1997 Toyota T100 Problems

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

WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WON'T RETURN TO CENTER UPON COMPLETION OF THE TURN. I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS A MAJOR SAFETY VEHICLE RECALL FOR THIS TRUCK HOWEVER TWO DEALERS IN MERCED AND MODESTO, CALIFORNIA HAVE TOLD ME THERE IS NO SAFETY RECALL. THE 1995 TO 1998 RECALL WAS FOR TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING DUE TO A BROKEN STEERING ROD. I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK IN CALIFORNIA ONE YEAR AGO AND WE KNOW FOR CERTAIN THAT IT WAS ORIGINALLY SOLD IN TEXAS. *TR

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

CLUTCH BRACKET (MOUNTED INSIDE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT ON FIREWALL BEHIND CLUTCH PEDAL) CRACKED. CRACKED BRACKET DEFORMS WHEN CLUTCH PEDAL IS PRESSED, KEEPING CLUTCH FROM DISENGAGING COMPLETELY. *JB

CLUTCH BRAKET CRACKED

TOOK TRUCK TO REPAIR SHOP FOR EXHAUST REPAIR. TECHNICIAN FOUND THE FRAME TO BE RUSTED BADLY WITH HOLES THROUGH THE FRAME. TOLD ME THAT I NEED TO HAVE THIS LOOKED AT BY A TOYOTA DEALER BECAUSE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE IT COULD GET DANGEROUS. HE ALSO POINTED OUT RUST ON BRAKE LINES AND OTHER SUSPENSION PARTS THAT NEEDED REPLACED SOON. *TR

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

WELL ON MY 1997 TOYOTA T-100 EXTENDED CAB THE REAR SEAT BELT TO HOLD THE CHILD SEAT IN PLACE KEEPS COMING LOOSE AND I HAVE NOT OTHER OPTION THAT PLACE THE CHILD SEAT ON THE RT OR LT REAR SEATS AND THIS WILL OR MIGHT RISK MY KID IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN CASE OF A COLLISION, ALSO THE DRIVERS SEAT COME LOOSE SUPER LOOSE IT WONT RESTRAIN AND IN GOING TO HAVE TO GET ONE SOON. SO I ASK TO THE NSTHS TO CONTACT TOYOTA'S MANUFACTURER AND HAVE THEM HANDLE THIS PROBLEM. I DID INCLUDE MY TRUCK INFORMATION AND HOPE TO HEAR FROM TOYOTA'S MANUFACTURES SOON, THANKS AGAIN AND HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY. *TR

1997 TOYOTA T-100, SEAT BELTS FAIL TO PERFORM PROPERLY SINCE ORIGINALLY PURCHASED IN 1997. SEAT BELTS FAIL TO RETRACT AND ARE CONSTANTLY HANGING OUTSIDE THE TRUCK THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF THE TRUCK DOOR WHETHER IN USE OR NOT. SEAT BELTS HAVE BEEN WET HUNDREDS OF TIMES, HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO ROAD SALT FOR EVERY WINTER SINCE 1997. SINCE THE PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED IN 1997 SOON AFTER THE TRUCK WAS PURCHASED IT WAS BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES WHO QUICKLY DISMISSED THE PROBLEM BY INFORMING ME "WHAT DO YOU WANT US TO DO, THESE BELTS CONFORM TO ALL FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS...THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO...EVEN IF WE WERE TO INSTALL NEW BELTS THEY WOULD BE JUST LIKE WHAT IS ON THE VEHICLE NOW". I GUESS THE QUESTION I HAVE IS, ARE THESE SEAT BELTS AS SAFE TODAY AS THEY SHOULD BE? IF THE ANSWER IS NO, THEN MY NEXT QUESTION IS, WHY NOT? *TR

TOOK TRUCK TO REPAIR SHOP FOR EXHAUST REPAIR. TECHNICIAN FOUND THE FRAME TO BE RUSTED BADLY WITH HOLES THROUGH THE FRAME. TOLD ME THAT I NEED TO HAVE THIS LOOKED AT BY A TOYOTA DEALER BECAUSE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE IT COULD GET DANGEROUS. HE ALSO POINTED OUT RUST ON BRAKE LINES AND OTHER SUSPENSION PARTS THAT NEEDED REPLACED SOON. *TR

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

TOOK TRUCK TO REPAIR SHOP FOR EXHAUST REPAIR. TECHNICIAN FOUND THE FRAME TO BE RUSTED BADLY WITH HOLES THROUGH THE FRAME. TOLD ME THAT I NEED TO HAVE THIS LOOKED AT BY A TOYOTA DEALER BECAUSE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE IT COULD GET DANGEROUS. HE ALSO POINTED OUT RUST ON BRAKE LINES AND OTHER SUSPENSION PARTS THAT NEEDED REPLACED SOON. *TR

RUSTING FRAME BUMPER FUEL LINES BRAKE LINES. *TR

RUSTING FRAME BUMPER FUEL LINES BRAKE LINES. *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

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WORN OUT PARTS. DRIVER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE THAN ON ONE OCCASION. *AK

EGR VALVE AND SWITCH FAILED. NLM

WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT FRONT WHEELS WOULD NOT MOVE. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. THE RECIRCULATING BALL WAS REPAIRED.*AK

UNIVERSAL JOINT FAILED.

DRIVER'S SEATBACK BROKE WHILE DRIVING, RESULTING IN A MINOR COLLISION. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

PLASTIC HEADLIGHT COVERS TURNING HAZY. *JB