Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1997 Toyota T100 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 23 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
The contact owns a 1997 Toyota T100. The contact stated that while performing an oil change on the vehicle, he noticed the sub-frame was corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA T100. THE CONTACT, A MECHANIC, NOTICED THAT THE FRAME HAD EXTENSIVE RUST CORROSION, AND FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE REPAIRED BY THE MECHANIC THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 201,000. UPDATED 03/16/17*LJ UPDATED 09/07/2017*JS
SEVERLY BAD FRAME ROT HOLES! BY THE CONTROL ARMS AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FRAME CAN SNAP AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT I CANT TOW ANYTHING WITH THE TRUCK ANYMORE FOR THE FACT THAT THE BACK HALF THE FRAME IS ALSO ROTTED AWAY TO WEAR IF I PUT A TRAILER ON IT THE FRAME WILL PROBABLY SNAP NO WERE ON THE FRAME IS SOLID ITS A SHAME THE TRUCK RUNS AND DRIVES FANTASTIC BUT I WILL NO LONGER DRIVE IT FOR THE FACT OF HAVING A ROTTED OUT FRAME AND WILL SNAP SOON
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA T-100 TRUCK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME OF THE FLOORBOARD WAS SEVERELY COVERED WITH RUST AND CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.
I HAVE READ SEVERAL OF THE DESCRIPTIONS ON THE SITE AND AM AFRAID I'M DRIVING AN UNSAFE VEHICLE NOW BECAUSE OF THE UNDERLYING RUST ISSUES WHICH COULD BE AT THE ROOT OF SHIFTER ISSUES, AS IN A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT AND THE DANGEROUS FRAME RUST ISSUE. I AM NOT A MECHANIC, BUT I RECOGNIZE MANY OF THE RUST ISSUES DESCRIBED HERE ON MY T100. NHTSA SHOULD RE-EXAMINE THE DECISION TO GIVE TOYOTA A BREAK BY NOT REQUIRING THAT THEY BUY BACK VEHICLES AS DONE WITH SIMILAR MODELS IN THEIR FAMILY WITH THE FRAME RUST ISSUES. THE ALLOWANCE TO CONTINUE T100S BE DRIVEN PUTS PASSENGERS AND OTHER MOTORISTS AT RISK. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED, AND THE MECHANICALS AND APPEARANCE BELIES THE SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUES BENEATH.THE NHTSA IS REMISS TO NOT PUT PRESSURE ON TOYOTA TO INCLUDE THESE VEHICLES IN THEIR RECALL AS A GOOD FAITH AND SAFETY MEASURE... AS THE OWNER OF NEWER, ALLEGEDLY SAFE, TOYOTA PRODUCTS, I AM ALSO CONCERNED BY THEIR LACK OF RESPONSE... DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO LOSE THEIR LIFE BEFORE A SUITABLE RESPONSE IS MANDATED? AFTER ALL, THIS VEHICLE COULD BE BEHIND YOU ON THE DRIVE HOME TONIGHT. THIS IGNORES HOW THIS VEHICLE WOULD LIKELY JUST CRUMBLE IN AN ACCIDENT. I PLAN TO BRING THIS VEHICLE IN FOR A COMPREHENSIVE CHECK NOW, BUT IN THE INTERIM, WORRY ABOUT ITS SAFE USE. THE FACT THAT MY KIDS ARE EVEN NEAR IT WHEN IT IS PARKED GIVES ME PAUSE NOW. PLEASE USE YOU INFLUENCE TO IMPRESS UPON TOYOTA THAT WHAT IS RIGHT FOR THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS IS RIGHT FOR THEM. THANKS FOR READING MY THOUGHTS AND FOR YOU CONSIDERATION IN WORKING TOWARDS A RESOLUTION. *TR
RUSTING FRAME BUMPER FUEL LINES BRAKE LINES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA T100. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND SPREAD TO THE REAR BUMPER, CAUSING THE BUMPER TO FRACTURE. THE CONTACT'S PERSONAL MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
FRAME IS RUSTING OUT. WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA T100. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE WASHING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS CORRODED AND HOLES HAD RUSTED THROUGH THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 196,000. *TR
RENEWED MY REGISTRATION SEPT 18 2012, BUT THE FRAME DIDN'T PASS INSPECTION, TOO MANY HOLES AND THIN WALLS ON THE FRAME. ALL OF THE FRAMEWORK JUST FALLING APART, REST OF THE TRUCK, DRIVE TRAIN JUST FINE. IF THE CLOTHE SEAT, WHICH HAS NEVER BEEN COVERED HAD TO PASS INSPECTION, IT WOULD EASILY! DIRTY, BUT NO HOLES OR RIPS. HOW UTTERLY RIDICULOUS IS THAT? TRIED 3 TIMES TO GET SOMEONE FROM TOYOTA TO TALK ABOUT IT, BUT THEY JUST PLAY REAL STUPID AND SAY THEY DON,T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE FRAMES ROTTING ON THE T100'S AND CAN'T HELP ME. CAN AND WILL TAKE PICTURES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA T100 SR5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME, REAR WHEEL WELLS AND ROCKER PANELS WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 165,000.
