Rear Suspension Leaf Spring problems of the 1996 Toyota Tacoma

Right side rear leaf spring broke in half at 79,000 miles. Rodland Toyota in everett, wa. Stated this is not covered under the extended warranty. The service department did not mention this as a known problem. No offers were extended to correct the defect. No mention was made when I purchased the truck 6 months ago (oct. 03). Truck was said to be in excellent condition.

While making turns tires were rubbing. A private repair shop examined vehicle, and determined that right rear leaf spring broke. Please provide any additional information / attachments.

Rear middle leaf spring broke in half, causeing vehicle to vibrate when driving.

I have heard a noise in rear for some time. I discovered recently that the middle of right rear leaf spring was popped out and rubbing the shock. No used part can be found and new part very unaffordable considering 5000. 00 left owing on 18000 for the vehicle. Work for local tag office and have heard many similiar reports on same part. Reports came from individuals, mechanics, and dealers.

It appears to me that Toyota has used a bad quality spring steel not only have my cracked but so have evreyone that I have talk to. The salvage yard has told me that as soon as they get some in that are not cracked they are sold fast, I was told by two difrent spring service companys in town that all the Tacoma springs crack what is this am I the first person to report this the danger here is if the center leaf falls out like mine did it could stab the tires and cause one heck of a accident, I always loved my Toyota but come on a cracked leaf spring and they want 375. 00 each for them at a spring shop lord knows what Toyotas getting. Thank you mark gianopoulos.

Vehicle experienced broken leaf spring due to weight of truck bed and undercarriage, an ex-technician stated that this vehicle along with 1995-1997 models were made with passenger car suspensions.

Both rear springs failed. Nlm.

Both driver's side and passenger side rear leaf springs hav developed cracks. Vehicle has three leaf springs. Consumer noted a TSB to upgrade leaf springs from three to four. Manufacturer and dealer refused to correct the TSB. Please provide any further details.

While traveling at highway speed at 65 mph rear leaf spring broke. Vehicle taken to independent repair shop which informed consumer that both rear leaf springs had to be replaced because manufacturer had redesigned the rear leaf spring assembly.

Calle d Toyota sales to report complaint. I was informed that manufacturer was aware of the defect in the rear suspension and has began correct it with a stronger leaf spring later in 1996. Even though they are aware of the defect they are not issuing a recall.

Both rear springs broke, causing noise in the rear part of the vehicle which may cause a loss of vehicle control. Common problem. Please provide further information.

Contacted dealer , the service department stated they couldn't help me because the truck was out of warranty. Steve in service said he had no idea how much it would cost to repair my truck, he said he would transfer me to parts at which point we were disconnected. I contacted the dealer's parts department on my own and found that the part numbers had been changed from the originals whic denotes a change. Further investigation revealed that Toyota issued a service bulletin ( #su00197) denoting a change of the rear leaf springs in relation to ride comfort. There were two other bulletins (#com0401k) relating to rear spring squeaks and (tc96018) relating to cracked frames. Why would the dealer that I purchased the vehicle from not know this or attempt to find it since it certianly is a saftey factor. The manufacturer's warranty is 36/month/36000 comprehensive and 5 year/60,000 miles on the powertrain.

Rear leaf springs failed at 80,000 miles, causing a gash into tire. Mechanic stated that Toyota was sending a spring with 4 leafs instead of three. Apparently installed with wrong leafs. Consumer states that prior to new springs, vehicle rocked and rolled and was very unstable, mechanic installed a clamp on the broken spring, however the spring gradually worked its way under the clamp cuasing the broken leaf to swing out into the tire.

Spoke to local dealer technician. He said that this dealership was taking care of this problem with goodwill repairs that included both parts and labor. I was charged $100 labor for the repairs by another dealership. I feel that if one dealership can do this then they all can. Two of the three spring leafs had broken completely. They were replaced with an updated set that included three main and one overload built right into the assembley. Toyota obviously knows that they had a problem due to this updated part assy. That the dealer had right in stock and changed that day while I waited.

Left & right rear leaf springs have broken in half. Dealer has admitted that they are having a problem with these. They agreed to split the cost with me 50-50. However, I feel there needs to be a recall on this item. I know of 3 other people that have had this same problem that live here in the salem/bloomington area. The failure date/milage I listed is incorect. . Since I have no idea when the springs actually broke. . . I noticed it while looking for a squeeking noise I was hearing. Thanks!.

Faulty speedometer. Front end suspension faulty,leaf spring noise.

Right rear spring is broken, I had it fixed once before at an indipendent repair shop. This is a known problem with Toyotas rear springs I would like to know what the NHTSA is doing about it since it is a safety problem.

Right rear leaf spring snapped while driving, causing it to swing out of assembly, which could have gotten caught on brake line or caused a tire to blowout.

Both rear leaf springs broke, causing spring to cut into brake line. Please give any further details.

Rear leaf springs broke on both sides of vehicle. Consumer has contacted the dealer. Please provide any further details.

There was a squeaking noise present due to the rear leaf spring breaking. Dealer replaced the 3 leaf spring with a 4 leaf spring.

Rear springs cracked causing rear end suspension problems.