1998 Toyota Tacoma complaints

I WENT TO GET MY TRUCK INSPECTED AND THEY REFUSED TO DO SO, BECAUSE THE FRAME ON MY TRUCK HAS CRACKED. THEY STATED THAT THEY THOUGHT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES AND TO CHECK INTO IT. MY DEALER STATED THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THE TRUCK IS SO OLD. I STILL OWE MONEY ON IT. WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO NOW. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME DETERIORATED ON HIS VEHICLE. HE WAS ABLE TO PICK OFF CHUNKS OF THE FRAME AND IT EVENTUALLY CRACKED AND SPLIT IN HALF. HE CONSULTED TOYOTA FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO AND A HALF YEARS, BUT WAS NOT OFFERED ANY RECOURSE; THEREFORE, HE SOLD THE VEHICLE. MOST RECENTLY, THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT A BUYBACK OF 813,000 TOYOTA TACOMAS, MODEL YEARS 1995-2000 FOR THE FRAME. HE WAS OFFERED $675 FOR HIS VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 86000. UPDATED 5/20/08 *CN UPDATED 05/20/08

I OWNED A 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA. RECENTLY TOYOTA DIDN'T PERFORM A RECALL BUT A GOOD FAITH SERVICE FOR RUSTING AND BREAKING FRAMES. MY FRAME HAD RECENTLY BROKE CAUSING ME TO BUY A NEW VEHICLE, TOYOTA AND I HAVE WENT BACK AND FORTH ON THIS SINCE MAY OF 2005. IN FEBRUARY OF 2008 THEY HAVE CAME OUT AND SAID THAT THEIR 1995-2000(170,000 TOTAL) TOYOTA TACOMA'S DID NOT HAVE THE PROPER RUST PROTECTOR AND IT WAS CAUSING MASS DETERIORATION AND POSSIBLE FRAME BREAKING. *TR

1998 TOYOTA TACOMA PICKUP WITH MAJOR ROT ON FRAME. A 2 FOOT PIECE OF FRAME FELL OUT FROM UNDER THE WHEEL WELL AND THE OTHER SIDE WAS CRACKED ALMOST THROUGH. THE TRUCK WAS NOT REPAIRABLE. *TR

FRAME OF 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA SPLIT DUE TO EXTENSIVE RUST ON UNDERSIDE OF TRUCK. TRUCK WAS IN OTHERWISE VERY GOOD CONDITION. I HAD TRUCK CHECKED BY 2 MECHANICS WHO ADVISED ME NOT TO DRIVE IT AND THAT IT WAS NOT WORTH FIXING. I ENDED UP SELLING IT AT JUNKYARD FOR $700. I WAS STILL MAKING PAYMENTS AT THE TIME. *TR

THE FRAME OF MY 98 TOYOTA TACOMA TRUCK HAS ROTTED OUT. THE TRUCK IS IN DECENT SHAPE AND RUNS WELL BUT THE FRAME IS ROTTED. I'M TOLD DRAINS WERE NOT PROPERLY DESIGNED TO REMOVE EXCESSIVE WATER AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PROPERLY PROTECTED FOR RESISTANCE TO RUST AND ROTTING. IT'S DANGEROUS. I HAD TO WELD THE FRAME ONCE BEFORE AS WELL. *TR

FRAME OF 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA SPLIT DUE TO EXTENSIVE RUST ON UNDERSIDE OF TRUCK. TRUCK WAS IN OTHERWISE VERY GOOD CONDITION. I HAD TRUCK CHECKED BY 2 MECHANICS WHO ADVISED ME NOT TO DRIVE IT AND THAT IT WAS NOT WORTH FIXING. I ENDED UP SELLING IT AT JUNKYARD FOR $700. I WAS STILL MAKING PAYMENTS AT THE TIME. *TR

I TOOK MY TRUCK FOR PA INSPECTION AND I GOT A CALL AT WORK THAT MY TRUCK HAD FAILED DUE TO THE FRAME IS ROTTED AND THERE IS A LOT OF SURFACE RUST. THE REPAIR FACILITY CUT OUT THE PIECE OF FRAME AND REPLACED IT WITH NEW METAL. *TR

EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST ON MY 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA LEAD TO THE CAB BREAKING FROM IT BODY MOUNTS AND CRASHING ONTO THE FRAME. IN ADDITION, ALL BUT ONE OF THE FRAME MOUNTS THAT HOLD THE GAS TANK IN PLACE HAVE SINCE BROKEN CAUSING THE TANK TO DROP. ALSO, FRAME SHOWS RUST PENETRATION THROUGHOUT AND LARGE DIAMETER HOLES ARE VISIBLE IN THE LOAD BEARING MEMBERS. SUSPENSION MOUNTS, SHACKLES, AND THE ACCESSORY FRAMES HARDWARE IS SEVERELY CORRODED AS WELL. *TR

I HAVE A 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA AND THE CAP ON THE BED STARTED TO HIT THE CAB OF THE TRUCK ONE DAY. I INVESTIGATED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT THE FRAME HAD COMPLETELY ROTTED AWAY ON BOTH SIDES. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE PROBLEM FOR A TEMP FIX BUT THERE IS NOTHING GOOD OF THE FRAME TO WELD ANYTHING TO. DUE TO THE NATURE OF THIS TYPE OF COMPONENT FAILURE IT WILL MOST LIKELY RESULT IN DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO REPLACE THE FRAME NOR DO I THINK ITS EXPECTED OF ANY OF US WITH THIS PROBLEM TO PAY FOR THE MANUFACTURES DEFECT!! SO AS FOR NOW I AM STUCK WITH A TRUCK THAT IS WORTHLESS. HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DIE FROM THIS BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE!!!! *TR

I OWNED A TOYOTA TACOMA, 1998 KING CAB WITH 4WD UP UNTIL OCT 07, WHEN I HAD TO TRADE IT IN OR JUNK IT. THE FRAME WAS SO RUSTED OUT THAT ONE BAD BUMP WAS GOING TO LAND ME IN A DITCH OR OUT OF CONTROL. I RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE, FOUND THAT TOYOTA WAS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I TURNED IT INTO MY TOYOTA DEALER, THE TRUCK HAD ONLY 97,000 MILES ON IT, WAS WORTH THOUSANDS BUT ONLY GOT 2500 ON TRADE IN DUE TO ITS FRAME CONDITION. *TR

SEVERELY CORRODED FRAME RAILS ON A 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA 4X4. PURCHASED USED FROM A MAINE USED CAR DEALER WITH 121K MILES IN AUG 2007. WHILE REPLACING THE MUFFLER AND TAIL PIPE IN DECEMBER 2007 I NOTICED SEVERE RUST AND CORROSION OF THE FRAME RAILS AND CROSS MEMBERS ON THE FRAME OF THIS TRUCK. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION OF THE FRAME, I NOTICED SEVERAL AREAS WHERE THE PREVIOUS OWNER OR DEALER HAD REPAIR PATCHES WELDED TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE FRAME TO SHORE UP THE WEAKER AREAS. BOTH DRIVERS AND PASSENGER SIDE FRAME RAILS HAVE HUGE HOLES OR CRACKS WHERE THE FRAME HAS ROTTED AWAY. THE PATCH JOBS THAT WERE DONE RANGE FROM A COUPLE INCHES TO 14 INCHES. RUST PROOFING WAS USED TO HIDE/PROTECT WHAT WAS LEFT OF THE FRAME. RUST PROOFING NOW NOT ABLE TO HIDE THE CORROSION OR THE LARGE PIECES THAT ARE FLAKING OFF THE FRAME SHOWING NEW HOLES. VEHICLE UNSAFE TO HAUL ANYTHING OR EVEN TO DRIVE. UNSAFE CONDITION COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH. *TR