MECHANICALLY THIS TRUCK IS VERY SOUND, BUT THE FRAME AND MANY PARTS ARE RUSTING EXCESSIVELY. WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE TRUCK I HAD IT UNDERCOATED. THIS DIDN'T LAST LONG AND I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE CONTROL ARMS, THE LOAD SENSING PROPORTIONING VALVE AND WAS RECENTLY TOLD THAT I AM AT RISK OF NOT BEING INSPECTED IN JULY DUE TO THE RUST ON THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 153,000 MILES ON IT AND IT SHOULD STILL RUN STRONG, BUT THE FRAME MAY MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO GET MY VALUE OUT OF THE VEHICLE. I FEEL LIKE I WASTED MY MONEY ON A TOYOTA PRODUCT THAT USED TO HAVE A GOOD REPUTATION. *TR
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING CLAIM NO. 10451047. IN REVIEWING CLAIM I REALIZED THE SAFETY ISSUES NOT FULLY COVERED. A SERIOUS INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE USING THIS VEHICLE. WHILE BRINGING BAGGED LEAVES TO TOWN RECYCLING AREA, A BAG FELL FROM THE TRUCK. MY SON AND I STOPPED IN THE ROAD TO RETRIEVE THE DEBRIS BEHIND THE TRUCK. WHILE RETRIEVING THE DEBRIS THE VEHICLE BEGAN BACKING UP AND ALMOST STRUCK US. I HAD TO RUN TO THE DRIVERS DOOR AND ENTER THE MOVING VEHICLE TO APPLY THE BRAKE TO PREVENT A CRASH. IT BECAME APPARENT THAT WHEN PLACED IN PARK THE SHIFTER MAY IN FACT BE IN REVERSE. THIS ALLOWS THE VEHICLE TO MOVE UNEXPECTEDLY. UNFORTUNATELY THIS CAN NOT BE EASILY REPAIRED AS FAILURE OF THE FRAME WAS IDENTIFIED AS THE CAUSE FOR LOSS OF THE SHIFTER SUPPORT. THIS SERIOUS DEFECT CAN BE EXPECTED TO PRODUCE THIS TYPE OF DANGEROUS SITUATION OF THE VEHICLE BEING INADVERTENTLY IN REVERSE INSTEAD OF IN PARK! *TR
VEHICLE DEVELOPED FUEL LEAK DISCOVERED DURING INSPECTION DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION. TOYOTA FAILED TO MAKE REPAIRS DESPITE BEING COVERED BY A FEDERAL EMISSIONS WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT. SEVERE RUST OF FRAME IDENTIFIED. NOW SHIFTER NOT WORKING DUE TO FURTHER CORROSION. LETTERS TO TOYOTA HAVE BEEN FRUITLESS. INTERNET FULL OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THESE VEHICLES. SIMILAR AGE TUNDRA AND TACHOMAS RECALLED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE T-100'S ARE A SERIOUS THREAT TO PUBLIC SAFETY AND PROBLEM SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY NHTSA AS TOYOTA IS NOT TAKING APPROPRIATE ACTIONS DESPITE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA T100. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE MECHANIC STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT HE COULD WELD THE FRAME BUT WAS NOT SURE THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BE REPAIRED DUE TO THE POOR CONDITION AND SEVERITY OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
THE FRAME HAS RUSTED AND HAS BECOME UNSAFE, JUST LIKE THE TACOMA AND TUNDRA. I HAD THE FRAME INSPECTED BY TOYOTA, THEY AGREED "FRAME PERCH IS ROTTED". *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA T100. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE GARAGE WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE CORROSION AT THE FUEL LINES, BRAKE LINES, THE FRAME, FRONT BUMPER, THE A-FRAMES, BED-HOLDER AND REAR AXLE HOUSING. THE FUEL LINES WERE REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 02/18/11 *BF UPDATED 12/01/2011 *LN
