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1.2

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
144,018 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1996 Toyota Tacoma body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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1996 Toyota Tacoma Owner Comments

problem #18

Apr 082013

Tacoma

  • 210,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 1996 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that there was excessive rust and corrosion that progressed without warning. The contact took the vehicle to a repair shop where it was rust proofed, but the failure recurred years later on the undercarriage. The vehicle was taken back to a repair shop and the technician stated that they would need to rust proof the vehicle again and weld a plate to prevent holes and the frame from fracturing. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified more than three years ago and provided no remedy. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 210,000.

- Sugarcreek, OH, USA

problem #17

Mar 242015

Tacoma

  • 135,000 miles
The contact owns a 1996 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the front and rear of the vehicle had extensive rust and corrosion on the underbody and framing. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who diagnosed that the framing of the vehicle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 96V129000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.

- Silver City, NM, USA

problem #16

Apr 082015

Tacoma

  • miles
The frame is rusted to the point where the leaf spring mounts are crushing the frame and the frame has holes rusting through.

- Wallkill, NY, USA

problem #15

Aug 192014

Tacoma 6-cyl

  • 175,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle was purchased in November 2013, frame is cracked in the right rear and numerous holes are forming due to the widely known issue of improper corrosion preventative and poor manufacturer quality of materials used and design. Was told by tmc customer service that the "limited service bulletin" had expired and they are not responsible. This should be the last complaint of this known issue as consumers are dying in GM vehicles that the company knew about for 10 years prior. I have owned Toyota all my life, and now the life of my younger sister literally teeters on the cracked frame of her 1996 Toyota liability. I am starting a petition to the white house ( we the people petition site and search Toyota frame recall) and hope that others searching this site and the 222 people who have made complaints will sign it. That is if their truck has not collapsed and killed them. To put a time limit on a safety hazard such as this is disgusting, immoral, and downright intolerable.

- Ansonia, CT, USA

problem #14

Jul 302014

Tacoma

  • 190,000 miles
Frame failure: The frame broke, between the leaf springs, during normal usage. After further inspection, the frame is rusting through in multiple places. Toyota dealership told me 5 years ago that my truck didn't qualify for the Toyota frame rust recall, that it was mostly northern (colder climate) states.

- Gamaliel, KY, USA

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problem #13

Jun 022014

Tacoma 4-cyl

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 1996 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the chassis, framing and sub frame were completely rusted with corrosion to the point of deterioration. The vehicle was taken for an inspection and was not able to pass. The inspection showed that there had been so much corrosion that the parts could potential detach from the framing. The vehicle was to be inspected, diagnosed and repaired by an authorized dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown. Updated 08/11/14 the consumer stated the vehicle did not pass the New York state inspection. No buy back was available. Toyota did not offer any assistance. Updated 08/12/2014

- Oakdale, NY, USA

problem #12

Jun 012011

Tacoma 4-cyl

  • 66,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle taken in for recall undercoating for defective frame. Service advised frame perforated and would not do undercoating. Vehicle past 15-year warranty buy-back program (150% of bluebook) by about two days. No action available. 2014 continued use and attempted servicing. Refused due to frame deterioration. Contacted dealer for cost estimate of frame replacement. Advised by parts that frame was discontinued in 2006 (2006!) and no alternatives available. Vehicle now has 77500 miles on it and in good condition save for the defective frame that is irreparable.

- Madison, WI, USA

problem #11

Nov 012013

Tacoma 6-cyl

  • 220,000 miles
I purchased a one owner 96 Tacoma 4WD truck last month the owner said the truck had completed a frame recall for corrosion in Nov of 2011. After purchasing the truck I had the truck maintenances at my local Toyota dealer. The dealer said the frame has a large hole in it and it has happened since the frame had been treated per the recall. Now I am stuck with a truck that is unsafe to drive due to a shoddy recall job by Toyota. I tried to rectify the issue with tmmi headquarters but they said after 15 years their frames are not guaranteed. Considering it has been less than 2 years since the truck had been treated I think they owe it to either replace the frame or purchase the truck per their agreement. In my opinion just spraying the truck with undercoating inadequately was just covering up the real problem which is the poor quality frames.

- Carlisle, IN, USA

problem #10

Mar 102010

Tacoma 4WD 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
The contact owns a 1996 Toyota Tacoma. The contact noticed cracks near the front area of the sub frame. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and an independent mechanic, both of which detected that the entire frame was completely rusted. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was unavailable. Updated 10/24/13

- Rhinelander, WI, USA

problem #9

May 012013

Tacoma

  • miles
1996 Toyota Tacoma. Consumer writes in regards to severe corrosion and rust on the vehicle rear passenger side frame. Toyota informed the consumer the 15 year warranty had expired, and there was nothing they could do to help.

- Brownstown, MI, USA

problem #8

Nov 012011

Tacoma 2-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

1996 Toyota Tacoma. Attorney writes on behalf of client in regards to a rust corrosion perforation problem the consumer never received a notice stating there was a problem with the vehicle. The consumer learned about the problem in November 2001, and had the vehicle inspected, where it was confirmed that rust was present. The vehicle was inspected and the corrosion problem was found in November 2011, well before the cutoff date. Updated 08/28/12 updated 10/15/12

- Madison, WI, USA

problem #7

Feb 202012

Tacoma

  • Manual transmission
  • 103,000 miles
The contact owns a 1996 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated the vehicle was taken to the dealer for an unknown frame corrosion recall. The dealer inspected the vehicle and stated that the frame was severely corroded. The dealer also stated that the frame could not be replaced or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileages were 103,000. Updated 05/21/12 updated 06/04/12

- Beacon , NY, USA

problem #6

Jan 022012

Tacoma 4WD 6-cyl

  • miles
1996 Toyota Tacoma. Consumer writes in regards to frame rust corrosion the consumer stated he received a letter in the mail regarding frame rust. The consumer made an appointment to have the vehicle inspected. The consumer stated it appeared the dealer never performed any inspection in regards to the frame of his truck. The dealer informed the consumer that everything looked good and there were no major problems and the body shop would treat the frame, by treating any bad sections, then under coat and condition the frame. Two days later, the consumer received a call stating the body shop found a few major problems, and they were unable to continue and Toyota would come and talk to the consumer about a buy back as the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The consumer stated in two days, the vehicle went from being ok to unsafe to drive.

- Falls Church, VA, USA

problem #5

Sep 212011

Tacoma 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 176,000 miles
The contact owns a 1996 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the frame was fractured under the passenger side of the vehicle. The fracture began form the front passenger side of the vehicle to the rear of the passenger side. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and the failure was confirmed but the vehicle was not repaired. The current and failure mileage was 176,000. The consumer was informed that rust had perforated the frame of the vehicle in several places and the vehicle was not safe to drive. Updated 03/14/12

- Kenosha, WI, USA

problem #4

Sep 122011

Tacoma 4-cyl

  • 260,325 miles
There is an actual hole rusted through the structural frame of the truck. In December of 2010, while inside of the 15 year warranty period, Toyota claimed there was no rust on the frame of the vehicle other than "surface rust." In September of 2011, after the 15 year warranty had expired, Toyota claimed there was rust, corrosion, and an actual hole in the frame of the vehicle. Toyota is claiming to have issued a voluntary recall for their rusted frames, but is passing the frames until they are just outside of their 15 year warranty period and then failing them. There is no excuse for having steel rust completely through on the frame of a vehicle that has been cared for and maintained. It is a safety hazard, and it is amazing to think that these vehicles could break in half while on the highway at high speed. Toyota needs to step up and take responsibility for their subcontracters cutting corners during the manufacturing process. Their self-imposed programs are not extensive enough, federal penalties need to be enacted. Thank you.

- Loveland, OH, USA

problem #3

Jan 142008

Tacoma 4WD 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 665,000 miles
Toyota Tacoma 1996 has extreme frame rust making vehicle unsafe.

- Woodstock, NY, USA

problem #2

Sep 252007

Tacoma 4WD 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 262,000 miles
Premature frame deterioration. Engine is good and still gets 24 mpg, no oil burning. Rear frame over tires failed and had to be welded with new frame pieces. Both sides. About 5 months later, could not register vehicle due to additional, unrepairable frame failures. Repair shop said he has welded about 100 Toyota Tacoma trucks. Known to have premature failures in the chasis.

- Sunapee, NH, USA

problem #1

Jun 102007

Tacoma

  • miles
Severly rusted frame.

- Bradford, NH, USA

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