1.3

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
133,173 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1996 Toyota Tacoma:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #25

Feb 142012

Tacoma

  • miles
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.

- North Babylon, NY, USA

problem #24

Mar 152021

Tacoma

  • miles
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!

- Richmond, KY, USA

problem #23

Aug 162019

Tacoma 6-cyl

  • 115,310 miles
The contact owns a 1996 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle's frame was corroded with holes near the rear passenger side wheel. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer for the manufacturer warranted frame repair. When the contact arrived at the dealer, the contact was informed that the frame was not corroded and the vehicle did not qualify for the buy back program. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 115,310.

- Dayton, VA, USA

problem #22

May 162018

Tacoma

  • 261,000 miles
The frame on the passager side of the truck has rusted out? will not pass state inspection.

- Alexnandria, VA, USA

problem #21

Aug 012017

Tacoma

  • miles
Only 114,000 miles, frame rusted through. Unsafe.

- Plover, WI, USA

problem #20

Jan 292017

Tacoma 4WD 6-cyl

  • 215,000 miles
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.

- Toronto, KS, USA

problem #19

Dec 062016

Tacoma

  • 122,000 miles
The contact owns a 1996 Toyota Tacoma. While the vehicle was undergoing an oil change by the dealer, the technician stated that the frame failed due to corrosion. It was diagnosed that the frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received an extended warranty in 2011. At that time the vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was determined that the frame was fine. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

- Maquette Heights, IL, USA

problem #18

Jul 192016

Tacoma

  • 104,000 miles
1996 Toyota Tacoma frame rust issues. Was never notified by Toyota of the "program" offers to fix. Toyota case #1607184527 created 6/2016. Took vehicle to welder to fix frame to make road worthy.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #17

Jun 132012

Tacoma

  • 170,000 miles
The contact owns a 1996 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the driver side frame rail was completely corroded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician advised the contact that the vehicle was no longer eligible for repairs under a manufacturer recall related to corrosion of the frame. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 170,000.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #16

Jun 012008

Tacoma 6-cyl

  • miles
Our trucks frame is rusting away. I'm worried the truck is going to break into and kill my husband. I know there was a recall on the frame but I never received a recall notice. I have already talked to your people and they said they allowed 15 years extension on the rusted frame. We bought ours used years ago. We had no clue this was a problem until I found it today. I think U should made it good for us. We R poor and we cannot afford to get it fixed. It should B from the time we bought it. It is so bad my husband S fingers went through the metal. This is so unfair. I also found out there was a problem with the ball joints and that was a recall we have already spent hundreds of dollar getting it fixed. It's sad, U say U back up your product. How R we suppose to know when there is S recall. It's not fair, and if someone gets hurt or killed I will hold all of U responsible. We should have received a notice in the mail, but we received nothing. U know that the only automobiles we buy anymore is Toyota. Please consider helping my husband. We can't afford another and he is handicapped so I don't know what we R going to do. Thank U, [xxx], email is [xxx]. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- South Webster, OH, USA

problem #15

Feb 242016

Tacoma

  • 263,884 miles
I stopped at a gas station to investigate a vibration my truck had just started giving off. Found out that the frame has rusted completely through and has an inch of steel left holding it together. I called Toyota and they will not accept any responsibility for the faulty steel. I bought this vehicle from a used car dealer who said the vehicle passed a Missouri state inspection and am currently having to make payments on it and it can not be driven.

- Kirbyville, MO, USA

problem #14

Jul 062015

Tacoma

  • 290,000 miles
Frame corroded and cracked. Husband was able to brace with sheet metal and weld. Just wanted to make you aware.

- Eden, NC, USA

problem #13

Jul 022015

Tacoma

  • 314,000 miles
The contact owns a 1996 Toyota Tacoma. While driving at 55 mph, the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the entire frame was rusted and would be difficult to repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was previously repaired under a manufacturer recall in 2011 where the dealer sprayed the frame, but failed to prevent it from rusting. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was the recall number was unknown. 314,000.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #12

Jun 042015

Tacoma

  • 183,000 miles
The contact owns a 1996 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the frame and around the rear passenger side of the vehicle are corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 183,000.

- Austinville, VA, USA

problem #11

Jan 072015

Tacoma

  • 98,138 miles
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.

- Wellington, OH, USA

problem #10

Jun 022014

Tacoma 4-cyl

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 1996 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the chassis, framing and sub frame were completely rusted with corrosion to the point of deterioration. The vehicle was taken for an inspection and was not able to pass. The inspection showed that there had been so much corrosion that the parts could potential detach from the framing. The vehicle was to be inspected, diagnosed and repaired by an authorized dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown. Updated 08/11/14 the consumer stated the vehicle did not pass the New York state inspection. No buy back was available. Toyota did not offer any assistance. Updated 08/12/2014

- Oakdale, NY, USA

problem #9

Jan 152014

Tacoma

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 1996 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited severe rust and corrosion on the fuel tank and frame. The vehicle was included in a manufacturer's limited service campaign however, a local dealer advised the contact that the campaign had expired. The vehicle required extensive repairs to correct the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 80000.

- Medford, MA, USA

problem #8

Jan 172014

Tacoma 6-cyl

  • 145,000 miles
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.

- Willoughby, OH, USA

problem #7

Mar 102010

Tacoma 4WD 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
The contact owns a 1996 Toyota Tacoma. The contact noticed cracks near the front area of the sub frame. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and an independent mechanic, both of which detected that the entire frame was completely rusted. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was unavailable. Updated 10/24/13

- Rhinelander, WI, USA

problem #6

Apr 082013

Tacoma 6-cyl

  • 175,000 miles
The main body frame on my otherwise very nice Toyota Tacoma just broke completely in two while driving down the street. After investigating how this could happen, I learned that Toyota admitted that they manufactured and sold unsafe Toyota's during the mid-90S. They claim to have fixed this by offering owners of these defective vehicles a buy-back option of 150% value for 15-years from the date the vehicle first sold. My complaint is that Toyota never attempted to notify me that I had purchased an unsafe vehicle and I had no idea that there was a problem with this truck until the main frame broke. I had just invested $1,000 the same week in a new clutch and other needed repairs and when I notified Toyota they told me that I would be responsible for any repairs because the 15-years already passed. Since Toyota already admitted with a buy-back program that these trucks were faulty and built with a low quality metal, how can they not be responsible when the vehicle prematurely fails" was my truck to suddenly become safe at 15-years old" I understand that no manufacturer warranties their vehicles forever, but since Toyota admitted that they sold us junk, and the fact that they made no attempts to contact me as an owner of one of these pieces of junk, and that the vehicle's main frame snaps when the vehicle is in otherwise great condition, Toyota should be responsible and continue to buy-back every vehicle that is included in the faulty manufacturing. When I called Toyota, they treated me like dirt and even refused to have someone review my case and give me a call back.

- Bristol, TN, USA

Read the next 5 complaints »