The vehicle has an open recall (NHTSA Recall #12V542) for the spare tire carrier lift plate. I brought the vehicle to a Toyota dealership to have the recall addressed, but the dealership refused to perform the repair, stating that the frame is too rusted to proceed safely. They recommended a full frame replacement due to severe rust damage, which includes holes and significant structural weakening. Toyota has refused to provide a replacement frame under any existing recall or warranty program. This means the recall cannot be completed, and the vehicle remains unsafe to drive. Additionally, I cannot locate a replacement frame for this vehicle through Toyota or the aftermarket, leaving no practical solution to address the safety risks. The refusal to honor the recall and the lack of available replacement parts put me and others at significant risk. The problem has been confirmed by the Toyota dealership during inspection, and the rust damage makes the vehicle structurally unsound. The unresolved recall, combined with the excessive frame rust, has created a double safety hazard that needs urgent resolution

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

2011- check engine light was illuminated. Toyota dealership attempted repairs 11 times but could not find a cause. They replaced 7 different sensors, replaced gas cap, charcoal filter.. still could not get light to go off. refused to continue servicing same issue with no fault. Since 2011, I have had to run diagnostics on a regular basis to ensure there are no other mechanical issues. 2022- gas tank fell off of truck while driving. The straps snapped off due to rust and tank fell to the ground. This issue could have caused GREAT bodily injury or DEATH. 2023-lost brakes while driving. TOTAL brake failure. local mechanic stated it was a proportioning valve failure. The housing for it was rusted through and cannot be removed safely. After multiple days of research, a replacement could not be located. Even contacting Toyota, part is unavailable so vehicle CANNOT be fixed. Total brake failure could have led to GREAT bodily injury or DEATH. ONGOING-- vehicle frame is extremely rusted. bumper has fallen off, spare tire fell off, brush guard rusted and fell off. The frame under cab near bed of truck is rusted through. gas tank straps rusted through and tank fell off. You can literally push fingers/hand through the flaking metal. ALL previous recalls were completed including undercoating but the rust has gotten so bad the vehicle is not safe to drive.

- Frostburg, MD, USA

Lower ball joint detached, nearly caused major problems for me on the road

- Montgomery, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact had taken the vehicle to Kolosso Toyota (3000 W Wisconsin Ave, Appleton, WI 54914) to have his exhaust replaced. While there, he was informed that the entire sub frame was corroded with several cracks and holes had formed around both front leaf springs. The mechanic informed him that the vehicle was unsafe to drive due to the failure. Prior to the failure, the contact took the vehicle to another local dealer where the vehicle was inspected under NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V225000 (Suspension). The contact was informed that a special coating was sprayed onto the sub frame to prevent corrosion; however, the recall remedy failed to prevent the corrosion. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 51,641.

- Fremont, WI, USA

I was driving home from a neighboring city after picking up a friend and on my way there on the interstate I noticed the back end of the vehicle was very loose. Upon arriving at my apartment and parking the vehicle I contacted a friend who was a prior state safety inspector, he looked under the vehicle and said the frame right where the shackle for the leaf spring on the driver's side had completely blown out and was no longer connected. Checked the passenger side and said it was connected by maybe 1/4 of an inch of frame. I was made aware of a safety recall that expired back in 2019 by Hailey Toyota and was informed they would not fix it for free. Neither myself or the original owner had every received documentation regarding this issue and was never informed that the entire frame had to be replaced under the recall/extended warranty. I have shelled out well over $600 in materials and labor to have my frame welded and patched with a kit specifically made for these vehicles and this issue and I'm still having problems out of it.

- Covington, VA, USA

Excessive Corrison through out the frame.Was informed bu certified mechanic really it is unsafe to drive. What can I do I still owe money on this vehicle.

- Hustle, VA, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the passenger-??s side axle fractured and the wheel detached. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who replaced the ball joints. The local dealer was not contacted. On another occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver-??s side axle fractured and the wheel detached. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who replaced the ball joints however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V225000 (Suspension). The manufacturer was contacted but provided no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.

- Forest City, NC, USA

This vehicles frame has rusted and broken. I feel lucky to have made it home just as the frame cracked wide open on one side making the truck un-drivable. Had this happened on the freeway or somewhere out in a rural setting I may have been killed, caused a problem for other drivers or been stranded away from any help. I have sent a photo of the damage to a frame shop but an independent inspection is not, in my opinion, needed since the rusted, broken member is clearly visible to any lay person. There were no warning lights or anything associated with this problem. What I did feel was some serious shaking and bumping as I moved down the road toward my house.

- Seattle, WA, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH and making a right turn, the front passenger-??s side tire and wheel inadvertently detached from the vehicle. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road, where he noticed that the lower control arm had detached from the subframe and was resting on the floor. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under the NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V225000 (Suspension) because the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 250,000.

- San Luis Obispo, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that he initially noticed that the rear bumper was corroded. The contact bought a replacement bumper and took the part to an independent mechanic to have the bumper replaced. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the mechanic discovered severe corrosion around the front part of the leaf springs on the driver's and passenger's side of the vehicle. The contact spoke with mike erdman Toyota (4650 fl-520, cocoa, fl 32926) where he was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty and any repairs would be performed out of pocket. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.

- Tipusville, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while driving 35 -40 mph, the passenger's side ball joint failed causing damage to the sidewall of the tire. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the lower control lower ball joints, control arm, ball joint and the inner and outer tie rod needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the strut assembly, upper ball joint, ABS sensor, and passenger's side brake hose were replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 05V225000 (suspension). The failure mileage was 156,201.

