1995 Toyota Tacoma complaints

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR WRANGLER SRA TIRES, SIZE P265/60R18. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED SEVERE BALANCING ISSUES WITH HIS TIRES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE VIBRATION. REPAIRS WERE MADE ON THE VEHICLE TO REMEDY THE VIBRATION. ANOTHER SHOP STATED THAT THE VIBRATION WAS DUE TO THE TIRES AND WERE DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE TIRES TO THE DEALER AT LEAST FIVE TIMES TO BE BALANCED AND INSPECTED. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AND REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 230,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 222,000.

I PURCHASED A TOYOTA TACOMA FROM A DEALER ON 9-17-2002. THE TRUCK WAS A SALVAGE VEHICLE WHICH WAS RECONSTRUCTED BY THE DEALER. I PAID $8,650.80 FOR THE VEHICLE. IT HAD IT HAD 87,631 MILES WHEN I PURCHASED IT. I WENT TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER (KINDERHOOK TOYOTA) ON 4/28/08 TO GET NEW SHOCKS PUT ON THE FRONT. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR 6 YEARS AND IT NOW HAS 129,119 MILES ON IT. THEY TOLD ME THE VEHICLE HAD A DEFECTIVE FRAME AND WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND THAT TOYOTA WOULD GIVE ME A CHECK FOR THE BOOK VALUE OF THE VEHICLE PLUS 50%. I GOT A CALL FROM TOYOTA ON 5/10/2008 TELLING ME THEY WOULD NOT GIVE ME ANYTHING FOR THE TRUCK BECAUSE IT WAS REGISTERED AS A SALVAGE VEHICLE. I WOULD NEVER HAVE BOUGHT THIS TRUCK IN THE FIRST PLACE IN 2002 HAD I KNOW IT WAS DEFECTIVE. THERE WAS NO INTENT ON MY PART TO DEFRAUD ANYONE. I FEEL I SHOULD BE COMPENSATED FOR BUYING A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE, IT WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT PERIOD. NOW I HAVE A TRUCK I CAN NOT DRIVE. I FELL AS THOUGH I SHOULD BE COMPENSATED BY TOYOTA. *TR

1995 TOYOTA TACOMA. REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAS RUSTED OUT IS IS NOT ABLE TO BE REPAIRED. A FRIEND WITH SAME VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER SAID THERE ARE NO RECALLS AND IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER RECENT FRAME RUST RECALL BY TOYOTA. *TR

EXTERIOR LIGHTING HEADLIGHTS: THE HEADLIGHTS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY,FLASHING FROM LOW BEAM TO HIGH THEN OFF AND BACK ON. I AM AN AIRCRAFT MECHANIC, AND I STARTED DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM, FINDING NO GROUND TO THE HEADLIGHTS. FOLLOWING THE WIRING DIAGRAM, THIS LED ME TO BELIEVE THAT THE DIMMER SWITCH PORTION OF THE COMBINATION SWITCH ON THE STEERING WHEEL HAD FAILED. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I FOUND THAT THE BLACK/WHITE GROUND WIRE FOR THAT SWITCH ON THE WIRING HARNESS SIDE OF THE CONNECTOR UNDER THE DASH WAS BLACKENED FROM EXCESS HEAT. ALSO THE TERMINAL INSIDE THE CONNECTOR WAS ALMOST MELTED. THE WIRE FROM THE SWITCH ITSELF TO THE CONNECTOR IS A 16 GAUGE WIRE, BUT THE WIRE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CONNECTOR, GOING INTO THE WIRING HARNESS TO GROUND IS ONLY A 20 GAUGE WIRE. EACH HEADLIGHT IS FUSED AT 10 AMPS, WITH A POSSIBILITY OF A 20 AMP DRAW ON A 20 GAUGE WIRE. THE NOMINAL CURRENT DRAW FOR THE HEADLIGHTS WAS ALMOST 10 AMPS, WHICH IS CERTAINLY TOO MUCH FOR SUCH A SMALL WIRE. FOR SOME TIME I HAD BEEN SMELLING AN ELECTRICAL BURNING ODOR AT TIMES WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE, AND NOW I KNOW WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. THE WIRE WAS BLACKENED, AND THE TERMINAL MELTED, SO A FIRE WAS A DEFINITE POSSIBILITY. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE, THE DEALER NOTED THAT THERE WERE 2 CRACKED LEAF SPRINGS IN THE REAR SUSPENSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED. UPDATED 01/10/07. *JB

ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2005, THE SEAT BELT ANCHOR COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT ON MY 1995 TOYOTA TACOMA 4X4 EXTRA CAB AND HAS RENDERED THE SEAT BELT USELESS. TOYOTA WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS IN STOCK AND SAID IT WOULD BE MONTHS BEFORE THEY COULD HAVE THEM. THEY REFERRED ME TO A JUNK YARD, WHICH ALSO DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX IT. ONE OF THEIR TECHNICIANS TIED THE SEAT BELT TO THE SEAT TRACK. I AM NOW FORCED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE THIS WAY AS I NEED TO GET TO WORK. *JB

DT: REAR LEFT SPRINGS FAILED. THE CALLER SAID IT WAS ON BOTH SIDES. THIS DEALER AND MANUFACTURER SAID THEY COULD DO NOTHING TO HELP HIM. *AK THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE 2 LEAFS IN ONE SPRING. *NM

1. TRUCK PRIMARILY USED AS A PASSENGER VEHICLE. ONLY INFREQUENT USE TRULY AS A TRUCK. 2. WHILE CARRYING A MODERATE LOAD ON THE HIGHWAY, A GRATING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE SPRING. THE LOWER LONG LEAF (2 LEAF + HELPER) HAD BROKEN OFF FORWARD OF THE DIFFERENTIAL AND DISLODGED ITSELF FROM THE ASSEMBLY SUCH THAT IT WAS RUBBING AGAINST GAS TANK SEAM. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR LEAF SPRING WAS ALSO BROKEN BUT ONLY SLIGHTLY DISLODGED. BOTH HAD BEEN BROKEN FOR AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF TIME SINCE THE BROKEN ENDS WERE WELL RUSTED. 3. WAS APPROX. 200 MILES FROM HOME AND FORTUNATELY HAD A HAMMER TO FREE THE BROKEN SPRING FROM THE TANK. STOPPED EVERY 30 MILES TO CHECK IT. THE PROBLEM IS NOT YET CORRECTED AND STILL INSTALLED ON VEHICLE. THIS COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY CAUSED A FIRE IF THE TANK WAS RUPTURED. TOYOTA WAS CALLED TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON THIS ISSUE. THEY TOOK MY VIN NUMBER AND SAID THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BUT MY PARTICULAR VIN WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. IN TRYING TO OBTAIN USED PARTS FROM AUTO RECYCLERS, MORE THAN ONE HAS STATED THAT THEY HAVE HAD QUITE A FEW INQUIRIES FOR USED SPRINGS FOR TACOMAS. AND AFTER SEARCHING THE NHTSA DATABASE, I BELIEVE THAT THE PROBLEM IS MORE WIDESPREAD THAN IS REPORTED TO TOYOTA OR THE NHTSA.

SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE USED 1995 TACOMA, UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE MIDDLE REAR DRIVER'S SPRING APPARENTLY BROKE AND CAME IN CONTACT WITH SHOCK, CAUSING HARD SQUEAKING. CHECKING WITH LOCAL SUSPENSION REPAIR SHOPS AND JUNKYARDS, ALL PARTIES INDICATE HOW COMMON AN OCCURANCE THIS IS. SEVERAL JUNKYARDS STATED THEY CANNOT KEEP ENOUGH OF THESE REPLACEMENT SPRINGS IN STOCK.*AK

