Two problems related to front suspension leaf spring have been reported for the 1998 Toyota Tacoma. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
This truck is the center piece of my life. My 1998 Toyota Tacoma was the perfect vehicle for me. I still own mine but it is tough to drive knowing that if I was in a crash my life could be threatened due to the lack of frame rigidity. I need this truck to last me until I am out of college because there are no funds for me to purchase a different one. This defect was brought to by attention during a recent snowstorm when driving home from one of many jobs. I ran over a shallow pot hole and heard a clunk. The vehicle began to drive very oddly causing concern to me. I had my mechanic look it over the next day and he explained that he has seen many of these trucks with the same type of issue. My isolated issue involves the attaching site of the rear leaf spring. The mechanic quoted my $1000 dollars with no guarantee of repair. I could not do this because I do not have the money to put into it. I took it to another mechanic who is a family member who fixed it and showed me the multiple other weak spots with in the frame. In these multiple areas the frame is so weak that if you touch it pieces fall off. He tried his best to reinforce it but other spots still lack strength. Not safe and not going to sell!!!!!!.
Consumer states that when having an oil change was infromed that the leaf springs were falling apart. Dealer contacted, this is a common problem. Ts.