SEVERELY CORRODED FRAME RAILS ON A 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA 4X4. PURCHASED USED FROM A MAINE USED CAR DEALER WITH 121K MILES IN AUG 2007. WHILE REPLACING THE MUFFLER AND TAIL PIPE IN DECEMBER 2007 I NOTICED SEVERE RUST AND CORROSION OF THE FRAME RAILS AND CROSS MEMBERS ON THE FRAME OF THIS TRUCK. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION OF THE FRAME, I NOTICED SEVERAL AREAS WHERE THE PREVIOUS OWNER OR DEALER HAD REPAIR PATCHES WELDED TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE FRAME TO SHORE UP THE WEAKER AREAS.BOTH DRIVERS AND PASSENGER SIDE FRAME RAILS HAVE HUGE HOLES OR CRACKS WHERE THE FRAME HAS ROTTED AWAY. THE PATCH JOBS THAT WERE DONE RANGE FROM A COUPLE INCHES TO 14 INCHES. RUST PROOFING WAS USED TO HIDE/PROTECT WHAT WAS LEFT OF THE FRAME. RUST PROOFING NOW NOT ABLE TO HIDE THE CORROSION OR THE LARGE PIECES THAT ARE FLAKING OFF THE FRAME SHOWING NEW HOLES. VEHICLE UNSAFE TO HAUL ANYTHING OR EVEN TO DRIVE. UNSAFE CONDITION COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH. *TR

THIS TRUCK IS THE CENTER PIECE OF MY LIFE. MY 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA WAS THE PERFECT VEHICLE FOR ME. I STILL OWN MINE BUT IT IS TOUGH TO DRIVE KNOWING THAT IF I WAS IN A CRASH MY LIFE COULD BE THREATENED DUE TO THE LACK OF FRAME RIGIDITY. I NEED THIS TRUCK TO LAST ME UNTIL I AM OUT OF COLLEGE BECAUSE THERE ARE NO FUNDS FOR ME TO PURCHASE A DIFFERENT ONE. THIS DEFECT WAS BROUGHT TO BY ATTENTION DURING A RECENT SNOWSTORM WHEN DRIVING HOME FROM ONE OF MANY JOBS. I RAN OVER A SHALLOW POT HOLE AND HEARD A CLUNK. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRIVE VERY ODDLY CAUSING CONCERN TO ME. I HAD MY MECHANIC LOOK IT OVER THE NEXT DAY AND HE EXPLAINED THAT HE HAS SEEN MANY OF THESE TRUCKS WITH THE SAME TYPE OF ISSUE. MY ISOLATED ISSUE INVOLVES THE ATTACHING SITE OF THE REAR LEAF SPRING. THE MECHANIC QUOTED MY $1000 DOLLARS WITH NO GUARANTEE OF REPAIR. I COULD NOT DO THIS BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO PUT INTO IT. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO IS A FAMILY MEMBER WHO FIXED IT AND SHOWED ME THE MULTIPLE OTHER WEAK SPOTS WITH IN THE FRAME. IN THESE MULTIPLE AREAS THE FRAME IS SO WEAK THAT IF YOU TOUCH IT PIECES FALL OFF. HE TRIED HIS BEST TO REINFORCE IT BUT OTHER SPOTS STILL LACK STRENGTH. NOT SAFE AND NOT GOING TO SELL!!!!!! *TR

PUT TRUCK ON LIFT. TRUCK FRAME LITERALLY BROKE IN HALF WHEN TRUCK WAS ELEVATED. EXTENSIVE CORROSION OF TRUCK FRAME. VIRTUALLY ZERO CORROSION ON THE REST OF THE TRUCK. *TR

I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA 4X4 REG CAB 4 CYL. STANDARD TRANSMISSION AND MY MECHANIC TOLD ME MY FRAME WAS BREAKING APART.. HE DID THE BEST HE COULD TO WELD THE FRAME BUT TOLD ME IT PROBABLE ONLY HAD A YEAR LEFT.. THIS DISAPPOINTS ME TERRIBLE.. I ALWAYS TRUSTED TOYOTA VEHICLES AND RECOMMEND THEM TO EVERYONE, BUT I AFRAID THAN I NO LONGER CAN DO SO.. I TOOK VERY GOOD CARE OF MY VEHICLE AND TOYOTA LET ME DOWN.. MY NEXT VEHICLE WILL BE A FORD F 150 WITH A C CHANNEL FRAME NOT BOXED LIKE THE TACOMA... I WOULD RECOMMEND YOU GET A HANDLE ON THIS PROBLEM OR YOU WILL LOSE MAJOR SALES...IT PAINS ME TO WRITE THIS... I ALWAYS LOVED TOYOTA. ALSO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD HAD TO BE REPLACED 3 TIME IN THIS 10YEAR PERIOD... WAKE UP... *TR

FRAME RUSTY/ROT PROBLEM. *TR

THE FRAME ON MY 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA REGULAR CAB 4X4 PICKUP TRUCK IS SEVERELY RUSTED. IN SOME PLACES, THE METAL IS EXTREMELY THIN BECAUSE OF THIS. THE REST OF THE TRUCK, OTHER THAN THE FRAME, IS IN GOOD SHAPE. THE AMOUNT OF FRAME DETERIORATION, ESPECIALLY IN THE REAR PORTION OF THE FRAME, SEEMS EXCESSIVE GIVEN THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE CARE I HAVE GIVEN IT. FORTUNATELY, THERE ARE NO HOLES IN MY FRAME YET, BUT OTHERS HAVE NOT BEEN AS LUCKY. *TR

'98 TOYOTA TACOMA W/ 185,000 MI. - FRAME RUSTED OUT . UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED UNDER THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. HE FILED A CLAIM WITH TOYOTA AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THE FAILURE AND COULD NOT ASSIST. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 83,000. UPDATED 3/4/08 *CN

THE OTHER DAY I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND HIT A SMALL POTHOLE WITH MY 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA AND THE BOTTOM LEAF IN THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR LEAF SPRING PACK SNAPPED IN HALF. AND IS NOW HANGING DOWN AND IT CAN POTENTIALLY MAKE CONTACT WITH MY TIRES SIDEWALL. *TR

I HAVE A 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA 4X4 4CYL AND I HAVE RECENTLY NOTICED THAT THE FRAME ROT WAS SO BAD THAT THE REAR PORTION LOOKS LIKE SWISS CHEESE. THE FRAME HAS ACTUALLY GOTTEN SO BAD IT BROKE AWAY FROM THE LEAF SPRING MOUNTS AND IS NO LONGER CONNECTED. I AM VERY UPSET BECAUSE THE CAR IS ONLY 10 YEARS OLD AND I USED TO LINK TOYOTA WITH QUALITY. THIS COULD BE MY LAST TOYOTA BECAUSE I FEEL CHEATED. *TR

FRAME ROTTED ON TRUCK. EXSTENSIVE REPAIR NEEDED TO MAKE FRAME SAFE.*CN

I WAS TOLD TODAY BY AN INSURANCE APPRAISER THAT THE FRAME ON MY 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA EXTENDED-CAB, 4X4 PICKUP TRUCK IS RUSTED SO BADLY THAT IT'S UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND COULD VERY POSSIBLY BREAK ON ROUGH ROAD CONDITIONS. SUCH A FAILURE COULD RENDER THE VEHICLE UNCONTROLLABLE AND CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH. HIS EVALUATION WAS SIMPLY THAT "THIS TRUCK IS NOW JUNK". HE WAS SURPRISED THAT THE IMPACT OF THE COLLISION DAMAGE HE WAS ASSESSING DIDN'T BREAK THE FRAME. I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK NEW IN AUGUST OF 1998 ($27000+ WINDOW STICKER) AND IT NOW HAS 46,766 MILES ON IT. ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE SUGGESTS THAT THIS RUST IS NOT REPAIRABLE AND THAT THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM. THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND DRIVEN CAREFULLY BY A MATURE DRIVER. *TR

1998 TOYOTA TACOMA WITH A CRACKED FRAME. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FRAME IS CRACKED AND IT IS NOT DUE TO RUST OR CORROSION. CONSUMER STATES THAT HIS SON HEARD A LOUD BANG AND FELT THE REAR END WAS LOOSE. *KB

