1996 Toyota Tacoma complaints

1996 TOYOTA TACOMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FRAME RUST CORROSION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL REGARDING FRAME RUST. THE CONSUMER MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE CONSUMER STATED IT APPEARED THE DEALER NEVER PERFORMED ANY INSPECTION IN REGARDS TO THE FRAME OF HIS TRUCK. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT EVERYTHING LOOKED GOOD AND THERE WERE NO MAJOR PROBLEMS AND THE BODY SHOP WOULD TREAT THE FRAME, BY TREATING ANY BAD SECTIONS, THEN UNDER COAT AND CONDITION THE FRAME. TWO DAYS LATER, THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A CALL STATING THE BODY SHOP FOUND A FEW MAJOR PROBLEMS, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO CONTINUE AND TOYOTA WOULD COME AND TALK TO THE CONSUMER ABOUT A BUY BACK AS THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE CONSUMER STATED IN TWO DAYS, THE VEHICLE WENT FROM BEING OK TO UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS FRAME DAMAGE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER MADE THE CONTACT AWARE OF A POSSIBLE SILENT RECALL, BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 203,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 96V129000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS AND THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE RECALL WAS EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,869 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,879.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS FRACTURED UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRACTURE BEGAN FORM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE TO THE REAR OF THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,000. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT RUST HAD PERFORATED THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE IN SEVERAL PLACES AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. UPDATED 03/14/12

THERE IS AN ACTUAL HOLE RUSTED THROUGH THE STRUCTURAL FRAME OF THE TRUCK. IN DECEMBER OF 2010, WHILE INSIDE OF THE 15 YEAR WARRANTY PERIOD, TOYOTA CLAIMED THERE WAS NO RUST ON THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE OTHER THAN "SURFACE RUST." IN SEPTEMBER OF 2011, AFTER THE 15 YEAR WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED, TOYOTA CLAIMED THERE WAS RUST, CORROSION, AND AN ACTUAL HOLE IN THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. TOYOTA IS CLAIMING TO HAVE ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR THEIR RUSTED FRAMES, BUT IS PASSING THE FRAMES UNTIL THEY ARE JUST OUTSIDE OF THEIR 15 YEAR WARRANTY PERIOD AND THEN FAILING THEM. THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR HAVING STEEL RUST COMPLETELY THROUGH ON THE FRAME OF A VEHICLE THAT HAS BEEN CARED FOR AND MAINTAINED. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD, AND IT IS AMAZING TO THINK THAT THESE VEHICLES COULD BREAK IN HALF WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGH SPEED. TOYOTA NEEDS TO STEP UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR SUBCONTRACTERS CUTTING CORNERS DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. THEIR SELF-IMPOSED PROGRAMS ARE NOT EXTENSIVE ENOUGH, FEDERAL PENALTIES NEED TO BE ENACTED. THANK YOU. *TR

FRONT SIDE DIVER SEATBELT NO LONGER RETRACTS & GETS HUNG IN DOOR. TOYOTA STATES NO LONGER COVERED. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER RECEIVING NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER: 96V129000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT), THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE DEALER REFUSED REPAIRS DUE TO THE VEHICLE AGE. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE FRAME WAS COVERED WITH RUST AND CORRODED DURING AN INSPECTION. THE DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 09/27/11 *BF UPDATED 10/11/11

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD BUY THE VEHICLE BACK BUT LATER RETRACTED THE OFFER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FRAME. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 243,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 240,000.

