1994 Toyota Pickup Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1994 Toyota Pickup, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Body & structure2725.5%
- Engine1615.1%
- Seat belts1514.2%
- Suspension87.5%
- Steering76.6%
- Tires & wheels76.6%
- Other / unspecified65.7%
- Transmission54.7%
- Brakes43.8%
- Fuel system43.8%
- Visibility32.8%
- Driver assistance21.9%
- Powertrain (other)10.9%
- Heating & air conditioning10.9%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
RUST, CORROSION, FAILURE AND DETACHMENT OF EXTERIOR BODY AND FRAME COMPONENTS, AND OTHER STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS THAT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. STEERING BOX CAME OFF OF THE FRAME!!! THEN TOLD NOT TO DRIVE ANYMORE. THIS IS A 1994 TOYOTA .. THE 1995 TOYOTA TRUCKS WERE RECALLED SAME REASON. THESE NEED TO BE RECALLED SAME REASON!!!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 TOYOTA PICKUP. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 TOYOTA PICKUP. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER A SILENT RECALL FOR THE HEAD GASKET, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HEAVY WHITE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAD GASKET FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 TOYOTA PICKUP. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO PEP BOYS TO HAVE A NEW CLUTCH AND EXHAUST INSTALLED. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED A DEFECT AND ATTEMPTED TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER; HOWEVER, THE TOW DRIVER WOULD NOT TRANSPORT THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE FRAME WAS FAULTY. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND UNSAFE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 75,000. UPDATED 6/01/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED A NEW CLUTCH AND EXHAUST SYSTEM. UPDATED 06/02/09.*JB
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEAT BELTS WILL NO LONGER RETRACT MAKING THEM UNUSABLE
THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT STOPPED RETRACTING. THE PASSENGER SIDE GETS STUCK SOMETIMES AND WON'T PULL OUT. THE DRIVER'S SIDE STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS IN A PARKING LOT, GETTING READY TO LEAVE.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
I LOST TAIL LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS SO I TOOK IT TO MY UNCLE WITCH IS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WE GOT THE LIGHTS FIXED UP BUT WHILE UNDER THE TRUCK WE FOUND ALOT OF ROT BOTH I SIDE FRAME RAILS NOW I HAVE A CRACKRIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF FRAME AND THE BAD PART THERE ISNT A SPOT OF RUST ON THE BODY OF THE TRUCK. THEY SAID THEY WERE BUILT IN THE USA BUT THEY DONT TELL U ITS ALL CHINA JUNK STEEL THEY NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THIS LIKE THEY DID THE YEARS 95-2000. ITS ALL THE SAME COMPLAINTS I SAY WE ALL GET TOGETHER AND FILE A BIG LAWSUIT AGAINST TOYOTA IM DOWN TO HELP HERE IS MY EMAIL ADDRESS [XXX] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*CC
EXTREME RUST DAMAGE TO FRAME ,SUSPENSION,STEERING COMPONENTS ETC. UNDER THE VEHICLE BECOMING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE EVEN WITH MEASURES TAKEN TO REMOVE AND TREAT WITH INHIBITIVE COATING. NEVER SEEN RUST THIS BAD ON ANY VEHICLE I'VE OWNED . APPARENTLY TOYOTA RECALLED MANY OTHER PICKUPS FROM 1995 FORWARD. MINE IS A 1994 AND FROM READING OTHER COMMENTS MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME CONDITIONS. *TR
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
RUST, CORROSION, FAILURE AND DETACHMENT OF EXTERIOR BODY AND FRAME COMPONENTS, AND OTHER STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS THAT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. STEERING BOX CAME OFF OF THE FRAME!!! THEN TOLD NOT TO DRIVE ANYMORE. THIS IS A 1994 TOYOTA .. THE 1995 TOYOTA TRUCKS WERE RECALLED SAME REASON. THESE NEED TO BE RECALLED SAME REASON!!!