1997 TOYOTA T-100 HAS FRAME RUST ROT AND IS NOT DRIVABLE ANY MORE. THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK. THE FRAME IS IN INCREDIBLY TERRIBLE SHAPE. VERY UNSAFE AND IS IN FACT NOT DRIVABLE ANY MORE. THE BODY AND THE REST OF THE TRUCK ARE IN VERY GOOD SHAPE WITH NO RUST AND THE MOTOR IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. I HAVE HAD THE TRUCK FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS BUT HAVE ONLY PUT 5,000 MILES ON IT. THE TRUCK NOW HAS 65,000 MILES ON IT. I PURCHASED IT FROM A DEALER IN PENNSYLVANIA. I THINK TOYOTA SHOULD HONOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO T-100 OWNERS JUST AS THEY HAVE TACOMA AND TUNDRA OWNERS. I BACKED THE TRUCK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY RECENTLY AND FOUND THAT THE BRAKES DIDN'T WORK AS I ROLLED OUT OF CONTROL DOWN A HILL. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES COMING AND I WAS ABLE TO GET THE TRUCK STOPPED BY TURNING THE IGNITION OFF. THE REPAIR SHOP NEAR MY HOUSE INFORMED ME THAT THE FRAME WAS SO BAD THAT IT WAS NOT FIXABLE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA T100. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS COVERED WITH RUST. THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 46,600.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA T100. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, AND THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE REAR BUMPER DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE FRAME COMPLETELY CORRODED AND EXHIBITED SEVERAL HOLES. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED SIGNIFICANTLY AND BEYOND REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 182,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
I TOOK MY 1997 T100 TOYOTA TRUCK TO UNIONTOWN TOYOTA DEALER FOR A NEUTRAL SWITCH REPAIR WHICH COST $360. AT THAT TIME I WAS ADVISED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE CURRENT PROBLEM THAT TOYOTA IS HAVING WITH FRAME DETERIORATION. TOYOTA CURRENTLY HAS A RECALL ON YEARS BACK UP TO1995. THIS DETERIORATION IN MY 1997 IS OBVIOUSLY THE SAME ISSUE THEY ARE HAVING AND ARE HONORING IN THE PREVIOUS YEARS' MODELS. THE FRAME NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE ABOVE DEALERSHIP. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN MY GARAGE SINCE THIS REPAIR JULY 10TH, THIS IS A GARAGE KEPT VEHICLE- IT IS CLEARLY DEFECTED AND SHOULD BE HONORED BY TOYOTA AS THEY ARE HONORING PAST YEAR IDENTICAL ISSUE. AFTER DISCUSSING THIS ISSUE WITH TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVES AT THEIR MAIN HEADQUARTERS IN CALIFORNIA, THEY REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM STATING THAT OUR 1997 TRUCK WAS NOT RECALLED, EVEN THOUGH THEIR SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES HAVE STATED THAT IT CLEARLY WAS THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
1997 TOYOTA T100 TRUCK IS IN FINE CONDITION BUT THE FRAME IS RUST ROTTED THROUGH. THIS IS THE SAME EXACT ISSUE AS FOUND AND RECALLED FOR SAME-ERA TOYOTA TACOMAS (AND TUNDRAS LATER) BUT FOR SOME REASON TOYOTA WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THE T100 IN THE RECALL. TRUCK RUNS GREAT AND IS IN GOOD CONDITION BUT THE RUST HAS CAUSED HOLES IN THE FRAME AND WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. IT WILL PROBABLY FALL APART SOON. *TR
OUR 1997 TOYOTA T100 EXTENDED CAB IS FALLING APART WITH RUST. THE BUMPER PULLED COMPLETELY OFF AND THE BED MOVES AS IF IT WILL BREAK AWAY FROM THE CAB. THE SIDE STEPS (YOU STEP ON TO CLIMB UP INTO THE TRUCK) HAVE RUSTED AND BROKEN OFF AS WELL). WE HAVE TO DRIVE IT, BUT FEAR A TRAGIC ACCIDENT WILL OCCUR. THIS TRUCK HAS FAR MORE RUST THAN EVEN THE RECALLED TACOMAS WE SAW BOUGHT BACK BY TOYOTA. WE WOULD LIKE TOYOTA TO RECALL AND BUY BACK THE T100S AS WELL. *TR
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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