The toyota tacoma I bought in 1997 is in excellent mechanical condition. How ever it is in horrible structural condition, with a frame that is almost completely rusted through, and no longer safe to drive. I took the truck to kings toyota to get inspected and they told me that since the truck has passed the 15 yr warranty extension, that there is nothing they could do for me and allowed me to drive the truck off of their lot. I then called toyota and they said that unfortunately I am out of luck, since the truck is a year past the extended warranty. My complaint is that this was the result of toyota not having adequate corrosion-resistant protection. They investigated this problem and came to the conclusion that the protection was in fact inadequate. Yet they allow people to continue to drive on the roads with their product that they know is unsafe.
1997 Toyota Tacoma suspension complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 24 of 24, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that the front driver side ball joint was repaired twice. The front passenger side coil spring was replaced once. Each time the ball joints failed, it caused the vehicle to fall to the ground and would need a special truck to towing. The contact stated that the dealer repaired the vehicle, but had never given a cause for the failure. The contact stated the failure recurred within seven months apart. The failure mileage was unknown, but the current mileage was 144,000.
1. Driving normally, my 1997 toyota tacoma's front passenger tire fell off at an intersection. The ball joint failed. It was towed to a service place today. Had I been driving at highway speed, myself and passengers could have been killed or seriously injured. 2. Has not happened before. The vehicle is well maintained. 3. Waiting on repair parts and estimate.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that the front axle failed on may 29, 2007. He called the local toyota dealer who looked up his VIN. The vehicle was not included in the recalls issued for older models of his vehicle. The contact's insurance agency referred him to the federal safety agency. The engine size was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 201,000. The lower ball joint had failed. Updated 07/06/07.
I am the original owner of a 1997 toyota tacoma 4x4 lx. I have experienced suspension problems for the last 6 years. The rear leaf springs will not support the weight of the stock vehicle. I have tried several times to get toyota to replace them with larger springs. Toyota has turned their back on me and several friends that have the same problem. I installed aftermarket helper springs and one of them broke as it was overloaded because of the weak factory springs. I now have a drivetrain noise because the driveshaft is at an improper angle due to the sag in the leaf springs.
I noticed a noise coming from underneath my vehicle and noticed that the right leaf spring had broken. I am the original owner, the vehicle had 57,000 miles on it when this occurred. This vehicle has never been abused and has been given proper maintenance. I feel that this is an item the mfg. Should stand behind.
I am the original owner of a 1997 toyota tacoma sr5, 4wd extra cab. I recently noticed the bed of my truck was sagging on the passenger side. I took my truck to a toyota dealer service shop and they discovered that the leaf spring is broken on the passenger side. I have not done anything to cause this to happen to my truck. I do not have a towing hitch on my truck therefore, I do not tow heavy loads or any loads for that matter. I do not put heavy loads in the bed of my truck. I don not use my truck for hauling things. I have never installed a camping shell or any shell on the bed of my truck. I have never taken my truck off road and gone "four wheeling". Therefore, I am at a quandary as to why this would happen. I have not yet replaced the leaf spring. However, the driver side leaf spring will also need to be replaced because of sag. The toyota service department at the dealership has not offered to replace the leaf spring free of charge.
Consumer states while backing up vehicle, consumer ran over something in the driveway. Consumer got out and notice that vehicle had ran over a leaf spring. Consumer states the leaf spring assists in holding vehicle up off the ground. Nlm
While driving and without warning, the upper ball joint broke and the front wheel came off, resulting in a rollover, there were 2 injuries.*ak. Consumer believes that part was defective and that manufacturer should replace vehicle.
Left rear leaf spring separated/causing left rear to sag.
Rear suspension and body of vehicle sags and driving and handling are negatively effected.
Vehicle's suspension is unstable, design does not include rear sway bar and the shocks absorbers are inadequate.
Suspension is very unstable, causing loss of control.
Consumer complains that rear leaf springs do not meet load specs as specified by manufacturer, causing vibration.
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