I LOST TAIL LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS SO I TOOK IT TO MY UNCLE WITCH IS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WE GOT THE LIGHTS FIXED UP BUT WHILE UNDER THE TRUCK WE FOUND ALOT OF ROT BOTH I SIDE FRAME RAILS NOW I HAVE A CRACKRIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF FRAME AND THE BAD PART THERE ISNT A SPOT OF RUST ON THE BODY OF THE TRUCK. THEY SAID THEY WERE BUILT IN THE USA BUT THEY DONT TELL U ITS ALL CHINA JUNK STEEL THEY NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THIS LIKE THEY DID THE YEARS 95-2000. ITS ALL THE SAME COMPLAINTS I SAY WE ALL GET TOGETHER AND FILE A BIG LAWSUIT AGAINST TOYOTA IM DOWN TO HELP HERE IS MY EMAIL ADDRESS [XXX] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*CC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 TOYOTA PICKUP EQUIPPED WITH GENERAL TOURING TIRES, SIZE: 205/75/14.THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BECAME FLAT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE TIRE HE NOTICED THAT THE TREAD WAS SEPARATED. THE CONTACT HAD A ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TECHNICIAN REPLACE THE TIRE WITH THE SPARE. SHORTLY AFTER THE REPLACEMENT, HE NOTICED THAT THE SPARE TIRE WAS CRACKED AND ROTTEN. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 60-65 MPH HEARD A POPPING NOISE, AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY PULLED TO THE RIGHT, CAUSING IT TO ROLL OVER AND PANCAKE. HE STATED THAT THIS WAS DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE. ALSO, HE HAD TO BE CUT FROM THE VEHICLE. TIRES WERE COOPER TIRES, BRONCO RADIAL CTE, SIZE P235 75 R15, WITH ABOUT 20000 MILES ON THEM.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS GETTING THE WHEELS OFF OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN EVER THE CONSUMER HAD TO CHANGE A FLAT OR REPLACE A TIRE ON THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS ALWAYS A STRUGGLE GETTING THE WHEELS OFF OF THE HUB. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *JB
SPARE TIRE CARRIER BRACKET THAT HOLDS TIRE UNDER VEHICLE CAUSED GROOVES INTO TIRES, CONSUMER STATES THE WEIGHT OF THE TIRE RESTS ON FOUR NARROW SUPPORTS BEAMS WHICH CAUSES FOUR PRESSURE POINTS. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 TOYOTA PICKUP. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO PEP BOYS TO HAVE A NEW CLUTCH AND EXHAUST INSTALLED. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED A DEFECT AND ATTEMPTED TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER; HOWEVER, THE TOW DRIVER WOULD NOT TRANSPORT THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE FRAME WAS FAULTY. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND UNSAFE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 75,000. UPDATED 6/01/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED A NEW CLUTCH AND EXHAUST SYSTEM. UPDATED 06/02/09.*JB
THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE CYLINDER HEAD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BECAUSE OF A LEAKING HEAD GASKET. *JB THE CONSUMER WAS ALSO TOLD THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING FROM THE TOP TANK, THE CLUTCH FLEX LINE AND POWER STEERING PUMP WAS ALSO LEAKING. THE GAS GAUGE WAS INOPERATIVE. THE DRIVE BELT AND TIMING BELTS WERE REPLACED. PH. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
LOST BRAKE FUNCTION, BRAKES WENT TO FLOOR & LOCKED UP. SLID ACROSS ROAD & HIT GUARD RAIL. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS COMING IN OTHER DIRECTION. MECHANIC SAID BRAKE LINES WHERE COMPETELY RUSTED OUT & SO IS THE ENTIRE FRAME OF MY TRUCK.I'M AFRAID TRUCK COULD EVENTUALLY BRAKE IN HALF WHILE DRIVING. ENTIRE UNDER BODY IS COMPLETELY RUSTED. HAD TO REPLACE ALL BRAKE LINES AT MY OWN EXPENSE. I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS WEBSITE, SO I AM WRITING NOW. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 TOYOTA PICKUP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERK ABNORMALLY AND WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL ABRUPTLY TO ONE SIDE. IN ADDITION, THE FRAME EXHIBITED SEVERE RUSTING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 175,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON VEHICLE THE MECHANIC SMELLED GASOLINE FUMES. UPON INSPECTION THE MECHANIC FOUND A LEAK IN THE FUEL TANK. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FUEL TANK. THIS CORRECTED THE PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL LEAK. *AK UPDATED 11/29/2005. *NM
THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE CYLINDER HEAD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BECAUSE OF A LEAKING HEAD GASKET. *JB THE CONSUMER WAS ALSO TOLD THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING FROM THE TOP TANK, THE CLUTCH FLEX LINE AND POWER STEERING PUMP WAS ALSO LEAKING. THE GAS GAUGE WAS INOPERATIVE. THE DRIVE BELT AND TIMING BELTS WERE REPLACED. PH. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER COMPLAINS OF POSITIONING OF DRIVERS OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR. *SD
PE95-037 ACTIVE, HEATER FAN BLOWER IS TURNED ON SMELL OF BURNING FUMES. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 TOYOTA PICKUP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS, THE RPMS INCREASED, AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND SHE ENGAGED THE BRAKE PEDAL TWICE TO SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE TOYOTA MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000.
DRIVING AT SPEED OF 15MPH, VEHICLE WENT INTO OPEN THROTTLE POSITION, SPEED 35MPH, LOST CONTROL WENT INBANKMENT IMPACT 12:00 AND UNBODY DAMAGES. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR SEAL LEAKED GREASE ALL OVER BRAKES, CAUSING THE REAR BRAKES TO LOCK UP/ACCIDENT/INJURY. *DH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIR CONDITIONER REFRIGERANT LINE BROKE, CAUSING FREON TO LEAK DUE TO ELECTRICAL LINES RUBBING AGAINST REFRIGERANT LINE. *SD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .