Owner-reported complaints naming the suspension system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1999 Toyota Tacoma submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 35 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.
The 25 most recent of 35, in the owner's own words
Hi, i had the recall preventive performed by toyota for rusting and corrosion of the frame. Now, the vehicle is rusting throughout the frame and is very very unsafe to drive. TOYOTA is claiming that it was a program and not a recall and had no documentation to prove. Toyota performed the recall and now the frame is still at risk to crack and very unsafe.
The contact owns a 1999 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, an unknown popping sound was coming from the rear-end of the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact discovered severe corrosion and a crack that had formed on the rear passenger’s side fender. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 147,813.
Frame rusting from inside out. Vehicle has been in same family since purchased new in 2000 and no recall notice was ever received. Rest of vehicle is in GREAT shape.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE STATE INSPECTED, BUT IT DID NOT PASS DUE TO SEVERE RUST UNDER THE BED OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE LEAF SPRINGS WERE RUSTED AND NEEDED A NEW FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER FRACTURED AND THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE FRAME. DEL TOYOTA (2945 LINCOLN HWY E, THORNDALE, PA 19372, (610) 383-6200) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD AS IS WITHOUT FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
BOUGHT 99 TOYOTA TACOMA TRUCK.VERIFIED WITH DEALER WHO DID THE FRAME EXAM IN 2014 FOR RUST. AT 207000 MILES. IT PASSED IMSPECTIOM IN 2014??? NOW 4 YRS LATER AND 18000 ADDITIONAL MILES, IT'S RUSTED IN HALF?
IN MA YOU NEED TO HAVE AN ANNUAL VEHICLE INSPECTION. I WENT FOR THAT INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT PASS THE TRUCK BECAUSE OF A SEVERELY RUSTED FRAME. I WENT TO THE DEALER WHO SOLD ME THE VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD TO EITHER AGREE TO PAY FOR A FRAME REPLACEMENT OR JUNK THE TRUCK. I CAN'T DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT A VALID INSPECTION.
I'VE HAD COMPLETE FAILURE OF BOTH SIDES- FRONT BALL JOINTS. I CHALKED UP THE THE DRIVERS SIDE FAILURE TO HAPPENSTANCE, BUT AFTER PASSENGER SIDE RECENTLY HAD THE SAME FAILURE I DID SOME INVESTIGATING AND REALIZED THIS IS A VEHICLE ASSEMBLY ISSUE. THE SAME ISSUE HAD RECALLS FOR THE LATER MODELS 2001-05 TACOMAS, I BELIEVE. NOT SURE WHY THE EARLIER MODELS WERE EXCLUDED, BUT THIS IS SCARY AND DANGEROUS TO HAVE A COMPLETE BREAKDOWN WHILE IN TRAFFIC. THE TOWS AND REPAIRS COST OVER $500 IN TOTAL FOR BOTH INSTANCES. I'M NOT LOOKING FOR REIMBURSEMENT AS MUCH AS REASSURANCE THAT MY TRUCK IS SAFE TO DRIVE. BOTH INSTANCES OCCURRED ON CITY STREETS. PASSENGER SIDE WAS UNDER 10 MPH TURNING RIGHT TOWARDS MY DRIVEWAY. THE RECENT INCIDENT WAS TURNING LEFT AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THROUGH AN INTERSECTION WITH A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE TRUCK TIRE CRUMBLED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND SLIDE ABOUT 30 FEET TO A STOP ALONG THE CURB.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AT A TOYOTA DEALER FOR CORROSION. THE TECHNICIAN ASSURED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FINE. FIVE YEARS LATER, THE CONTACT BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION DETACHED FROM THE FRAME DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000.
DEC 13, 2015, WHILE BENDING DOWN TO PICK UP MY READING GLASSES IN THE DRIVEWAY, I NOTICED A CLEAN THROUGH FRACTURE OF THE FRAME, REAR PASSENGER SIDE, JUST IN FRONT OF THE SHOCK ABSORBER FITTING. A FEW DAYS EARLIER I HAD WONDERED WHY THE BED WAS TILTED UP PINCHING THE BACK OF THE CAB. THE VEHICLE HAD PASSED STATE INSPECTION YEAR AFTER YEAR AND HAD BEEN SEE BY MY REGULAR MECHANIC LESS THAN 2 YEARS AGO AND NO ISSUES WITH FRAME DETERIORATION WERE FOUND OR BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION. I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND JUST YESTERDAY WAS TOLD, SORRY ABOUT YOUR "RUST" ISSUE, BUT THE WARRANTY HAS LONG EXPIRED. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING DEFECT TIED TO IMPROPER PREP BY TOYOTA FRAME CONTRACTOR DANA HOLDING CORP. THE VEHICLE WAS FULLY OPERATIONAL AND NOW IT IS UN-DRIVEABLE. IF THE VEHICLE HAD COME APART AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, IT COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY OR FATALITY. THIS IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION AS A FIXED INCOME RETIREE. THERE'S NO JUSTIFIABLE REASON A VEHICLE FRAME SHOULD FAIL LIKE THIS ONLY TO HAVE TOYOTA TELL ME THEY WILL DO NOTHING. MY TROUBLES ASIDE, THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PUBLIC SAFETY RISK AND A RISK TO ALL SERVICE PERSONNEL, OWNERS, THEIR PASSENGERS AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD IN THEIR VICINITY. IT WAS ONLY BY SHEER LUCK THAT I DISCOVERED THIS WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE LEAF SPRING FELL INTO THE FRAME AND PUNCTURED THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED DUE TO CORROSION IN THE FRAME BENEATH THE LEAF SPRINGS. THE REPAIR WAS SUPPOSED TO BE FIXED IN JULY 2011 BY SPRAYING ANTI-CORROSION CHEMICALS. HOWEVER, THIS DID NOT SATISFY THE PROBLEM AS THE REAR IS SO RUSTED OUT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. NEITHER THE TOYOTA DEALER NOR THE TOYOTA COMPANY WILL FIX THIS NOW AS PART OF THE RECALL BECAUSE IT IS "EXPIRED" SINCE THE CORROSION NOW IS SO COMPLETE, IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE "FIX" IN 2011 DID NOT WORK. THE TRUCK HAS LESS THAT 125,000 MILES AND SHOULD NOT BE RUSTED OUT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED NEAR THE LEAF SPRINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE EMITTING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE LEAF SPRING SHACKLE FRACTURED FROM THE FRAME. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED CORROSION ON THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000.
NOTICED MY TRUCK WAS LEAKING GAS. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION IT APPEARS TO BE COMING FROM THE TANK AND THEN I NOTICED THAT THE FRAME IS ROTTED OUT AROUND WHERE THE LEAF SPRING IS MOUNTED. MY TRUCK FRAME WAS INSPECTED BY TOYOTA YEARS AGO AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT PASSED. I KNOW ABOUT THE EXTENDED FRAME WARRANTY BUT JUST MY LUCK IT EXPIRED FOR MY TRUCK AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR. I USUALLY DO A VISUAL OF THE FRAME WHEN I WASH MY TRUCK BUT DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING. I'M NOT SURE WHAT I SHOULD DO I CAN'T DRIVE MY TRUCK THIS WAY. I KNOW TOYOTA IS GOING TO GIVE ME THE RUN AROUND. *TR
IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY FOR RUSTING UNDERNEATH.I'TS A1999 TACOMA THE MANUFACTOR SAID THE WARRANTY EXPIRED IN I THINK MARCH FOR MY TRUCK.BUT MY FRAME BROKE IN AUGUST AND THEY (TOYOTA) ARE NOT GOING TO DO NOTHING FOR ME ABOUT IT.I DIDNT RECIVE ANY OF THE RECALL NOTICES FROM THEM AND I TOLD THEM THIS .THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD ONLY DO WHAT THE DMV SENDS THEM WELL I HAVE HAD THE TRUCK SINCE 2006.SO YOU WOULD THINK SOMEBODY WOULD HAVE SENT SOMETHING!!! MY MAN IS SICK AND I HAVE TO BUM A RIDE AND THAT REALLY SUCKS!I'M NOT USED TO MOTHER MAY I.ANY WAY IT'S ALL A BLAME GAME.
TL* THE CONTACT OWN A 1999 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE LEAF SPRING FRACTURED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE WHERE A PRIVATE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER LEAF SPRING AND SHOCKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000.
