10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 2 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 114,869 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.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tacoma. When the vehicle was taken to be serviced for NHTSA campaign number: 12V542000 (tires), the technician discovered that the passenger side frame was rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 212,632. Updated 05/10/17
- Topsham, ME, USA
I have driven this vehicle very little. Has 46500 miles, done in stamford ct a city that does not use salt in the winter but only sand. I noticed excessive rust under and it needed to weld steel plates to support the chassis twice ( the first when the car was 5 years old). In spite of that the deterioration continued and now the chassis is broken near the front passenger wheel making the cat lock, unable to turn, undrivable, parked at home. Cars of this model were recalled by Toyota at first some years ago and even after that more people complained and additional prior years were added. I have contacted Toyota dealer in stamford and tells me it is prior to the latest recall.
- Stamford, CT, USA
I own a 2002 Toyota Tacoma. The vehicle was taken to a tire shop and the technician noticed that the frame of the vehicle had a considerable amount of rust. The dealer diagnosed that the frame needed to be replaced due to the rust and the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle needs to repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 150,000.
- Champlain, NY, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tacoma. The vehicle was taken to a tire shop and the technician noticed that the frame of the vehicle had a considerable amount of rust. The dealer diagnosed that the frame needed to be replaced due to the rust and the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 164,000....updated 03/13/17 updated 08/11/2017
- Milwaukee, WI, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tacoma. The contact noticed rust on the vehicle's frame near the spring hanger on the passenger side. The contact took the vehicle the dealer, but the vehicle was not covered under warranty due to the coating on the vehicle. The dealer diagnosed that the frame of the vehicle was rusted completely through. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000. Updated 01/25/2017 updated 7/10/18
- Maggie Valley, NC, USA
Body frame is rusted to a point where the vehicle is unsafe to drive
- Toms River, NJ, USA
I was informed by Toyota case worker that the rusty frame recall expired and it is my problem now. I didn't receive any frame recall notice but received a spare tire lift plate recall (which doesn't expire) due to rust and severe corrosion. I was informed by dealership my truck was unsafe to even put on the lift to address current recall, of course they let me drive it home which is a 35-40 minute drive for me. I was forced to scrap my truck with a perfectly good motor because how unsafe it was and the expense to fix it on my own. I didn't realize the severity of the problem until I crawled under my truck and was beside myself! I had huge holes in the frame, the leaf springs were shot, all this was under the "undercoating" that was done at time of purchase to protect frame from rust! I paid extra for that! even my seat mounts on the interior back seat were rusted! I suspect the quality of metal used is on the lower side... I used my truck as a truck, hauled small amounts of mulch, soul for my garden, it moved me 5X! I didn't go muddling in it, park it in a pond, or live in a flood area. I just used it... how is there an expiration date for the ongoing problem that can ultimately jeapardize a persons safety as well as others on the road?! please hold Toyota responsible...
- Centerburg, OH, USA
I purchased a used 2002 Toyota Tacoma in February of 2015 only to find out the frame had serious rust issues. I found out through my own investigation that the truck had been traded in to the local Toyota dealer and they knew it had rust issues. They proceeded to sell the truck at auction knowing it could be dangerous! I bought the truck from a used car dealer. Upon being told about the frame rust issue by my mechanic, I was told by Toyota that it was no longer covered by service recall. I am now stuck with a vehicle that is unsafe and very expensive to repair.
- State Line, IN, USA
My 2002 Tacoma frame is simply rusting away and Toyota refuses to get engaged to resolve what is clearly a manufacturing issue. The frame is getting to the point of collapse and unsafe to drive. This is frankly a crime. Myself and many other Tacoma owners have this exact issue and it would be great if the NHTSA steps up and prevents frame rot highway accidents due to poor manufacturing.
- Maywood, NJ, USA
Independent mechanic informed me that frame had excessive rust/corrosion and to take to dealership. Called dealer service (Toyota of danville, il) and was told there was nothing they could do as they quit repairing these in March of 2016. No notice or recall was ever sent to me and I was unaware there was any problem until I got truck back from mechanic. I am now stuck with a vehicle Toyota knew to have a defective frame, did not notify me to rectify or advise of the issue, and will not effect any repairs.
- Danville, IL, USA
I reported to Toyota (case #1606073163) and advised them of the rotted frame near the gas tank which was recalled. I purchased the vehicle 01/2016 and just found out about the problem when they tried to put the vehicle on the lift to replace the tires. Toyota states the recall expired and would not repair or provide the chassis rails even if I absorb the labor and had them installed. The vehicle has low mileage and value but is unsafe and I cannot sell in this condition and Toyota is indifferent saying too bad we can't help you.
- West Orange, NJ, USA
Frame rot from inside out. Suspension mounting to frame rotted out. Totoya refuses to deal with this and claims the safety recall is expired. How can a recall be expired. Case #1606101548. Toyota representative very rude and demeaning.
- Boston, MA, USA
Excessive unsafe frame rot from inside out. Toyota safety 'recall' offer to fix 'expired'.
- Boston, MA, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tacoma. While backing out of the driveway at a very low rate of speed, the rear driver side spring shackle suddenly fractured and rendered the vehicle undrivable. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the failure was caused by severe rusting of the vehicle's frame. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,039.....updated 07/11/16
- Charleroi, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while in park, the contact noticed that the rear leaf springs were detaching from the vehicle due to corrosion. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the sub frame had corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
- Limestone, TN, USA
Rusting frame.I brought my 2002 Toyota Tacoma truck to dealer for the corrosion resistant spraying to prevent further rusting of frame.spraying completed on 03/25/03.rust on frame continues.spraying did not work.Toyota said they only spray truck once.rust warranty extended for 15 years expiring on 10/01/16.Toyota should extend rust warranty with no expiration date as truck will have to be sprayed every two years.earlier years rust warranty covered replacing frame or vehicle buyback.Toyota should cover same warranty for later year Tacoma as rust problem persists in every year. Leaf springs and hardware are rusted as are muffler brackets leading to potentional safety hazard if items fail while driving.Toyota admitted rust proofing not done properly by subcontractor.please hold Toyota accountable for their negligence in properly protecting frames, springs.and suspension systems with corrosion resistant materials.Toyota is just buying time until warranties expire.after that time the owners will have no recourse with Toyota.
- Glastonbury, CT, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the frame from the rear leaf spring hanger was corroded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000. Updated 11/01/16
- South Shore, KY, USA
The chasis on the truck is rusting out.the majority of rust is near and around both rear tires. There was a recall but Toyota will not honor the recall. The vehicle only has 83000+ miles
- Windham, CT, USA
The frame on this truck was recalled and now Toyota motor sales usa, Inc. Is telling me it was an old recall and the owner that own it before me didn't get it fixed so they don't have to fix it because the time limit is over.im the second one to own this truck and didn't know they was a recall on the frame.
- Kingwood, WV, USA
- Colonie, NY, USA