TOM SCOTT MOTORS OF CALDWELL IDAHO SOLD ME A USED VEHICLE THAT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IN CONTACTING THE DEALERSHIP THE PROBLEM IS STILL NOT RESOLVED AND THEY ARE WAITING TO SEE IF THEY CAN PURCHASE THE PARTS FROM A WRECKING YARD. THE DEALERSHIP KNEW THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED NEW LEAF SPRINGS ON THE REAR OF THE TRUCK( THIS IS EVIDENT BECAUSE THEY UNDER COATED THE BROKEN PARTS) THEY DID NOTHING TO FIX IT BEFORE SELLING IT AND ALLOWED ME TO PURCHASE IT AND DRIVE FROM CALDWELL IDAHO TO LA GRANDE OREGON WHICH IS ABOUT 140 MILES ONE WAY. *JB

REAR 3-LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY HAS FAILED TWICE,BOTH TIMES BREAKING IN THE MIDDLE AND DAMAGING REAR SHOCK. BOTH TIME THIS HAS BROKEN WERE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS WITH LITTLE OR NO LOAD. LOCAL DEALERSHIP DENY'S HEARING OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT WAS QUICK TO SCHEDULE A REPLACEMENT FOR $1200!. *AK

THE HUB CAPS ARE LOOSE AND MOVE AROUND ON THE RIM. THE HUB CAPS SHEARED THE VALVE STEMS, CAUSING AIR TO LEAK . THIS HAPPENED TWICE. *AK (TIRE VALVE STEM WAS CUT FROM THE HUB CAP) *SC *JB

THE HUB CAPS HAD 2 PIECES CONNECTING INNER AND OUTER VALVE STEM. THIS CAUSED THE VALVE STEM TO RUB AGAINST THE HUB CAP. *AK

IN JUNE 2003, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP BECAUSE IT WAS NOT RIDING SMOOTHLY IN THE REAR. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE LEAF SPRINGS WERE SPLIT IN HALF. *AK THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT HE HASN'T FIXED A LOT OF THESE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *SCC *JB

THE HEADLIGHTS WORKED INTERMITTANTLY, THEN THEY STOPPED WORKING AT ALL. I AM AN ELECTRICIAN, AND I STARTED DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM, FINDING NO GROUND TO THE HEADLIGHTS. FOLLOWING THE WIRING DIAGRAM, THIS LED ME TO BELIEVE THAT THE DIMMER SWITCH PORTION OF THE COMBINATION SWITCH ON THE STEERING WHEEL HAD FAILED. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I FOUND THAT THE BLACK/WHITE GROUND WIRE FOR THAT SWITCH ON THE WIRING HARNESS SIDE OF THE CONNECTOR UNDER THE DASH WAS BLACKENED FROM EXCESS HEAT. ALSO THE TERMINAL INSIDE THE CONNECTOR WAS ALMOST MELTED. THE WIRE FROM THE SWITCH ITSELF TO THE CONNECTOR IS A 16 GUAGE WIRE, BUT THE WIRE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CONNECTOR, GOING INTO THE WIRING HARNESS TO GROUND IS ONLY A 20 GUAGE WIRE. EACH HEADLIGHT IS FUSED AT 10 AMPS, WITH A POSSIBILITY OF A 20 AMP DRAW ON A 20 GUAGE WIRE. THE NOMINAL CURRENT DRAW FOR THE HEADLIGHTS WAS ALMOST 10 AMPS, WHICH IS CERTAINLY TOO MUCH FOR SUCH A SMALL WIRE. FOR SOME TIME I HAD BEEN SMELLING AN ELECTRICAL BURNING ODOR AT TIMES WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE, AND NOW I KNOW WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. THE WIRE WAS BLACKENED, AND THE TERMINAL MELTED, SO A FIRE WAS A DEFINATE POSSIBILITY.

MIDDLE LEAF IN BOTH REAR SPRINGS ON 1995 TOYOTA TACOMA 4X4 STD CAB WERE FOUND BROKEN IN TWO. BREAK IS JUST IN FRONT (TOWARDS ENGINE) OF AXLE U-BOLTS. DRIVERS SIDE FRONT BROKEN PIECE HAD ROTATED INWARD TOWARDS 18 GALLON GAS TANK (WITHIN TWO INCHES) AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT BROKEN PIECE HAD ROTATED INWARD AND HIT AND DENTED SHOCK CASING. *NLM

BROKEN REAR LEAF SPRING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE (LEFT). *JB

