2001 Toyota Tacoma: brake failure

Filed Nov 14, 2016 · Body · 150,000 miles · WV

Last year, 2015, I received a recall notice from toyota concerning an issue with the spare tire hanger. I went to the toyota recall web page and typed in my VIN, two recalls were outstanding, the spare tire and the frame. I contacted toyota concerning the frame recall and was told that the frame recall had been closed. I informed the toyota rep that I never received a recall notice for a frame issue. She stated that the noticed had been sent and returned due to incorrect address. Toyota than resent the notice to the correct address based on 911 changing my address from 132 center st, to 338 center st. I than told the rep. That I do not understand how toyota could close out a recall which is a major safety issue and asked to speak to someone else. Long story short I was told the recall had ended and there was nothing toyota would do to correct the issue. Afterwards I crawled under my truck and looked at the frame and did not notice any rusted out areas. On monday november 7, 2016 as I was driving to work I lost the brakes. I was able to return home as the brake failure occurred at the end of the street I live on. I crawled under the truck to see if I could locate the damaged brake line. I found an area covered with brake fluid and determined the line had failed. While I was under the truck, I noticed the frame had rusted through just in front of the passenger side rear leaf spring. This is a definite safety issue which in my opinion could be a matter of life and death. I also noticed on the news this morning that toyota once again has made a multi billion settlement due to frame rust issues on their 2005 to 2010 toyota. I want toyota held responsible for not repairing and of replacing the damage they know exists on my truck!!

Filed Mar 23, 2013 · Brakes · 96,000 miles · IN

The brakes failed due to loss of hydraulic fluid. This occurred suddenly. The steel hydraulic brake line has corroded and ruptured within an inch of where it connects to the brake bias valve near the left rear wheel. Upon inspection of the area around the brake bias valve, the bias valve itself, the bolts securing the bias valve, and the brake lines severe corrosion was observed. The inspector who has 35 years of experience working on toyotas regards this corrosion as abnormal for any vehicle of this age. The vehicle's frame was coated with a substance that is supposed to prevent corrosion under a toyota recall in oct. 2010. This substance was sprayed on the brake line which ruptured as well. The inspector feels that the coating is actually accelerating the corrosion. The inspector observed the coating pealing off of the truck's frame in large sheets.

Filed Feb 9, 2013 · Brakes, Steering · 223,079 miles · CA · crash

I had made a left turn onto freeway entrance ramp, started accelerating to get up to speed. At approximately 30mph there was a loud bang/pop noise and the vehicle front left dropped down. I hung on to try and keep vehicle under control as it took an sharp left hand turn towards a pole. Even though the brake pedal went to the floor I was able to some how get the vehicle stopped before the passenger side hit the pole where my 1 year old daughter was riding. I had the truck checked for recalls in late 2008 when I purchased it. The report said ball joint recall was VIN # specific and that this truck was not in the VIN range. After the incident happened, I called toyota hotline for assistance and even though this is the same condition, and part that is failing on the vehicles in range they said, "that sense the recall is VIN specific, there's nothing we can do, and we can't just add a vehicle to the recall". So, now I'm stuck with a wrecked vehicle, but very thankful that I didn't hit the pole where my daughter was sitting. This needs to be addressed and all tacoma's that contain this style ball joint be fixed before some one does get killed.

Filed Jul 8, 2010 · Brakes · 150,000 miles · VT

Emergency brake failure, the emergency brake on my 2001 toyota tacoma has seized for a second time. With the emergency brake seized it is not possible to operate the emergency brake. The design of the emergency braking system allows the system to seize due to corrosion at the location where the actuating lever meets the mounting block. I have previously had this repaired by the toyota dealer at a cost of $350 (2 mounting blocks@ $90.00 each and 1 hour labor per side to remove and replace mounting blocks and actuating lever(s). The protective rubber boot which should protect the joint between the lever and mounting block is located approx 1/8" from the joint, which provides no meaningful protection from water and salt I.e. Corrosion. Once a small amount of corrosion occurs the joint seizes and renders the emergency brake unusable.

Filed Jun 13, 2003 · Suspension · 30,700 miles · CA · crash

2001 toyota tacoma prerunner 2 wheel drive, 6 cylinder, automatic extra cab 30,000 miles right side upper and lower ball joints failed at freeway speed causing wheel and brake assembly to fold under vehicle. This resulted in loss of control and loss of braking and severe damage to vehicle.