- Lewisville, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, the vehicle started pulling to the right. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the rear subframe was rusted. Riley Toyota located at 2105 christy dr, jefferson city, mo 65101, (573) 893-3100, was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 175,124.

- Jefferson City, MO, USA

Purchased 2004 Tacoma in 2016. Dealership of purchase said vehicle was not affected by frame recall and did not inform me that it was under warranty for frame related issues. Since purchasing vehicle I've encountered countless frame related issues and have put thousands into frame related repairs. I contacted Toyota in 2018 on several occasions to ask about frame warranty. Toyota said vehicle was not covered. Did not look up VIN or any other information related to vehicle. I contacted Toyota again this year to see if there's anything that can be done as frame issues were becoming significant and beyond my financial means to keep fixing. Toyota notified me at this time that the vehicle had in fact been under warranty but that now the warranty had expired 6 months prior (which was within the timeframe that I had initially contacted Toyota). Toyota told me that frame had been undercoated with corrosion resistance treatment in 2010 and warranty was good for 10 years (until 2020). Because dealership of purchase failed to comply with a warranty letter and Toyota also failed to notify me as I was not the original owner, I was not aware that I could have had the frame fixed. Which I would have if I had known. Now because of no fault of my own, the warranty window has closed and Toyota is not willing to rectify the situation. I still owe over $3K on a vehicle I paid over $11K for and have put $4K-$8K into for repairs. Frame is rotting faster than I can fix it and is now unsafe to drive and ineligible for trade-in or sale because the vehicle is essentially worthless at this point. Frame bolts are now rotted, tailpipe and exhaust fell off just this morning due to corrosion, suspension is corroded, brackets are rotting off frame, flakes of corroded metal are in piles beneath vehicle- and these are just the most recent issues.

- Hubbardston, MA, USA

When changing the oil in the vehicle for the first time, it was up on a lift and it was obvious that the truck frame was rusting through. The bad part is when the vehicle was purchased last year Toyota charged us a $200 for checking the vehicle out, but even though there are tons of complaints didn't bother to tell us that the frame was rusted. I haven't reported it to them yet I wonder if they will stand behind their inspection. So much for getting a vehicle checked out before you buy.

- Box Elder, SD, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the suspension spring hangers were severely corroded. The contact stated that the subframe was also corroded. The manufacturer offered a warranty which was exceeded. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to koons tyson Toyota located at (8610 leesburg pike, vienna, va 22182 (703) 790-5920) twice by the previous owner and rust inhibitor was applied to the subframe of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the warranty period was exceeded. No additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.

- Soddy-Daisy, TN, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that upon inspection of the vehicle, it was discovered that the undercarriage showed extensive corrosion to the sub frame of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics who informed the contact that they were unable to fix the sub frame of the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted and the contact was informed that the prior owner declined to have the corrosion repaired on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 141,000.

- Springfield, MO, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 12V542000(suspension). The contact took the vehicle to cumberland Toyota (1540 interstate dr, cookeville, tn 38501, (931) 272-3719) and was informed that her vehicle did not need a remedy and was safe to operate. The contact took the vehicle back to the same dealer a few years later and was informed that the vehicle would not be serviced due to the corrosion that had accumulated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed her that they could not assist. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Monterey, TN, USA

September 29, 2018 I was driving on the interstate my Tacoma's front end would feel like it would float off the ground or lift up off the interstate. I made it back to the town I live in and stopped at a gas station for some gas. As I left, to go pick up my fianc and our 2 girls to get back on the interstate and drive back with them to where I just was. I got about 3 blocks from the gas station as I was going 30 mph. All of a sudden my right front end goes down as if a tire blew. When I came to a stop and went to look what happen. I found that I don't have a flat tire but that my right front tire is lying on its side under the rear of the right front fender. The upper and lower ball joint each snapped in half which caused my tire to break loose and caused me to skid down the road. The right front axle shaft, outer tie rod, stabilizer bar links, spindle knuckle were all destroyed and had to be replaced. So when I was on the interstate heading home to get my family and kept feeling like the front of my truck would randomly float up was more than likely because my lower ball joint was already broken apart. Which driving on the interstate put enough stress on the upper ball joint. That caused the upper ball joint to break when it did. To think if it the tire stayed on till I picked up my family and got back on the interstate with my 3 girls and that tire broke off.

- Eau Claire, WI, USA

Takata recall, I am writing this complaint because I own a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. On November 2nd I was driving home, was at a 4way stop, once it was my turn to go I accelerated as usual and had my tire on the drivers side detach completely from the ball joint causing me to nearly wreck my truck, if I had been going faster I would have, this was one of the most scariest experiences I have ever had driving! it cost me nearly $1000 dollars to fix and now I am having to have the other passenger side fixed because the mechanic says it's hammered...I noticed that over 150,000 Tacoma's were recalled due to this exact problem, when I entered my VIN it says I have no I repaired recalls on my vehicle! which obviously is not true, or my balk joints would be good to go, I have never taken my truck off road or even had it in 4 wheel drive, I have not beat on my truck I take excellent care of my vehicle, I feel this ball joint problem should of been part of your recall, I could of been severely hurt or even died as well as my son who was riding with me, thank god we weren't...I am prepared to turn you into the BBB if I dont get a reasonable response

- Laverkin, UT, USA

Frame is rusty beyond usage. As I accelerate the bed of the truck flexes so I can see it in the rearview mirror

- Wilbraham, MA, USA