Frame rusty/rot problem.

- Rushsylvania, OH, USA

The frame on my 1998 Toyota Tacoma regular cab 4X4 pickup truck is severely rusted. In some places, the metal is extremely thin because of this. The rest of the truck, other than the frame, is in good shape. The amount of frame deterioration, especially in the rear portion of the frame, seems excessive given the age of the vehicle and the care I have given it. Fortunately, there are no holes in my frame yet, but others have not been as lucky.

- Rock Hill, NY, USA

'98 Toyota Tacoma w/ 185,000 mi. - frame rusted out. Unsafe to drive.

- Cable, OH, USA

I have a 1998 Toyota Tacoma 4X4 4cyl and I have recently noticed that the frame rot was so bad that the rear portion looks like swiss cheese. The frame has actually gotten so bad it broke away from the leaf spring mounts and is no longer connected. I am very upset because the car is only 10 years old and I used to link Toyota with quality. This could be my last Toyota because I feel cheated.

- Wintersville, OH, USA

Frame rotted on truck. Exstensive repair needed to make frame safe.

- Holyoke, MA, USA

Frame is rotted from rust and is un-usable.

- Candor, NY, USA

This is a 1998 Toyota Tacoma with 107,000 miles. After repeatedly noticing rust flakes on the ground under the vehicle, it was taken to several mechanics and a body shop for assessment. There was consensus that the frame was completely rusted through, and that there wasn't sufficient intact metal left to enable it to be repaired. They also agreed that that it would be extremely expensive to replace the frame (estimates ranged from $3,500 to $10,000), so the vehicle was essentially "totaled." They all warned that it was extremely hazardous to drive, since the slightest accident or road hazard could cause the frame to break and the vehicle to split apart and/or buckle. This vehicle is not old enough, nor does it have enough miles on it, to warrant this massive failure of frame integrity. It has been well maintained and not driven under any conditions that could account for the failure; thus, it seems self-evident that it is a fundamental defect in the manufacture of the vehicle that has resulted in this dangerous condition.

- Springfield, VT, USA

The contact owns a 1998 Toyota Tacoma. The contact took the vehicle in for repair. When the vehicle was placed on the frame rack at the shop, the rack went right through the vehicle. The vehicle was lifted and it was discovered that the frame was totally rotted. The vehicle was out of warranty. The current and failure mileages were 134,000.

- Bedford, OH, USA

- the contact owns a 1998 Toyota Tacoma. The vehicle would not pass state inspection due to a rusted frame. The vehicle began to rust at approximately 55,000 miles. The current mileage was 83,000. The VIN was not provided.

- Lathan , NY, USA

I own a 1998 Toyota Tacoma 2wd with 105,000 miles on it and the frame is corroded so extensively that I could put my finger through the rust. I bought it new in 1998 and maintained it regularly. The last time that I put it on a jack the frame partially collapsed where it was resting on the jack. After further inspection I found severe corrosion throughout the frame. The bumper brackets were barely holding up the bumper. It had been a reliable truck, and this was the second Tacoma that I have owned. Both were equally reliable. However, the problem has given me quite a scare. I don't dare haul anything heavy in the bed, and the idea of towing something with it is simply out of the question. The body was still in pretty good shape with a little corrosion on the front of the hood from a stone chip. I just didn't understand how the problem could have become so severe. I would expect a certain mount of rust down there, but this was more severe than I have ever seen. My best guess was that the vehiclewas almost worthless even though everything else wasin satisfactory condition. Until I discovered this problem, I had expected to keep it for at least 5 more years.

- Berekley, MI, USA