1996 Toyota Tacoma Suspension Problems

Rear passenger frame rusted/rotted, rear passenger shock mount completely torn off frame at rust area and rear passenger leaf spring assembly cracked. Vehicle is not drivable and completely unsafe. This vehicle was recalled in May 2008 for inspection of frame rust and passed the inspection with only surface frame rust found and no rust perforation. Vehicle was recalled again in January 2012 for Limited Service Campaign for New York vehicles for Frame Rust Corrosion, which it failed with substantial corrosion and rusted through holes in the frame. This vehicle was included in this second recall, however the terms of the recall for repair or buyback only extended for 15 years from vehicle’s ‘in service date’, which in this case meant this vehicle was 5 months outside the recall window. So, Toyota included the vehicle in the recall (actually mailed the recall letter), found it had unsafe frame corrosion issues upon inspection 3 weeks after receipt of recall letter, then washed their hands and walked away indicating the ‘in service date’ was 5 months outside the recall window. Makes zero sense and terrible customer service and warranty management.

NHTSA ID

11512855

Incident

Feb 14, 2012

I PURCHASED TRUCK IN 2005 FROM TOYOTA OF NICHOLASVILLE KY I HEARD THERE WAS A RECALL NEVER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE TOOK TRUCK TO HAVE BRAKES DONE MECHANIC REFUSED TO WORK ON IT BECAUSE OF DANGEROUS FRAME HOLES RUST CAN PUSH IN SIDES OF FRAME WITH FINGERS AND MAKE A HOLE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE!

NHTSA ID

11403041

Incident

Mar 15, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LOWER. AFTER STOPPING TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THE REAR CENTER LEAF SPRING HAD FRACTURED AND HAD ALSO PUNCTURED THE FUEL TANK CAUSING THE FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FRACTURED LEAF SPRING WAS SEVERE RUSTED. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11385620

Incident

Oct 1, 2020

Mileage

130,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION SUPPORT WAS DAMAGED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 96V129000 (SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE FOLSOM LAKE TOYOTA DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND REFUSED TO DO THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE FAILURE ALREADY OCCURRED ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 278,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11004095

Incident

Jul 3, 2017

Mileage

278,000 mi

THE FRAME IS RUSTED, IN SOME AREAS, CLEAR THROUGH. THE BRACKETS THAT HOLD SUSPENSION HAVE RUSTED THROUGH. EVERYTHING THAT TOUCHES THE FRAME HAS AN EXCESS AMOUNT OF RUST. THE TRUCK IS PARKED BECAUSE I'M AFRAID IT WILL CAUSE GREAT BODILY HARM IF THE TRUCK FALLS APART WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10948686

Incident

Jan 29, 2017

Mileage

215,000 mi

FRAME CORRODED AND CRACKED. HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO BRACE WITH SHEET METAL AND WELD. JUST WANTED TO MAKE YOU AWARE.

NHTSA ID

10760095

Incident

Jul 6, 2015

Mileage

290,000 mi

RIGHT REAR FRAME EXCESSIVE RUST. TAKEN TO MECHANIC TO VERIFY THE SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

10726420

Incident

Jun 21, 2015

Mileage

160,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD, THE VEHICLE STARTED BOUNCING ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT NOTICED RUST ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE LEAF SPRING AND THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,138.

NHTSA ID

10704147

Incident

Jan 7, 2015

Mileage

98,138 mi

VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN NOVEMBER 2013, FRAME IS CRACKED IN THE RIGHT REAR AND NUMEROUS HOLES ARE FORMING DUE TO THE WIDELY KNOWN ISSUE OF IMPROPER CORROSION PREVENTATIVE AND POOR MANUFACTURER QUALITY OF MATERIALS USED AND DESIGN. WAS TOLD BY TMC CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT THE "LIMITED SERVICE BULLETIN" HAD EXPIRED AND THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE. THIS SHOULD BE THE LAST COMPLAINT OF THIS KNOWN ISSUE AS CONSUMERS ARE DYING IN GM VEHICLES THAT THE COMPANY KNEW ABOUT FOR 10 YEARS PRIOR. I HAVE OWNED TOYOTAS ALL MY LIFE, AND NOW THE LIFE OF MY YOUNGER SISTER LITERALLY TEETERS ON THE CRACKED FRAME OF HER 1996 TOYOTA LIABILITY. I AM STARTING A PETITION TO THE WHITE HOUSE ( WE THE PEOPLE PETITION SITE AND SEARCH TOYOTA FRAME RECALL) AND HOPE THAT OTHERS SEARCHING THIS SITE AND THE 222 PEOPLE WHO HAVE MADE COMPLAINTS WILL SIGN IT. THAT IS IF THEIR TRUCK HAS NOT COLLAPSED AND KILLED THEM. TO PUT A TIME LIMIT ON A SAFETY HAZARD SUCH AS THIS IS DISGUSTING, IMMORAL, AND DOWNRIGHT INTOLERABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10626444