I OWN A 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA. I RECEIVED A "LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN" LETTER IN THE MAIL ON JULY 18TH 2011. THE NOTICE STATED THAT TACOMA MODEL YEARS 1996-2000 NEED TO BE INSPECTED FOR FRAME RUST AND POSSIBLE PERFORATION. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FRAMES IN A NUMBER OF THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT HAVE CORROSION-RESISTANT PROTECTION SUFFICIENT FOR AREA WITH HIGH ROAD SALT USE. THIS CONDITION IS UN-RELATED TO NORMAL SURFACE RUST COMMONLY FOUND ON METALLIC SURFACES AFTER YEARS OF USE. I LIVE IN NORTHERN ILLINOIS AND WITH MY VIN, MY TRUCK CERTAINLY FALLS INTO THIS CATEGORY. THE NOTICE, WHICH WAS MY FIRST AND ONLY ONE RECEIVED, CAME TO MY HOUSE 90 DAYS PAST THE 15 YEAR IN SERVICE DATE THAT TOYOTA EXTENDED THE CAMPAIGN FOR. AFTER SPEAKING WITH TOYOTA, I WAS ABLE TO HAVE MY TRUCK INSPECTED. THE FRAME HAS SEVERE RUST BUT SOMEHOW MANAGED TO "PASS" THE PERFORATION TEST. THE RESULTS OF THE TEST WERE IN MY OPINION MARGINAL AT BEST. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO HAVE TOYOTA SEND A FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO FURTHER INSPECT MY TRUCK FRAME. THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED AS OF YET (JULY 27TH,2011) AND TOYOTA SEEMS TO BE PLAYING A BACK AND FORTH GAME TO GET THIS DONE. CORPORATE TOYOTA IS WELL AWARE OF THIS FRAME CORROSION ISSUE BUT IS FAILING MISERABLY BY NOT STANDING BEHIND THE PROBLEM. DURING THIS CAMPAIGN, TOYOTA HAS REPLACED NUMEROUS FRAMES AND HAS "RE-PURCHASED" MANY TRUCKS FROM CONSUMERS IN THE AFFECTED STATES. ONCE MY TRUCK WAS DEEMED "PAST 15 YEARS FROM IN SERVICE DATE", THEY ARE TURN

RUSTED TRUCK FRAME.

I OWN A 96 TOYOTA TACOMA AND IT HAS DEVELOPED FRAME ROT. TOYOTA WILL NOT DO THEIR BUYBACK AS I BROUGHT IT FOR ITS SECOND INSPECTION 68 DAYS BEYOND THE 15 YEAR BUYBACK OFFER. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN CONDEMNED AND REPORTED TO CARFAX, TOYOTA CORPORATE AND THE MA RMV RENDERING THIS VEHICLE INSTANTLY UNFIT TO DRIVE AND ILLEGAL TO OPERATE FOR SAFETY ISSUES..YET TOYOTA DENIES ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS AND THE DEALER SERVICE REP SAID, YOU CAN STILL TAKE THE TRUCK, ITS YOURS AFTER ALL. HOW CAN A SAFETY RECALL FOR FAULTY FRAME CONSTRUCTION INVOLVING POOR QUALITY STEEL AND ABSENCE OF RUST INHIBITOR NOT BE A TOTAL RECALL OF ALL VEHICLES ON LIST DEMANDING BUYOUT OR FRAME REPLACEMENT FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE? WHY WAS TOYOTA GRANTED A 15 YEAR BACK-END TO THIS RESPONSIBILITY? FURTHER, TOYOTA PERFORMS THE INSPECTIONS AND YOU ARE ONLY ALLOWED 1 INSPECTION PER YEAR. I HAD MANCHESTER NH TOYOTA INSPECT MINE ABOUT 1 1/2 YEARS AGO AND THE TECH INSPECTING COMMENTED, "..THIS ONE WAS ONE OF THE BEST HE'S SEEN YET." I DISCOVERED A BROKEN LEFT REAR UPPER SHOCK MOUNT WITH A CHUNK OF FRAME TWO WEEKS AGO AND ARRANGED AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE TO GET THE TRUCK TO TOYOTA IN FALMOUTH, MA. WHERE THEY IMMEDIATELY CONDEMNED THE TRUCK DETERMINING IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE, THEN INFORMED ME THAT I HAD EXCEEDED THE BUYBACK TERM BY 68 DAYS PAST THE 15 YEAR OLD MARK. THEN THEY TOLD ME I COULD TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK BECAUSE AFTER ALL, IT IS STILL MY TRUCK. YOU'VE ALLOWED TOYOTA TO CONDUCT THEIR OWN SAFETY INSPECTIONS AND ALLOWED T

FRAME ON 1996 TACOMA HAS RUST HOLE THROUGH FRAME. DID NOT RECEIVE A NOTIFICATION OF WARRANTY EXTENSION FROM TOYOTA AND WARRANTY EXPIRED 11 DAYS BEFORE I UNCOVERED THE WARRANTY COVERAGE. TOYOTA WILL NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY AND TRUCK IS UNSAFE . *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING A REAR LEAF SPRING REPLACED ON HER VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AND ADVISED HER THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST HER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 259,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. HE THEN CRASHED INTO A TREE AND THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT WAS UNINJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR WAS IT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 245,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

