2000 TOYOTA TACOMA Recalls, Complaints & Safety

Broken frame due to rust

Vehicle will not pass safety inspection due to severe deterioration of the frame. The rest of the vehicle is still intact and operable.

The frame is rusted and I don't feel safe driving it at highway speeds. The electrical system The horn, air bags and radio don't work. Toyota said they had a program to repair the frame but they no longer honor it

The Frame of the truck in the back above the rear tire has rusted out and the Frame has broke.

I was recently told my a service center that the frame has great corrosion and is unsafe to drive. I am now aware of past warranty extensions for this matter but Toyota will offer nothing because for my year, this warranty coverage extension is expired. My year was also not part of the recent class action settlement with Toyota vehicles having rusted frames for later models (2004+). I'm left with a decent truck that is useless now. I don't understand why a rusted frame that could crack or break would not constitute a safety recall, which I understand does not expire like their well played warranty extension. It is evident my problem is what has been experienced by many others and just because their extended warranty has expired, does not mean the issue was not caused by their defective manufacturing. It is a matter of timing, and our safety. We had taken the truck for service as a Toyota dealer in late 2008, when the program was active, and they did not mention it and maybe there was no rust. Between 2008 and 2015 when it expired, service was not performed at a dealership and still nobody mentioned it. The truck has lived in NC until 2011 and Ohio (snow) from 2011 - 2018 and now back in NC. We had it at a Toyota dealership in 2019 and nothing mentioned. My husband was driving this truck on the freeway every week day for 50 miles round trip to work until last year. I was driving this truck within the past few weeks and was having service performed when my service center mentioned this and said I should not put any more money into it until a frame evaluation is conducted. I have not yet had the frame inspected by a frame shop or dealership as I attempted to ask Toyota pay for this to no avail. I'm currently awaiting a callback from a supervisor next Monday 11/14 after being denied any assistance by Toyota. It is well documented that trucks can last for several hundred thousand miles. A rusted frame at 167,000+ mi that can break at any time is a major safety concern.

Frame badly Rotted Purchased used, previous owner stated Frame recall/inspection was preformed Advertised on CL as NO ROT Frame is so bad it can not be safely driven

Owned Toyota Tacoma since 2005...recently took vehicle for muffler repair and discovered my frame was rusted out and in an unsafe condition, when I contacted Toyota @ customer assistance center they advised me that jy vehicle was too old to be covered by ant warranty...they also stated that they had contacted me about the defective steel used on these trucks....I have no proof of any notification, nor any recall of such notice Trucks like mine are still on the road with no problems, NOT MINE.....defective steel, improper rust prevention and lack of notification has left me with a vehicle I cannot drive, sell or repair... My safety and others on the road have been put at risk I would like my truck to get fixed and or compensated for the loss Toyota should stand by my vehicle ( in which they used substandard defective steel) regardless of any time factor. Courts have already determined their negligence....my vehicle should be included in this settlement

The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that he received a recall notification for an unknown safety recall. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer who inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that the vehicle did not need the recall repair at the time. The contact stated upon taking the vehicle to the independent mechanic for a repair, he was informed that the entire subframe was corroded. The dealer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact that they could not assist as the vehicle was not included in a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

RUSTED FRAME WITH HOLES THROUGHOUT THE FRAME. NOT DEEMED SAFE TO DRIVE. DEALER WILL NOT EVEN DO AN OIL CHANGE. ALREADY CONTACTED TOYOTA. THEY WILL NOT DENY THE CLAIM IN WRITING (ONLY BY PHONE) BECAUSE THEY SAID THERE'S NOTHING TO DENY. ONLY SENT A CASE NUMBER

AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OR OPEN CIRCUIT CAN CAUSE A FAULT IN THE GENUINE TOYOTA TRAILER TOWING WIRE HARNESS CONVERTER WHICH CAN CAUSE A FAILURE OF THE CONVERTER, AND IF A TRAILER IS BEING TOWED AT THE TIME, NON OPERATION OF THE TRAILER LIGHTS, IN LIMITED CASES, THE CONVERTER HOUSING COULD BECOME HEAT DEFORMED,,,, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THIS FAULT MAY CAUSE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ACTIVATE,,,,, THIS SITUATION USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS ,HIGHWAY TURNING ETC, ,E.J.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS SON WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE STRUCK THE PAVEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO VANN YORK TOYOTA (500 EASTCHESTER DR, HIGH POINT, NC 27262) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO A LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR A RECALL REPAIR FOR VERIFYING IF THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE REPAIR WAS DONE BETWEEN 2010 AND 2013. THE UNKNOWN DEALER SPRAYED THE FRAME WITH AN UNDERCOAT AFTER INSURING THAT IT WAS NOT RUSTED. THE UNDERCOAT WAS SUPPOSED TO PROTECT FRAME FROM ANY FUTURE RUSTING. THE FRAME WAS NOT RUSTED PRIOR TO THE COATING BEING APPLIED. THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE THAT THE FRAME STARTED TO RUST WHILE WASHING THE VEHICLE AT UNDER THE REAR FENDER WELLS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE SUBFRAME. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.*DT*JB

FRAME CRACKED ON DRIVER SIDE OF TRUCK. UPON INSPECTION THE ENTIRE FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS GETTING THE TIRES CHANGED, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A BODY SHOP AND WAS INFORMED OF AN UNKNOWN RECALL REGARDING THE RUST ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED MIKE JOHNSON'S HICKORY TOYOTA (LOCATED AT 435 US HIGHWAY 70 SE, HICKORY, NC 28602, 828-330-9538) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR WAS ONCE COVERED UNDER A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM THAT ADVISED DEALERS TO COAT THE FRAME WITH A RUST COATING TO PREVENT RUST FROM FORMING. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED WHAT THE DEALER STATED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. *LN*JB

TL* THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTO ZONE WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE O2 SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT'S FRIEND WAS REPAIRING THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED RUST ON THE BOTTOM OF THE FRAME. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S FRIEND WAS UNABLE TO TIGHTEN THE SENSOR COMPLETELY, WHICH CAUSED FUMES TO ENTER THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING. THE CONTACT CALLED LOU FUSZ TOYOTA (LOCATED AT 10725 MANCHESTER RD, KIRKWOOD, MO 63122, (314) 966-5404). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

HORN NOT FUNCTIONING AND FUSES ARE ALL GOOD ! AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE 2006 WILL NOT GO OFF !

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME OF THE CHASSIS WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

I HAVE A 2000 TOYOTA TACOMA, FRAME IS SO RUSTED ITS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. TOYOTA SAYS THEY CANT DO ANYTHING TO RESOLVE ISSUE. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE!!! TOYOTA NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THERE MISTAKES, AND FIX THESE RECALL ISSUES BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT!! I HAVE BOUGHT TOYOTA'S ALL MY LIFE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES UNTIL NOW, THESE RUSTY FRAMES ARE UNACCEPTABLE!!!

I BROUGHT MY TACOMA TO MY MECHANIC FOR A POWER STEERING LEAK. MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT WHILE TRYING TO LIFT THE VEHICLE, THE FRAME STARTED TO CRUMBLE AS IT WAS COMPROMISED BY CORROSION. HE IMMEDIATELY LOWERED THE TRUCK AND DEEMED IT UNSAFE TO OPERATE. HE MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE AND A RECALL ON THE FRAMES AS THEY WERE PRONE TO CORROSION AND FAILURE. I THEN CONTACTED TOYOTA AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED AND THEY WOULD DO NOTHING FOR MY VEHICLE. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE POTENTIAL RISK OF FRAME FAILURE, NOR WAS I AWARE OF THE RECALL AND IT'S EXPIRATION. I NOW HAVE A TRUCK WITH ONLY 175K MILES THAT WAS WELL MAINTAINED, AND DUE TO TOYOTA'S POOR QUALITY STEEL IS NOW WORTHLESS. HOW TOYOTA CAN PLACE A LIMITATION ON A SERIOUS SAFETY RECALL IS BEYOND ME, BUT THAT IS WHAT THEY HAVE DONE.

