NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Structure complaints
203 reportsClear category filter200,000 miles · Jan 25, 2016
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE EMERGING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE EMERGING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
NHTSA ODI #10822056
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2016
Structure
BOUGHT VEHICLE, DID A MORE THOROUGH INSPECTION AND FOUND FRAME ROT, (RUST HOLES IN FRAME) WHICH HAS BASICALLY RENDERED THE TRUCK UNSAFE TO DRIVE!!!! WAS TOLD BY TOYOTA DEALER THAT RECALL WAS OVER FOR REPLACING THE FRAME AND NOW I HAVE A TRUCK THAT I WILL NOT LET MY SON DRIVE. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA, THE…
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BOUGHT VEHICLE, DID A MORE THOROUGH INSPECTION AND FOUND FRAME ROT, (RUST HOLES IN FRAME) WHICH HAS BASICALLY RENDERED THE TRUCK UNSAFE TO DRIVE!!!! WAS TOLD BY TOYOTA DEALER THAT RECALL WAS OVER FOR REPLACING THE FRAME AND NOW I HAVE A TRUCK THAT I WILL NOT LET MY SON DRIVE. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA, THE FRAME RUST
NHTSA ODI #10820549
87,000 miles · Jan 13, 2016
Structure
FRAME ROTTING FROM INSIDE OUT. TOYOTA KNEW ABOUT PROBLEM BUT DIDN'T SEND NOTICES OF CORROSION RESIST SPRAY TO ALL AFFECTED PARTIES. SHOULD HAVE BEEN A FORMAL RECALL SINCE THE TEST IS TO HIT WITH A BALLPEEN HAMMER TO FIND THE RUST THAT CAN'T BE SEEN WITH NAKED EYE.
NHTSA ODI #10820120
104,000 miles · Dec 1, 2015
Structure
THE FRAME IS ROTTED AND A CERTIFIED TOYOTA MECHANIC SAID THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERALLY ROTTED AND WAS A SAFETY HAZARD AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE TRUCK IS STILL WORTH $8-10,000 AND WE ARE OUT THE MONEY. THERE WAS A SERVICE CAMPAIGN, BUT NO SAFETY RECALL. WE DID NOT REC…
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THE FRAME IS ROTTED AND A CERTIFIED TOYOTA MECHANIC SAID THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERALLY ROTTED AND WAS A SAFETY HAZARD AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE TRUCK IS STILL WORTH $8-10,000 AND WE ARE OUT THE MONEY. THERE WAS A SERVICE CAMPAIGN, BUT NO SAFETY RECALL. WE DID NOT RECEIVE A LETTER ON EITHER. IF I DID NOT LOOK UNDER THE TRUCK TO INSPECT A NOISE, I WOULD NEVER HAVE KNOWN THE FRAME WAS ROTTED TO THE DEGREE THAT IT WAS. (SEE PICTURES) I WOULD HAVE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND PUT MYSELF AND ANYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD IN HARMS WAY. THIS PROBLEM NEEDED TO BE BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION; HOWEVER, NO ONE CAN TELL US WHY WE NEVER RECEIVED THE NOTIFICATION OF THIS DEFECT. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THIS SITUATION IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL WITH NO EXPIRATION. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED LETTERS AND PHOTOS OF OUR ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE WITH NO RESULTS. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AS WE FEEL IT CAN SAVE LIVES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10807799
121,000 miles · Dec 1, 2015
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE INSPECTED, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V542000 (TIRES) BUT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAB…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE INSPECTED, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V542000 (TIRES) BUT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNABLE TO BE PERFORMED DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUSTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.
NHTSA ODI #10807703
153,000 miles · Nov 26, 2015
Structure
EXCESSIVE CORROSION AND HOLES IN FRAME. CONTACTED TOYOTA CORPORATE AND TWO LOCAL DEALERSHIPS. NOTHING CAN BE DONE ACCORDING TO THEM SINCE THE UNDERSIDE WAS NOT SPRAYED, HOWEVER TECH AT HARTFORD TOYOTA INFORMED ME THAT THE SPRAY IS INEFFECTIVE. WILL NOT HONOR 15 YEAR FRAME WARRANTY.