I OWN A 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA WHICH HAS A RECALL FOR RUST. THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE IS RUSTING OUT. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER FOR EXAMINATION BECAUSE MY MECHANIC SAID IT WAS IN BAD SHAPE. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS OK. A LITTLE WHILE LATER THE EMERGENCY BRAKE MECHANISM ON THE BOTTOM RUSTED OUT AND BROKE. LUCKILY IT HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY SO THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR DAMAGE. THE TRUCK JUST ROLLED TO A HALT. IF THIS HAPPENED ON A HILL OR IN A PARKING LOT SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED. *TR

[XXX] 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA IT HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES AS OTHER MODELS/YR WHY HAVE YOU NOT RECALLED THIS VEHICLE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

REF: NHTSA 96E00100 REF: TOYOTA REFERRED RECALL WEBSITE <HTTP://WWW.INTERNETAUTOGUIDE.COM/AUTO-RECALLS/09-INT/1996/TOYOTA/TACOMA/INDEX.HTML> JAN 03, 1996 | RECALL ID# 39110 - RECALL REASON VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL RECALL DATE JAN 03, 1996 MODEL AFFECTED TACOMA POTENTIAL UNITS AFFECTED 5145 RECALL SUMMARY; THESE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEMS FAIL TO HOLD THE SPEED SET BY THE DRIVER AND CAN ACCELERATE ABOVE THE INTENDED SET SPEED. CONSEQUENCE; UNINTENDED ACCELERATION CAN INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT. REMEDY; DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE CRUISE CONTROL ASSEMBLIES. NOTES: ROSTRA PRECISION CONTROLS THIS IS CURRENTLY HAPPENING WITH MY 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA. TWICE IT ACCELERATED TO OVER 90 MPH WHILE ON A RECENT TRIP TO ANOTHER STATE. IT NOW DROPS OUT RAPIDLY AT ANY SPEED AFTER 1/2 MILE OR SO, AND THE CC LIGHT BLINKS CONSTANTLY. I'VE CALLED TOYOTA ABOUT THIS PROBLEM (PLEASE NOTE: THIS EVIDENTLY HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE 1996!!!) AND THEY REFUSE TO HONOR THE RECALL. CAN YOU HELP GET MY VEHICLE RETURNED TO A SAFE TO DRIVE STATE WHERE THE CRUISE CONTROL IS NO LONGER A SAFETY ISSUE? I'VE HAD THE DROPPING OUT PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, BUT THOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE THE UNIT WAS UNDER POWERED. NOW THAT IT'S SPEEDING UP, I LEARNED JUST RECENTLY THAT IT'S DEFECTIVE AND TOYOTA KNEW ABOUT IT!! THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

DURING PA STATE INSPECTION, NOTIFIED BY DEALER THAT BOTH REAR LEAF SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. DEALER WANTED $1200 + TO REPLACE. I FOUND A LOCAL SHOP TO REPLACE THEM WITH AFTERMARKET PARTS FOR UNDER $800. TOYOTA KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE SPRINGS AND YET STILL TRIES TO MILK THE OWNERS FOR MORE $. *TR

DRIVER'S-SIDE SEAT BELT LATCH IS FAILING. THE RELEASE BUTTON WILL MOST TIMES NOT DISENGAGE AND ALLOW THE SEAT BELT TO BE BUCKLED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA. HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN LEFT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED DRIVING STRAIGHT AND HE LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT HE NEEDED TO REPAIRE THE FRAME. THERE IS A RECALL OUT FOR THIS VEHICLE WHERE THEY WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THEM BUT THIS VEHICLES FRAME CAN BE REPAIRED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE AT $480.00 DOLLARS. THERE WILL BE REPAIRS DONE TO THE VEHICLE . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 211000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 211800.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE TIRES LOST PRESSURE WITHOUT WARNING. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VALVE STEMS WERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VALVE STEM INFORMATION WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 6/29/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VALVE STEM REPLACEMENT WERE FAILING AS WELL. HE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING THE VALVE STEMS WITH STEEL ONES. UPDATED 06/30/09.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TOYOTA WILL NOT ACCEPT HIS VEHICLE FOR THE VOLUNTARY CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM IS IN REGARDS TO THE REAR FRAME CORROSION ON THE 1995 AND 1996 TACOMAS. TOYOTA IS OFFERING 1.5 TIMES THE BLUE BOOK VALUE FOR THESE VEHICLES. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VEHICLE HAS A SALVAGE TITLE; THEREFORE, THEY WERE UNABLE TO BUY HIS VEHICLE BACK. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 179,171 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000.

