NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Engine
525.0%
Connecting
315.0%
FAN
315.0%
Buckle Assembly
210.0%
Frame AND Members
210.0%
Manual Transmission
210.0%
Automatic Transmission
210.0%
Tank Assembly
15.0%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
50,000 – 74,999 miles
444.4%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
222.2%
150,000+ miles
333.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
May 1995peak 5Feb 2013
Recalls on the 1991 Toyota Pickup
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
08E050000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
06E026000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
05V389000
STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IF THE STEERING WHEEL IS REPEATEDLY TURNED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS WHERE HIGH STEERING EFFORT AND POWER ASSIST ARE REQUIRED, FOR INSTANCE, WHEN FULLY TURNING THE WHEEL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, A FATIGUE CRACK MAY DEVELOP IN THE STEERING RELAY ROD.
Risk: IF THE VEHICLE IS CONTINUED TO BE OPERATED IN THIS CONDITION, THE RELAY ROD MAY FRACTURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Unknown, DCCrash1 killed
STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING
CONSUMER QUESTION ABOUT TOYOTA STEERING LINKAGES ROD. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW LONG THE MANUFACTURER IS HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE MALFUNCTION OF A PART IF THE DRIVER WAS IN A ACCIDENT AND WAS KILLED.
NHTSA complaint #10226233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 157,000 milesBlairsville, GACrash2 injured
STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 TOYOTA PICKUP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A SAFETY RECALL ON THE RELAY ROD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON A CLEAR DAY THE CONTACT VEERED SLIGHTLY OFF THE ROAD APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE SPUN SIDEWAYS AND ROLLED OVER THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 157,000.
NHTSA complaint #10187552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Macon, GACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DRIVING VEHICLE AT SPEED 50 MPH, APPLIED BRAKES, HAD COMPLETE FAILURE, IMPACT 12:00 POSITION.
NHTSA complaint #982150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tucson, AZCrash2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
VEHICLE SKIDDED WHEN BRAKES APPLIED ON WET ROAD, RESULTING IN ACCIDENT/INJURY. *DSH
NHTSA complaint #485700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
South Milwau, WICrash
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
MANUAL TRANSMISSION SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR, VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN AN INCLINE. TT
NHTSA complaint #974801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 50,000 milesWalworth, NY
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE TRUCK HAS BODY RUST AND EXTENSIVE FRAME RUST MAKING IT UNSAFE.
NHTSA complaint #10498512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 141,000 milesPalm BAY, FL
STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 TOYOTA PICKUP. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AT THE STEERING ROD ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE CONTACTS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V389000 (STEERING: LINKAGES: ROD: RELAY: CONNECTING) AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 143,876.
NHTSA complaint #10352353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 225,000 milesRosebush, MI
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 TOYOTA PICKUP. THE CONTACT FELT VERY HARD VIBRATIONS COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, HE NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS ROTTED OUT AND HANGING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 225,000.
NHTSA complaint #10276996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burlington, KY
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
RUST PROBLEM IN THE REAR OF THE TRUCK. FRAME, BODY, FACTORY INSTALLED HITCH AND FUEL LINES.
NHTSA complaint #10247240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,000 milesMchenry, IL
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 TOYOTA PICKUP. THREE MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONTACT NOTICED EXTREME RUSTING ON THE CHASSIS UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. HE STATED THAT IT WAS SO RUSTED THAT THERE IS STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. THE OIL AND FUEL LINES WERE RUSTED AND FELL OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY PARKED AND UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD SEND OUT A REPRESENTATIVE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, BUT NEVER DID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000. UPDATED 12/5/08 *CN THE OIL PAN HAS A RUST HOLE. UPDATED 12/09/08.
NHTSA complaint #10246841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,000 milesMchenry, IL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 TOYOTA PICKUP. THREE MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONTACT NOTICED EXTREME RUSTING ON THE CHASSIS UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. HE STATED THAT IT WAS SO RUSTED THAT THERE IS STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. THE OIL AND FUEL LINES WERE RUSTED AND FELL OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY PARKED AND UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD SEND OUT A REPRESENTATIVE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, BUT NEVER DID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000. UPDATED 12/5/08 *CN THE OIL PAN HAS A RUST HOLE. UPDATED 12/09/08.
NHTSA complaint #10246841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,000 milesMchenry, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 TOYOTA PICKUP. THREE MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONTACT NOTICED EXTREME RUSTING ON THE CHASSIS UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. HE STATED THAT IT WAS SO RUSTED THAT THERE IS STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. THE OIL AND FUEL LINES WERE RUSTED AND FELL OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY PARKED AND UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD SEND OUT A REPRESENTATIVE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, BUT NEVER DID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000. UPDATED 12/5/08 *CN THE OIL PAN HAS A RUST HOLE. UPDATED 12/09/08.
