The contact owns a 1997 Toyota Tacoma. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic to have the muffler replaced. The mechanic stated that the vehicle could not be repaired due to rust on the frame. The dealer (Toyota of louisville, 6514 dixie hwy, louisville, ky 40258) stated that the contact needed to call the manufacturer. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the extended warranty for the frame expired on July 31, 2014. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000.

- Louisville, KY, USA

The contact owns a 1997 Toyota Tacoma. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop for an alignment. The technician stated that a part of the frame was missing due to extreme rust. The vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 07V013000 (suspension) but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was invalid. The approximate failure mileage was 240,000. Updated 06/02/17

- Minooka, IL, USA

The contact owns a 1997 Toyota Tacoma. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the frame was rusted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 157,000.

- Dahlonega, GA, USA

The contact owns a 1997 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the rear driver and passenger side frames were corroded. As a result, the frames were rusting and falling apart. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 195,000.

- Cromwell, KY, USA

I am the owner of a 1997 Toyota Tacoma 4X4. It is my understanding that Toyota has an inspection and repair program for 1995 to 2000 Tacoma. I have requested an inspection of my vehicle. They have not given me any answer to my request. Their attitude is that rust is not an issue in California. They think that rust stops at the border. All that I asked for was a simple inspection so that rust thru warranty can be applied. Thank you for your help.

- Pacific Grove, CA, USA

This concerns the Toyota rusty frame problem in Tacoma. My 1997 Tacoma is becoming dangerous because of the frame but Toyota refuses any help because of a reconstructed title which has nothing to do with the rusty frame problem. As a taxpayer I would like to see Toyota address this at the current congressional hearings. Toyota is basically using a legal loophole to leave dangerous vehicles on the road.

- Somerset, PA, USA

Frame rust holes excessive swiss cheese look.

- Lisle , IL, USA

I own a 1997 Toyota Tacoma that should fall into their rusty frame recall but was told it didn't qualify because of a rebuilt title. The truck has been on the road for approximately 6 years since the rebuild. The frame is very rusty and I've had to have it welded. It seems to me the frame rust has nothing to do with the fact that the truck was in an accident and the recall should be in effect, probably with a lower reimbursement due to the salvage title. If the point is to get unsafe vehicles off the road, a rusty frame is a rusty frame whether the truck has been rebuilt or not. It's actually a very nice truck except for the frame.

- Bennington, VT, USA

This complaint is regarding problems I have had with my 1997 Toyota Tacoma and with Toyota headquarters living up to their recall of 1995-2000 Tacoma's with frame rust/failure. On April 25, 2008 I purchased a used 1997 Toyota Tacoma from a used car dealer for $3200. On or about October 15th, 2008 I experienced a total failure of the passengers side ball joint causing me to lose control of the vehicle and running off onto the median. When getting the vehicle repaired, the service man told that my frame looked bad and that I should take it to a Toyota dealer to get it checked for frame rust. He told me that Toyota was either fixing or buying back the trucks with bad frames. On or about October 22, 2008 I took my 1997 Tacoma to brad hughes Toyota in prestonsburg ky for an evaluation of the frame. The dealer confirmed that my truck did indeed have a bad frame and that Toyota would contact me. They said that I could expect to receive 150% of kelley blue book value and that I would be contacted within 2 weeks with an offer on my truck. On November 20, 2008 I received a call from charles zachary of Toyota headquarters, phone number 1-800-331-4331. Mr zachary offered me $1500 (kbb blue book trade in value), not 150% as promised in the letter that Toyota promised in the recall letter. Although I am worried about the bad frame, I had to decline the offer. I can't afford to lose $2700 on a truck I purchased earlier this year. Mr zachary's reason for offering so little was that I bought the truck after March, when the letters went out. And that the dealer that I bought the truck was responsible for selling me a truck with a bad frame. Toyota is putting lives in danger by refusing to live up to their promise of buying back the vehicles that have bad frames. The service dept at the Toyota dealer where I took my truck for inspection said that I was getting a raw deal from Toyota. They said that they had never heard of this happening before. I am afraid to drive it.

- Pippa Passes, KY, USA

I purchased my 1997 Toyota Tacoma in 2003. Although this truck was in an accident it was completely restored, inspected and issued a Pennsylvania reconstructed title. It is important to note that the frame was not damaged in the accident. In late, March of 2008 I heard about the frame problem and took this truck to allegheny Toyota, the local dealer, for an inspection of the frame. The frame was checked for corrosion and I was not permitted to take it off the lot as it was unsafe to drive. On April 9th, I received a call from the Toyota company telling me that the car didn't qualify for the customer support program because of the reconstructed title. Knowing the frame was unsafe I was told to pick up the truck and until the frame is repaired it is not road worthy. My complaint is that Toyota has full knowledge that the frame is faulty due to excessive rust corrosion but refuses to cover the vehicle solely because of the reconstructed title. If it weren't for the rusted frame this truck would still be in service. At this point I'm afraid to drive it and don't believe I should have to pay for a repair to a problem that Toyota admits to knowing but are selectively trying to avoid for this vehicle. The reconstructed title has nothing to do with the excessive rust corrosion of the frame and I would expect them to cover this vehicle under the customer support program.

- Polk, PA, USA

1997 Toyota Tacoma pick up truck was on a lift for service. The frame rails were rotted due to rust problems acknowledged by Toyota. The frame broke in half and the bed of the truck reached the floor while the truck was suspended on the lift. The truck was unsafe and had to be taken out of service at that time. I have contacted Toyota and am awaiting their response. I need to know what recourse I have as I would still have the truck on the road if it was not for the rust problem.

- Southbridge, MA, USA

Hi, I have a 1997 Tacoma. Within the past year the frame has rusted to the point that I can put a screwdriver thru it and it cant be repaired. I fear I'll have to junk the vehicle. What type of metal did they use? Toyota or Consumer Affairs should look into this. The rest of the truck is fine. If anyone know who can help please let me know. Bummed!

- Canaan, NY, USA

Both frame rails rotted out, making truck unsafe to drive.

- Summitville, NY, USA

I noticed bubbling of the coating applied to the frame by the manufacturer and when I poked at it the metal underneath fell away. I did a google search on corroded Tacoma frames and discovered I was not alone and if other owners have complained I wanted to add mine. The frame is corroded in numerous locations and without repair could fail in the event of a collision. I am going to have the frame repaired by having new metal welded in. I realize the vehicle is ten years old and most of the complaints I found online referenced the ninety-nine model year. I should add until two years ago I had a 1967 Datsun 1300 pickup and its frame was intact. This is not normal corrosion!

- Clifton Park, NY, USA

The chassis (frame) rotted and cracked just behind both the driver's door and the passenger's door. The truck is now unsafe to use because it might break ( in two. The frame is the main supporting structure of the vehicle. I believe this is an engineering defect.

- Monroe, NY, USA

I purchased a used 1997 Toyota Tacoma on 3/15/07 with a rotted frame. Fortunately I had another garage check out the truck within 30 days of purchase while warranty from dealer was still in effect. I want to report this so that this vehicle will not be purchased by anyone. It was not NY state road worthy, per state inspection criteria. The vehicle was green, 4WD, extend cab. Purchased in rochester, NY. I was able to return it for a full refund, but want to be sure the crooked dealer was not reselling the vehicle. He also had another black Tacoma, 1998 with the same problem, bought both of them at auction.

- Middlesex, NY, USA