Carrier/rack problems of the 1998 Toyota Tacoma

Three problems related to carrier/rack have been reported for the 1998 Toyota Tacoma. The most recently reported issues are listed below.

1 Carrier/rack problem

Failure Date: 12/31/2016

Purchased 1998 Toyota Tacoma 4wd truck October 2012. Vehicle had been recalled for frame rust and was serviced by a Toyota dealership 05/25/2011 and frame and under carriage was inspected, cleaned, prepared and coated with undercoating. Dealership advised the problem was corrected. Mileage at time was 161,757. In late 2012 rust spots developed again and continued to worsen until the frame completely rusted through and broke above the right rear wheel in the vicinity of the shock absorb-er bracket which also was rusted through. There are various other rust problem areas on the frame and suspension parts and another frame rust through is evident on the left side of the vehicle above the rear tire at the shock absorb-err bracket. . December 2016, mileage 211,927 the vehicle was considered to be unsafe for operation and taken off the public roadways by the current owner after the frame broke into while turning into the driveway. The vehicle was placed out of service due to fear of being held liable for death, injury or dismemberment to self, person or persons due to knowingly continued operation of the vehicle would be unsafe. After extensive research of frame rust through problems, the Toyota dealership that handled the recall in 2011 was contacted in person by the current owner on February 21, 2017 at 1:30 pm and was advised by the dealership service department that the enhanced warranty was only good for 15 years from the date the vehicle was first purchased new and placed in service which was April 1998 and had expired in April 2013. As the current owner of the vehicle I was never notified by Toyota that a warranty had ever existed and would soon expire and nor myself or the previous owner was ever notified to have the vehicle reinspected by Toyota to make sure the problem had not reoccurred and vehicle was safe for continued operation.

2 Carrier/rack problem

Failure Date: 04/01/2016

I bought my '98 Toyota Tacoma in 2000. Since that purchase I have never received a letter regarding any recalls or safely issues. I have only moved once since I purchased this vehicle and that was in 2003. So I feel that Toyota made no honest effort to contact me regarding any issues so I should be able to address and have repaired any problems that were recalled such as the corroding frame. This is a serious issue that Toyota conveniently let fall through the cracks.

3 Carrier/rack problem

Failure Date: 07/01/2015

My frame is rusted and cracked in half. I welded a plate to the frame and used a bolt for the shock mount to replace the busted shock mount. Concerned about the safety of the vehicle as I am waiting for the rest of the frame to break in half as I am driving.


Other Equipment related problems of the 1998 Toyota Tacoma



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