Problems · by component
1996 Toyota Tacoma structure problems
62 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 1996 Toyota Tacoma cite structure, 24% of all 257 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
62
24% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
What owners say about the structure
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Rear passenger frame rusted/rotted, rear passenger shock mount completely torn off frame at rust area and rear passenger leaf spring assembly cracked. Vehicle is not drivable and completely unsafe. This vehicle was recalled in May 2008 for inspection of frame rust and passed the inspection with only surface frame rust found and no rust perforation. Vehicle was recalled again in January 2012 for Limited Service Campaign for New York vehicles for Frame Rust Corrosion, which it failed with substantial corrosion and rusted through holes in the frame. This vehicle was included in this second recall, however the terms of the recall for repair or buyback only extended for 15 years from vehicle’s ‘in service date’, which in this case meant this vehicle was 5 months outside the recall window. So, Toyota included the vehicle in the recall (actually mailed the recall letter), found it had unsafe frame corrosion issues upon inspection 3 weeks after receipt of recall letter, then washed their hands and walked away indicating the ‘in service date’ was 5 months outside the recall window. Makes zero sense and terrible customer service and warranty management.”
“I PURCHASED TRUCK IN 2005 FROM TOYOTA OF NICHOLASVILLE KY I HEARD THERE WAS A RECALL NEVER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE TOOK TRUCK TO HAVE BRAKES DONE MECHANIC REFUSED TO WORK ON IT BECAUSE OF DANGEROUS FRAME HOLES RUST CAN PUSH IN SIDES OF FRAME WITH FINGERS AND MAKE A HOLE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE!”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S FRAME WAS CORRODED WITH HOLES NEAR THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER FOR THE MANUFACTURER WARRANTED FRAME REPAIR. WHEN THE CONTACT ARRIVED AT THE DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS NOT CORRODED AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE BUY BACK PROGRAM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,310. *TT*JB”
“THE FRAME IS RUSTED, IN SOME AREAS, CLEAR THROUGH. THE BRACKETS THAT HOLD SUSPENSION HAVE RUSTED THROUGH. EVERYTHING THAT TOUCHES THE FRAME HAS AN EXCESS AMOUNT OF RUST. THE TRUCK IS PARKED BECAUSE I'M AFRAID IT WILL CAUSE GREAT BODILY HARM IF THE TRUCK FALLS APART WHILE DRIVING. *TR”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING AN OIL CHANGE BY THE DEALER, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRAME FAILED DUE TO CORROSION. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY IN 2011. AT THAT TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FRAME WAS FINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 122,000.”
“1996 TOYOTA TACOMA FRAME RUST ISSUES. WAS NEVER NOTIFIED BY TOYOTA OF THE "PROGRAM" OFFERS TO FIX. TOYOTA CASE #1607184527 CREATED 6/2016. TOOK VEHICLE TO WELDER TO FIX FRAME TO MAKE ROAD WORTHY.”
Showing 6 of 62 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.