2004 Toyota Tacoma SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

The vehicle has an open recall (NHTSA Recall #12V542) for the spare tire carrier lift plate. I brought the vehicle to a Toyota dealership to have the recall addressed, but the dealership refused to perform the repair, stating that the frame is too rusted to proceed safely. They recommended a full frame replacement due to severe rust damage, which includes holes and significant structural weakening. Toyota has refused to provide a replacement frame under any existing recall or warranty program. This means the recall cannot be completed, and the vehicle remains unsafe to drive. Additionally, I cannot locate a replacement frame for this vehicle through Toyota or the aftermarket, leaving no practical solution to address the safety risks. The refusal to honor the recall and the lack of available replacement parts put me and others at significant risk. The problem has been confirmed by the Toyota dealership during inspection, and the rust damage makes the vehicle structurally unsound. The unresolved recall, combined with the excessive frame rust, has created a double safety hazard that needs urgent resolution

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The contact had taken the vehicle to Kolosso Toyota (3000 W Wisconsin Ave, Appleton, WI 54914) to have his exhaust replaced. While there, he was informed that the entire sub frame was corroded with several cracks and holes had formed around both front leaf springs. The mechanic informed him that the vehicle was unsafe to drive due to the failure. Prior to the failure, the contact took the vehicle to another local dealer where the vehicle was inspected under NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V225000 (Suspension). The contact was informed that a special coating was sprayed onto the sub frame to prevent corrosion; however, the recall remedy failed to prevent the corrosion. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 51,641.

This vehicles frame has rusted and broken. I feel lucky to have made it home just as the frame cracked wide open on one side making the truck un-drivable. Had this happened on the freeway or somewhere out in a rural setting I may have been killed, caused a problem for other drivers or been stranded away from any help. I have sent a photo of the damage to a frame shop but an independent inspection is not, in my opinion, needed since the rusted, broken member is clearly visible to any lay person. There were no warning lights or anything associated with this problem. What I did feel was some serious shaking and bumping as I moved down the road toward my house.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE SHOWED EXTENSIVE CORROSION TO THE SUB FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX THE SUB FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PRIOR OWNER DECLINED TO HAVE THE CORROSION REPAIRED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V542000(SUSPENSION). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO CUMBERLAND TOYOTA (1540 INTERSTATE DR, COOKEVILLE, TN 38501, (931) 272-3719) AND WAS INFORMED THAT HER VEHICLE DID NOT NEED A REMEDY AND WAS SAFE TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SAME DEALER A FEW YEARS LATER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE SERVICED DUE TO THE CORROSION THAT HAD ACCUMULATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED HER THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *PM*JB

2004 TOYOTA TACOMA, TOOK TRUCK IN TO BE PAINTED WAS INFORMED THAT THERE ARE MULTIPLE BASEBALL SIZE HOLES IN THE FRAME AND THE LEAF SPRING MOUNTS ARE RUSTED AND LEAF SPRINGS ARE ABOUT TO POP OFF. I HAVE CALLED TOYOTA CORP, AND WAS TOLD BECAUSE TRUCK WAS NOT SPRAYED THEY WILL NOT HONOR THE FRAME. I RECENTLY ACQUIRED THIS VEHICLE AND WAS NOT AWARE OF THE RECALL THAT HAD BEEN ISSUED ON THIS TRUCK. TOYOTA AT THIS POINT IS REFUSING TO REPLACE OR REPAIR THE FRAME EVEN THOUGH THIS TRUCK ORIGINATED AND REMAINED IN A COLD CLIMATE STATE FOR MOST OF ITS EXISTENCE. PLEASE ADVISE IF THERE ARE ANY OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO HAVE TOYOTA HONOR THIS VEHICLE. THANK YO U

TAMARA RECALL, MY 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA 4 WHEEL DRIVE CHASSIS HAS BROKEN ON ME TWICE SENSE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK FROM A USED DEALERSHIP, AND THE CHASSIS IS ALSO CRACKED AGAIN ON MY BACK DRIVERS SIDE, WHEN I BOUGHT THE TRUCK I WASN'T TOLD THAT THE CHASSIS WAS RUSTED AND THEY HAD COVERED IT UP. I NEED TO KNOW IF IT'S STILL UNDER WARRANTY TO GET IT REPLACED OR WHAT I NEED TO DO, MY ODOMETER IS SHOWING ONLY 118686 ON IT RIGHT NOW. I'M CONCERNED IF I WERE TO BE IN A WRECK THAT THERE WOULD BE A WORSE OUTCOME VERSES THE CHASSIS NOT BEING RUSTED. WHEN THE CHASSIS BROKE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BOTH TIMES I WAS DRIVING, THE EXHAUST HAS BROKEN OFF AS WELL BECAUSE OF RUST. NOW THE TRUCK SQUEAKS REALLY BAD AND MY SPARE TIRE IS ABOUT TO BREAK OFF AS WELL I BELIEVE. I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IT IF I COULD GET IT FIXED. I'M NOT SURE HOW MUCH OF THE CHASSIS IS RUSTED OR HOW BAD IT US DUE TO THEM COVERING IT UP. BOTH TIMES THE CHASSIS HAS BROKEN HAVE BEEN WHEN ON A CITY STREET I HAVEN'T DONE AN INSURANCE CLAIM ON IT EITHER, THE SECOND TIME IT BROKE I WAS ALSO BRAKING THE TRUCK. I DON'T KNOW THE NUMBER OF THE RECALL. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK IN MARCH AND ALL THIS HAPPENED IN MAY AND JUNE AND I'M AFRAID IT'S GONNA HAPPEN AGAIN IF IT'S NOT REPLACED AND DUE TO ME MAKING PAYMENTS ON IT AND IT BEING MY DAILY DRIVER I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DUE SENSE I CANNOT SALE IT. I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE RECALL UNTIL SEPTEMBER, I SEEN SOMETHING ABOUT IT ON FACEBOOK AND JUST STARTED LOOKING INTO IT TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY POSSIBILITY OF GETTING IT FIXED OR REPLACED. THE BED HAS ALSO BEEN REPLACED BEFORE I BOUGHT IT, BUT I'M NOT SURE WHY. THANK YOU FOR READING THIS AND I HOPE TO HEAR SOMETHING SOON ABOUT MY TRUCK. ANY KIND OF OPTIONS AVAILABLE WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL, BECAUSE I DO NOT TRUST THIS TRUCK. IT IS VERY UNSAFE. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND ANYONE ELSE TO DRIVE MY TRUCK BECAUSE IT IS SO UNTRUSTWORTHY. THANK YOU AGAIN.

TOOK TRUCK IN FOR INSPECTION AND THE FRAME IS DETERIORATING TO THE POINT THE BED IS BECOMING DETACHED FROM THE FRAME AND SEPARATING FROM THE CAB. THE SUSPENSION IS COMING LOOSE FROM THE MOUNTS. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY ONE THE MECHANIC HAS SEEN WITH DETERIORATION. THESE TRUCKS ARE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE!!

TAKATA RECALL FRAME IS RUSTED

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE MAKING LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE ORIGIN OF THE NOISE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED, AND THE STABILIZER BAR, PASSENGER SIDE STEERING ROD, STRUTS, AND SHOCKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,678.

I BOUGHT MY TOYOTA TRUCK IN MAY 2016. I HAD THE TRUCK SERVICED AT A LOCAL SHOP. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THE TRUCK HAD A LOT OF RUST NOTED ON THE FRAME AND OTHER PARTS UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER TO HAVE THE SPARE TIRE HANGAR RECALL TAKEN CARE OF. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT SERVICE THE TRUCK BECAUSE OF THE EXTENSIVE RUST NOTED. HE STATED "IF YOU WERE MY FAMILY MEMBER I WOULD NOT LET YOU DRIVE IT" BECAUSE THE FRAME AND OTHER PARTS WERE VERY RUSTY. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN PARKED EVER SINCE UNABLE TO DRIVE DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS THAT THE FRAME WILL COLLAPSE. TOYOTA CORPORATE WILL NOT AGREE TO FIX THE TRUCK.THEY STATE THE TRUCK FRAME RUST REPLACEMENT OFFER HAS LONG PASSED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERE CORROSION ON THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE COATED WITH AN ANTI-CORROSIVE ADHESIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHILE BEING OPERATED AT 2 MPH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THERE WERE HOLES IN THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO IT HAVING A REBUILT TITLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.

THE FRAME OF THE TACOMA IS SEVERELY RUSTED. RUST EASILY FALLS OFF THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK. TACOMA MODELS AFTER 2005 RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATIONS AND FIXES FROM TOYOTA, BUT THE 2004 MODELS HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTICE EVEN THOUGH THEY EXHIBIT MORE FRAME ROT AND RUSTING.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED AND THE WHEEL WENT UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FRAME SKIDDING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 228,000.

FRAME SLIGHTLY BENT IN ACCIDENT. WHEN BODY SHOP WENT TO PULL FRAME TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THEY WOULD NOT DO IT BECAUSE HOW BADLY RUSTED THE FRAME WAS. TRUCK HAD 88,000 MILES ON IT. TOYOTA WILL DO NOTHING. THIS IS MY SECOND TACOMA THIS HAS HAPPENED TOO. THEY RECALLED MY 97 TACOMA BECAUSE OF THE SAME ISSUE, AT LEAST THEY TREATED ME FAIRLY ON THAT. I WAS ASSURED WHEN I BOUGHT THE SECOND TRUCK RUST PROBLEM WAS FIXED. *TR

A TECH WAS PERFORMING AN OIL CHANGE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME ON MY TRUCK HAS RUSTED THROUGH AT THE POINT THAT THE REAR LEAF SPRING ATTACHES ON THE DRIVES SIDE. I AM BEING TOLD THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY TELL ME THAT THEY WILL NOT PROVIDE A RESOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. *TR

PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN JUNE OF 2014. THE CARFAX REPORT ONLY LISTED A RECENT RECALL DEALING WITH THE SPARE TIRE HANGER. THE CARFAX REPORT DID NOT SHOW ANY OTHER RECALLS, INCLUDING THE FRAME TREATMENT, THE FRAME REPLACEMENT OR THE TRUCK BUY BACK OFFERED BY TOYOTA. WE COMPLETELY UNAWARE OF THE RECALLS. TWO WEEKS AGO, THE REAR RIGHT SHOCK ROTTED/COMPLETELY BROKE AWAY FROM THE SEVERELY RUSTED FRAME. TOYOTA SAYS THEY WILL DO NOTHING BECAUSE "WE" DIDN'T HAVE IT TREATED. HOWEVER, WE HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE RECALL AND HAD NO WAY OF KNOWING THAT THERE WAS A FRAME PROBLEM BECAUSE THE DEALER INDICATED NO ISSUES, THE CARFAX REPORT SHOWED NOTHING AND WE HAVE ONLY OWNED THE TRUCK FOR 6 MONTHS. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. ARE WE STUCK WITH THIS OR CAN WE HOLD SOMEONE ACCOUNTABLE FOR HELP? *TR

I PURCHASE MY TOYOTA TACOMA USED IN JAN. 2013. I NOTICED LAST MONTH THAT THE FRAME WAS GETTING HOLES IN IT. THE INFORMATION I LOOKED UP SAID THAT TOYOTA DID A RECALL ON THIS PARTICULAR TRUCK. I WAS TOLD BY TOYOTA THAT IT IS NOW TOO LATE TO GET IT TAKEN CARE OF. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE RECALL OR AN ARBITRARY ENDING DATE. CAN YOU HELP ME GET TOYOTA TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE TRUCK IS NOW WORTH NOTHING WITH THE FRAME AS IT IS. [XXX]. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. THIS IS THE CASE # THAT TOYOTA HAS ASSIGNED TO MY SITUATION: #[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I GOT A LETTER FROM TOYOTA MOTORS STATING THAT CERTAIN MODEL YEARS OF TACOMAS HAD RUST DAMAGE TO THE FRAME AND I WAS INFORMED TO BRING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY WOULD PERFORM A RUST TEST ON IT. MINE IS A 2004. THEY SAID THE REST WASN'T BAD ENOUGH TO REPLACE THE TRUCK,OF COURSE AND KEPT IT TO SPRAY ON A RUST PREVENTATIVE ON THE FRAME. WITHIN ONE YEAR THE COATING THEY APPLIED BEGAN TO FALL OFF PEEL OFF AND OBVIOUSLY DIDN'T WORK LIKE PLANNED. MY SISTER HAD A 98 TACOMA WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND YOU COULD PUT YOUR FINGER THROUGH THE FRAME. THEY BOUGHT HER TRUCK BACK AT THE CORPORATE OFFICE AT 150% OF BLUEBOOK VALUE. THAT'S WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN NOW ALSO. I'VE PAID 20K$ FOR THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW AND A MAJOR REASON WAS EVERYONE LIKES THE TACOMA AND ITS FAIRLY EASY OR LETS SAY WAS EASY TO RESALE BEFORE ALL THE PROBLEMS THEY ARE HAVING. NOW I'VE GOTTEN ANOTHER LETTER SAYING THERE IS MORE THAN ONE RECALL AND NOW HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE SPARE TIRE HOLDER PLATE POSSIBLY RUSTING AND FALLING OFF. ITS PRETTY OBVIOUS TO ME AND ALL THE CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE HAD THE PROBLEMS, THAT TOYOTA MUST BE FORCED INTO ACTUALLY REPLACING THE VEHICLE OR PAY THE 150% BOOK VALUE WITHOUT ARGUMENT. IS ANYONE GOING TO MAKE THIS RIGHT? I HAVE HAD 2 MECHANICS TELL ME THE TRUCK IS UNSAFE AND NOT ROAD WORTHY. LUCKILY I HAVE A COMPANY VEHICLE OTHERWISE I WOULD BE VERY CHALLENGED. THE BUMPER ALL THE WAY TO THE FRONT IS TOTALLY RUSTED OUT AND I DON'T WANNA HEAR LIP SERVICE SAYING ITS DUE TO SALT OR SOMETHING I JUST WANT A BILLION DOLLAR COMPANY TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR PRODUCT. I HAVEN'T DRIVEN THE TRUCK BUT 10 TIMES SINCE GETTING THE COATING APPLIED AND THE SAD THING IS I LOVE THE TRUCK AND CANT DRIVE IT. PLEASE HELP US. *TR

THE FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH.I CALLED TOYOTA THEY SAID THEY SENT A RECALL.I TOLD THEM I DIDN'T RECEIVE ONE.THEY SAID IT WAS NOT THERE FAULT.IT WAS THE POST OFFICE FAULT.I CAN'T HAVE ANY WORK DONE ON THE TRUCK BECAUSE OF THE RUST.I DON'T HAVE A LOT OF MONEY I EXPECTED THIS TRUCK TO LAST A WHILE.THEY KNEW THEY WERE MAKING SUBSTANDARD FRAMES.BY JUST LOOKING AT MY FRAME. *TR

I BROUGHT MY 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA IN TO TOYOTA OF NASHUA NEW HAMPSHIRE FOR CONCERNS ABOUT MY FRAME. THEY TOLD ME THE FRAME IS SO BADLY ROTTED IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO THE FACT THAT I DID NOT HAVE THE FRAME UNDERCOATED BY TOYOTA. THE FRAME UNDERCOATING RECALL ENDED 10/11. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS RECALL. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA CORPORATE IN TORRANCE CALIFORNIA. I WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT HELP ME AND ANY FURTHER ESCALATION OF THE MATTER WOULD NEED TO BE "OUTSIDE" OF TOYOTA. THE TRUCK IS NINE YEARS OLD WITH 75K MILES ON IT WITH A VALUE OF ABOUT 8,000 WITH A GOOD FRAME. IT IS WORTHLESS IN THE CURRENT CONDITION AND CANNOT BE DRIVEN. THANK YOU [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

FRAME RUSTED COMPLETELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE NEVER REC'D ANY NOTICE OF RUST PROBLEM. *TR

EXCESSIVE RUST. RECALL TWICE.