Rear passenger leaf spring frame mount rusting off. Vehicle is not safe to drive.

- Olathe, KS, USA

My Tacoma has been in a couple times for timing belt replacement and has been inspected for rust but nothing was ever done or said about it needing anything done. While driving down the street I noticed that when I slowed down my lifted and when I accelerated my bed lowered. I pulled off to find that my frames has rusted apart in front of rear leaf spring. Toyota corporate was called and they said nothing can be done?

- Bloomington, IN, USA

Left front wheel broke off a arm.lower ball joint completely missing.vehicle has 160442 miles.no indication of steering problem.tires were rotated one month before accident I replaced the tire and asked the mechanic if he does a visual inspection.the answer was yes.

- Rancho Cordova, CA, USA

The chasis broke just in front of the rear axle.

- Amherst, WI, USA

I am unsure when this had happened but the frame on my 2001 Toyota Tacoma is corroded and broken into 2 pieces in 2 different areas. The place where it is broken is not corroded but just broke. Would like to know if this truck is under a safety issue that Toyota should be responsible for or if it is just an expensive paper weight.

- Dupont, IN, USA

My wife recently had a wreck, she was going 45 mph, the truck went off the road, crossing over center line, after making impact with the dirt with the front end of the truck, the truck lost it's steering, from there the truck flipped 5 times on it's side, it finally came to rest on it's side, 5 feet away from a house. She had to be cut from the truck. Her L2 exploded in her back, she's now having to learn how to walk again among other things from extreme nerve damage. She just recently left the hospital/rehabilitation from an extended stay. Still upset about not knowing what caused the wreck, we decided to look up the truck to see if there had ever been a recall dealing with what exactly happened in her wreck, this is when we found out about the lower ball-joint failing causing the actions of loss of steering, accidents, and accidents with flipping. An investigation has yet to be done on the truck, we're hoping this complaint will inspire an investigation, but also educate anyone with this year and make of truck, that this is what could happen possibly to anyone.

- Inman, SC, USA

Ball joint separated causing driver to lose control of vehicle.

- Daphne, AL, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. While driving at a slow speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. While inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the fuel tank strap fractured due to excessive corrosion. The contact stated that the subframe that supported the rear suspension was also excessively corroded. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 05V225000 (suspension); however, the repair failed to remedy the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 133,613.

- Lebanon, KY, USA

Lower ball joints have failed. While other 2001 Tacoma's were in the recall, mine is not included, even though it is the same failure! the tires have are wearing unevenly and there is some stability issue. There seems to be "pulling" to one side as well.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. While driving 10 mph and making a left turn, the front driver side of the vehicle collapsed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.

- Valley Center, CA, USA

While I was driving the passenger side wheel completely buckled under the truck. Luckily, I was only driving 15 mph. Had this broken while I was on the interstate, I would have been injured or injured someone else. As a result, the mechanic found that both ball joints were bad so both were replaced. The frame is completely rusted out and the spare tire cannot be removed. No notice was ever given to us or the previous owner by Toyota, regarding the problems stated above.

- Wheeling, WV, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph, the steering wheel began to vibrate excessively. The failure occurred only when driving 50 mph or greater. The vehicle was taken to an independent, who informed that both front lower ball joints would need to be replaced. The VIN was not included in the NHTSA campaign id number: 05V225000 (suspension) and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 194,000.

- Sunland Park, NM, USA

I took vehicle in for recall for tire plate replacement because cases have come to light where they rust and fall out along with tires. At the shop the mechanic determine the vehicle is dangerous for driving and they were unable to lift truck to replace plate because chassis is no longer good because of rust and its rusted out; no stability. They also advised Toyota has a recall for chassis and its also on the website NHTSA recall # 12V542 and manufacture recall # cov where they will replace, correct or buy back vehicle. I called Toyota and they stated its not a recall its only a campaign and they are not able to assist my vehicle even though it its a recall. I spoke to crystal from Toyota at 800-331-4331 case # 1505272075. Please assist I now have a perfect vehicle that is no longer good at all.

- Melrose Park , IL, USA

My ODI # 10703114 im sure as you are the federal safety adm.,, you have already read the study, where a group of really smart engineers & analysis found that the 2001 to 2004 Toyota Tacoma frame failure was from the box design coupled with low grade steel & insignificant rust preventive, resulted in potential catastrophe frame failure leading to a potential hazardous situation!!~!!! but if you deem it not to inform the us consumer --- far be it for me to suggest how you should do your job ! my apologies.

- Colora, MD, USA

While turning right out of parking lot at slow speed, passenger side wheel disengaged from lower ball joint leading to loss of steering.

- Fleming Island, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. While driving at various speeds, a squeaking sound emitted from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the front driver side ball joint was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 140,000.

- Mechanicsville, VA, USA

The frame on my Toyota Tacoma 2001 truck is so rusted out that it is not inspect-able. The local Toyota dealership will do nothing for me....I have contacted Toyota customer service...waiting for a call back...Toyota needs to do something to fix the problem....NHTSA...please help!!

- Bangor, ME, USA

Noticed that the right rear of truck bed is sagging so I looked under the truck and saw the chassis is rusted all the way through.

- Kingston, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving 10 mph, he noticed that the frame was tilted causing the tires to wear out prematurely. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician stated that the spring shackle fractured due to the frame being completely corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 135,000.

- Hawthorne, MO, USA

After being driven on the highway approximately 60 miles, the 2001 Toyota Tacoma truck was being backed into the driveway when steering suddenly locked. Upon inspection, it was determined that the front passenger wheel was no longer attached to the car. The lower ball joint had failed. I determined that Toyota issued a recall for my vehicle model and year (NHTSA campaign number: 05V225000) for this issue, with the following consequence: The lower ball joint may separate from the knuckle causing loss of steering control and a crash could occur. It seems that our vehicle experienced this issue for which vehicles were recalled by Toyota. However, when I called Toyota, I was told that our VIN was not included in the recall and that Toyota was not willing to do anything. We had to spend the money and time to fix the failed ball joint and are considering replacing the driver side ball joint prophylactically as we no longer trust the wheels to remain on our truck. I have never seen a wheel come off a car. If the wheel had disengaged from our car 2 minutes prior, when the vehicle was moving at highway speeds, the consequences could have been severe. I am very disappointed that Toyota is not including our car in the recall - even though the exact same issue for which the recall was issued (for our vehicle model and year) occurred on our car. If the accident had happened at high speeds, someone would have died and a lawyer would be contacting Toyota and NHTSA. Perhaps the recall needs to be expanded!

- Idaho Springs, CO, USA