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1994 Toyota Pickup

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

38 reports with mileage · 53 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports0 fire reports4 injury reports

Structure complaints

27 reports
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117,000 miles · Apr 6, 2016
SteeringStructureUnknown Or Other

RUST, CORROSION, FAILURE AND DETACHMENT OF EXTERIOR BODY AND FRAME COMPONENTS, AND OTHER STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS THAT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. STEERING BOX CAME OFF OF THE FRAME!!! THEN TOLD NOT TO DRIVE ANYMORE. THIS IS A 1994 TOYOTA .. THE 1995 TOYOTA TRUCKS WERE RECALLED SAME REASON. THESE NEED TO BE RECALLED SAME…

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RUST, CORROSION, FAILURE AND DETACHMENT OF EXTERIOR BODY AND FRAME COMPONENTS, AND OTHER STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS THAT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. STEERING BOX CAME OFF OF THE FRAME!!! THEN TOLD NOT TO DRIVE ANYMORE. THIS IS A 1994 TOYOTA .. THE 1995 TOYOTA TRUCKS WERE RECALLED SAME REASON. THESE NEED TO BE RECALLED SAME REASON!!!

NHTSA ODI #10853901

130,000 miles · Mar 30, 2015
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 TOYOTA PICKUP. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 TOYOTA PICKUP. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #10702515

150,000 miles · Nov 3, 2014
StructureSuspension

EXTREME RUST DAMAGE TO FRAME ,SUSPENSION,STEERING COMPONENTS ETC. UNDER THE VEHICLE BECOMING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE EVEN WITH MEASURES TAKEN TO REMOVE AND TREAT WITH INHIBITIVE COATING. NEVER SEEN RUST THIS BAD ON ANY VEHICLE I'VE OWNED . APPARENTLY TOYOTA RECALLED MANY OTHER PICKUPS FROM 1995 FORWARD. MINE IS A 1994 AND FROM READI…

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EXTREME RUST DAMAGE TO FRAME ,SUSPENSION,STEERING COMPONENTS ETC. UNDER THE VEHICLE BECOMING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE EVEN WITH MEASURES TAKEN TO REMOVE AND TREAT WITH INHIBITIVE COATING. NEVER SEEN RUST THIS BAD ON ANY VEHICLE I'VE OWNED . APPARENTLY TOYOTA RECALLED MANY OTHER PICKUPS FROM 1995 FORWARD. MINE IS A 1994 AND FROM READING OTHER COMMENTS MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME CONDITIONS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10652211

154,000 miles · Jan 22, 2014
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 TOYOTA PICKUP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRAME BECAME BENT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED ON THE MECHANICAL LIFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 TOYOTA PICKUP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRAME BECAME BENT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED ON THE MECHANICAL LIFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10561001

141,528 miles · Apr 3, 2013
Service BrakesStructureCrash

LOST BRAKE FUNCTION, BRAKES WENT TO FLOOR & LOCKED UP. SLID ACROSS ROAD & HIT GUARD RAIL. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS COMING IN OTHER DIRECTION. MECHANIC SAID BRAKE LINES WHERE COMPETELY RUSTED OUT & SO IS THE ENTIRE FRAME OF MY TRUCK.I'M AFRAID TRUCK COULD EVENTUALLY BRAKE IN HALF WHILE DRIVING. ENTIRE UNDER BODY IS COMPLETELY RUSTED. H…

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LOST BRAKE FUNCTION, BRAKES WENT TO FLOOR & LOCKED UP. SLID ACROSS ROAD & HIT GUARD RAIL. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS COMING IN OTHER DIRECTION. MECHANIC SAID BRAKE LINES WHERE COMPETELY RUSTED OUT & SO IS THE ENTIRE FRAME OF MY TRUCK.I'M AFRAID TRUCK COULD EVENTUALLY BRAKE IN HALF WHILE DRIVING. ENTIRE UNDER BODY IS COMPLETELY RUSTED. HAD TO REPLACE ALL BRAKE LINES AT MY OWN EXPENSE. I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS WEBSITE, SO I AM WRITING NOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10507006

Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2013
Structure

I HAVE READ THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE 1994 TOYOTA SHORT BED PICK UP TRUCK, 4WD, HAVING EXTREME RUSTING TO THE FRAME. YET THEY WILL ONLY BUY BACK THE 1995-2000 MODELS? HOW CAN THEY THINK THAT THEY DID SOMETHING RIGHT IN 94 THAT THEY DIDN'T DO IN 95, AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS? NO ONE C…

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I HAVE READ THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE 1994 TOYOTA SHORT BED PICK UP TRUCK, 4WD, HAVING EXTREME RUSTING TO THE FRAME. YET THEY WILL ONLY BUY BACK THE 1995-2000 MODELS? HOW CAN THEY THINK THAT THEY DID SOMETHING RIGHT IN 94 THAT THEY DIDN'T DO IN 95, AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS? NO ONE CAN CHANGE THIS TO INCLUDE THE 1994S? MY HUSBAND'S TRUCK DOESN'T EVEN SIT LEVEL FROM ALL THE RUST UNDERNEATH. HE IS A WELDER AND CAN'T EVEN FIX IT. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS BY TOYOTA. EVERYONE I KNOW WHO HAS CONTACTED TOYOTA SAID THEY ARE OUT OF LUCK DUE TO THE BUY BACK/RECALL BEING 1995 AND NEWER MODELS. HELP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10504108

187,239 miles · Sep 10, 2012
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 TOYOTA SHORT WB DELUXE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED HE WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 187,…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 TOYOTA SHORT WB DELUXE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED HE WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 187,239.

NHTSA ODI #10474526

130,000 miles · Jul 17, 2012
Structure

1994 TOYOTA PICK UP HAS DRAMATIC AND UNUSUAL FRAME ROT. I WAS INFORMED THE ENTIRE FRAME HAS JUST RUSTED AND ROTTED. THE TRUCK HAD GOOD CARE PARKED IN A GARAGE, WASHED OFTEN INCLUDING THE UNDERCARRIAGE. THE MECHANIC SAID THE RUST WAS VERY UNUSUAL. IT IS NOW A SAFETY ISSUE. THE TUCK IS OTHERWISE IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10466297

175,000 miles · Sep 30, 2011
Service Brakes, HydraulicStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 TOYOTA PICKUP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERK ABNORMALLY AND WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL ABRUPTLY TO ONE SIDE. IN ADDITION, THE FRAME EXHIBITED SEVERE RUSTING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 TOYOTA PICKUP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERK ABNORMALLY AND WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL ABRUPTLY TO ONE SIDE. IN ADDITION, THE FRAME EXHIBITED SEVERE RUSTING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

NHTSA ODI #10428075

158,000 miles · Nov 22, 2010
Structure

DRIVING THE VEHICLE SOMETHING DID NOT FEEL OR SOUND RIGHT. MY INITIAL INSPECTION FOUND THE TRUCK CAB AND TRUCK BED WERE FOLDED IN ON EACH OTHER. FURTHER INVESTIGATION FOUND THE FRAME CRACKED FROM EXTENSIVE RUST ROT ON BOTH SIDES NEAR FRONT BRACKETS OF REAR LEAF SPRINGS. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO NOW. NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE. ENGINE, T…

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DRIVING THE VEHICLE SOMETHING DID NOT FEEL OR SOUND RIGHT. MY INITIAL INSPECTION FOUND THE TRUCK CAB AND TRUCK BED WERE FOLDED IN ON EACH OTHER. FURTHER INVESTIGATION FOUND THE FRAME CRACKED FROM EXTENSIVE RUST ROT ON BOTH SIDES NEAR FRONT BRACKETS OF REAR LEAF SPRINGS. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO NOW. NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE. ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, TRANSFER CASE ARE STILL STRONG. GLAD NO ONE WAS HURT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10367088

Official recalls

1

05V389000 · Steering:linkages:rod:relay:connecting

Sep 6, 2005

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IF THE STEERING WHEEL IS REPEATEDLY TURNED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS WHERE HIGH STEERING EFFORT AND POWER ASSIST ARE REQUIRED, FOR INSTANCE, WHEN FULLY TURNING THE WHEEL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, A FATIGUE CRACK MAY DEVELOP IN THE STEERING RELAY ROD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE VEHICLE IS CONTINUED TO BE OPERATED IN THIS CONDITION, THE RELAY ROD MAY FRACTURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING RELAY ROD. THE RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.