TOYOTA TACOMA RUSTED FRAME RE-CALL. TOYOTA IS SENDING ALL OWNERS A TRADE-IN **ONLY** TOWARDS A TUNDRA PURCHASE OFFER ON 95-04 TACOMAS. THESE VEHICLES POSE A SAFETY-HAZZARD TO THEIR OWNERS, AS THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH * * HEAVILY - ROTTED * * FRAMES. THERE ARE NO BUY-BACK OFFERS OR TRADE-INS ALLOWED TOWARDS ANY OTHER TOYOTA PORODUCT, JUST TUNDRA. WHEN THE TACOMAS ARE BROUGHT IN THEY ARE INSPECTED, MOST ARE NOT ALLOWED TO LEAVE!!!!!!!! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR FRAME HAD ROTTED. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE REAR FRAME FELL OFF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THEY PLACED A PIECE OF METAL ON THE VEHICLE TO HOLD IT TOGETHER TEMPORARILY. NO PERMANENT REPAIRS WERE MADE AND THE VEHICLE REMAINS PARKED. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 66,000.

TOYOTA TACOMA 1996 HAS EXTREME FRAME RUST MAKING VEHICLE UNSAFE. *TR

PREMATURE FRAME DETERIORATION. ENGINE IS GOOD AND STILL GETS 24 MPG, NO OIL BURNING. REAR FRAME OVER TIRES FAILED AND HAD TO BE WELDED WITH NEW FRAME PIECES. BOTH SIDES. ABOUT 5 MONTHS LATER, COULD NOT REGISTER VEHICLE DUE TO ADDITIONAL, UNREPAIRABLE FRAME FAILURES. REPAIR SHOP SAID HE HAS WELDED ABOUT 100 TOYOTA TACOMA TRUCKS. KNOWN TO HAVE PREMATURE FAILURES IN THE CHASIS. *TR

SEVERLY RUSTED FRAME. *TR

HEAD GASKET FAILURE CAUSED BY DIFFERENCE IN EXPANSION RATES BETWEEN THE CAST IRON ENGINE BLOCK, AND THE ALUMINUM HEAD. ALUMINUM EXPANDS 1.7 TIMES FASTER THAN IRON, CAUSING THE HEAD GASKET TO TEAR OR UNWRAP. TOYOTA ISSUED A RECALL CAMPAIGN AND REPLACED HEADGASKET AND FLUIDS FREE OF CHARGE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START IN 80 DEGREE WEATHER. WHILE IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. SHE MUST WAIT UNTIL THE VEHICLE COOLS DOWN FOR IT TO RESTART. THE DEALER REPLACED SEVERAL PARTS, BUT DISCOVERED THAT THE BATTERY CABLE HAD TO BE REMOVED TO ALLOW THE COMPUTER TO RESET. THE MANUFACTURER DIAGNOSED THE CAUSE OF FAILURE AS THE E.C.U. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT NO REPAIR IS AVAILABLE FOR THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 123,400 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR DOES NOT HAVE A SAFETY CRASH BAR. WHEN REPAIRING A BROKEN LOCK, THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NO SAFETY CRASH BAR INSTALLED IN THE DOOR. PRESENTLY, NO FAILURE HAS OCCURRED. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 190,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS INAPPLICABLE. UPDATED 02-01-08. *KB

