1996 Toyota Tacoma suspension problems

“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 WHILE DRIVING, THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LOWER. AFTER STOPPING TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THE REAR CENTER LEAF SPRING HAD FRACTURED AND HAD ALSO PUNCTURED THE FUEL TANK CAUSING THE FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FRACTURED LEAF SPRING WAS SEVERE RUSTED. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION SUPPORT WAS DAMAGED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 96V129000 (SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE FOLSOM LAKE TOYOTA DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND REFUSED TO DO THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE FAILURE ALREADY OCCURRED ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 278,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.”

“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 DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD, THE VEHICLE STARTED BOUNCING ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT NOTICED RUST ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE LEAF SPRING AND THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,138.”