Incident

Aug 19, 2014

Mileage

175,000 mi

MY HUSBANDS 1996 TACOMA WAS RECALLED DUE TO RUSTING UNDERNEATH AND WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE, BUT BECAUSE WE WERE IN CHAPTER 13 WE WERE TOLD TO COME AND GET THE TRUCK BACK FROM THE DEALER. WE ARE NOW DONE THIS MONTH WITH THE CHAPTER 13 AND WE HAVE CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY WILL NOT MAKE GOOD ON THE RECALL OFFER. MY HUSBAND NOW HAS A TRUCK THAT HE CANNOT SALE OR TRADE BECAUSE IT IS RED TAGGED. *JS

NHTSA ID

10608877

Incident

Aug 1, 2011

VEHICLE TAKEN IN FOR RECALL UNDERCOATING FOR DEFECTIVE FRAME. SERVICE ADVISED FRAME PERFORATED AND WOULD NOT DO UNDERCOATING. VEHICLE PAST 15-YEAR WARRANTY BUY-BACK PROGRAM (150% OF BLUEBOOK) BY ABOUT TWO DAYS. NO ACTION AVAILABLE. 2014 CONTINUED USE AND ATTEMPTED SERVICING. REFUSED DUE TO FRAME DETERIORATION. CONTACTED DEALER FOR COST ESTIMATE OF FRAME REPLACEMENT. ADVISED BY PARTS THAT FRAME WAS DISCONTINUED IN 2006 (2006!) AND NO ALTERNATIVES AVAILABLE. VEHICLE NOW HAS 77500 MILES ON IT AND IN GOOD CONDITION SAVE FOR THE DEFECTIVE FRAME THAT IS IRREPARABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10594786

Incident

Jun 1, 2011

Mileage

66,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME ON THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,000.

NHTSA ID

10574408

Incident

Mar 3, 2014

Mileage

189,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE SUSPENSION COLLAPSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 96V129000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

NHTSA ID

10565805

Incident

Feb 23, 2014

Mileage

175,000 mi

TRUCK IS STILL IN GOOD RUNNING CONDITION BUT THE BODY IS RUSTING OFF THE FRAME. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO... PLEASE HELP ME FIND A SOLUTION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10560627

Incident

Jan 17, 2014

Mileage

145,000 mi

I PURCHASED A ONE OWNER 96 TACOMA 4WD TRUCK LAST MONTH THE OWNER SAID THE TRUCK HAD COMPLETED A FRAME RECALL FOR CORROSION IN NOV OF 2011. AFTER PURCHASING THE TRUCK I HAD THE TRUCK MAINTENANCES AT MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER. THE DEALER SAID THE FRAME HAS A LARGE HOLE IN IT AND IT HAS HAPPENED SINCE THE FRAME HAD BEEN TREATED PER THE RECALL. NOW I AM STUCK WITH A TRUCK THAT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO A SHODDY RECALL JOB BY TOYOTA. I TRIED TO RECTIFY THE ISSUE WITH TMMI HEADQUARTERS BUT THEY SAID AFTER 15 YEARS THEIR FRAMES ARE NOT GUARANTEED. CONSIDERING IT HAS BEEN LESS THAN 2 YEARS SINCE THE TRUCK HAD BEEN TREATED I THINK THEY OWE IT TO EITHER REPLACE THE FRAME OR PURCHASE THE TRUCK PER THEIR AGREEMENT. IN MY OPINION JUST SPRAYING THE TRUCK WITH UNDERCOATING INADEQUATELY WAS JUST COVERING UP THE REAL PROBLEM WHICH IS THE POOR QUALITY FRAMES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10556622

Incident

Nov 1, 2013

Mileage

220,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 96V129000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS AND THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE RECALL WAS EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,869 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,879.

NHTSA ID

10433930

Incident

Jul 25, 2011

Mileage

114,869 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER RECEIVING NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER: 96V129000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT), THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE DEALER REFUSED REPAIRS DUE TO THE VEHICLE AGE. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000.

NHTSA ID

10424178

Incident

Aug 8, 2011

Mileage

154,000 mi

DURING PA STATE INSPECTION, NOTIFIED BY DEALER THAT BOTH REAR LEAF SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. DEALER WANTED $1200 + TO REPLACE. I FOUND A LOCAL SHOP TO REPLACE THEM WITH AFTERMARKET PARTS FOR UNDER $800. TOYOTA KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE SPRINGS AND YET STILL TRIES TO MILK THE OWNERS FOR MORE $. *TR

NHTSA ID

10326726

Incident

Jul 21, 2009

Mileage

137,345 mi

BROKEN REAR DRIVER SIDE LEAF SPRINGS ON 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA 4WD EXTENDED CAB LED TO POOR VEHICULAR CONTROL AND TIRE DAMAGE*AK

NHTSA ID

10108429

Incident

Jan 29, 2005

Mileage

85,000 mi

THERE REAR OF THE VEHICLE MADE NOISE. *JB THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE NOISE COULD NOT BE RESOLVED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE DEALER RESOLD THE VEHICLE WITHOUT IT BEING REPAIRED. *NM

NHTSA ID

10092197

Incident

Sep 1, 2004

RIGHT SIDE REAR LEAF SPRING BROKE IN HALF AT 79,000 MILES. RODLAND TOYOTA IN EVERETT, WA. STATED THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DID NOT MENTION THIS AS A KNOWN PROBLEM. NO OFFERS WERE EXTENDED TO CORRECT THE DEFECT. NO MENTION WAS MADE WHEN I PURCHASED THE TRUCK 6 MONTHS AGO (OCT. 03). TRUCK WAS SAID TO BE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION.