FRAME CORROSION SAFETY RECALL OCT 24 2011. DEALERSHIP APPLIED CORROSION TREATMENT THAT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. PASSENGER SIDE REAR FRAME CORROSION HAS CAUSED SHOCK MOUNT TO BREAK OFF CAUSING VEHICLE INSTABILITY. OTHER SECTION OF FRAME ALSO COMPROMISED BY CORROSION IN SPITE OF DEALERSHIP OK.

FRAME RUSTED INTO PIECES AND BROKE OFF WAS NOW INFORMED THERE WAS A RECALL ABOUT IT .I WAS NOT INFORMED. DROVE INTO DITCH .TOWED HOME AND WELDED BACK TOGETHER FOR NOW .

Crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT DETACHED AND CAUSED THE TIRE TO BLOW OUT. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 270,000.

AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE FOR A RUSTED FRAME IN 2008 OUR 2000 TACOMA WAS INSPECTED AND SAID TO BE OK. RECENTLY THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING NOISE IN THE REAR END, SO WE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, WHO INFORMED US THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT RUST TO THE FRAME AND THE BACK SUSPENSION MOUNT WAS COMPLETELY DETACHED, LEAVING THE TRUCK UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE INITAL NOISE WAS NOTICED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A HIGHWAY.

TAKATA RECALL HAD RECEIVED RECALL LETTER BUT LOST NOW THEY SAY THERE'S NO RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE?

THE WHOLE FRAME IS ROTTING OUT WITH PERFORATION OF THE METAL, IT'S FALLING APART. I'M ABLE TO POKE HOLES IN THE FRAME WITH MY FINGER AND THE RUST GOES ALONG THE WHOLE WELD LINE DOWN THE FRAME ON THE UNDERSIDE AS WELL AS HOLES THROUGHOUT THE SIDES OF THE FRAME.

2000 TOYOTA TACOMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE RUST PROBLEMS. *SMD *CN

2000 TOYOTA TACOMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TOYOTAS RUST RECALL. *LD CONSUMER SENT ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENCE. *LD

THE FRAME RUSTED THROUGH DUE TO DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING CAUSING TRUCK TO BEND LIKE A BANANA AND POSING A GREAT SAFETY HAZARD. WHEN IN MOTION THE DANGER IS THAT THE PICKUP COULD VEER IN ANY DIRECTION, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL AND LEAVE THE ROAD OR CROSS INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. HAPPENED OVER YEARS; DISCOVERED 3/29/17

MY TACOMA WAS BROUGHT TO TOYOTAWORLD NEWARK IN NOV. 2011 FOR A RUST PROBLEM AND THEY COATED THE FRAME WITH CORROSION PREVENTIVE COMPOUND AND PROMISED THAT THE COATING WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. IN NOV. 2015 IT WAS BROUGHT IN AGAIN BECAUSE RUST WAS PRESENT. DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 3 MONTHS (TOYOTA KNEW MY VIN, YET DID NOT NOTIFY) TOYOTA NEVER RECALLED 1995-2004 TACOMAS EVEN THOUGH THEY BOUGHT BACK AND CONDUCTED FRAME REPAIRS ON SOME VEHICLES THROUGH THOSE YEARS. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN MAY 2017. THERE WAS SOME RUST BUT IT DIDN'T LOOK LIKE IT WAS THAT BAD. LAST WEEK I NOTIICED 2 CRACKS IN THE FRAME, ONE ON THE LEFT FRAME AND ONE ON THE RIGHT FRAME. I TOOK IT TO SHORE TOYOTA IN NJ AND THEY SAID IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY (BECAUSE WORK WAS DONE IN 2011 AND THE 15 YEAR WARRANTY APPLIED FROM THE TIME RUST WAS AN ISSUE) AND THEY WOULD CALL ME ABOUT A RENTAL CAR THE NEXT DAY. WHEN THEY DIDN'T CALL, I CALLED THEM AND THEY SAID IT WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY. I ASKED IF THEY WOULD GIVE ME AN ESTIMATE AND I WANTED TO HAVE MY TACOMA FIXED THERE. THEY NEVER CALLED BACK. AGAIN I CALLED TO FOLLOW UP. LARRY, THE SERVICE MANAGER, SAID THAT IT WAS INSPECTED, THEY WOULDN'T FIX IT, AND IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I WROTE ON THEIR SERVICE INVOICE THAT 'SHORE TOYOTA REFUSED TO DO WORK ON FRAME WHEN I OFFERED TO PAY OUT-OF-POCKET.' WHEN I ASKED FOR A PHOTOCOPY OF THE INVOICE, THEY REFUSED. COMPLAINED TO TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE CASE#1803132713. SUPERVISOR DID NOT RETURN MY CALL.BOTTOM LINE: I'VE BEEN DRIVING IN A VEHICLE THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF ME AND MY LOVED ONES. TOYOTA KNOWS THAT THE FRAMES OF THEIR 1994-2004 VEHICLES (800,000 OF THEM) ARE DEFECTIVE. YET, TOYOTA HAS NEVER RECALLED THESE VEHICLES. THEY SHOULD BE REPAIRED, BOUGHT BACK, OR REPLACED BY TOYOTA. HOW MANY INDIVIDUALS WILL HAVE TO BE INJURED OR DIE BECAUSE THIS PROBLEM IS NOT ADDRESSED?

