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Toyota Tacoma

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Toyota Tacoma • Consumer complaints • Transmission failure • Safety interlock failure • Spontaneous starting • Misc. failings --- News • NHTSA Ends Toyota Tacoma Investigation • Toyota Resists Possible Tacoma Recall

The Tacoma is putting a big dent in American automakers' truck sales but it's also putting a big ugly dent in Toyota's reputation for quality, reliability and service. The trucks are plagued by engine and transmission problems as well as an assortment of defects and quirks that we don't usually associate with Japanese cars and trucks.

Here are some of the more recent complaints:

Donald of Mansfield, MA November 16, 2006

Donald of Mansfield MA (11/16/06)
This is the second complaint I have contacted you about. The first involved the crank shaft in my 1996 Toytota Tacoma. After that the harmonized balancer. Four days ago the fly wheel broke. Everyone I've spoken to, including all machanics and Toyota Corporation has said these problems are highly unusual for this model, year and vehicle. I have been extremely diligent with the maintenance and upkeep of this vehicle. It looks and runs like new(most of the time). I think the engine of my truck was flawed from the start and the dealer(Atlantic Toyota of Lynn, Mass)who sold it to me knew from the begining. I have to get at least another year or two out of it, but once I start to seek a replacement I don't know which brand to switch to, if at all. They're all potential financial black holes, new or used.

Terry of Peyton, CO November 1, 2006

Terry of Peyton CO (11/01/06)
Had my 2002 Tacoma in five times for a rattle in the dash. It is rattling worse than ever but, now it's out of warranty and they won't fix it. I've also gone through four sets of brake rotors and two sets of brake drums. I hate my truck!

I have spent over 900 on my brakes and they still don't work properly.

Joe of Bremerton, WA September 30, 2006

Joe of Bremerton WA (09/30/06)
2001 Tacoma clutch spring and bushing replaced in 2004. Has been bad and getting worse. Went to have it repaired and told service advisor exactly what the problem was and had historical data on their computer about previous problem with clutch bushing, and he charged me 97 to diagnose and wanted 350 to fix it again.

Michael of Roseville, CA July 27, 2006

Michael Berg of Roseville CA (07/27/06)
On July 20, 2006 while driving to work in the morning, without any warning, my Toyota Tacoma Double Cab TRD 4wheel drive truck engine rod broke. I immediately got to the side of the highway and called for a tow truck, which I directed to the nearest Toyota Dealership Service Department. The CHP Freeway Service Patrol truck arrived first, and visually inspected the fluid draining from the bottom of my engine and said I blew my transmission because the fluid was transmission fluid. The AAA truck arrived minutes later and the driver said the same thing, Looks like you blew your trannie.

When I got to the service center, the service attendant also stated that he thought my front transmission blew, but when he started the engine it was obvious that the rod had blown and he immediately changed his opinion about the kind of fluid that was draining from my vehicle, directed me to the service representative, Doug Sullivan, who wrote up an estimate of 6500 to repair the motor. Later that day Doug called and confirmed that the motor needed repair because the rod broke and needed to replace the short block, the rod and piston.

The next day, he indicated that the repair would need to include valve replacements and as long as they were in there, they should replace the timing belt and a few other things that would be due at my next scheduled service. The estimate now was up to 8,200. I had just completed a 75,000 mile Service; my mileage at breakdown was 79,405 miles. I purchased a 7/75,000 extended warranty when I purchased the vehicle, which they confirmed they could not apply to this problem.

I inquired about what could have caused this to happen, given that I have faithfully changed oil and completed all suggested service maintenances. I also requested Toyota to cover the costs of this repair since it is not a result of neglect on my part and unreasonable for a rod to break at 79,405 miles unless there is a defective part.

Doug did request relief for my bill and Toyota paid 50% of the parts, and required the dealership to pick up 25% of the labor. In the end, my bill was 5,238.58!! I am registering this complaint because I believe Toyota should cover the cost of the repair, because the repair mechanics indicated the engine was very clean, well maintained and could find no reason for the rod to break. We requested Doug, with whom I have no complaint, to contact Toyota Corporation and speak on our behalf.

 He agreed to save the parts for a Toyota Engineer to examine... that he comes about twice each month. I'm still waiting. The cashier was inappropriate. Her comment to me was congratulations, you have the highest bill today! Not funny. It will take me a very long time to replace the 5,238.58.

Matthew of Ellijay, GA July 1, 2006

Matthew of Ellijay GA (07/01/06)
Broken crankshaft pulley bolt on a Toyota 2004 Tocoma with just over 62,000 miles.

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