A BOLT FELL FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO SPINS FREELY. *JB DEALER TIGHTENED LOOSE STEERING WHEEL NUT. THIS ALSO ENABLED THE AIR BAG SENSOR HARNESS AND HORN. CONSUMER DECLINED TO HAVE SRS AIR BAG LIGHT REPLACED. *TT

LEAF SPRINGS BROKEN ON REAR OF TRUCK UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM. JUST WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE WHO IS PULLING A CAMPER WITH THEIR FAMILY IN THE TRUCK HAS ONE FAIL AND IT CAUSES A CRASH THAT KILLS THEM ALL CAN YOU SAY LAWSUIT?*JB

CONSUMER STATES ROD BROKE IN ENGINE WHICH CAUSED ENGINE BLOCK TO BREAK RESULTING IN ENGINE FAILURE. MR WHEN THE CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE, A POWERFUL VIBRATION OCCURRED FOLLOWED BY SMOKE AND THE CONSUMER TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. UPON LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD, THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED OIL COMING OUT FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE. *YH

RADIO TAPE PLAYER STOPPED PLAYING. CONSUMER TOUCHED RADIO WIRES. AS A RESULT OF THAT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

SEAT BELT WEBBING DOES NOT RETRACT BACK INTO SPOOL, CAUSING THE BELT TO GET CAUGHT IN THE DOOR, RETRACTOR WAS REPLACED ONCE BEFORE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK. *JB

REAR LEAF SPRINGS BROKE AND SPUN OUT 1/2 INCH AWAY FROM CATCHING THE BACK WHEELS. DEALER AND TOYOTA WERE CONTACTED. *AK *SLC

WHILE DRIVING 40MPH LEFT REAR LEAF SPRING BROKE. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER.*AK

I FIRST NOTICED THE TRUCK WAS HANDLING DIFFERENTELY WHILE TAKING MY SON TO PRESCHOOL. I PULLED OVER TO CHECK FOR A FLAT BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT IT FELT LIKE. NO FLAT. SO I CONTINUED ON. THAT WAS FRIDAY FEBRUARY 8. THE SUNDAY AFTER, MY HUSBAND AND I HAD TO GO SHOPPING IN THE NEARBY CITY OF UKIAH. I MENTIONED TO MY HUSBAND THAT THE TRUCK WAS HANDLING FUNNY AND I WAS WORRIED ABOUT IT. HE CHECKED THE TIRE TOO AND COULDN'T DETECT ANYTHING. SO WE WENT TO UKIAH, ABOUT A 25 MILE DRIVE ONE WAY ON A TWISTY, TREACHEROUS ROAD. THE TRUCK WAS STILL HANDLING FUNNY BUT MY HUSBAND THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TIRE WEIGHTS. LATER IN A PARKING LOT IN UKIAH MY HUSBAND NOTICED THAT THE TIRE (FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE) WAS COMING APART. NOW THESE TIRES STILL HAVE PLENTY OF TRED LEFT SO SHOULD NOT BE FALLING APART LIKE THIS. WE HAD BEEN WONDERING WHY WE'D BEEN HAVING ALL THESE FLATS LATELY. WE SAW WHY WHEN WE CHANGED THE TIRE, THE ONE WE REPLACED IT WITH WASN'T MUCH BETTER! ALTHOUGH IT WASN'T COMING APART YET THE RUBBER INBETWEEN THE TRED IS WEAK AND CRACKING EVERYWHERE. ALL OF THE TIRES ARE IN THAT CONDITION. *AK (DOT NUMBER: 8XHLIPY309 TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)

CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE STARTED BEING ENGAGED TO ENGINE PRIOR TO PARKING THE VEHICLE, THEN AN HOUR LATER WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH NO KEY IN THE IGNITION THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE DOOR AND INTO AN EMBANKMENT AND DID NOT STOP UNTIL THE BATTERY DIED.*YH

LEAF SPRING BROKE IN TWO LOCATIONS. ONE PORTION DISLODGED AND ALSO DAMAGED NEARBY SHOCK ABSORBER AND NEARLY SEVERED REAR BRAKE LINE. *AK