NHTSA complaint #10246841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tulare, CA
TIRES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 TOYOTA PICKUP. THE VEHICLE HAS UNIROYAL MOHAVE (NA) TIRES, SIZE P205/55/R15 (NA). THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TREAD BEGAN SEPARATING FROM ALL FOUR TIRES. ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE TIRE COMPLETELY BLEW OUT. DURING THE FIRST INCIDENT, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT AND DAMAGED THE VEHICLE. DURING THE SECOND INCIDENT, THE CONTACT FELT THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS DRIVING EXTREMELY ROUGH. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY ROTATED THE TIRES. THEY ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THE TREAD HAD ABNORMAL LESIONS. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECTED THE TIRES AND CONCLUDED THAT THEY WERE MANUFACTURED DEFECTIVELY. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT STILL HAS POSSESSION OF THE TIRES. THE VIN AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10245056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Unknown, DCCrash1 killed
STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING
CONSUMER QUESTION ABOUT TOYOTA STEERING LINKAGES ROD. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW LONG THE MANUFACTURER IS HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE MALFUNCTION OF A PART IF THE DRIVER WAS IN A ACCIDENT AND WAS KILLED.
NHTSA complaint #10226233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 157,000 milesBlairsville, GACrash2 injured
STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 TOYOTA PICKUP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A SAFETY RECALL ON THE RELAY ROD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON A CLEAR DAY THE CONTACT VEERED SLIGHTLY OFF THE ROAD APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE SPUN SIDEWAYS AND ROLLED OVER THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 157,000.
NHTSA complaint #10187552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 156,000 milesPrescott, AZ
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION. THE DEALERSHIP AGREED THERE WAS TREAD SEPARATION. THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS 38. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ON THE DASH ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS KELLY SPRINGFIELD, THE BRAND NAME WAS TRAILCUTTER. *AK UPDATED 8/16/2006 -
NHTSA complaint #10162584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 136,755 milesAlexander, NC
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
FIFTH GEAR STARTED MAKING A LOUD WHIRRING SOUND AT HIGHWAY SPEED. STOPPED USING THE FIFTH GEAR IN FEAR OF FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. AFTER 6-7 MONTHS THIRD GEAR STARTED POPPING OUT WHILE ACCELERATING THROUGH GEARS. HAD THE TRUCK LOOKED, AND WAS TOLD BY THE GARAGE THAT SPECIALIZES IN TOYOTA VEHICLES THAT TOYOTA PICKUPS FROM THE YEARS 1989 TO 1991 WERE NOTORIOUS FOR THIS PROBLEM. I WENT BACK TO TALK TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS ASKED WHAT IT WAS DOING. I HAD STARTED TELLING HIM ABOUT THE FIFTH GEAR NOISE WHEN HE INTERRUPTED ME AND ASKED IF THIRD GEAR WAS GIVING ME PROBLEMS TOO. I TOLD HIM YES. HE ASKED IF IT WOULD EVEN STAY IN GEAR ANYMORE,, AND I TOLD HIM NO, WHICH INDEED WAS THE PROBLEM. THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REBUILT AT A COST OF $1,
NHTSA complaint #10148335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Valley Center, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE RESTART VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE HOUSE. THEN , CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10087133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE FUEL TANK HAS RUSTED, AND IS ALLOWING GASOLINE TO SPRAY OUT WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS VERY UNSAFE WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
NHTSA complaint #10001162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angeles, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
FAN BLOWER SWITCH HAS BURNED OUT 3-4 TIMES IN THE PAST 3 YEARS. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8016018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fayetteville, AR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE AT IDLE WHEN THE THE TRUCK WAS STARTED AND GOT PROGRESSIVELY MORE NOTABLE AND LOUD AS THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN, WHEN CONSUMER LIFTED UP THE HOOD AND LOOKED INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, HE NOTICED THE FAN BLADE THAT WAS WHITE NYLON HAD EXPLODED AND SEVERAL SHARP SHARDS OF THE FAN WERE SHATTERED AND HAD BEEN THROWN THROUGHOUT THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT,CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE HOOD, CONSUMER ORDERED THE FAN BLADE AND INSTALLED IT HIMSELF, HOWEVER FIVE MONTHS LATER VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACT ERRACTICALLY AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #562060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santee, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
EXHAUST VALVES FROM CYL 3 & 6 BER. REPLACED SAME (NOTE: BOTH ARE THE REAR CYLINDERS).
NHTSA complaint #743954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fayetteville, AR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
HAD STARTED VEHICLE ON COLD MORNING WHEN FAN BLADE FOR RADIATOR HAD EXPLODED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. INFORMED CONSUMER THAT FAN CAUSED DAMAGE TO INSIDE OF HOOD & FILTER SYSTEM. ALSO, INFORMED WOULD NEED A NEW OR USED FAN BLADE.
NHTSA complaint #879822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Battle GRO, WA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #525120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Battle GRO, WA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE HESITATION AND STUMBLE CONTINUALLY, SEVERAL REPAIRS TO ENGINE COMPONENTS HOWEVER FAIL TO RECITIFY PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #525120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port Charl, FL
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S DOORS RUSTED/REPLACED TWICE.
NHTSA complaint #538395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Muncie, IN
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE'S SHORT END SEAT BELT BUCKLE, FEMALE END OF THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT, HAS COME APART WHILE TRYING TO ATTACH/CONNECT IT, IT BROKE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND IS ORDERING A NEW ONE. VEHICLE HAS NO WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #824156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Adelphi, MD
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SEAT BELT LATCH WOULD NOT COME UNLATCHED.
NHTSA complaint #520027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Revier, MA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
FUEL LINES ROTTED AT TOP OF GAS TANK, SPILLAGE OCCURRED IN EXCESS OF TEN GALLONS IN APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES AREA.
NHTSA complaint #807232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sierra VIS, AZ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEAD GASKET REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #502323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.