TRUCK HAS PERFORATED RUST THROUGH THE FRAME. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE, THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE IMPACTING OLDER TOYOTA TACOMAS. I HAVE RECEIVED NO NOTICE OF ANY ISSUE FROM TOYOTA DESPITE HAVING A GOOD ADDRESS ON FILE, BUT AFTER CONTACTING TOYOTA, THEY HAVE INFORMED ME OF A 15 YEAR EXTENDED PROGRAM SPECIFICALLY FOR PERFORATED FRAME RUST ISSUES ON THIS TRUCK. PER TOYOTA, THIS PROGRAM LAPSED TWO MONTHS PRIOR TO MY CALL. ONLINE RESEARCH AND LOCAL DEALERSHIP CONFIRMS, TOYOTA WAS BUYING THESE TRUCKS BACK AND PAYING 150% OF THE KBB EXCELLENT VALUE, IN ORDER TO SIMPLY CRUSH THE TRUCK AND MOVE ON. PER TOYOTA, SINCE I HAVE FOUND THE PROGRAM ON MY OWN AND AM CALLING TWO MONTHS LATE, THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO TAKE ANY CORRECTIVE ACTION WHATSOEVER, EITHER REPAIR OR REPURCHASE. PER THE DEALER, THEY ARE GETTING MULTIPLE INQUIRES INTO THIS DUE TO PEOPLE NOT BEING AWARE OF THE PROGRAM. AT THIS TIME, THE FRAME IS SO DAMAGED DUE TO RUST THAT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE POTENTIAL OF TOTAL COLLAPSE. *TR
FRAME RUST BY REAR DRIVER LEAF SPRING CONNECTION AND OBVIOUS RUST ALL OVER FRAME. *TR
LOWER BALL JOINT SEVERED. MY FAMILY AND I WERE LUCKY THAT IT DID NOT HAPPEN A FEW MINUTES BEFORE ON HIGHWAY GOING 60MPH. WE WERE ON AN EXTENDED TRIP AND HAD SLOWED DOWN GOING THROUGH A TOWN, STOPPED AND WERE MAKING A U-TURN WHEN THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL PRACTICALLY FELL OFF. *TR
THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED ON THE FREEWAY AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP IN TIME. MY FRONT RIGHT HIT HIS REAR LEFT, AND MY CAR SPUN 180 DEGREES INTO THE LANE NEXT TO THE ONE I HAD BEEN IN AND I WAS FACING THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
I PURCHASED A 1999 TOYOTA TACOMA IN 8/2000. THE VEHICLE HAD A BLOWN ENGINE THAT HAD BEEN REPLACED AND HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT. I BOUGHT IT FROM A LOCAL AUTO-BODY SHOP FOR $10,500 WHERE IT HAD BEEN REPAIRED. I HAVE MADE MY LIVING WITH THIS TRUCK AND HAVE PUT OVER 200 K MILES ON IT WITH NO MAJOR REPAIRS. IT HAS BEEN TROUBLE-FREE AND I HAD NO THOUGHTS OF REPLACING IT. IN OCTOBER 2008, I TOOK THE TRUCK TO A TOYOTA DEALER TO BE INSPECTED FOR RUST, ON THE ADVICE OF AN FRIEND. NO RUST PERFORATION WAS FOUND. IN AUGUST 2011 I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM TOYOTA ENCOURAGING ME TO HAVE THE TRUCK RE-INSPECTED FOR FRAME RUST. I DID THIS ON 12/30/2011. THIS TIME THEY FOUND RUST ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, ON THE INSIDE OF THE FRAME. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT I COULD NOT DRIVE THE TRUCK WITHOUT SIGNING A WAIVER AND THAT THE TRUCK WAS ELIGIBLE FOR TOYOTA'S REPURCHASE PROGRAM. I WAS GIVEN A RENTAL VEHICLE PAID FOR BY TOYOTA. ON 1/5/2012 I WAS TOLD THE TRUCK DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE REPURCHASE PROGRAM BECAUSE IT HAD A SALVAGE TITLE AND TO PICK IT UP BY THE END OF THE DAY. I HAVE LOST A VEHICLE WITH NO COMPENSATION AND NO RECOURSE WITH TOYOTA. THERE IS NO RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE FACTS THAT RESULTED IN MY TRUCK HAVING A SALVAGE TITLE AND THE FRAME RUST. TOYOTA ISN'T INTERESTED IN ENTERTAINING THE MERIT OF MY CLAIM, PERIOD. PLEASE HELP ME. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL SUDDENLY FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OFF THE ROAD. UPON INSPECTION, SHE NOTICED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THAT COMPONENT. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 133,000.
160K MILES MY TRUCK FRAME, IN THE REAR AROUND THE LEAF SPRINGS AND BACK COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. I HAD THIS TRUCK ON A LIFT 1.5 YEARS AGO AND INSPECTED IT WITH A MECHANIC AND IT WAS FINE. THIS FRAME RUST HAPPENED VERY QUICKLY. THE TRUCK IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE NOW. ONLY CHOICE IS TO PART IT OUT OR JUNKYARD. GETTING SOMEONE TO WELD THE FRAME IS NEAR IMPOSSIBLE. TRUCK IS FINE SHAPE OTHERWISE. *TR
JUST NORMAL DRIVING NOTHING HEAVY IN THE BACK OF THE TRUCK. HAD TO REPLACE THE LEAF SPRINGS. HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES. *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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