THE REAR LEAF SPRINGS BROKE UNDER NORMAL OPERATION CONDITIONS ! I CALLED THE TOYOTA DEALER AND SAID THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAVE A "FIX" FOR $600.00! I CALLED 10 JUNKYARDS LOOKING FOR USED SPRINGS AND THEY ALL JUST LAUGHED AND SAID" THEY SELL THEM AS FAST AS THEY GET THEM" BECAUSE IT IS SUCH A COMMON FAILURE. I NOW ASK EVERYONE I SEE DRIVING ONE OF THESE TRUCKS IF THIERS HAS BROKE AND ABOUT 80% OF THEM SAY YES! IF THE TRUCK HAD BEEN LOADED OR IF I HAD BEEN GOING FAST WHEN IT BROKE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A HECK OF A WREACK! HOW COULD SO MANY TRUCKS BE DOING THIS AND TOYOTA NOT BE MADE TO MAKE IT GOOD? THANKS, GREG. *AK

BOTH SPRINGS FAILED AND DAMAGED REAR SHOCK CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. *AK

THE LEFT REAR AND RIGHT REAR LEAF SPRINGS SNAPPED IN HALF NEAR MOUNTING POINT ON AXLE, ONE OF THE BROKEN SPRINGS SWUNG IN AND PUNCTURED THE SHOCK. NLM

WHEN DRIVING STEERING WHEEL IS REALLY LOOSE. WHEN LOOKING UNDER DASHBOARD CONSUMER NOTICED ALL WELDS WERE BROKEN, AND THERE WAS ONE WELD HOLDING STEERING COLUMN TO DASH. IF STEERING WHEEL FALLS OFF WHILE DRIVING THERE CAN BE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS IS A FATAL FLAW ON MANUFACTURER'S PART. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

LEFT REAR LEAF SPRING - MIDDLE SPRING CRACKED. DEALER AND 2 LOCAL SPRING SHOPS SAY IT IS COMMON WITH THIS TRUCK; HOWEVER, DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR AT LESS THAN FULL COST. *AK

REAR LEAF SPRING DISCONNECTED WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT OF 5 MPH. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

THE PROBLEM WITH THE SEATBELTS STARTED APROX 3 YRS AGO ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE BELT WOULD GET TIGHTER AFTER IT WAS FASTENED, EVEN BEFORE THE VEH HAD BEEN STARTED AND STILL DOES IT THIS DAY. JUST RECENTLY THE SEATBELT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE COMPLETLY FAILED, IT DOES NOT LOCK IN PLACE NOR DOES IT RETRACT. I BELIEVE THERE IS POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS INJURY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. *AK

ORIGNAL EQUIPMENT ON A 1995, TACOMA, P215/70R14 SIZE. WHILE DRIVING RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW . *AK ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED DUE TO FAILURES AND AIR LOSS. *YH

WHEN PARKED AND IN GEAR WITH ENGINE OFF VEHICLE WILL ROLL BACKWARDS. THIS OCCURRED ON RANDOM BASIS. HOWEVER, IT HAPPENED 4 TIMES IN ONE DAY, AND TWO INCIDENTS WERE ON LEVEL GROUND WHERE VEHICLE ROLLED 3 FEET. DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT PROBLEM WAS DUE TO CONSUMER NOT USING EMERGENCY BRAKE ON LEVEL GROUND. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. *AK

THERE WAS A BROKEN REAR LEAF SPRING ON RIGHT PASSENGER'S SIDE . CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WILL CHECK INTO IT.*AK CONSUMER STATES AS OF MAY 8, 2001 NEITHER THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER HAS DONE ANYTHING TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM, CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, CONSUMER STATES THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH VEHICEL UNTIL HE BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE FOR AN UNRELATED REPAIR. *JB

