I own a Toyota Tacoma, 1998 model. One of the rear leaf springs broke. Part of it shifted sideways in its location and began to puncture the fuel tank. Upon searching for a replacement on the used market, I learned that number one, all of these Tacoma develop broken leaf springs, and number two, all used springs have been absorbed to repair broken ones on trucks still in use. Number three, Toyota changed the configuration of the rear spring assembly from a three leaf to a four leaf assembly to try to deal with the problem, but made the retrofit a cost borne by the consumer. Even a parts employee of a Toyota dealership agreed that Toyota should have had a recall of the Tacoma for defective leaf spring design/engineering. The breakage creates an unstable suspension subject to loss of control and if the spring shifts sideways does puncture the fuel tank.

- Mars Hill, NC, USA

Driver's side rear leaf spring broke last year. I had it repaired/replaced at a local spring shop. Now the same spring on passenger side has broke at the same place. This affects handling of vehicle and leaves the spring hanging by a factory clamp which if it breaks the rest of the way could cause accident.

- Pottstown, PA, USA

1. front wheel alignment shifts under load(in spec) as much as 1/4 in. This toe out causes excessive and dangerous tire wear. Tires came apart after 3000 mi. The vehicle is hard to control with toe out of this magnitude. I have to get the alignment done with a load in the truck to be able to safely steer it and get some respectable tire wear. God save an unsuspecting driver! 2. rear springs bottom out "hard" causing the vehicle to jump. The rear spring bumper to axle housing space is 1 in. (with load). Toyota says "don't load it, it's not really a truck! these two items make this vehicle tricky to drive and is setting drivers up for a real road test.

- Wickenburg, AZ, USA