NHTSA ODI #10807105
134,000 miles · Nov 9, 2015
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED ON THE VEHICLE AND HAD PERFORATIONS ALL OVER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE ISSUE TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED ON THE VEHICLE AND HAD PERFORATIONS ALL OVER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE ISSUE TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.
NHTSA ODI #10789308
167,000 miles · Nov 4, 2015
Structure
FRAME HAS BADLY CORRODED. TOYOTA HAS RECOGNIZED THE DEFECT IN THESE VEHICLES AND RECEIVED COMPENSATION FROM THEIR FRAME SUPPLIER, AND HAS EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 15 YRS UNLIMITED MILES. PREVIOUS OWNER BROUGHT VEHICLE TO WHITE RIVER JUNCTION TOYOTA (VT), AND THEY INSPECTED IT AND MADE RECORD OF ROTTING, BUT DID NOT SEE NEED TO TREAT…
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FRAME HAS BADLY CORRODED. TOYOTA HAS RECOGNIZED THE DEFECT IN THESE VEHICLES AND RECEIVED COMPENSATION FROM THEIR FRAME SUPPLIER, AND HAS EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 15 YRS UNLIMITED MILES. PREVIOUS OWNER BROUGHT VEHICLE TO WHITE RIVER JUNCTION TOYOTA (VT), AND THEY INSPECTED IT AND MADE RECORD OF ROTTING, BUT DID NOT SEE NEED TO TREAT IT OR REPLACE IT PER TOYOTA'S OWN PROGRAM GUIDELINES. NOW FRAME HAS COMPLETELY ROTTED THROUGH AND TOYOTA IS SAYING IT IS TOO LATE TO BE REPLACED UNDER THE PROGRAM.... EVEN THOUGH IT IS STILL WELL WITHIN THE 15 YR WARRANTY PERIOD. THEY ARE REFUSING TO HONOR THEIR WARRANTY. I DON'T KNOW IF THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE. INTERNET IS REPLETE WITH THOUSANDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS.
NHTSA ODI #10788395
162,000 miles · Oct 16, 2015
EngineStructure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE PARKED, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED A HOLE ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE LEAF SPRING AND IT WAS NOT CONNECTED TO THE FRAME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME HAD RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE PARKED, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED A HOLE ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE LEAF SPRING AND IT WAS NOT CONNECTED TO THE FRAME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME HAD RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,000.
NHTSA ODI #10782955
144,000 miles · Oct 14, 2015
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE METAL PLATE BELOW THE FUEL TANK WAS HANGING LOOSELY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 144,000. UPDATED 12/03/15*LJ
NHTSA ODI #10782140
Official recalls
3Nov 23, 2012
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2004 Tacoma light trucks manufactured from August 28, 2000, through August 27, 2004, and originally sold, or currently registered, in the following cold climate states with high road salt usage: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. The spare tire in the subject vehicles is located underneath the rear of the vehicle and held by a spare tire carrier. A lift plate on the carrier is used to help raise, lower and retain the tire. During its manufacture, the lift plate may not have been sufficiently coated with anti-corrosion materials. If the plate is insufficiently coated and the vehicle is operated in cold climate regions where road salts are frequently used, road spray can reach the carrier assembly and corrode the lift plate.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Corrosion of the plate could cause it to break, which could result in detachment of the spare tire from the vehicle. Detachment of the spare tire could result in a road hazard which may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace the spare tire carrier lift plate as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in February 2013. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
May 17, 2005
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ISSUE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SURFACE OF THE BALL OF THE JOINT MAY HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED. THE BALL JOINT MAY EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND LOOSENESS, RESULTING IN INCREASED STEERING EFFORT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
May 5, 2004
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, 'SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES.' THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT HAS INCORRECT MARKINGS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD.
Remedy: DEALERS HAVE REPLACED THE SEAT BELTS. NO VEHICLES WERE SOLD TO CONSUMERS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