ON DECEMBER 6TH, I TOOK MY TRUCK INTO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR NEW SHOCKS. FOR THE LAST FEW MONTHS THE REAR OF THE TRUCK HAS BOUNCED AND ROCKED MUCH MORE THAN USUAL, SO I ASSUMED IT NEEDED NEW SHOCKS. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT BOTH REAR LEAF SPRINGS ON THE TRUCK WERE BROKEN. THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME THE DAMAGE, AND EXPLAINED THAT THEY HAD BEEN BROKEN FOR SOME TIME. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE MORE THAN $1200 TO REPLACE THE SPRINGS. SINCE I DON'T HAUL ANYTHING HEAVY, OR GO 4-WHEELING I DECIDED TO LOOK INTO THIS SITUATION. MINE WILL BE THE 34TH COMPLAINT IN YOUR DATABASE FOR BROKEN LEAF SPRINGS ON 1995 TACOMA TRUCKS. ADDITIONALLY, THERE ARE 20 COMPLAINTS ON 1996 MODELS AND SEVERAL ON 1997 MODELS. CLEARLY, THERE IS A PROBLEM HERE THAT WARRANTS INVESTIGATION BY YOUR AGENCY. SINCE I HAVE DONE NOTHING TO ABUSE MY TRUCK, I WILL BE ASKING THE DEALERSHIP AND/OR TOYOTA TO REPLACE THE LEAFSPRINGS AT THEIR EXPENSE. I WOULD APPRECIATE A RESPONSE FROM YOU INDICATING WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM.

THE RIGHT FRONT LEMANS RADIAL AT TIRE (DOT# VDYKLAA024)EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, LEAVE THE ROADWAY, AND STRIKE SEVERAL TREES, THE DRIVER TRACI L. EVANS WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT) *SLC

TOOK IN TO HAVE SHOCKS CHECKED AND MECHANIC FOUND EXHAUST MANIFOLD TO BE CRACKED OVER 3/4 OF THE WAY AROUND BETWEE THE MIDDLE TWO EXHAUST PORTS. MY BROTHER IN-LAW SUSPECTED A LEAK AS I WAS PUTTING BOAT AWAY OVER ONE YEAR AND 25000 MILES AGO. I DO NOT EVER REMEMBER THE TRUCK SOUNDING ANY DIFFERENT AND THE MANIFOLD IS UNDER A HEAT SHIELD SO I NEVER SPOTTED THE CRACK. I HAVE ALWAYS SMELLED EXHAUST BUT THOUGHT IT WAS COMMING FROM OTHER VEHICLES. I FREQUENTLY MAKE LONG TRIPS IN THE TRUCK AND HAVE HAD TO FIGHT TO STAY AWAKE THAT I NOW KNOW MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. I HAD THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD REPLACED BY MY DEALER WHO PROBABLY HAS SAVED ME FROM FURTHER HARM OR EVEN DEATH. THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE MANIFOLD UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE TO WONDER WHY THEY HAD A REPLACEMENT MANIFOLD IN STOCK IF THIS IS NOT A COMMON OCCURANCE. I KEPT THE MANIFOLD AND WILL SEND IT WHEREVER YOU WANT IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO EXAMINE IT TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE CRACK. I AM AN ENGINEER AND SUSPECT THAT AN APPROXIMATELY ONE INCH MANUFACTURED HOLE IN THE HEAT SHIELD ALLOWED WATER TO HIT THE MANIFOLD AND THERMAL SHOCK CAUSED WHAT APPEARS TO BE A CAST IRON MANIFOLD TO CRACK WHERE IT DID. ONE MORE INCH OF CRACKING AND THE MANIFOLD WOULD HAVE BROKEN IN TWO.*AK

