This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Hi, I just want to express my concern for my vehicle as I love my Tacoma and how it drives and works for me in my daily life. As I had took my vehicle in for a recall on my spare tire cable, the technician and service man had told me that in my frame of my vehicle there is a large rusted out hole. Since then, I really haven't felt safe driving my vehicle anywhere as I'm afraid that my frame will break and cause a really bad accident. I've also have had in the past where my dad's vehicle (1998 Toyota Tacoma) was recalled for the same exact thing (frame issue). As for my vehicle, I am the second owner and my brother was the first. This vehicle has been here in the Minnesota weather all its life time. Please do something about this, if not, I will push this forward where I will get some attention to my vehicle, my safety, and others. And plus, I wouldn't want to make this into a legal matter as I love my Toyota.
I bought this vehicle used in 2011 and was notified of a recall for frame rust. By the time I got around to scheduling an appt, I was informed the recall had ended. Now, however, the frame is severely corroded and is starting to give way at the rear shackle. I feel this vehicle has become a serious hazard to drive due to the frame buckling. If the recall was put into effect, Toyota is aware of the problem, and now it has become a serious liability and safety issue. I would like to get this vehicle repaired to the point of making it safe, but feel that I was not given ample opportunity to have this done under the limited time left on the recall when I bought it. The fact that there is a serious issue with the frame construction is evident by the fact that the body has almost no corrosion present. There appears to be a manufacturing issue with the heavy frame steel that should not be corroding like this. There is currently also an active recall for the rear tire carrier - which is related to the same issue. Again, this is a serious safety and liability issue that I think Toyota is obligated to address before someone is hurt or killed by this problem. Contacting Toyota does no good, as they refuse to take responsibility to fix the problem. They say this was not a recall but a warranty extension that has now run out. However, there is a severe defect present in the frame that they acknowledged and now refuse to stand behind even though it is a dangerous liability for any vehicles on the road.
I took the vehicle in for routine maintenance and was alerted to the frame corrosion. I can actually push my finger through the rust and frame, holes are visible in the frame. The truck is unsafe to drive and I fear of safety for my family. I contacted Toyota and they advised me that the voluntary buyback program for fixing this was expired. I am now left with an immaculately clean car in pristine shape that cannot be driven and I am leery of even selling to someone else regardless of their knowledge of the frame. Reports of this problem are popping up all over and it needs to be dealt with as a serious matter and subject to safety recall. Lesser issues have had recalls and it has been left up to Toyota to provide voluntary buyback programs instead of being mandated for public safety.
Following routine service inspection on 4/2/2014, significant perforation of my 2001 Toyota Tacoma 4X4 truck frame was identified, due to conditions consistent with rusting. According to a 2012 Toyota dealership diagnostic, no indication of rust was noted during the dealership service inspection. Also, no hard copy documentation has been provided by Toyota corporation regarding an alleged voluntary recall campaign to address corrosion of frame. According to the Toyota corporation case worker assigned, he was unable to provide any hard copy documentation of said voluntary recall campaign notice regarding corrosion of truck frame; it should be noted that the case worker did say he could provide 'verbal' confirmation that notification was sent to my residence at the time. At this time, I am currently considering legal action, pending further review of case.
Upon making a turn into my driveway the lower left(drivers side) ball joint seperated from the knuckle causing loss of steering. This in turn made the front wheel fall into the vehicle.
I had made a left turn onto freeway entrance ramp, started accelerating to get up to speed. At approximately 30mph there was a loud bang/pop noise and the vehicle front left dropped down. I hung on to try and keep vehicle under control as it took an sharp left hand turn towards a pole. Even though the brake pedal went to the floor I was able to some how get the vehicle stopped before the passenger side hit the pole where my 1 year old daughter was riding. I had the truck checked for recalls in late 2008 when I purchased it. The report said ball joint recall was VIN # specific and that this truck was not in the VIN range. After the incident happened, I called Toyota hotline for assistance and even though this is the same condition, and part that is failing on the vehicles in range they said, "that sense the recall is VIN specific, there's nothing we can do, and we can't just add a vehicle to the recall". so, now I'm stuck with a wrecked vehicle, but very thankful that I didn't hit the pole where my daughter was sitting. This needs to be addressed and all Tacoma's that contain this style ball joint be fixed before some one does get killed.
While driving down a road at about 5 mph, my lower left ball joint (driver side) separated without any warning causing my truck to lose control as the entire truck collapsed onto my driver side tire, because the suspension was no longer holding it up. In the event that I had been going much faster (possibly even ten miles per hour) I feel that the wheel would have completely ripped off, causing extensive damage and complete loss of control. I then found out Toyota had made a recall on this part and when I contacted them, I was apparently 2 weeks past the recall window. I feel that the recall should be extended due to the sheer number of these trucks that are still on the road. When the lower ball joint fails, it is a catastrophic event that can very easily result in a crash.
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle at approximately 12mph the contact heard a loud noise from the rear end of the vehicle every time the accelerator pedal was depress. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated the issue was the lower ball joint on the suspension that was worn off and needed to be replace. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 05V225000 (suspension: Front: Control arm:lower ball joint). The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000 and the current mileage was 110,500.