I RECEIVED A LETTER AROUND 2008 REGARDING FRAME ISSUES WITH MY 2000 TOYOTA TACOMA. TOOK IT TO METRO TOYOTA IN KALAMAZOO, MI TO INSPECT IT AND THEY SAID IT WAS OK. YEARS LATER, I SEE THAT THE FRAME ROTTED NEAR THE LEAF SPRING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE.

MY TOYOTA TACOMA WAS ON A LIFT, AND EXTENSIVE RUSTING OF THE FRAME WAS NOTICED, INCLUDING TWO HOLES (ONE PASSENGER SIDE, ONE DRIVER SIDE) ANTERIOR TO THE REAR WHEELS. I STOPPED BY THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY GAVE ME THE NUMBER OF TOYOTA CUSTOMER CARE. TOYOTA CUSTOMER CARE TOLD ME THEIR WAS A RECALL THAT ENDED IN 2011. WHEN I TOLD THEM I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AND THAT I WAS THE ORIGINAL OWNER LIVING AT THE SAME ADDRESS FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS, I WAS TOLD THE SOMETIMES THEY NOTIFY THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES! TO ME AT LEAST, THIS IS "PASSING THE BUCK," SHIRKING THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. I WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER, AND I EMAILED THE CEO OF TOYOTA NORTH AMERICA. I HAVE NOT AS YET HEARD A RESPONSE, AS IT IS THE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS. I PLAN TO PURSUE THIS WITH MY ATTORNEY. THERE SHOULD BE NOT "STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS" ON SAFETY.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE STATIONARY, THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE BECAME SEVERELY RUSTED AND CORRODED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC NOTICED HOLES IN THE FRAME AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE DUE TO THE REAR AXLE BECOMING LOOSE ENOUGH TO POTENTIALLY FRACTURE. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CASE NUMBER: 1710310166. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN HAD EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 119,000. *TT

THE FRAME IS RUSTED TO THE POINT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE 140,000 MILES ON VEHICLE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND BRAKES FAILED. ALSO, THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED AND THE BUMPER DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE TOYOTA OF THE DESERT DEALER (LOCATED AT 68105 KYLE ROAD, CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA 92234; 760-328-0871) WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF ALL THE REPAIRS THAT WERE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-331-4331 AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,124.

MY FRAME IS RUSTED REALLY BAD AND MY FRONT MOTOR MONT IS RUSTED AWAY

FRAME RUST RECALL. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE. I TALKED WITH THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT THE CORPORATE OFFICE IN CALIFORNIA AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICE TO MY ADDRESS. THE UPPER LEVEL MANAGEMENT DENIED MY RIGHT TO HAVE THE TRUCK FIXED. I HAVE SPENT 1400.00 DOLLARS TO FIX AND KEEP THE TRUCK ON THE ROAD SAFELY. THE RECALL ENDED EARLY WITHOUT NOTICE. I HAVE RECEIPTS FROM MY DEALERSHIP OF THE REPAIR. IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION WHEN ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WAS BEING PERFORMED. THAT STARTED MY INQUIRY WITH TOYOTA.