Tl*the contact owns a 1998 toyota tacoma. The dealer discovered that the frame was rusted under the contact's vehicle. He filed a claim with toyota and was informed that they were unaware of the failure and could not assist. The current and failure mileages were 83,000. Updated 3/4/08
1998 Toyota Tacoma body complaints
Page 4 of 4: complaints 71 to 98 of 98, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I have a 1998 toyota tacoma 4x4 4cyl and I have recently noticed that the frame rot was so bad that the rear portion looks like swiss cheese. The frame has actually gotten so bad it broke away from the leaf spring mounts and is no longer connected. I am very upset because the car is only 10 years old and I used to link toyota with quality. This could be my last toyota because I feel cheated.
Frame rotted on truck. Exstensive repair needed to make frame safe.
I was told today by an insurance appraiser that the frame on my 1998 toyota tacoma extended-cab, 4x4 pickup truck is rusted so badly that it's unsafe to drive and could very possibly break on rough road conditions. Such a failure could render the vehicle uncontrollable and cause injury or death. His evaluation was simply that "this truck is now junk". He was surprised that the impact of the collision damage he was assessing didn't break the frame. I bought this truck new in august of 1998 ($27000+ window sticker) and it now has 46,766 miles on it. Anecdotal evidence suggests that this rust is not repairable and that the manufacturer will not accept responsibility for this problem. This truck has been well maintained and driven carefully by a mature driver.
1998 toyota tacoma with a cracked frame. Consumer states that the frame is cracked and it is not due to rust or corrosion. Consumer states that his son heard a loud bang and felt the rear end was loose.
Frame is rotted from rust and is un-usable.
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 toyota tacoma. The vehicle's frame is rotted, rusted, and corroded from the front to the back of the frame rails. The vehicle failed state inspection because it was deemed as structurally unsafe. The vehicle has not been taken to the dealer because it is out of warranty and toyota will not recognize the failure. The VIN and purchase date were unknown. The current mileage was 77,000 and failure mileage was 62,000.
Frame broke in half on passengers side ahead of rear wheel. Frame rusted 2005. Frame rusted 2007. Frame has approximately $1000 of welding done to it. Won't pass inspection in 2008.
This is a 1998 toyota tacoma with 107,000 miles. After repeatedly noticing rust flakes on the ground under the vehicle, it was taken to several mechanics and a body shop for assessment. There was consensus that the frame was completely rusted through, and that there wasn't sufficient intact metal left to enable it to be repaired. They also agreed that that it would be extremely expensive to replace the frame (estimates ranged from $3,500 to $10,000), so the vehicle was essentially "totaled." they all warned that it was extremely hazardous to drive, since the slightest accident or road hazard could cause the frame to break and the vehicle to split apart and/or buckle. This vehicle is not old enough, nor does it have enough miles on it, to warrant this massive failure of frame integrity. It has been well maintained and not driven under any conditions that could account for the failure; thus, it seems self-evident that it is a fundamental defect in the manufacture of the vehicle that has resulted in this dangerous condition.
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 toyota tacoma. The frame of the vehicle is rusted and corroded where the rear springs hook to the frame. The contact has taken the vehicle to toyota three times and they have given him the run around. He was initially informed that toyota would make a one hundred percent repair. Then he was informed that they would make a fifty percent repair. The dealer finally stated that he would be responsible for the repairs. The cost for a short term repair was over $2,500. He took the vehicle to an inspection agency and was informed that toyota's remedy would have only been temporary. Toyota offered to purchase the vehicle after the repair for half the market value. The vehicle could not pass inspection. The contact has photos of the vehicle and also of how toyota was going to repair the vehicle. The current mileage was 80,000 and failure mileage was 78,000.
1998 toyota tacoma frame rotted away at rear springs and elsewhere.
Frame rot in front of the rear leaf spring mounts on both sides. I've had three shops look it over and all three say the damage is to far gone to repair.
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that the frame of the vehicle has large holes. She stated that where the truck cab and bed come together is more damaged than any other part of the vehicle. The dealer stated that it was not a manufacturer defect. The VIN, engine size, and failure mileage were unknown. The current mileage was 115,000.
After leasing my 1998 tacoma 4x4 for 3 years, I chose to buy it at the end of the lease. I have maintained it religiously for the entire 9 years. I took it for its annual pa inspection expecting that with only 48,002 miles there would be few if any problems. In 2006 there were no problems, no indication of any rusting or frame / under carriage problems. My mechanic has informed me that the truck is a danger to drive because the undercarriage is rusted through & there large, gaping holes throughout. I have never heard of this problem until I began researching it. A vehicle that I had intended to keep for many more years is now worthless and a danger to drive. After reading the other complaints, I believe that this is a wide spread problem with the toyota tacomas.
The frame of my 98 toyota tacoma is severely rusted that caused it to crack in the rear viewable through the rear passenger wheel. After noticing it I looked under to see that the entire rear part is rusted and goes to about the rear of the cab. I bought it a little more than a year ago from a man who maintain it very well, and I have also maintained to regularly. This concerns me because I just started college and do not have the money to replace the frame and will not be able to sell it the way it is, because I would not be able to get anywhere near what it would be worth with a good frame.
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 toyota tacoma. The contact took the vehicle in for repair. When the vehicle was placed on the frame rack at the shop, the rack went right through the vehicle. The vehicle was lifted and it was discovered that the frame was totally rotted. The vehicle was out of warranty. The current and failure mileages were 134,000.
Tl* - the contact owns a 1998 toyota tacoma. The vehicle would not pass state inspection due to a rusted frame. The vehicle began to rust at approximately 55,000 miles. The current mileage was 83,000. The VIN was not provided.
I own a 1998 toyota tacoma 2wd with 105,000 miles on it and the frame is corroded so extensively that I could put my finger through the rust. I bought it new in 1998 and maintained it regularly. The last time that I put it on a jack the frame partially collapsed where it was resting on the jack. After further inspection I found severe corrosion throughout the frame. The bumper brackets were barely holding up the bumper. It had been a reliable truck ,and this was the second tacoma that I have owned. Both were equally reliable. However, the problem has given me quite a scare. I don't dare haul anything heavy in the bed ,and the idea of towing something with it is simply out of the question. The body was still in pretty good shape with a little corrosion on the front of the hood from a stone chip. I just didn't understand how the problem could have become so severe. I would expect a certain mount of rust down there, but this was more severe than I have ever seen. My best guess was that the vehiclewas almost worthless even though everything else wasin satisfactory condition. Until I discovered this problem, I had expected to keep it for at least 5 more years.
1998 toyota tacoma 4x4 both frame rails have rotted through right behind the cab with the truck almost breaking in two.
Dealer told me at time of purchase that rust warranty was 10 years, found out after it expired that it was only 5 years. Seams of vehicle body rusting from inside out. Original dealer notified in 2001 and fixed rust in bed. Repair lasted approximately 2 years before it occurred again in the same place as well as in other places. Toyota (corporate) notified. Toyota has consented to repair the rust previously repaired by dealer but will not fix the rest. Vehicle is currently in body shop for the repair.
Bumper fractured and brackets broke away, dealer said bumpers are not for bick racks, the manual does not say this. It does say a ball hitch can be connected to tow a load 350lbs, total weight of the bike rack with bike is 200lbs.
The support arms that hold my front bumper on keep breaking without me hitting anything. The bumper just hangs on by wires sometimes. Fairway toyota says it is my fault because I use it on a mail route
Body squeaks from various locations when riding with a passenger.
Brakes failed, bumper was smashed from impact at 5-10 MPH.
Front bumper is simply a plastic shroud. It provides no protection against any type of incidental contact. Excessive body damage could occur at speeds less than 5 MPH.
I am trying to find out information on the front bumper of my truck. It is a plasic moulding attached with plastic rivets to sheet metal. There is no metal what so ever behind this plastic moulding. You can push it in with your hand. This can't be safe! I really need some help with this, toyota will not give me any answers as to why this was done.
Front bumper assembly failed during accident causing front end damage.
Vehicle was invoved in a low impact accident, approximately 10 MPH. No damage to the other vehicle. Consumer's vehicle sustained approximately $4000 in damages. Beleived bumper was not constructed properly. Dealer notified.
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