1.7
hardly worth mentioning- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 94,650 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.
When checking to see if my shocks need to be replaced I find I have a rusted frame above right rear wheel and in front of left front wheel. This was the first I had any knowledge of it. A friend advised me there was a recall so I called Toyota. I was advised they still had the previous owners information even though I purchased it from a dealer on 2/11/2005. I never received a recall notice and never heard anything about it and was told they would not do anything to fix it. Is there anything you can do to help. The truck is still a good 4WD truck.
- Roanoke, VA, USA
Rusted frame due to corrosion perforation.
- Santa Cruz, CA, USA
1998 Toyota Tacoma. Consumer writes in regards to frame rust recall.
- Williamstown, NJ, USA
1998 Toyota Tacoma. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle rusted frame recall notice. The consumer stated he was never notified of a recall. When he called Toyota, to inquire about getting his vehicle fixed, he was informed, he was a month too late.
- Danville, IA, USA
Hello, my vehicle is a 1998 Toyota Tacoma. It has approx. 152,000 miles on it. The issue I am having with the vehicle is primarily frame rust, the frame is beginning to look like "swiss cheese." The frame of the vehicle is in terrible shape, the spare tire even fell out due to rust. I called Toyota to inquire about the frame rust and was told that there is no warranty to cover this. I searched online and it says that 1995-2000 Toyota Tacoma's were under recall for frame rust because the rust would make the vehicles unsafe to drive because the structural integrity of the vehicle would be compromised. So I searched around and found that my vehicle is currently 15 years, 4 months old and that Toyota would not cover the vehicle. I believe that rust is an ongoing issue and takes several months/years to develop, it is not something which occurs overnight. The rust looks mainly to be surface rust on the outside, but in reality the rust has developed from the inside-out and rotted the frame out, therefore it was not caught earlier. I hope this recall is extended, there are many rusted Toyota Tacoma listed for sale from the 1995-2000 model year, which also have the same issue. The issue was caused by Toyota's 3rd party supplier not properly rust proofing the frames, therefore making them highly susceptible to rust. I hope that Toyota does something to resolve the issue.
- Canton, MI, USA
Frame has rusted out at an unusually young age and mileage for this vehicle. Holes are now visible through the vehicle's frame and state inspection rejected.
- Morgantown, WV, USA
The contact owns a 1998 Toyota Tacoma. While parked, the contact noticed that the rear frame was corroded and the rear axle had detached from the frame. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 172,000. Updated 05/16/12 the consumer stated Toyota purchased the vehicle back from him. Updated 05/22/12
- Seymour, MO, USA
Letter from senator casey on behalf of constituent re his 1998 Toyota Tacoma the consumer stated prior to purchasing the vehicle, it was damaged on the right side and has a reconstructed title. Toyota recalled the vehicle due to a manufacturers defect for frame rust. Toyota denied the recommendation of including the vehicle in the buy back program, due to the reconstructed title, even though the frame was caused by Toyota three years prior during the manufacturing of the vehicle.
- Harrisburg, PA, USA
1998 Toyota Tacoma. Consumer writes regarding frame rust the mechanic from the inspection station noticed large amounts of rust and scale on the right and left frame rails between the cab and bed. Upon closer inspection, the right and left frame rails were almost rusted through.
- Baldwyn, MS, USA
1998 Toyota Tacoma. Letter sent regarding complaint against local Toyota dealership Toyota did not cover the frame of the vehicle because the truck had a salvaged title.
- Amana, IA, USA
1998 Toyota Tacoma pickup with major rot on frame. A 2 foot piece of frame fell out from under the wheel well and the other side was cracked almost through. The truck was not repairable.
- Plymouth, MA, USA
I took my truck for pa inspection and I got a call at work that my truck had failed due to the frame is rotted and there is a lot of surface rust. The repair facility cut out the piece of frame and replaced it with new metal.
- Milford, PA, USA
Frame of 1998 Toyota Tacoma split due to extensive rust on underside of truck. Truck was in otherwise very good condition. I had truck checked by 2 mechanics who advised me not to drive it and that it was not worth fixing. I ended up selling it at junkyard for $700. I was still making payments at the time.
- Andover, MA, USA
The frame of my 98 Toyota Tacoma truck has rotted out. The truck is in decent shape and runs well but the frame is rotted. I'm told drains were not properly designed to remove excessive water and the vehicle was not properly protected for resistance to rust and rotting. It's dangerous. I had to weld the frame once before as well.
- Taunton, MA, USA
Frame of 1998 Toyota Tacoma split due to extensive rust on underside of truck. Truck was in otherwise very good condition. I had truck checked by 2 mechanics who advised me not to drive it and that it was not worth fixing. I ended up selling it at junkyard for $700. I was still making payments at the time.
- Andover, MA, USA
Excessive frame rust on my 1998 Toyota Tacoma lead to the cab breaking from it body mounts and crashing onto the frame. In addition, all but one of the frame mounts that hold the gas tank in place have since broken causing the tank to drop. Also, frame shows rust penetration throughout and large diameter holes are visible in the load bearing members. Suspension mounts, shackles, and the accessory frames hardware is severely corroded as well.
- Springfield, MA, USA
I have a 1998 Toyota Tacoma and the cap on the bed started to hit the cab of the truck one day. I investigated the problem and found that the frame had completely rotted away on both sides. I have attempted to fix the problem for a temp fix but there is nothing good of the frame to weld anything to. Due to the nature of this type of component failure it will most likely result in death or serious injury. I do not have the money to replace the frame nor do I think its expected of any of us with this problem to pay for the manufactures defect!! so as for now I am stuck with a truck that is worthless. How many people are going to have to die from this before something is done!!!!
- Medina, OH, USA
I bought a brand new 1998 Toyota Tacoma 4X4 reg cab 4 cyl. Standard transmission and my mechanic told me my frame was breaking apart.. he did the best he could to weld the frame but told me it probable only had a year left.. this disappoints me terrible.. I always trusted Toyota vehicles and recommend them to everyone, but I afraid than I no longer can do so.. I took very good care of my vehicle and Toyota let me down.. my next vehicle will be a Ford F 150 with a C channel frame not boxed like the Tacoma... I would recommend you get a handle on this problem or you will lose major sales...it pains me to write this... I always loved Toyota. Also the exhaust manifold had to be replaced 3 time in this 10year period... wake up...
- Windsor, MA, USA
Put truck on lift. Truck frame literally broke in half when truck was elevated. Extensive corrosion of truck frame. Virtually zero corrosion on the rest of the truck.
- Taunton, MA, USA
- Stoughton, WI, USA