Frame Rust problems of the 2004 Toyota Tacoma - part 1

Frame rust.

Called Toyota 2 years ago about rust on my trucks frame near the rear leaf spring mounting area. Was blown off by Toyota customer care. In December was driving and the frame rails literally snapped an bowed, the only thing that saved my life while driving 70mph, on the interstate 70 between hagerstown MD and hancock MD, home from work was the bed contacting the cab of the truck and miraculously holding holding it up and allowing me to get it safely off the road and call my mechanic. The sheet metal of the truck is rust free and in good condition. The frame is a total loss. The truck was at Toyota in 2010 and 2011 for frame inspections. This is a known issue with these trucks and now im told that Toyota wont do anything about it. If they would have fixed it or addressed my concerns in 2018 or even 2019 I wouldnt have nearly crashed my truck. The idea of a safety campaign is that they know there is an issue, their was a class action suit, they have frames available and they need to replace my frame on my truck and make it safe again. It is the only truck I have I used it to take care of my dogs and my the roads to my home are very steep and a 2wd or front wheel drive will not make it in snowy or rainy weather. Toyota's case # is 2102242008, phone number to call is 1800-331-4331.

2004 Tacoma frame so rotted that upon hitting a large hole would finish off the rusted frame. This type of rust and erosion is not from normal wear. . This is due to the manufacturing of the vehicle and they will not replace. They say they are aware of it. . But time lapsed to get it fixed?? so what now I am out $15k on a 16 year old truck. Since when did recalls have an experation date??.

Tl- the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that about 12 years ago they went in a frame rust prevention service for a recall. The contact stated that the vehicle's frame had rusted completely through to the point of wholes in the frame. The contact contacted the dealership (Toyota of vineland 650 n delsea dr, vineland, NJ 08360 (856) 559-7690) who stated that they were unable to provide the repair under a recall. The dealer, also, stated that the frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired a second time. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and opened a case regarding the matter. The approximate failure mileage was 120,165. Gl.

Tacoma purchased Feb. 2019 with some rust found on frame. Truck sent to body shop Apr. 2020 to address rust. Truck had become unrepairable due to "severe rust in multiple locations on frame","rust holes and cracking bad on driver side frame near fuel tank" and "frame is rusting bad from inside out"(quotes from mechanic). Truck will not pass inspection.

Frame is rusty beyond usage. As I accelerate the bed of the truck flexes so I can see it in the rearview mirror.

The frame is rusting out.

I had tires rotated,technician told me frame is extremely rusted(tacoma problem) big safety problem. Toyota told me they would check it out for 98,-- dollars. I don't think that's right. Toyota problem.

Tl the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. While the vehicle was undergoing an oil change, the contact was informed that the frame was rusted. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to autoland (170 us-22, springfield township, NJ 07081, (800) 288-6526) where it was confirmed that the frame was rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: 1904301385. No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 67,000.

Takata recall, I own a 2004 Toyota Tacoma that came from west virginia when originally purchased, this trucks leaf springs have now broke lose and is very unsafe to drive for my 17 year old son, we have contacted Toyota and they were very rude so I have now came to this, there is rust holes in the frame of his truck the size of baseballs and scares me for him to ever drive it at all please help us figure out what we can do, his uncle that owned the truck before we got it was very sick he lived in west virginia and was never told or called about a recall for the frame my son just recently got the truck painted and was told that he needs a new frame very badly.

Frame rusting out even after having undercoat sprayed in previous recall, after looking online I have found numerous people with the same year and model having their frame replaced by Toyota under a recall, but I have been told repeatedly that there is not recall and Toyota will do nothing.

Takata recall frame is rusted.

My Toyota Tacoma frame broke due to rust. The leaf spring mounting bracket broke loose from the frame and he frame itself broke due to severe rust. The truck is now inoperable. There as a recall on some Toyota frames, but apparently the recall only applies to "cold" states, not hawaii. Many of my friends have Tacomas and they all have rust issues. I also have a 2010 Tacoma with less than 6000 miles and I have already noticed that the frame is rusting by the leaf spring mounts.

9/8/2017, while working on my 2004 Tacoma I found a 3 inch and a 1 inch rust holes in the frame near the left rear wheel. Near the right wheel I found a 1 inch hole. All it took was a tap with a hammer. How safe is that?.

I took my 2004 Tacoma with <92,500 miles into the mechanic to get serviced yesterday. I asked him to check it over for a road trip we were planning this weekend. He called back and said it was unfit to drive because there was about 1 and 1/2 feet and 4 inches wide part of the frame is rusted out above the rear axle. I am trying to consult my case manager at Toyota, but he conveniently called the wrong number this morning and has not returned my call yet.

'04 Toyota Tacoma. Frame recall did not apply, but was inspected for issue in 2010 and given a clean bill. Hear a rattle under my truck and have a look. Shock mount broken, frame rusted through and nearly cracked in half. Undriveable-safely. If the frame was good, and was inspected 7 years ago, the frame was obviously not good. More importantly, the inspection (in this case) was insufficient to determine an adequate service life on the frame. The inspections should be performed again and the procedure modified to reflect the goal of the inspection, which this inspection did not.

