general problems of the 1996 Toyota Tacoma

19 problems related to suspension have been reported for the 1996 Toyota Tacoma. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 1996 Toyota Tacoma based on all problems reported for the 1996 Tacoma.

1 Suspension problem

Failure Date: 03/15/2021

I purchased truck in 2005 from Toyota of nicholasville ky I heard there was a recall never received recall notice took truck to have brakes done mechanic refused to work on it because of dangerous frame holes rust can push in sides of frame with fingers and make a hole mechanic said it was very dangerous to drive!.

2 Suspension problem

Failure Date: 10/01/2020

Tl the contact owns a 1996 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving, the rear passenger's side of the vehicle started to lower. After stopping to inspect the vehicle, the contact discovered the rear center leaf spring had fractured and had also punctured the fuel tank causing the fuel to leak from the vehicle. The contact indicated that the fractured leaf spring was severe rusted. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted or informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000. The VIN was not available.

3 Suspension problem

Failure Date: 07/03/2017

The contact owns a 1996 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the passenger side suspension support was damaged. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 96v129000 (suspension); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The folsom lake Toyota dealer was contacted and refused to do the repair because the failure already occurred on the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 278,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

4 Suspension problem

Failure Date: 01/29/2017

The frame is rusted, in some areas, clear through. The brackets that hold suspension have rusted through. Everything that touches the frame has an excess amount of rust. The truck is parked because I'm afraid it will cause great bodily harm if the truck falls apart while driving.

5 Suspension problem

Failure Date: 07/06/2015

Frame corroded and cracked. Husband was able to brace with sheet metal and weld. Just wanted to make you aware.

6 Suspension problem

Failure Date: 06/21/2015

Right rear frame excessive rust. Taken to mechanic to verify the safety issue.

7 Suspension problem

Failure Date: 01/07/2015

The contact owns a 1996 Toyota Tacoma. While driving approximately 60 mph over an uneven road, the vehicle started bouncing abnormally. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact noticed rust on the rear driver side leaf spring and the frame of the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,138.

8 Suspension problem

Failure Date: 08/19/2014

Vehicle was purchased in November 2013, frame is cracked in the right rear and numerous holes are forming due to the widely known issue of improper corrosion preventative and poor manufacturer quality of materials used and design. Was told by tmc customer service that the "limited service bulletin" had expired and they are not responsible. This should be the last complaint of this known issue as consumers are dying in gm vehicles that the company knew about for 10 years prior. I have owned Toyotas all my life, and now the life of my younger sister literally teeters on the cracked frame of her 1996 Toyota liability. I am starting a petition to the white house ( we the people petition site and search Toyota frame recall) and hope that others searching this site and the 222 people who have made complaints will sign it. That is if their truck has not collapsed and killed them. To put a time limit on a safety hazard such as this is disgusting, immoral, and downright intolerable.

9 Suspension problem

Failure Date: 03/03/2014

The contact owns a 1996 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the frame on the rear passenger's side tire became detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for inspection or repairs. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 189,000.

10 Suspension problem

Failure Date: 02/23/2014

The contact owns a 1996 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph, the front passenger¿s side suspension collapsed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, who was unable to diagnose the failure. The contact later received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 96v129000 (suspension). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 175,000.

11 Suspension problem

Failure Date: 01/17/2014

Truck is still in good running condition but the body is rusting off the frame. Is there anything I can do. . . Please help me find a solution.

12 Suspension problem

Failure Date: 11/01/2013

I purchased a one owner 96 Tacoma 4wd truck last month the owner said the truck had completed a frame recall for corrosion in Nov of 2011. After purchasing the truck I had the truck maintenances at my local Toyota dealer. The dealer said the frame has a large hole in it and it has happened since the frame had been treated per the recall. Now I am stuck with a truck that is unsafe to drive due to a shoddy recall job by Toyota. I tried to rectify the issue with tmmi headquarters but they said after 15 years their frames are not guaranteed. Considering it has been less than 2 years since the truck had been treated I think they owe it to either replace the frame or purchase the truck per their agreement. In my opinion just spraying the truck with undercoating inadequately was just covering up the real problem which is the poor quality frames.

13 Suspension problem

Failure Date: 02/14/2012

Rear passenger frame rusted/rotted, rear passenger shock mount completely torn off frame at rust area and rear passenger leaf spring assembly cracked. Vehicle is not drivable and completely unsafe. This vehicle was recalled in may 2008 for inspection of frame rust and passed the inspection with only surface frame rust found and no rust perforation. Vehicle was recalled again in January 2012 for limited service campaign for new york vehicles for frame rust corrosion, which it failed with substantial corrosion and rusted through holes in the frame. This vehicle was included in this second recall, however the terms of the recall for repair or buyback only extended for 15 years from vehicle’s ‘in service date’, which in this case meant this vehicle was 5 months outside the recall window. So, Toyota included the vehicle in the recall (actually mailed the recall letter), found it had unsafe frame corrosion issues upon inspection 3 weeks after receipt of recall letter, then washed their hands and walked away indicating the ‘in service date’ was 5 months outside the recall window. Makes zero sense and terrible customer service and warranty management.

14 Suspension problem

Failure Date: 08/01/2011

My husbands 1996 Tacoma was recalled due to rusting underneath and was danageous to drive, but because we were in chapter 13 we were told to come and get the truck back from the dealer. We are now done this month with the chapter 13 and w we have called Toyota and they will not make good on the recall offer. My husband now has a truck that he cannot sale or trade because it is red tagged.

15 Suspension problem

Failure Date: 07/25/2011

The contact owns a 1996 Toyota Tacoma. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 96v129000 (suspension:front). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for repairs and the dealer confirmed that the frame was corroded. The manufacturer was contacted and they advised that the recall was expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 114,869 and the current mileage was 114,879.

16 Suspension problem

Failure Date: 06/01/2011

Vehicle taken in for recall undercoating for defective frame. Service advised frame perforated and would not do undercoating. Vehicle past 15-year warranty buy-back program (150% of bluebook) by about two days. No action available. 2014 continued use and attempted servicing. Refused due to frame deterioration. Contacted dealer for cost estimate of frame replacement. Advised by parts that frame was discontinued in 2006 (2006!) and no alternatives available. Vehicle now has 77500 miles on it and in good condition save for the defective frame that is irreparable.

17 Suspension problem

Failure Date: 09/01/2004

There rear of the vehicle made noise. The vehicle was returned to the dealer because the noise could not be resolved. The consumer believes the dealer resold the vehicle without it being repaired.

18 Suspension problem

Suspension malfunctioned.

19 Suspension problem

Shocks wore out at 10,000 miles.



Safety Ratings of Tacoma Cars
Fuel Economy of Tacoma Vehicles
Tacoma Service Bulletins
Tacoma Safety Recalls
Tacoma Defect Investigations