FRAME IS ROTTED FROM RUST AND IS UN-USABLE. *TR

I HAVE SEEN IN THE NEWS, REPORTS OF '07 TOYOTA TACOMAS ACCELERATING UNINTENTIONALLY. I BOUGHT A USED 1998 TACOMA ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO AND I HAVE EXPERIENCED PERHAPS TEN OR MORE INCIDENTS OF MY ENGINE RUNNING AWAY TO THE POINT I HAVE TO PUT IT NEUTRAL AND KICK THE GAS PEDAL TO STOP IT. AT LEAST TWICE THAT HAS NOT WORKED , FORCING ME TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE. I NOTICE IT HAPPENS WHEN I'M DOWNSHIFTING FROM THIRD TO SECOND. I CALLED TOYOTA TWO YEARS AGO AND ASKED IF THEY HAD HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM FROM OTHER OWNERS. THEY SAID THEY HAD NOT. THIS IS NOT SO MUCH A COMPLAINT AS IT IS AN FYI TO YOU IN CASE YOU'RE STILL LOOKING INTO THIS. OTHER THAN THAT THE TRUCK HAS BEEN VERY DEPENDABLE. AND SINCE THE PROBLEM IS SO INTERMITTENT, ( IT HASN'T HAPPENED IN A YEAR), I DON'T FEEL THE NEED TO GET RID OF IT. BUT I CAN IMAGINE IN THE RIGHT CIRCUMSTANCES THIS COULD BE A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU OR TOYOTA IS LOOKING INTO THIS. THANK YOU, JOHN T. POPE *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE VEHICLE'S FRAME IS ROTTED, RUSTED, AND CORRODED FROM THE FRONT TO THE BACK OF THE FRAME RAILS. THE VEHICLE FAILED STATE INSPECTION BECAUSE IT WAS DEEMED AS STRUCTURALLY UNSAFE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND TOYOTA WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

FRAME BROKE IN HALF ON PASSENGERS SIDE AHEAD OF REAR WHEEL. FRAME RUSTED 2005. FRAME RUSTED 2007. FRAME HAS APPROXIMATELY $1000 OF WELDING DONE TO IT. WON'T PASS INSPECTION IN 2008. *TR

THIS IS A 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA WITH 107,000 MILES. AFTER REPEATEDLY NOTICING RUST FLAKES ON THE GROUND UNDER THE VEHICLE, IT WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND A BODY SHOP FOR ASSESSMENT. THERE WAS CONSENSUS THAT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH, AND THAT THERE WASN'T SUFFICIENT INTACT METAL LEFT TO ENABLE IT TO BE REPAIRED. THEY ALSO AGREED THAT THAT IT WOULD BE EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE THE FRAME (ESTIMATES RANGED FROM $3,500 TO $10,000), SO THE VEHICLE WAS ESSENTIALLY "TOTALED." THEY ALL WARNED THAT IT WAS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE, SINCE THE SLIGHTEST ACCIDENT OR ROAD HAZARD COULD CAUSE THE FRAME TO BREAK AND THE VEHICLE TO SPLIT APART AND/OR BUCKLE. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT OLD ENOUGH, NOR DOES IT HAVE ENOUGH MILES ON IT, TO WARRANT THIS MASSIVE FAILURE OF FRAME INTEGRITY. IT HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND NOT DRIVEN UNDER ANY CONDITIONS THAT COULD ACCOUNT FOR THE FAILURE; THUS, IT SEEMS SELF-EVIDENT THAT IT IS A FUNDAMENTAL DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE VEHICLE THAT HAS RESULTED IN THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE IS RUSTED AND CORRODED WHERE THE REAR SPRINGS HOOK TO THE FRAME. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO TOYOTA THREE TIMES AND THEY HAVE GIVEN HIM THE RUN AROUND. HE WAS INITIALLY INFORMED THAT TOYOTA WOULD MAKE A ONE HUNDRED PERCENT REPAIR. THEN HE WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD MAKE A FIFTY PERCENT REPAIR. THE DEALER FINALLY STATED THAT HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE COST FOR A SHORT TERM REPAIR WAS OVER $2,500. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INSPECTION AGENCY AND WAS INFORMED THAT TOYOTA'S REMEDY WOULD HAVE ONLY BEEN TEMPORARY. TOYOTA OFFERED TO PURCHASE THE VEHICLE AFTER THE REPAIR FOR HALF THE MARKET VALUE. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT PASS INSPECTION. THE CONTACT HAS PHOTOS OF THE VEHICLE AND ALSO OF HOW TOYOTA WAS GOING TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