With 115,000 mikes the frame is rusted through in several spots. This is a problem with the model for many years and Toyota refuses to fix it. My mechanic has advised me that it is unsafe to drive.

Frame is completely rusted, Toyota has replaced frames on thousands of these vehicles but wont replace mine because my VIN is not in their "program" because it was originally sold in hawaii. Yet dealer tells me car is unsafe to drive.

2004 Toyota Tacoma frame issue frame was inspected and passed they said they would contact me when it was time to seal it but never did when I went back they said I was too late and only fixed tire carrier recall. Now frame is rusting out had to be repaired and Toyota said it's my problem and they won't give me the extended 15 year warranty I contacted them last year and again this year.

Letter from congressman tonko on behalf of constituent re 2004 Toyota Tacoma recall. The consumer stated the vehicle could not be inspected due to frame rust. The consumer was not notified of all recalls. The last recall expired; therefore, the consumer was ineligible for assistance.

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. While making left and right turns, the vehicle made an abnormal noise. The origin of the noise could not be determined. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the frame was rusted, and the stabilizer bar, passenger side steering rod, struts, and shocks needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 141,678.

Frame rusted.

Was rear-ended yesterday. Upon inspection by insurance inspector, the inspector stated the frame failed, cross-member broke off frame due to excessive rust and rear of frame was rotted. This vehicle had received frame recall, but was only offered undercoating, which was done, but was obviously not done on rear of frame. Insurance inspector knew of this recall and stated Toyota should not be allowed to get away with this. The truck was in excellent condition before accident (other than frame). Due to frame rot, instead of being fixable, it was deemed total loss and will now cost significant financial burden. Called local Toyota dealer I have dealt with before and their customer relations director went to inspect and noted rear part of frame rusted out, but that's where all damage occurred due to being rear-ended, so didn't offer much other than it was an "interesting situation". Then had the nerve to ask if one of his sales people could call me to buy another Toyota.

The frame of the Tacoma is severely rusted. Rust easily falls off the frame of the truck. Tacoma models after 2005 received recall notifications and fixes from Toyota, but the 2004 models have not received any notice even though they exhibit more frame rot and rusting.

The frame has rusted and the dealership is unwilling to replace even though there continues to be recalls on more modern vehicles and another will be beginning soon for newer models. No notice was received by me about this problem. Not sure if this was a technical service bulletin or a full recall, but I cannot understand how a major problem with the frame would not qualify for a full recall. The truck was sold by Toyota suggesting 300,000 miles easily. I have less than half of that and the truck will soon be unsafe to drive because of a faulty frame.

I bought my Toyota truck in may 2016. I had the truck serviced at a local shop. The service manager stated the truck had a lot of rust noted on the frame and other parts underneath the truck. I took the truck to my local Toyota dealer to have the spare tire hangar recall taken care of. The service manager told me they could not service the truck because of the extensive rust noted. He stated "if you were my family member I would not let you drive it" because the frame and other parts were very rusty. The truck has been parked ever since unable to drive due to safety concerns that the frame will collapse. Toyota corporate will not agree to fix the truck. They state the truck frame rust replacement offer has long passed.

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. While the vehicle was being serviced for scheduled maintenance, the mechanic found severe rust on the frame and other components of the undercarriage. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 130,616.

The frame has rusted so bad that you can poke your fingers through it. Also the frame is rusted around where rear shocks mount causing the passenger rear shock to come apart. Vehicle is not safe to drive. Contacted Toyota about the problem and they refuse to do anything even though this vehicle was part of a recall due to rust issues.

Frame rust. The frame is almost completely rusted in half. The leaf springs where they connect to the frame has sunk into the frame from the rotting of the frame. The truck was going 75 mph down the highway when it happened. A loud bang and terrible jerk back.

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer after identifying the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 12v542000 (structure). Upon inspection, the contact was informed that the remedy could not be performed due to extremely severe rusting of the subframe. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.

Bought vehicle, did a more thorough inspection and found frame rot, (rust holes in frame) which has basically rendered the truck unsafe to drive!!!! was told by Toyota dealer that recall was over for replacing the frame and now I have a truck that I will not let my son drive. I also understand this is a problem with Toyota, the frame rust.

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. While driving 35 mph, the contact heard a noise emerging from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the frame was severely rusted and needed replacement. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

Frame began to rust in rear of the truck.

Tl- the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the frame was rusted and had perforations all over. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the issue to a local dealer who advised that nothing could be done about it. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 134,000. Fe.

Tl-the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while parked the vehicle engine warning indicator had illuminated. In addition, the contact had looked under the vehicle to check out an issue and saw a hole on the left rear leaf spring and it was not connect to the frame. The contact stated that the frame had rusted. The vehicle was driven to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 162,000. Kc.