The contact owns a 1997 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the subframe was extremely rusted, making the vehicle unsafe to drive. The contact stated that a friend told him that the frame was rusted and needed to be taken to the dealer. The dealer was not called. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 172,774.

- Brentwood, NY, USA

I bought the above mentioned truck new in 1997. For the past few years it's just been sitting in my driveway because the frame is so rusted it's not safe to drive. A mechanic friend of mine said there was a recall on that year of truck. My wife called Toyota and was told the recall was expired but they couldn't give a date. I called today and they said it wasn't a recall but an extension on the life of the frame for fifteen years (same thing). The body of the truck is in good shape for its age. The engine only has 126K miles which is nothing for a Toyota. I should still be driving this truck today. I take care of everything I have so it will last. Biggest issue here is I was never notified there was anything wrong with the frame. I'm the original owner so it's not like Toyota didn't know who had the truck or where I was living. It needs to be fixed or I should receive compensation for the truck and not being able to use it for quite some time now.

- Fortville, IN, USA

The contact owns a 1997 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the bumper was rusted. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for a windshield wiper repair and the dealer recommended that the vehicle no longer be driven due to the severity of the rust. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle was not eligible for assistance. The failure mileage was 170,000. Updated 01/23/13 the consumer stated he noticed pealing wafers of rust flaking off the frame, in January 2011. Prior to 2011, he noticed rust coming through the chrome of the rear bumper where it connected to the frame and years prior to that he noticed increased rust texture on the frame when he looked under the truck bed at the rear tires. Updated 01/31/13

- Juneau, AK, USA

My husband has a 1997 Toyota Tacoma. He bought it used from a dealership in 2004. Recently he saw that the frame underneath was rusted and rotting out. Someone told him that Toyota was taking care of this problem and their customers because it turns out that this is a manufacturer's defect in this year, make and model. Well, they told us tat we would have had to have the vehicle in by February to receive the 15 year extended warranty. We were never contacted by Toyota, they do not have us as the current owner and my husband could have had another 5 or so years with this vehicle. 15 years should be up in December, but they say that they are going by the date it was sold or something. This vehicle is practically undrivable and Toyota basically said oh, well, you were too late. I feel that they should have done a better job contacting their customers and I have found evidence of many other dissatisfied customers on the internet who also were not notified and who also missed the deadline. I believe that this is not right, and if it is a manufacturer defect it should be taken care of regardless of weather we brought it in 9 months ago or today. The Toyota representative said that there was no leeway in this and that there was no else I could take this issue up with. I am asking for your help in this matter.

- Petersburg, NJ, USA

1997 Toyota Tacoma extended cab V6 4WD I had my truck in my local Toyota dealership for new plugs and wires and a faulty injector. The service manager called and said that when they hoisted the truck up on the lift they discovered severe rusting on the frame. The worst was just forward of the rear leaf springs. They said it was so bad that they wondered if I wanted to proceed with the servicing. I couldn't believe it! I thought, the truck is only 10years old, how bad can it be. I went up and took a look and the rust had actually eaten through the steel. I could push my finger through it. Unbelievable! the body of the truck is in great condition and up until now it has been very good mechanically. It is very unnerving. I'm afraid it will not pass inspection and I'll have to claim a total loss. What recourse do I have? thanks.

- Beacon, NY, USA

The frame of my 1997 Toyota Tacoma pick up is rotted through in several places making it potentially dangerous to drive.

- Brewster, MA, USA

Recently noticed a knocking noise coming from the rear of my truck. Upon inspection, I noticed that the frame, just before the leaf springs, has completely rusted and cracked. I have yet to figure out how to correct the failure. I fear the truck is now unsafe to drive.

- New London, NH, USA

I have a 1997 Toyota Tacoma, I discovered frame rot in front of the rear spring shackles. There was still underbody paint on the frame in that area which when removed revealed the serious corrosion of the frame rail. After further inspection I found severe corrosion throughout the frame. The bumper brackets are barely holding up the bumper.

- New Bethlehem, PA, USA

No incident -- vehicle would not pass pa inspection -- not safe to drive. Rear frame is completely rotted out with rust.

- Darlington, PA, USA