1998 TOYOTA TACOMA FRAME ROTTED AWAY AT REAR SPRINGS AND ELSEWHERE. *JB

FRAME ROT IN FRONT OF THE REAR LEAF SPRING MOUNTS ON BOTH SIDES. I'VE HAD THREE SHOPS LOOK IT OVER AND ALL THREE SAY THE DAMAGE IS TO FAR GONE TO REPAIR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT SEAT BELT WEBBING HAS UNRAVELED. AS OF OCTOBER 2, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 115,000. * UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED CONTACTED DEALER AND DEALER INFORMED NOT UNDER MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY. UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE HAS LARGE HOLES. SHE STATED THAT WHERE THE TRUCK CAB AND BED COME TOGETHER IS MORE DAMAGED THAN ANY OTHER PART OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS NOT A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

AFTER LEASING MY 1998 TACOMA 4X4 FOR 3 YEARS, I CHOSE TO BUY IT AT THE END OF THE LEASE. I HAVE MAINTAINED IT RELIGIOUSLY FOR THE ENTIRE 9 YEARS. I TOOK IT FOR ITS ANNUAL PA INSPECTION EXPECTING THAT WITH ONLY 48,002 MILES THERE WOULD BE FEW IF ANY PROBLEMS. IN 2006 THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS, NO INDICATION OF ANY RUSTING OR FRAME / UNDER CARRIAGE PROBLEMS. MY MECHANIC HAS INFORMED ME THAT THE TRUCK IS A DANGER TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE UNDERCARRIAGE IS RUSTED THROUGH & THERE LARGE, GAPING HOLES THROUGHOUT. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM UNTIL I BEGAN RESEARCHING IT. A VEHICLE THAT I HAD INTENDED TO KEEP FOR MANY MORE YEARS IS NOW WORTHLESS AND A DANGER TO DRIVE. AFTER READING THE OTHER COMPLAINTS, I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM WITH THE TOYOTA TACOMAS. *TR

THE FRAME OF MY 98 TOYOTA TACOMA IS SEVERELY RUSTED THAT CAUSED IT TO CRACK IN THE REAR VIEWABLE THROUGH THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL. AFTER NOTICING IT I LOOKED UNDER TO SEE THAT THE ENTIRE REAR PART IS RUSTED AND GOES TO ABOUT THE REAR OF THE CAB. I BOUGHT IT A LITTLE MORE THAN A YEAR AGO FROM A MAN WHO MAINTAIN IT VERY WELL, AND I HAVE ALSO MAINTAINED TO REGULARLY. THIS CONCERNS ME BECAUSE I JUST STARTED COLLEGE AND DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO REPLACE THE FRAME AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SELL IT THE WAY IT IS, BECAUSE I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET ANYWHERE NEAR WHAT IT WOULD BE WORTH WITH A GOOD FRAME. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED ON THE FRAME RACK AT THE SHOP, THE RACK WENT RIGHT THROUGH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS LIFTED AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME WAS TOTALLY ROTTED. THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 134,000.

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION DUE TO A RUSTED FRAME. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO RUST AT APPROXIMATELY 55,000 MILES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

