Hello, my vehicle is a 1998 toyota tacoma. It has approx. 152,000 miles on it. The issue I am having with the vehicle is primarily frame rust, the frame is beginning to look like "swiss cheese." the frame of the vehicle is in terrible shape, the spare tire even fell out due to rust. I called toyota to inquire about the frame rust and was told that there is no warranty to cover this. I searched online and it says that 1995-2000 toyota tacoma's were under recall for frame rust because the rust would make the vehicles unsafe to drive because the structural integrity of the vehicle would be compromised. So I searched around and found that my vehicle is currently 15 years, 4 months old and that toyota would not cover the vehicle. I believe that rust is an ongoing issue and takes several months/years to develop, it is not something which occurs overnight. The rust looks mainly to be surface rust on the outside, but in reality the rust has developed from the inside-out and rotted the frame out, therefore it was not caught earlier. I hope this recall is extended, there are many rusted toyota tacomas listed for sale from the 1995-2000 model year, which also have the same issue. The issue was caused by toyota's 3rd party supplier not properly rust proofing the frames, therefore making them highly susceptible to rust. I hope that toyota does something to resolve the issue.
1998 Toyota Tacoma suspension complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 28 of 28, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 toyota tacoma. While parked, the contact noticed that the rear frame was corroded and the rear axle had detached from the frame. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 172,000. Updated 05/16/12*lj the consumer stated toyota purchased the vehicle back from him. Updated 05/22/12
I own a toyota tacoma, 1998 model. One of the rear leaf springs broke. Part of it shifted sideways in its location and began to puncture the fuel tank. Upon searching for a replacement on the used market, I learned that number one, all of these tacomas develop broken leaf springs, and number two, all used springs have been absorbed to repair broken ones on trucks still in use. Number three, toyota changed the configuration of the rear spring assembly from a three leaf to a four leaf assembly to try to deal with the problem, but made the retrofit a cost borne by the consumer. Even a parts employee of a toyota dealership agreed that toyota should have had a recall of the tacoma for defective leaf spring design/engineering. The breakage creates an unstable suspension subject to loss of control and if the spring shifts sideways does puncture the fuel tank.
Front suspension lower ball joint failed while in operation. Resulting in separation from the knuckle, causing a collapse in the suspension and loss of steering control while driving. The collapse happened in traffic and caused other damage to the vehicle including drive shaft and tire damage.
Driver's side rear leaf spring broke last year. I had it repaired/replaced at a local spring shop. Now the same spring on passenger side has broke at the same place. This affects handling of vehicle and leaves the spring hanging by a factory clamp which if it breaks the rest of the way could cause accident.
This truck is the center piece of my life. My 1998 toyota tacoma was the perfect vehicle for me. I still own mine but it is tough to drive knowing that if I was in a crash my life could be threatened due to the lack of frame rigidity. I need this truck to last me until I am out of college because there are no funds for me to purchase a different one. This defect was brought to by attention during a recent snowstorm when driving home from one of many jobs. I ran over a shallow pot hole and heard a clunk. The vehicle began to drive very oddly causing concern to me. I had my mechanic look it over the next day and he explained that he has seen many of these trucks with the same type of issue. My isolated issue involves the attaching site of the rear leaf spring. The mechanic quoted my $1000 dollars with no guarantee of repair. I could not do this because I do not have the money to put into it. I took it to another mechanic who is a family member who fixed it and showed me the multiple other weak spots with in the frame. In these multiple areas the frame is so weak that if you touch it pieces fall off. He tried his best to reinforce it but other spots still lack strength. Not safe and not going to sell!!!!!!
The other day I was driving down the road and hit a small pothole with my 1998 toyota tacoma and the bottom leaf in the drivers side rear leaf spring pack snapped in half. And is now hanging down and it can potentially make contact with my tires sidewall.
My 1998 toyota tacoma had its left rear leaf spring break just in front of the rear differencial. This cause the leafs to twist inwards and rub against the gas tank exposing the bare metal of the tank. Luckly I took the truck to the mechanic before the rubbing against the tank worked its way through potentially causing an explosion with a spark. At this time I will be replacing the leaf springs (after taking some photos). I have also filed a complaint no 2005-12280233 with toyota motor corp. Their position is that I will have to bear the cost of the repair as it is out of warranty. I believe this is a potentially unsafe condition and a recall to check leaf springs should be made.
Employee was driving on highway, 60 MPH in our 1998 toyota tacoma pickup truck. With no warning the drivers front wheel assembly (hub and all, everything) came off the truck and lodged under the front axle. He was able to control the vehicle safely to the side of the road. Currently in transport to an auto shop for repairs.
Consumer states that when having an oil change was infromed that the leaf springs were falling apart. Dealer contacted, this is a common problem. Ts
The vehicle vibrates at highway speeds and the brakes vibrate when applied as if the discs are bent, mechanic can not find any problems that would cause these symptoms.
At speeds over 45, front end vibrates badly and is hard to control. I have replaced the tires which worked until the tires had 5000 miles of them, balanced tires, and had front end alignments. The toyota dealership is aware of the problem, but cannot come up with a solution to correct the problem. I know of other tacoma owners with similar problems.( dot number: tire size: 31x10.5 15 )
Vehicle experiencing hard acceleration. Nlm
1. Front wheel alignment shifts under load(in spec) as much as 1/4 in. This toe out causes excessive and dangerous tire wear. Tires came apart after 3000 mi. The vehicle is hard to control with toe out of this magnitude. I have to get the alignment done with a load in the truck to be able to safely steer it and get some respectable tire wear. God save an unsuspecting driver! 2. Rear springs bottom out "hard" causing the vehicle to jump. The rear spring bumper to axle housing space is 1 in. (with load). Toyota says "don't load it, it's not really a truck! These two items make this vehicle tricky to drive and is setting drivers up for a real road test.
Clutch malfunctioned. Yh
Shock absorber failed. Yh
Suspension system mushy, replaced all shock absorbers and springs to correct problem. Yh
Chasis/leaf spring/rear axle is defective, the vehicle leans over a one inch degree to the drivers side, no one has to be in the vehicle, the dealer replaced the spring and fixed up the bed level, vehicle still leans over one half inch without anyone in. Dealer contacted six times or more and cannot duplicate the problem.
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