck has 80,000 miles on it. "So if you want to purchase a vehicle that falls apart at 80,000 miles and you don't want good customer service...then get a Toyota Tacoma.