I OWN A 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA 2WD WITH 105,000 MILES ON IT AND THE FRAME IS CORRODED SO EXTENSIVELY THAT I COULD PUT MY FINGER THROUGH THE RUST. I BOUGHT IT NEW IN 1998 AND MAINTAINED IT REGULARLY. THE LAST TIME THAT I PUT IT ON A JACK THE FRAME PARTIALLY COLLAPSED WHERE IT WAS RESTING ON THE JACK. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION I FOUND SEVERE CORROSION THROUGHOUT THE FRAME. THE BUMPER BRACKETS WERE BARELY HOLDING UP THE BUMPER. IT HAD BEEN A RELIABLE TRUCK ,AND THIS WAS THE SECOND TACOMA THAT I HAVE OWNED. BOTH WERE EQUALLY RELIABLE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAS GIVEN ME QUITE A SCARE. I DON'T DARE HAUL ANYTHING HEAVY IN THE BED ,AND THE IDEA OF TOWING SOMETHING WITH IT IS SIMPLY OUT OF THE QUESTION. THE BODY WAS STILL IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE WITH A LITTLE CORROSION ON THE FRONT OF THE HOOD FROM A STONE CHIP. I JUST DIDN'T UNDERSTAND HOW THE PROBLEM COULD HAVE BECOME SO SEVERE. I WOULD EXPECT A CERTAIN MOUNT OF RUST DOWN THERE, BUT THIS WAS MORE SEVERE THAN I HAVE EVER SEEN. MY BEST GUESS WAS THAT THE VEHICLEWAS ALMOST WORTHLESS EVEN THOUGH EVERYTHING ELSE WASIN SATISFACTORY CONDITION. UNTIL I DISCOVERED THIS PROBLEM, I HAD EXPECTED TO KEEP IT FOR AT LEAST 5 MORE YEARS.*AK

1998 TOYOTA TACOMA 4X4 BOTH FRAME RAILS HAVE ROTTED THROUGH RIGHT BEHIND THE CAB WITH THE TRUCK ALMOST BREAKING IN TWO. *NM

MY 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA HAD ITS LEFT REAR LEAF SPRING BREAK JUST IN FRONT OF THE REAR DIFFERENCIAL. THIS CAUSE THE LEAFS TO TWIST INWARDS AND RUB AGAINST THE GAS TANK EXPOSING THE BARE METAL OF THE TANK. LUCKLY I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE MECHANIC BEFORE THE RUBBING AGAINST THE TANK WORKED ITS WAY THROUGH POTENTIALLY CAUSING AN EXPLOSION WITH A SPARK. AT THIS TIME I WILL BE REPLACING THE LEAF SPRINGS (AFTER TAKING SOME PHOTOS). I HAVE ALSO FILED A COMPLAINT NO 2005-12280233 WITH TOYOTA MOTOR CORP. THEIR POSITION IS THAT I WILL HAVE TO BEAR THE COST OF THE REPAIR AS IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THIS IS A POTENTIALLY UNSAFE CONDITION AND A RECALL TO CHECK LEAF SPRINGS SHOULD BE MADE. *NM

THE HANDLES ON BOTH DOORS HAVE BROKEN AND I AM UNABLE TO OPEN MY TRUCK FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE HANDLES ARE MADE OF PLASTIC AND THE PLASTIC HAS SNAPPED. *NM

1998 TOYOTA TACOMA 4X4 REG CAB THERE IS A KNOCK AND PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. MOST TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS SAY IT IS NORMAL AND SAY NOTHING IS WRONG. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN ISOLATED TO THE SLIP JOINT IN THE MAIN STEERING COLUMN COMING LOOSE. THIS WAS DONE BY A TOYOTA SERVICE TECH. THE PROBLEM WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP WITH THIS INFORMATION AND WAS FIXED BUT THEY SAY IT WILL MOST LIKELY HAPPEN AGAIN DUE NO CHANGE IN DESIGN BY TOYOTA. THE SLIP JOINT IS CRIMPED OVER THE SHAFT, AND AFTER USE IT BECOMES LOOSE CAUSING PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. *NM

EMPLOYEE WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, 60 MPH IN OUR 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA PICKUP TRUCK. WITH NO WARNING THE DRIVERS FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY (HUB AND ALL, EVERYTHING) CAME OFF THE TRUCK AND LODGED UNDER THE FRONT AXLE. HE WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. CURRENTLY IN TRANSPORT TO AN AUTO SHOP FOR REPAIRS.

