The frame my 2001 Toyota Tacoma was built on is rotting and has a whole in it. Toyota wants to replace the frame, but the cost exceeds the value of truck. I do not think this is legal. The first customer service rep I spoke to said "she would not feel safe in a truck in similar circumstances".

- Killington, VT, USA

Just paid top dollar for a 2001 Toyota Tacoma only to find on the inside of the frame is completely rotted away and is very unsafe with any weight loaded in it. Have found numerous accounts of premature frame failure due to faulty materials documented on the internet. New frame would need to be replaced along with new fasteners.

- Lindenhurst, IL, USA

My 2001 Toyota Tacoma has a perforated frame. I was issued a letter from Toyota explaining the options. One option was to replace my frame. The other option was for Toyota to buy back my vehicle at 1.5 % of excellent kelly blue book. I was not given the buy back option and they are trying to force the frame replacement on me. I am not happy with the remedy they have selected for me. This vehicle may never be the same after the frame is replaced. This is not any easy fix. To many parts are involved and I was informed it will take about 2 months to complete these repairs.

- Hugheston, WV, USA

Toyota refused to fix dangerous rust defect on 2001 Tacoma, which caused a rear differential gear oil leak.

- Coram, NY, USA

My 2001 Toyota Tacoma has dealer verified frame rust perforation. When the first letter from Toyota came to my door in early 2009 I went directly to my local dealer who did not know anything about this issue and stated to me that they would get back to me with more information as it became available to them. Several months later, I was told by the dealer that Wisconsin was asking Toyota to provide more data on the propose solutions to this issue and had not approved Toyota to make any repairs. I was also told that they would contact me when I could get my truck inspected. Many more months passed and finally I had enough and called Toyota direct. I was assigned a case manager and she said she would help me get my truck inspected. This finally happened on April 27, 2010. Now they tell my only option is a replacement frame, which to me is not acceptable. Then lucky 2001 owners who were able to get quick inspections were offered the buy back option. In various forums the ones with the replacement frames are seeing issues with leaking gas tanks, and up charges for incidental items.

- Nekoosa, WI, USA

2001 Toyota Tacoma-pass NJ state inspection. A friend looked and said your frame is rusted. Took it to my local Toyota Saturday 4/17/10 and they said the truck was unsafe to drive. They will have to replace the frame. I said I needed a truck for a rental they said by Monday or Tuesday they should have one. It is Thursday 4/22/10 and can not get in touch with anyone... I need a truck that is how I put food on my table.. called corporate and they are giving me the run around too... my other concern is after they remove everything and put it back together other things are going to break. Also, the resale value of my truck has decreased...

- Hamburg, NJ, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. When he took the vehicle to the dealer for routine maintenance he was informed that the front frame would eventually fall off. He contacted the manufacturer and report 2008061402 was filed. The manufacturer sent an inspector who found no corrosion or holes on the frame. The manufacturer told him because a failure was not located they will inspect the frame for him on a yearly basis. The failure mileage was 178,567 and the current mileage was 209,000.

- Mansfield , PA, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. The emergency/parking brake would not engage. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic for inspection. The mechanic discovered corrosion on the frame and the brake linkage. He then added that the vehicle was non-repairable. The current and failure mileages were 159000.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. She noticed corrosion on the frame of her vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who advised her to contact both NHTSA and the manufacturer in reference to a safety concern. The manufacturer had not yet returned her call. No repairs were made. The current and failure mileages were under 70,000.

- Sanford , ME, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. The frame on the vehicle has corrosion and there was a hole in the frame on the driver side near the fuel tank. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. The technician stated the main frame was severely damaged, but no repairs were made. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle identification number was unavailable. The failure and current mileages were 109,000.

- Marietta, OH, USA

Perforated frame.

- Rapid City, SD, USA

The frame on my 2001 Toyota Tacoma is rusted through in several places. Toyota has offered to replace the frame for free, but is offering owners of 1995 - 2000 Tacoma to buy their trucks from them for 1.5 X the kelley blue book value, at the "excellent condition" rate regardless of the vehicle's condition. So the owners of the older trucks reap a cash benefit of over 50% of the truck's value, while we owners of 01-04 Tacoma end up driving rebuilt vehicles. A Toyota rep told me that they're buying the older ones back because they can no longer get replacement frames for them. If that's the case, in a couple of years, owners of trucks like mine will be getting the 150% buyback and the rest of us will be driving our original (rebuilt) trucks with the replacement frames. My local Toyota dealer inspected my frame yesterday, told me it failed, and sent me on my way. The vehicle can't be safe - it won't pass the state inspection with holes in the frame. I drive about 12,000 miles a year. The truck has 134,000 miles on it. Unless they're building the replacement frames differently, it's possible that the new frame will rot out before the truck wears out otherwise. For a company whose reputation is built on reliability, you'd think they'd want to treat all the owners of the defective vehicles the same.

