Frame Rust problems of the 1998 Toyota Tacoma

I recently bought my 98 Toyota Tacoma extended cab 4�4. I knew nothing of any frame rust problems or any other problems that Toyota's had. Now I am the proud owner of a good looking truck that I just found out is not only unsafe to drive off road but on road also. Yesterday I found that the rear shock,where it mounts on top,had broke throw the frame and after inspecting and doing a quick welding repair just to make it home,that the frame had previously been repaired in other places but only welded new metal over the existing rusting frame. No one has made any attemy to inform me of any problems and from what I'm seeing now it's past the 15 yr deadline. I bought a Toyota because of its dependability but what good is it to have a dependable engine when the frame wasn't prepared to hold up to normal conditions without rusting into.

Frame perforation aka rust through problem failed PA inspection this week. Garage notified me of known Tacoma frame rust problems. Toyota dealer says its too late but I was not aware of this hazard that Toyota seems to be well aware of. Body shop will not touch this problem of rust through above spring leaf mounts due to liability concerns. This seems like Toyota's problem to solve. Please help!.

My vehicle has been inspected each year and properly maintained. Inspections and other maintenance have frequently occurred at Toyota dealers by Toyota technicians. My vehicle was undergoing annual inspection December 2016 at a non-Toyota garage and I was advised of a failed inspection due to structural integrity issues caused by severe rusting on the frame of the truck. I was also advised to cease driving the truck as it is now considered a danger to myself and, I assume, to other motorists. The technician suggested that there may have been a recall for this problem. I called Toyota several times and was ultimately told I had run out of time. I pleaded that I have owned the vehicle for over ten years and would have taken advantage of any recalls had I received any information of one, but no one is able to explain to me why I was not notified of the problem. A problem like this does not crop up within a year and have the ability to hide from honest technicians concerned with the integrity of their inspections/maintenance and the safety of motorists. This vehicle is frequently used for travel over distances greater than 50 miles, one way, and to find out that I have been operating such a dangerous vehicle over such long distances and posing such a danger to myself and countless other motorists because of the silence and/or negligence of Toyota technicians is unacceptable and reprehensible. My vehicle is otherwise in great running condition with many new parts that show pride of ownership. I must demand that Toyota replace the defective frame on my vehicle to restore the safety and peace of mind that motorists have a right to expect when they get behind the wheel of a car.

"1995 through 2000 model year Tacoma frame rust corrosion warranty extension" received a letter from Toyota attached. Requested frame inspection attached. Requested another frame inspection attached. My vehicle case was not handled consistent with the intent of Toyota's program nor was I contacted by their impartial services group (isg). As a result the safety of me and my passengers has been neglected be not allowing me the safety benefits of their warranty offerings.

The contact owns a 1998 Toyota Tacoma. The contact heard a noise from the rear of the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the entire frame was rusted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 312,000.

Frame rusted out causing leafspring to sink into frame.

This truck belongs to my son who is in the navy. He was on deployment and I took the truck to get it inspected and it failed due to a rusted frame. Neither myself nor my son were aware of the frame recall done by Toyota. I called Toyota and they are refusing to help us with this vehicle since the recall has expired. We have owned 3 Toyota Tacoma's and never have had an experience such as this. They told me to file a complaint with your company if I wasn't happy with the end result and I of course am very disappointed. My son serves this country and now he is out a vehicle and can't afford to replace it. Please advise. Thank you for your help. Daniel and sara smith.

When truck was on lift at meineke, they discovered the frame near the back wheels was rusted through so that it was unsafe to drive it. Immediately, I took it to the Toyota dealership where they confirmed that it was unsafe to drive for the same reason. There had been a recall on Toyota body frames when I had taken it to the Toyota dealership two different times in two different years and was told the body was fine. One year and 2 or 3 months after the recall was over, I am told that my truck's frame rust makes it unsafe to drive. I only have 123,595 miles on it and expected to drive it for at least 2-400,000 more. Every auto service personnel that has ever looked under the hood has told me I have kept it in very good shape. Shouldn't Toyota extend the recall in my particular case? I have all the service records from the time I bought it in 2006 when it had 64004 miles.

1998 Toyota Tacoma with significant frame rust. Vehicle falls within the "frame rust corrosion perforation warranty extension" program offered by Toyota. The program offers to buy back Toyota Tacomas that fail their "inspection" dealer actually dented the frame during inspection due to weak frame secondary to rust. They did not put a hole in it therefore returning it to me, saying the vehicle is safe. Contacted corporate Toyota and basically got blown off as they stated the dealer did not put a hole in it during inspection. Personally, any vehicle which you can dent the frame in critical areas with a 12 oz hammer with "light to moderate" swings is unsafe. At this point I can only hope I do not get into a crash with this vehicle. I am filing this complaint as I believe they are overlooking a potentially serious problem with the structural integrity of this vehicle.