DT: UNDER 50,000 MILES EXHAUST PIPE BROKE, THIS WAS WELDED AND REPAIRED. UNDER 70,000 A HAIRLINE CRACK THAT ENCIRCLES THE PIPE WAS BEHIND A WELDED BRACKET BROKE AGAIN FOR A SECOND TIME, THIS WAS WELDED AGAIN FOR REPAIR. THE 3RD TIME 170,000 BROKE AGAIN AND THIS PIPE WAS REPLACED ENTIRELY . NOW THE 4TH TIME, AT 178,000 MILES THIS HAS BROKEN AGAIN. THIS IS AWAITING A REPLACEMENT. *AK

1998 TOYOTA TACOMA ENGINE STARTER MOTOR BEGAN TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. AFTER 1-MONTH IN THIS CONDITION, STARTER MOTOR FAILED TO START ENGINE. DEALER SAYS THAT THE CONTACTS ON THE STARTER MOTOR WEAR RESULTING IN THE INTERMITTENT OPERATION. THE ONLY OPTIONS ARE TO REPLACE THE STARTER MOTOR OR OVERHAUL THE STARTER MOTOR. I WOULD NOT EXPECT FOR THE STARTER MOTOR TO FAIL ONLY AFTER 8 YEARS.*AK

WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED THAT MY LEFT TURN SIGINAL DID NOT OPERATE PROPERLY WHEN I PUT IT ON. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I FOUND THAT THE LEFT FRONT TURN SIGINAL LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKES. THE RIGHT SIDE TURN SIGINAL WORKED PROPERLY. I BEGAN AN ELECTRICAL INSPECTION: WHEN MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS WERE ACTIVATED MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS WORKED, BUT SO DID MY REAR TAIL LIGHTS WHEN THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS WERE ON. BEING A SAFETY RELATED PROBLEM I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER WHO TROUBLESHOOT THE PROBLEM AND THE SAID THAT THE REAR LIGHT HARNESS WAS FAULTY. THEY WENT TO REPLACE IT AND THEY FOUND THAT THE REPLACEMENT WIRING HARNESS DID NOT MATCH (ALIGN) WITH THE WIRING HARNESS (ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT) THAT CAME WITH MY TRUCK. SO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER CONTACTED TOYOTA NATIONAL, WHO HAD TO RESEARCH THE ITEM TO FIND THE PROPER HARNESS TO MATCH MY TRUCK. TOYOTA NATIONAL SAID THAT THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT WIRING HARNESS THAT CAME WITH THE TRUCKS WERE DISCONTINUED DUE TO HARNESS FAILURES (ELECTRICAL SHORTS)! SINCE MY TRUCK HAD THE SUSPECT HARNESS ON IT NEW, IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY TOYOTA PRIOR TO DELIVERY OR RECALLED! TO ME THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, IF I DID NOT NOTICE THIS AS QUICK AS I DID, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. SINCE TOYOTA KNEW (WHICH THEY SAID) THERE WAS A POSSIBLE MALFUNCTION WITH THE CABLE THEY THEY SHOULD BE REPLACING THIS CABLE WHEN IT FAILED FOR FREE NOT CHARGING ME $418 . *AK

I COLLIDED WITH A VEHICLE THAT FAILED TO YIELD THE RIGHT OF WAY WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN. MY 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA COLLIDED WITH THE RIGHT SIDE OF A 1998 CHEVROLET BLAZER. IN SPITE OF EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE TACOMA, NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *NM

DEALER TOLD ME AT TIME OF PURCHASE THAT RUST WARRANTY WAS 10 YEARS, FOUND OUT AFTER IT EXPIRED THAT IT WAS ONLY 5 YEARS. SEAMS OF VEHICLE BODY RUSTING FROM INSIDE OUT. ORIGINAL DEALER NOTIFIED IN 2001 AND FIXED RUST IN BED. REPAIR LASTED APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS BEFORE IT OCCURRED AGAIN IN THE SAME PLACE AS WELL AS IN OTHER PLACES. TOYOTA (CORPORATE) NOTIFIED. TOYOTA HAS CONSENTED TO REPAIR THE RUST PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED BY DEALER BUT WILL NOT FIX THE REST. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN BODY SHOP FOR THE REPAIR. *AK