NHTSA ID

10066029

Incident

Mar 23, 2004

Mileage

79,000 mi

BAD REAR LEAF SPRINGS, CAUSING EXTREME INSTABILITY. VEHICLE: 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA 4X4 REGULAR CAB, REGULAR BED, 4CYLINDER. THE MIDDLE REAR LEAF SPRING HAS A TENDANCY TO BREAK, EVEN UNDER LIGHT LOADS.*AK ON MY TRUCK, THE DRIVER'S SIDE BROKE AT AROUND 100,000 MILES, THE PASSENGER SIDE BROKE AT ABOUT 110,000 MILES. THIS CREATED TWO PROBLEMS: 1) THE REAR OF THE TRUCK TENDS TO LEAVE THE GROUND ON EVEN SMALL BUMPS. 2) THERE IS LESS WEIGHT TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING A SERIOUS DEGRADATION IN STEERING CONTROL. MY SPRINGS BROKE WITH NO LOAD, I HEARD IT HAPPEN EACH TIME. I CONTACTED A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP EXPECTING THERE IS SOME SORT OF RECALL ON THESE SPRINGS, THEY SAID NO, BUT THERE WAS A 'TECHNICAL BULLETIN' FOR REPLACEMENT OF THESE SPRINGS. TOYOTA WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT, EXCEPT IF UNDER WARRANTY. (MY WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 100,000 MILES) THEY WANTED $345 EACH SIDE, PLUS LABOR TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED. THERE WAS NO WAY I COULD AFFORD IT. I DROVE AROUND WITH FOR A YEAR AND A HALF WITH A BROKEN LEAF SPRING ON EACH SIDE, WONDERING WHEN I WOULD GET IN A CRASH. HOW MANY OTHER TACOMA'S OUT THERE HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM? MANY! I DID SOME RESEARCH INTO FIXING THE PROBLEM MYSELF. I CALLED A LOCAL TOYOTA REPAIR SHOP (NOT THE DEALERSHIP), THEY STATED THAT THIS IS A MAJOR AND VERY VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 1996 TACOMA'S, THAT I WAS THE FOURTH CALLER FOR THAT DAY ALONE ASKING ABOUT THE SPRINGS. DOING MORE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I LEARNED ABOUT COUNTLESS CASES OF BOTH LEAF SPRINGS BREAKING, WITH AND WITHOUT A LOAD. THIS NEEDS TO BE A SAFETY RECALL BECAUSE THE SPRINGS ARE PRONE TO FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY UNSTABLE WHEN THEY ARE BROKEN. I HAVE HIGH QUALITY DIGITAL PHOTO'S AVAILABLE, THE WEB SITE IS STILL BEING DEVELOPED HTTP://TACOMASPRINGS.HOME.COMCAST.NET EMAIL OR CALL, I CAN SEND OUT THE WHOLE CD, I HAVE MORE THAN 50 PHOTOS TOTAL, ALL TAKEN AT 3.1MEGPIXEL. [email protected] THANK YOU. SEAN

NHTSA ID

10033425

Incident

Mar 9, 2002

Mileage

90,000 mi

FAULTY SPEEDOMETER. FRONT END SUSPENSION FAULTY,LEAF SPRING NOISE. *AK

NHTSA ID

10032855

Incident

Nov 10, 1996

Mileage

20,000 mi

TOP OF THE SHOCK ABSORBER MOUNT DETACHED FROM THE FRAME BECAUSE OF METAL FAILURE. *NLM

NHTSA ID

10014455

Incident

Jun 25, 2002

Mileage

77,074 mi

REAR LEAF SPRING ON PASSENGER SIDE (# 2 LEAF) HAS CRACKED, LEADING TO UNPREDICTABLE REAR SUSPESION BEHAVIOR OVER BUMPS. THIS IS A WIDELY KNOWN PROBLEM. TOYOTA IS AWARE THAT THERE IS A HIGH FAILURE RATE ON TACOMA LEAF SPRINGS, AS ARE ALL PARTS AND SERVICE PERSONNEL THAT I HAVE SPOKEN TO. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR FOR A KNOWN PROBLEM, TOYOTA SHOULD BE PROVIDING ASSISTANCE/RECALL.

NHTSA ID

10005194

Incident

Feb 23, 2002

Mileage

78,000 mi