INITIALLY FELT A VIBRATION IN MY STEERING WHEEL AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL. WAS TRYING TO DECIDE FROM WHERE THE PROBLEM CAME WHEN MY LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW IT'S ENTIRE TREAD, WHICH THEN WRAPPED AROUND MY AXLE, CAUSING ME TO SPIN 360 DEGREES AND OFF THE HIGHWAY AND DOWN A GRASSY SLOPE, WHICH, FORTUNATELY, WAS SOFT ENOUGH TO STOP ME WITHOUT MAKING ME FLIP OVER. DAMAGE: WHEEL RIM AND COVER, WHEEL WELL LINER RIPPED OFF, THEREBY BENDING IT'S REAR BRACKET, WHICH IN TURN PULLED MY FENDER IN. TREAD WRAPPED AROUND AXLE BENT, BUT DID NOT CRIMP, MY HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE. I MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE ASPHALT TO CHANGE THE TIRE, BUT IT CAME TO A HALT BECAUSE OF THE AXLE BEING WRAPPED. WAS UNABLE TO PUT ON SAFETY BRAKE UNTIL I LIFTED THE VEHICLE ENOUGH TO UNWRAP THE TREAD FROM THE AXLE. HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH FIRESTONE AND EXPECT THEM TO PAY FOR MY DAMAGES. THEIR POLICY IS TO DEMAND THE OLD TIRE BACK BEFORE ANY PAYOUT CAN BE MADE AND I INTEND TO FIGHT THAT, SINCE THE DEALER HAS ALREADY DISPOSED OF THE EVIDENCE. MY FEELING IS THAT THE DEALER WAS EITHER IGNORANT OF THAT POLICY OR NEGLIGENT IN TELLING ME OF IT OR THAT FIRESTONE INSTRUCTED THEM NOT TO TELL CUSTOMERS OF THAT REQUIREMENT. I DID TELL THE DEALER THAT I INTENDED TO FILE A CLAIM WITH FIRESTONE. DEALER AS MUCH AS ADMITTED A FAULTY PRODUCT SINCE THEY DID NOT CHARGE ME FOR A NEW TIRE. THEY DID, HOWEVER, CHARGE ME LABOR. ROTATION AND COURTESY CHECK WERE PERFORMED BY DEALER ON 20 JULY 2005 AND THEY STATED THEY HAD CHECKED TIRE PRESSUR

MY VEHICLES ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH A FEW DAYS AGO AND WE BEGAN TROUBLE SHOOTING TO FIND THE CAUSE. WE PULLED THE SPARK PLUGS AND FOUND RUST AND WATER ON ONE PLUG. WE CLEANED THE PLUG UP AND REINSTALLED IT AND RAN THE VEHICLE TO TEST IT. IT RAN SMOOTH FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES THEN BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH AGAIN. WE HAVE DETERMINED THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAS FAILED. WE WENT ON THE INTERNET AND LEARNED THAT TOYOTA HAD ISSUED A SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN FOR OUR VEHICLE BACK IN 1999 AND AGAIN IN 2001. THE LAST ONE HAD AN EXPIRATION DATE OF NOVEMBER 30, 2004. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2002 AND WAS NOT AWARE OF THE SERVICE CAMPAIGN UNTIL WE FOUND IT ON THE INTERNET YESTERDAY. WE NOTIFIED TOYOTA AND THEY TOLD US THERE WAS NO RECALL OR CAMPAIGN FOR OUR VEHICLE. WE HAVE DOUBLE CHECKED THE VIN NUMBER WITH THEIR CAMPAIGN NOTICE AND IT IS A MATCH. WE HAVE NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AS WE FEEL THAT TOYOTA SHOULD MAKE IT RIGHT DUE TO NO NOTIFICATION WHEN THE CAMPAIGN WAS ONGOING.*JB

1996 TOYOTA TACOMA HAS UNDERGONE NUMEROUS REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES VARYING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER,WHEEL REPLACEMENT, 4WD BEING INOPERATIVE AND LEAKAGE ON THE PULLEY.*MR THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THE WIPER INSERTS WERE REPLACED. *JB

BROKEN REAR DRIVER SIDE LEAF SPRINGS ON 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA 4WD EXTENDED CAB LED TO POOR VEHICULAR CONTROL AND TIRE DAMAGE*AK

THERE REAR OF THE VEHICLE MADE NOISE. *JB THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE NOISE COULD NOT BE RESOLVED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE DEALER RESOLD THE VEHICLE WITHOUT IT BEING REPAIRED. *NM

WHILE STOPPING AT A STORE THE SEATBELT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE LOCKED UP AND WILL NOT RETRACT. HAVING HARD TIME GETTING IT FIXED AT THE DEALER. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THEY LOCKED UP. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO COLLIDE WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DRIVER'S RESIDENCE. *AK

RIGHT SIDE REAR LEAF SPRING BROKE IN HALF AT 79,000 MILES. RODLAND TOYOTA IN EVERETT, WA. STATED THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DID NOT MENTION THIS AS A KNOWN PROBLEM. NO OFFERS WERE EXTENDED TO CORRECT THE DEFECT. NO MENTION WAS MADE WHEN I PURCHASED THE TRUCK 6 MONTHS AGO (OCT. 03). TRUCK WAS SAID TO BE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION.

FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRE - TREAD SEPARATED ON FREEWAY

VEHICLE WHEN REACHING HIGH TEMPERATURE WOULD MISFIRE AND STALL, AND WILL BE DIFFICULT TO RESTART. DEALER STATED CALLED NHTSA.*AK

BAD REAR LEAF SPRINGS, CAUSING EXTREME INSTABILITY. VEHICLE: 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA 4X4 REGULAR CAB, REGULAR BED, 4CYLINDER. THE MIDDLE REAR LEAF SPRING HAS A TENDANCY TO BREAK, EVEN UNDER LIGHT LOADS.*AK ON MY TRUCK, THE DRIVER'S SIDE BROKE AT AROUND 100,000 MILES, THE PASSENGER SIDE BROKE AT ABOUT 110,000 MILES. THIS CREATED TWO PROBLEMS: 1) THE REAR OF THE TRUCK TENDS TO LEAVE THE GROUND ON EVEN SMALL BUMPS. 2) THERE IS LESS WEIGHT TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING A SERIOUS DEGRADATION IN STEERING CONTROL. MY SPRINGS BROKE WITH NO LOAD, I HEARD IT HAPPEN EACH TIME. I CONTACTED A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP EXPECTING THERE IS SOME SORT OF RECALL ON THESE SPRINGS, THEY SAID NO, BUT THERE WAS A 'TECHNICAL BULLETIN' FOR REPLACEMENT OF THESE SPRINGS. TOYOTA WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT, EXCEPT IF UNDER WARRANTY. (MY WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 100,000 MILES) THEY WANTED $345 EACH SIDE, PLUS LABOR TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED. THERE WAS NO WAY I COULD AFFORD IT. I DROVE AROUND WITH FOR A YEAR AND A HALF WITH A BROKEN LEAF SPRING ON EACH SIDE, WONDERING WHEN I WOULD GET IN A CRASH. HOW MANY OTHER TACOMA'S OUT THERE HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM? MANY! I DID SOME RESEARCH INTO FIXING THE PROBLEM MYSELF. I CALLED A LOCAL TOYOTA REPAIR SHOP (NOT THE DEALERSHIP), THEY STATED THAT THIS IS A MAJOR AND VERY VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 1996 TACOMA'S, THAT I WAS THE FOURTH CALLER FOR THAT DAY ALONE ASKING ABOUT THE SPRINGS. DOING MORE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I LEARNED ABOUT COUNTLESS CASES OF BOTH LEAF SPRI

FAULTY SPEEDOMETER. FRONT END SUSPENSION FAULTY,LEAF SPRING NOISE. *AK

DRIVERS SEATBELT NOT WORKING.SEATBELT MECHANISM BROKEN.DEALER CLAIMS $150.00 TO REPAIR.I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND DEFECTIVE PART THAT DEALER SHOULD ADDRESS.*AK

ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER BECAUSE FRONT LEFT TIRE WOBBLED WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER STATED THAT FRAME RAIL WOULD BE REPLACED PER RECALL #96V129000. *AK

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED FRONT LEFT WHEEL WAS CAVED INWARD. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE'S FRAME RAIL WAS DEFECTIVE.*AK

SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED CAUSING THE BELT TO BE LOOSE AND TO GET CAUGHT OUTSIDE THE DOOR. *NLM

TOP OF THE SHOCK ABSORBER MOUNT DETACHED FROM THE FRAME BECAUSE OF METAL FAILURE. *NLM

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING THE REAR RIGHT TIRE BLEW OUT. *NLM

REAR LEAF SPRING ON PASSENGER SIDE (# 2 LEAF) HAS CRACKED, LEADING TO UNPREDICTABLE REAR SUSPESION BEHAVIOR OVER BUMPS. THIS IS A WIDELY KNOWN PROBLEM. TOYOTA IS AWARE THAT THERE IS A HIGH FAILURE RATE ON TACOMA LEAF SPRINGS, AS ARE ALL PARTS AND SERVICE PERSONNEL THAT I HAVE SPOKEN TO. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR FOR A KNOWN PROBLEM, TOYOTA SHOULD BE PROVIDING ASSISTANCE/RECALL.