I HAVE 3 USA MADE 31X10.50R15LT M/S LOAD RANGE B AND ONE CANADIAN MADE 31X10.50R15LT M/S LOAD RANGE C (DON'T KNOW WHY FIRESTONE DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE ALL LOAD RANGE B'S) TIRES THAT ALL HAVE A CRACK APPROXIMATELY 60% OF THE WAY UP THE SIDEWALL THAT RUNS COMPLETELY AROUND THE TIRE. THE CRACKS ARE DEEPENING OVER TIME. I BOUGHT THESE TIRES NEW AND THEY HAVE BEEN MAINTAINED BY FIRESTONE APPROXIMATELY EVERY FIVE THOUSAND MILES PER THE WARRENTY. I HAVE MAINTAINED MY TRUCK METICULOUSLY AND TIRE PRESSURE IS CHECKED AT LEAST TWICE MONTHLY. I HAVE SEEN THIS CRACK ON MANY WILDERNESS AT III TIRES IN PARKING LOTS. I THINK THESE TIRES SHOULD BE RECALLED ALSO. HTTP://WWW.BRIDGESTONE-USA.COM/NEWS/00815B.HTM SHOWS 137 CLAIMS AGAINST THIS TIRE AS OF 8-22-00 ALREADY AND DOING A STRAIGHT RATIO WITH THE RECALLED TIRES EQUATES TO APPROXIMATELY 6 DEATHS ON THIS TIRE. WHY IS IT NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL? NOT ENOUGH DEATHS YET? AS A MINIMUM THEY SHOULD BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE UNDER FIRESTONES WORKMANSHIP AND MATERIALS WARRANTY.*AK (TIRESIZE: 3110.5R15L)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 3110.5R15L )

BOTH REAR LEAF SPRINGS BROKE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

WHEN BRAKES ARE DEPRESSED FRONT END VIBRATES UNCONTROLLABLY. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60MPH TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE REAR RIGHT TIRE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE REAR RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE. TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH DIFFERENT BRAND.*AK FIRESTONE PAID FOR THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE BUT THE CUSTOMER REPLACED THE REMAINING TIRES OUT OF FEAR OF SIMILAR TIRE FAILURE. *YH

WHILE DRIVING ON I4 FROM ORLANDO TO TAMPA AT 65 MPH THE RIGHT REAR TIRE OF MY TACOMA TRUCK HAD A TREAD SEPARATION AND BLEW APART. I WAS ABLE TO RECOVER AND PULL OVER TO REPLACE THE TIRE. NEITHER FIRESTONE, NOR TOYOTA WILL TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS, CLAIMING THE TIRE IS TOO OLD AND USED. IT CAME APART JUST LIKE THE TIRES ON THE RECALL, BUT IS A DIFFERENT SIZE. THE DAMAGE AMOUNT IS THE AMOUNT TO REPLACE THE TIRES, SINCE I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I FEEL THE RECALL SHOULD BE WIDENED TO INCLUDE MANY OTHER SIZES OF THESE SAME TIRES. HAVING KNOWLEDGE OF THE RECALL IS THE MAIN THING THAT ALLOWED ME TO RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM ON THE HIGHWAY AND AVOID ANY SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES.( DOT NUMBER: W2HY AWA TIRE SIZE: P215 70R14 )

WHITE SMOKE WOULD COME OUT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE WHENEVER CONSUMER STARTED CAR.*AK

REAR LEAF SPRING HAS ROTATED OVER & PUNCTURED THE SHOCK ABSORBER SEVERELY COMPROMISING VEHICLE HANDLING. THE MANUFACTURER HAS REPLACED SPRINGS & SHOCKS ON MANY OF THE SAME VEHICLES PREVIOUSLY DUE TO THE SAME DESIGN DEFECT, BUT IS REFUSING TO DO SO IN OUR CASE. ALSO, THE REAR LEAF SPRING ON THE RIGHT SIDE HAS BROKEN.

MY TIRE BLEW OUT ON THE WAY TO WORK AND ALMOST KILLED ME. IT IS NOT ONE OF THE TIRES ON THE RECALL BUT I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THEM .THEY HAVE CAUSED A LOT OF DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE AND I KNOW THAT THEY ARE A HAZARD.I HAVE CHANGED ALL OF THE TIRES TO A DIFFERENT BRAND BUT WANTED TO REPORT IT ANYWAY.( DOT NUMBER: )

LEAF SPRINGS WERE SAGGING AT 53000, BROKEN AT 87000. TOYOTA REFUSED TO COVER REPLACEMENT COSTS. *AK

REAR LEAF SPRINGS THAT HOLD THE WHEELS ON THE AXLE BROKE, CAUSING WHEELS TO WOBBLE. THEY COULD POSSIBLY BREAK OFF IF NOT NOTICED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK