8.2

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
4,500 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.

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1996 Toyota Tacoma suspension problems

suspension problem

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1996 Toyota Tacoma Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #22

Mar 232004

Tacoma 4WD 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 79,000 miles

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

Right side rear leaf spring broke in half at 79,000 miles. Rodland Toyota in everett, wa. Stated this is not covered under the extended warranty. The service department did not mention this as a known problem. No offers were extended to correct the defect. No mention was made when I purchased the truck 6 months ago (Oct. 03). Truck was said to be in excellent condition.

- Lake Stevens, WA, USA

problem #21

Nov 101996

Tacoma 4WD 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 20,000 miles
Faulty speedometer. Front end suspension faulty, leaf spring noise.

- Lenoir, NC, USA

problem #20

Jan 152001

Tacoma 4WD

  • miles
It appears to me that Toyota has used a bad quality spring steel not only have my cracked but so have evreyone that I have talk to. The salvage yard has told me that as soon as they get some in that are not cracked they are sold fast, I was told by two difrent spring service companys in town that all the Tacoma springs crack what is this am I the first person to report this the danger here is if the center leaf falls out like mine did it could stab the tires and cause one heck of a accident, I always loved my Toyota but come on a cracked leaf spring and they want $375 each for them at a spring shop lord knows what Toyota getting. Thank you mark gianopoulos.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #19

Sep 012001

Tacoma

  • miles

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

While making turns tires were rubbing. A private repair shop examined vehicle, and determined that right rear leaf spring broke. Please provide any additional information / attachments.

- Stamping Ground, KY, USA

problem #18

Aug 272001

(reported on)

Tacoma 4WD

  • miles
Right rear spring is broken, I had it fixed once before at an indipendent repair shop. This is a known problem with Toyota rear springs I would like to know what the NHTSA is doing about it since it is a safety problem.

- New Bedford, MA, USA

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problem #17

May 012001

Tacoma 4WD

  • miles
I have heard a noise in rear for some time. I discovered recently that the middle of right rear leaf spring was popped out and rubbing the shock. No used part can be found and new part very unaffordable considering $5000 left owing on 18000 for the vehicle. Work for local tag office and have heard many similiar reports on same part. Reports came from individuals, mechanics, and dealers.

- Lenoir, NC, USA

problem #16

May 202001

Tacoma

  • miles

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

Rear middle leaf spring broke in half, causeing vehicle to vibrate when driving.

- Springville, ME, USA

problem #15

Apr 042001

(reported on)

Tacoma

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Right rear leaf spring snapped while driving, causing it to swing out of assembly, which could have gotten caught on brake line or caused a tire to blowout.

- West Nottingham, NH, USA

problem #14

Oct 022000

Tacoma

  • miles
Vehicle experienced broken leaf spring due to weight of truck bed and undercarriage, an ex-technician stated that this vehicle along with 1995-1997 models were made with passenger car suspensions.

- Cornwall, NY, USA

problem #13

Mar 012001

(reported on)

Tacoma

  • miles
Both rear leaf springs broke, causing spring to cut into brake line.

- Waterville, MO, USA

problem #12

Oct 022000

Tacoma

  • miles

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

Both rear springs failed. Nlm

- Cornwall, NY, USA

problem #11

Nov 281999

Tacoma 4WD

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Rear leaf springs failed at 80,000 miles, causing a gash into tire. Mechanic stated that Toyota was sending a spring with 4 leafs instead of three. Apparently installed with wrong leafs. Consumer states that prior to new springs, vehicle rocked and rolled and was very unstable, mechanic installed a clamp on the broken spring, however the spring gradually worked its way under the clamp cuasing the broken leaf to swing out into the tire.

- Monroe, NY, USA

problem #10

Aug 232000

Tacoma

  • miles
Both driver's side and passenger side rear leaf springs hav developed cracks. Vehicle has three leaf springs. Consumer noted a tsb to upgrade leaf springs from three to four. Manufacturer and dealer refused to correct the tsb.

- Bluford, IL, USA

problem #9

Jun 042000

Tacoma 4WD

  • miles
Calle D Toyota sales to report complaint. I was informed that manufacturer was aware of the defect in the rear suspension and has began correct it with a stronger leaf spring later in 1996. Even though they are aware of the defect they are not issuing a recall.

- Lynchburg, VA, USA

problem #8

Jun 042000

Tacoma 4WD

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
While traveling at highway speed at 65 mph rear leaf spring broke. Vehicle taken to independent repair shop which informed consumer that both rear leaf springs had to be replaced because manufacturer had redesigned the rear leaf spring assembly.

- Lynchbury, VA, USA

problem #7

May 182000

(reported on)

Tacoma

  • miles
Rear leaf springs broke on both sides of vehicle. Consumer has contacted the dealer.

- Somers, MT, USA

problem #6

May 022000

Tacoma

  • miles
Both rear springs broke, causing noise in the rear part of the vehicle which may cause a loss of vehicle control. Common problem.

- Pewee Valley, KY, USA

problem #5

Mar 242000

Tacoma 4WD

  • miles
Contacted dealer, the service department stated they couldn't help me because the truck was out of warranty. Steve in service said he had no idea how much it would cost to repair my truck, he said he would transfer me to parts at which point we were disconnected. I contacted the dealer's parts department on my own and found that the part numbers had been changed from the originals whic denotes a change. Further investigation revealed that Toyota issued a service bulletin ( #SU00197) denoting a change of the rear leaf springs in relation to ride comfort. There were two other bulletins (#com0401K) relating to rear spring squeaks and (TC96018) relating to cracked frames. Why would the dealer that I purchased the vehicle from not know this or attempt to find it since it certianly is a saftey factor. The manufacturer's warranty is 36/month/36000 comprehensive and 5 year/60,000 miles on the powertrain.

- Stamford, CT, USA

problem #4

Dec 301999

(reported on)

Tacoma 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
There was a squeaking noise present due to the rear leaf spring breaking. Dealer replaced the 3 leaf spring with a 4 leaf spring.

- Manchester, KY, USA

problem #3

Jan 011997

Tacoma 4WD

  • miles
Left & right rear leaf springs have broken in half. Dealer has admitted that they are having a problem with these. They agreed to split the cost with me 50-50. However, I feel there needs to be a recall on this item. I know of 3 other people that have had this same problem that live here in the salem/bloomington area. The failure date/milage I listed is incorect.. since I have no idea when the springs actually broke... I noticed it while looking for a squeeking noise I was hearing. Thanks!

- Salem, IN, USA

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