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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:

Darron of Merrimack, NH March 8, 2009

Darron of Merrimack NH (03/08/09)
I own a 2002 Toyota Tacoma, 4WD double cab limited edition truck with just under 33,500 miles and Toyota failed the NH state inspection due to frame rot. Toyota found at least one hole in the frame and has only offered me a frame replacement. Toyota offered 150% Kelly blue book value in a buy back program for 1995-2000 Tacoma owners with this same problem but not to those of us with newer Tacomas. The following link from Toyota even states in most cases it may be determined that the best course of action will be to repurchase the vehicle. This is due to the invasive nature of reparing or replacing the frame.

Toyota is providing a 15 year extended warranty on the new frame and some other things touched during the frame replacement (nuts, bolts, etc..) but they aren't including anything else. I've been told if I drive off the lot and I have a problem with the 4 WD system it would have to be proven that the work done to my vehicle was the direct cause and Toyota would be the only one who could determine that. So, while the entire frame of my vehicle is rusted and Toyota is torching and smashing at the rusted parts to get it apart, they're taking no responsibility for any problem which may result from that invasive work.

I found documentation on the web from another Tacoma owner and he stated the final paperwork showed the frame replacment cost Toyota ~14,000.00 so I called my Toyota dealer and they confirmed it did cost that much. The trade in value on my Tacoma is 14,000.00 at best now that it's having a frame replacement and Toyota feels it's best to invest 14,000.00 into my vehicle and potentially cause many more problems down the road which they may not (most likely won't) cover.

The consequences of having my frame replaced will significantly devalue my truck. I've spoken with several people who are interested in purchasing a truck but none are willing to pay the KBB value on a truck that's had a frame replacement. Toyota should be offering the same buy back program to newer Tacoma owners that it offered to 1995-2000 Tacoma owners.

Toby of Beech Creek, PA March 6, 2009

Toby of Beech Creek PA (03/06/09)
Im an Owner of a 1999 Toyota Tacoma, Never had a problem with it. Im only 20 years old so as you can imagine it goes to the mountain and gets muddy! It has 2 1/2 sus. lift and 3 inch body lift. I have 3 friends that own tacomas and they have yet to have any problems. I love Toyotas and will never switch to another Make! Keep doing what your doing Toyota!

Erin of Soo, MI March 5, 2009

Erin of Soo MI (03/05/09)
I also purchased my 2005 Tacoma in Nov 2005. I have had the dealer fix the leaf springs with pads 2Xs after I noticed it squeeking like an old truck...6 months after purchase! It still bottoms out on small frost heaves and bumps. It's very frustrating. Recently, one of the gas cap door hinges rusted totally through and broke off. I was extremely disappointed. Looking under this truck, you wouldn't know it is 3.5 years old. It squeeks and is just junk.

We have had to have the drivers seat repaired because of springs sticking through and we need to bring it back to the dealer again for the same issues because of a different spring puncturing the seat cover. My husband is so ready to get this thing off our hands before our extended warranty runs out. First and last Toyota EVER! Actually my father in law's truck was part of the recall. not impressed!

Clay of Waurika, OK February 27, 2009

Clay of Waurika OK (02/27/09)
I have a 2005 Toyota Tacoma and the motor mount frame has broken. They recalled the 2004. As of right now what toyota company has told me they will not recall the 2005 until they recieve multiple complaints for the same reason. I have called around to some people and they are having the same problems. I need some help with this problem, I dont seem to be getting anybody attention on this, and I have invested lost of money in this particular vehicle. Thank you

Kerry of Huntington Beach, CA February 24, 2009

Kerry of Huntington Beach CA (02/24/09)
I have received a letter from Toyota Motor Co. along with 814,000 other owners of Toyota Tacomas built between 1995-2000 stating that our frame rust warrany has been extended for 15 years from date of original purchase as a result of a frame rust because a process that was not done by the frame supplier to Toyota. (I am the original owner of this 1999 vehicle with 44,xxx miles and no accidents and a clean title.) If frame is found to have rust Toyota Motor Co. will buyback vehicle at 150% of highest KBB retail value. Toyota expects to buyback approx. 50% of vehicles still on the road. Most of these vehicles will be from the Central and Northeastern parts of the US but they have been bought back vehicles in all parts of the nation including California. This campaign began in mid-2008.

 So now I have a vehicle that has some surface rust on the frame but not enough to warrant the buyback program at this time but in the mean time while the frame rusts into the Toyota buyback standards my KBB value decreases, I drive around a vehicle with compromised frame integerty in the event of an accident, and no one wants to buy my vehicle because it has this latent problem now well established/distributed throughout the media.

Safety issue. Fear of driving and me knowing there is a established problem per Toyoya putting myself and passengers in danger. I feel responsible if/when selling it to someone disclosing what I have learned about the defect and a potential buyer.

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