I noticed bubbling of the coating applied to the frame by the manufacturer and when I poked at it the metal underneath fell away. I did a google search on corroded tacoma frames and discovered I was not alone and if other owners have complained I wanted to add mine. The frame is corroded in numerous locations and without repair could fail in the event of a collision. I am going to have the frame repaired by having new metal welded in. I realize the vehicle is ten years old and most of the complaints I found online referenced the ninety-nine model year. I should add until two years ago I had a 1967 datsun 1300 pickup and its frame was intact. This is not normal corrosion!
1997 Toyota Tacoma body complaints
Page 3 of 3: complaints 41 to 46 of 46, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The chassis (frame) rotted and cracked just behind both the driver's door and the passenger's door. The truck is now unsafe to use because it might break ( in two. The frame is the main supporting structure of the vehicle. I believe this is an engineering defect.
No incident -- vehicle would not pass pa inspection -- not safe to drive. Rear frame is completely rotted out with rust.
I purchased a used 1997 toyota tacoma on 3/15/07 with a rotted frame. Fortunately I had another garage check out the truck within 30 days of purchase while warranty from dealer was still in effect. I want to report this so that this vehicle will not be purchased by anyone. It was not ny state road worthy, per state inspection criteria. The vehicle was green, 4wd, extend cab. Purchased in rochester, ny. I was able to return it for a full refund, but want to be sure the crooked dealer was not reselling the vehicle. He also had another black tacoma, 1998 with the same problem, bought both of them at auction.
Sunvisors that arwe on driver side and passenger side will not come down. Consumer's not able to protect vision in present of a high beam of light. Visors are stiff, and fabric one of them is torn.
While driving bolts broke off the driveshaft separating rear axle and hitting the gas tank. *ak one of the two bolts holding the drive shaft fell out causing the drive shaft to fall and resulting in rear axle separation and riping a hole in the gas tank.
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