- West Bath, ME, USA

I am filing a complaint on a 2001 Toyota Tacoma with a rusty perforated frame. We have documents and pictures of two holes and flaking on our frame. Many mechanics have told us that our frame was unsafe, but when brought to Toyota dealerships we are told that it passes their 2001-2004 rust perforation program and they sent us away. We are left with an unsafe vehicle and we know that it contains perforation in the frame. We have requested to see the Toyota regional representative for South Texas, but we are getting the run around. We requested to see the rep a month ago and have heard nothing since. We do have a case manager and # but our case keeps getting closed and our case manager doesn't seem to have any authority to accept pictures of the perforation or to contact the regional representative. We would appreciate a face to face talk with a Toyota representative who could explain why our half dollar sized perforation does not qualify for further inspection by Toyota.

- Harlingen, TX, USA

2001 Toyota Tacoma rusted frame. Called the services dept where I bought the truck and they said that there's no recall or anything to evaluate the problem. That my yr did not qualify for the rusted frame issue. My inspection station said that it's so rusted that he shouldn't pass me. That he would for this yr but forget for next yr.

- N Weymouth, MA, USA

Received a recall notice letter for my 2001 Toyota Tacoma (letter stated vehicles covered were 2001-2004). The reason was to inspect frame for rust perforation. Upon inspection the vehicle was found to have the perforation. Their offer option would be to have the frame replaced. The replacement would come with a warranty of the frame for an additional 15 years(...on the new one.....frame only...) but no other warranty of the affected components removed, handled, or replaced during the frame replacement would be warrantied. I have opened a case with Toyota stating that I would be better served with the optional buyout, mentioned in the recall letter, which is available at their option. It is under review.

- Londonderry, NH, USA

2001 Toyota Tacoma with diagnosed rust perforation to frame. Toyota instituted a buyback program for 1995 through 2000 for this issue, but will not honor this commitment to vehicles post this window that experience this same safety issue. Toyota will only replace frames as countermeasure to this issue and will not warrant this teardown/reassy process that will be performed at dealerships (not return to factory for rework) which will leave the consumer open to additional vehicle (safety) concerns and no commitment from Toyota that this process will not affect resale value as well. This is an unacceptable and unsafe stance. I have contacted Toyota customer care and assigned case number 0904119004 and awaiting feedback.

- Frankfort, KY, USA

2001 Toyota Tacoma frame rust perforation. Toyota should be forced into a recall on the Tacoma truck frames. Mine is perforated to the point where the vehicle is not safe, only 70,000 miles.

- Green Bay, WI, USA

I own a 2001 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck that has excessive frame rot. Recently the frame broke where the rear bumper mounts to the frame. There is rot located all over the frame. This vehicle falls into the scope of Toyota motor company rusted frame problem.

- Lakeville, MA, USA

I had my 2001 Toyota Tacoma checked and the frame is rusted out, the dealer deemed it unsafe to drive, I contacted Toyota that same night and they said to take it home if you don;T have a ride. Dealer said all they can do is a frame replacement and I said this is not acceptable, why isn't Toyota treating this the same way as it did the 1995-2000 models??.. I know that the truck will never be the same once the mechanics are done, , this is like going back into production, and I know they're not trained for that.. Toyota didn't know what type of warranty I would have after the work was done, , they said that the solution to this problem was decided on 02/06/09, my truck was evaluated on 02/18/09 a matter of 12 days, , I never received any type of notice on this. My mechanic say the problem when I went for my 3000 mile oil change which I've done since I've owned this truck, ,it only has 84000 miles on it and is in pristine condition..

- Salem, NH, USA

I have a 2001 Toyota Tacoma that has frame rust through, and have received no help from Toyota about a fair buy back as they do with the 95-2000 trucks. The truck has been inspected by Toyota service, the service person said it failed but the factory district guy says it isn't bad enough. I now have a truck with a rusted frame that I can't sell and they won't buy back.

- Woodland, MI, USA