Rear Suspension Springs problems of the 2000 Toyota Tacoma

The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the frame of the vehicle was corroded and fractured. The contact stated that the corrosion was on the rear leaf springs of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate vehicle failure mileage was 250,000.

The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Tacoma. While driving approximately 60 mph, there was an abnormal shake from the rear end of the vehicle. The contacted discovered that the drive line failed from the rear end. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the front line, springs, and shocks needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

The truck began to make a loud banging sound from the rear of the vehicle. I found the left (drivers side) leaf spring had broken and then twisted and wedged underneath the skidplate to the gas tank. I had to use a chisel to get the broken spring out from under the gas tank.

Problem: defective rear leaf springs. On 4/27/05 had right rear leaf spring replaced, mileage on veh. 51261 on 7/18/06 had left rear leaf spring replaced, mileage on veh. 56,586 both leaf springs needed replacement because they rusted so badly that the steel bands which held them together broke. I was driving on an interstate hwy each time a leaf spring broke. I was very lucky that one of the leafs didn't swing into the rear wheels, if so it would have caused a serious accident. I purchased the veh. New, I'm the sole driver, it's used solely for transportation , never used for construction or off road purposes. I believe Toyota used very poor quality steel in making these leaf springs & bands or a poor heat treating process to strengthen the steel or both. Thanking you in advance for your time & consideration on this matter. P. S. Toyota did replace the first leaf spring as a goodwill gesture, but didn't replace the second one.