I brake in my driveway at approx. 2 mph, heard a loud thump in the rear end of my 2001 Tacoma. When I checked, I found that the driver side front bracket to leaf spring holding the rear axle was actually sitting 2 or 3 inches into the frame rail. The frame had rusted through in that spot, the rust was so bad, that 6 inches of steel on bottom of frame rail was gone in any direction of the leaf spring bracket attachment point. There isn't enough steel left to even attempt a weld to repair it. On close inspection of the frame overall, there are multiple points where the frame rails have disintegrated. My rear axle is sitting off-center, and the car cannot be driven. If normal force or torque is applied, the axle will break free, and this will cause an accident. I heard that there is a recall on Tacoma frame rails, so I called the dealer. Dealer stated my VIN did not have a recall; I called Toyota, they told me that I would be contacted in 1 business day. They never called. 2 days later, I called and got transferred to their "truck team, " got shuffled around for 6 more phone calls over 3 days, when they informed me that they mailed me a notice that I had to have gotten a frame spraying to qualify for the frame recall. I never received such notice, and Toyota did not even have my address; which they stated that they got all information from dmv. My dmv info is current, always has been. Toyota has given my every type of run-around imaginable, ultimately denying my recall. On websites, there are thousands of people in my same situation...exactly the same. Further, there are many people who had the frame spray, which then peeled off within months of application. This seems like Toyota deliberately tried to exclude as many people as possible with this frame spray, which wouldn't be necessary in the first place if the frames weren't defective. My truck is dead.
Toyota Tacoma 2001 in great shape other than the frame is rusting out. Took it to my mechanic for routine maintenance oil change; he saw some heavy corrosion on the frame. In several places, it has eaten through and has perforations. He says it is getting to be unsafe. I just bought this truck about a year ago at a dealership in Ohio and was not made aware that this was a huge problem in the 1996-2003 models, but this issue is apparently very common as Toyota did not provide acceptable undercoatings for these models. Next step is to take it to the Toyota dealership and see what they say. At this point, I would take a buyout but would prefer to have the frame/chassis replaced at their expense. I love this truck and use it everyday. Very scared to drive it right now and hope they come through to fix their mistake. This should be a public recall since it is a huge safety concern and people should be made aware that this is a time-bomb accident waiting to happen. These trucks are everywhere on the road. Thanks
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph the front driver side tire became detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence. The tow truck driver informed the contact of NHTSA campaign id number: 05V225000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 166,836.
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken in for a brake repair when the technician advised that the ball joints failed. The contact was told there was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 05V225000 (suspension: Front: Control arm: Lower ball joint), but the manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The failure and the current mileage was 144,000.
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma sr 5 extended cab. The contact was driving 3-4 mph when the vehicle drove over a road bump and the lower ball joint proceeded to detached from the passenger side front tire. The vehicle then unexpectedly drifted forward three feet. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop where it was confirmed that the lower ball joint detached and needed to be replaced, along with the brake line. The manufacturer was contacted and they confirmed the VIN failed to qualify for repairs under NHTSA campaign id number:05V225000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). The failure and current mileages were 129,660.
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. The contact was driving 5 mph when a loud, abnormal sound emitted from under the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer confirmed corrosion on the drivers side I-beam and the cross beam, which was detached on the passenger side of the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted but the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 173,000 and the current mileage was 173,200.
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. The contact was driving approximately 2 mph and the front end of the vehicles passenger side collapsed to the ground. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated the lower ball joint separated from the knuckle would need to be replaced. There was a recall related to the failure under NHTSA campaign id number 05V225000 (suspension: Front: Control arm: Lower ball joint); however the VIN was not included. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 212,000.
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated the upper and lower ball joint failed on the front drivers side wheel and fell off. The contact towed the vehicle to the dealer who confirmed that the ball joint failed. The dealer stated there was a recall, but that the vehicle was no included in NHTSA recall campaign id number: 05V225000 (suspension: Front: Control arm: Lower ball joint). The failure and current mileages was 175,000.
Truck 'wanders' and won't track straight without continuous correction with the steering wheel. Especially bad when hitting bumps or on 'rain grooves' or other uneven surfaces. Difficult to maintain lane discipline and especially scary in construction zones with narrow lanes and concrete dividers nearby. Had front end aligned (no help), new tires put on (no help), new shocks installed (no help), tires balanced (nicer ride, but still 'wandered'), front end aligned again (minor improvement) and finally some new tires (again...no help.) there is 'play' in the steering wheel and there is a recall and a tsb from Toyota for this year and model truck for 'worn lower ball joints'. but when inquiring with two different dealers, I was told both times that "my" truck was not affected. It sure feels affected!
2001 Toyota Tacoma replaced rear axle bearing twice already truck has less 90000 miles. In both incidents it has ruined the internal parts of the axles causing damage to the carrier case. I bought a 3 rd trd axle at a wrecking yard to find the same problem in that axle. I was fortunate I was not involved in a accident. The rear axle could of locked up on the highway causing a serious accident or death related to axle failure.
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. The contact was driving approximately 30 mph when a loud noise was coming from the front end of the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and inspected the vehicle. The ball joints on the front passenger side broke and the entire wheel detached causing damages to the axle. The vehicle was towed to his residence. The dealer was notified of the failure. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number 05V225000 (suspension: Front: Control arm: Lower ball joint). The VIN was excluded from the recall. The manufacturer stated that the repairs would be at the owner expense. The failure mileage was 186,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- West Lakeland, MN, USA