The contact owns a 1998 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that during a routine maintenance, the dealer advised that the bracket to the frame had rusted. The manufacturer was notified of this failure. The approximate failure mileage was 299,000. Updated 8/27/cn the consumer stated the dealer advised there had been a recall issued 3 years prior that the consumer was never made aware of. Updated 08/29/2014.

Tl- the contact owns a 1998 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle became very unstable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the frame has rusted near the rear driver side spring shackle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect but no solution was offered. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 287,000. Jft.

The contact owns a 1998 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while servicing the vehicle, he discovered that the entire frame was rusted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who diagnosed that the entire frame needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.

The contact owns a 1998 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the seat inside the vehicle would bounce up and down when the vehicle started to slow down. The contact stated that after inspecting the vehicle he noticed that the frame had rusted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or mechanic for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 130,000.

I own a 1998 Toyota Tacoma that should fall into their rusty frame buyback but was told it didn't qualify because of a massachusetts reconstructed title. The truck has been on the road for approximately 3 years since the rebuild. The frame is rusted through in some places and the passenger side body mount has rusted away from the frame . It seems to me the frame rust has nothing to do with the fact that the truck was in an accident and the recall should be in effect, probably with a lower reimbursement due to the salvage title. If the point is to get unsafe vehicles off the road, a rusty frame is a rusty frame whether the truck has been rebuilt or not.

1998 Toyota Tacoma with significant frame rust. Vehicle falls within the "frame rust corrosion perforation warranty extension" program offered by Toyota. The program offers to buy back Toyota Tacomas that fail their "inspection" dealer actually dented the frame during inspection due to weak frame secondary to rust. They did not put a hole in it therefore returning it to me, saying the vehicle is safe. Contacted corporate Toyota and basically got blown off as they stated the dealer did not put a hole in it during inspection. Personally, any vehicle which you can dent the frame in critical areas with a 12 oz hammer with "light to moderate" swings is unsafe. At this point I can only hope I do not get into a crash with this vehicle. I am filing this complaint as I believe they are overlooking a potentially serious problem with the structural integrity of this vehicle.

- the contact has asked for the exact verbiage of his email entered as his complaint: Toyota has instituted a warranty enhancement program for 1995-2000 Toyota Tacomas for frame rust. Toyota is buying back the trucks because of safety problems. There have been numerous accidents resulting from collapsing frames that have rusted out. They are doing this to avoid a NHTSA recall. My truck has a title that lists prior damage, and they will not take my truck back. They claim that the truck has been altered. The truck was repaired using Toyota Tacoma factory parts, and not aftermarket parts. The truck was repaired in year 2002, but the insurance company chose not to spend the money on repairs. If my truck was newer, the insurance company would have spent the money on repairs, the repair would not appear on the title, and Toyota would qualify this truck for buy back. The only difference between my truck and a newer truck receiving the same repair is that one is older than the other, and the insurance company chose to repair the newer vehicle. My 1998 Tacoma was professionally repaired and inspected by the massachusetts police. The truck looks brand new except for the frame rust. I believe that Toyota is trying to avoid a NHTSA recall by this warranty enhancement program. Still, there are many vehicles like mine on the roads with frame rust waiting for an accident that Toyota chooses to ignore. Updated 07/15/08 updated 07/15/08.

The contact owns a 1998 Toyota Tacoma. The dealer discovered that the frame was rusted under the contact's vehicle. He filed a claim with Toyota and was informed that they were unaware of the failure and could not assist. The current and failure mileages were 83,000. Updated 3/4/08.

I owned a Toyota Tacoma, 1998 king cab with 4wd up until oct 07, when I had to trade it in or junk it. The frame was so rusted out that one bad bump was going to land me in a ditch or out of control. I researched this online, found that Toyota was not doing anything about it. I turned it into my Toyota dealer, the truck had only 97,000 miles on it, was worth thousands but only got 2500 on trade in due to its frame condition.

After leasing my 1998 Tacoma 4x4 for 3 years, I chose to buy it at the end of the lease. I have maintained it religiously for the entire 9 years. I took it for its annual PA inspection expecting that with only 48,002 miles there would be few if any problems. In 2006 there were no problems, no indication of any rusting or frame / under carriage problems. My mechanic has informed me that the truck is a danger to drive because the undercarriage is rusted through & there large, gaping holes throughout. I have never heard of this problem until I began researching it. A vehicle that I had intended to keep for many more years is now worthless and a danger to drive. After reading the other complaints, I believe that this is a wide spread problem with the Toyota Tacomas.

Frame broke in half on passengers side ahead of rear wheel. Frame rusted 2005. Frame rusted 2007. Frame has approximately $1000 of welding done to it. Won't pass inspection in 2008.