Toyota Tacoma suspension problems

SUSPENSION

My frame of my truck rotted from the inside out and now I don’t qualify for their safety safety program, they only give you enough time and cover it up with a coating so by the time you realized it’s fully rotted through it’s too late.

NHTSA complaint #11758023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Tacoma. While inspecting underneath the vehicle, the contact discovered that the vehicle was only equipped with three leaf springs instead of four. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall for the failure associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint #11756486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

The passenger side lower A arm frame mount broke, due to frame rust. The truck has been taken to Toyota, they had the truck for about 6 weeks and have refused to fix the safety issue.This year model had a recall on the frame, it was taken in for the recall, but the recall has failed. When the lower A arm frame mount broke, I just happened to be in a parking lot. If I had been driving it, I could have killed someone, or could have been killed myself.

NHTSA complaint #11754384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

Car drove fine day before incident, went to drive to water a neighbors plants and noticed a puddle of oil in my garage. Did the shock test by making the rear of the vehicle shake on each side. Rear drivers side shock failed as the vehicle kept bouncing and had no tension when pushing down. Seal between oil reservoir and shock blew and all oil had leaked out. Shock no longer functions, dealer is holding vehicle until a replacement arrives. Dealer confirmed the shocked failed and has ordered the part. It is on a national back order. Can provide a repair invoice once part arrives at dealer, repair is made, and I receive the receipt. I have been waiting for about a month now. Seems like this issue is happening to a lot of owners. In the pictures I am uploading you can see that the shock appears greasy that is from the oil.

NHTSA complaint #11752758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

I am reporting a severe safety hazard on my 2025 Toyota Tacoma caused by incorrect alignment specs and an uncorrected extreme toe setting. On a recent service visit, alignment inspection showed a Total Toe of +1.62 degrees (OEM target is approximately +0.10 degrees). The alignment machine database loaded incorrect tolerance specs (+1.37 to +1.87 degrees displayed as acceptable green range), leading technicians to leave the extreme toe-in completely unadjusted. In less than 2,000 miles of normal driving since a prior inspection, both front tires suffered extreme, rapid toe wear down to the internal cord layer. Operating a vehicle with +1.62 degrees total toe causes severe lateral tire drag and creates an imminent threat of a catastrophic tire blowout at highway speeds, presenting a significant vehicle safety defect.

NHTSA complaint #11751664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while performing a routine engine oil change, extensive corrosion was observed across the entire undercarriage. The severe rust damage fully compromised the vehicle's structural frame, control arms, and several underbody components. The dealer was not notified of the failure, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.

NHTSA complaint #11748620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

2011 Tacoma, 4x4. Leaf spring is broken on the passenger side. 130,000 miles. According to Toyota my vin is not included under recall 14V-604. I do believe this is either an error or deliberate oversight to avoid responsibility. Manufacturer date 05/11 so according to the recall notice it falls within the date range but not the effected Vins.

NHTSA complaint #11741784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

My son was driving the 2000 Toyota Tacoma across very smooth transition railroad tracks at about 25 mph and the right front ball joint failed, collapsing the suspension. He lost all control and the vehicle skidded to a stop. Had he been going any faster, the vehicle could have rolled over. I have reviewed the recalls for Toyota ball joints and found the there is a 50J recall for 2001-2005 Tacomas. Interestingly enough, the trucks/Tacomas from 1995-2000 have the same ball joint but were not included in the recall. I have tried to work with Toyota directly on this matter and they don't seem to want to help me. This is a safety issue and should be elevated to recall levels for all vehicles with this ball joint.

NHTSA complaint #11738782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

2013 Toyota Tacoma rear leaf spring is broken in half 3 leaf set up exactly like the recall up to 2011. Why didn’t the recall go up to 2013. Truck would bottom out easily for years on bumpy back roads

NHTSA complaint #11738012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

*Steering system - tie rod / steering nut lock was loose and discover after alignment service * Loose tie rod nut created a potential safety risk because it involves a steering component related to vehicle control. This could have put me, my passengers, and others drivers at risk if the condition had worsened while driving. *No, the condition has not yet been confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. I noticed abnormal steering/handling, inspected the vehicle myself, and discovered a loose tie rod nut. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. *No the vehicle I available upon request *No

NHTSA complaint #11733479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

the left side inner and outer tie rods pulled apart at threads at jam nut. The threads approx 2 to three inches of threads were 100% rotted. The jam nut showed no sign of being loose. It did not UNTHREAD. No noise or any indication ever of an issue. It happened at 5:15 am. It was dark. I was at best going 1 mph in reverse. If this had happened at road speeds the outcome could have been fatal for someone. For sure a lot of damage. I did not take a picture my bad. I did ask for the parts back but am 99%sure the part I got was not mine.it had a weld on it likely to move vehicle. The inner tie rod Was cut and looking like new, not a part exposed to the elements for 65k miles. I visually compared to other side. I will dissect it when I go to my friends shop. I could be wrong but doubtful. Call if questions. I had an extended warranty so they covered under that or a warranty/campaign? I was a NIASE AND NOW called ASE certified mechanic specializing in front end repair so…I would not knowingly drive cars that have a safety issue that could kill me or anyone. Safety first.

NHTSA complaint #11733180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

2010 Toyota Tacoma with 91K miles have frame corrosion and now has holes. I contacted Toyota motor sales USA, Inc. and informed them why I NEVER received a recalled and they said it was mailed May 2019 and expired in 2022-there’s nothing they can do and if I went to the dealership for my inspections they would of known of the recall instead of going to an independent dealer. I’ve attached current photos showing the extent of corrosion over the years. Unbelievable, the recall should still be open.

NHTSA complaint #11729653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

The rear leaf spring broke on my 2024 Toyota Tacoma at approximately 16,000 miles during normal highway driving. The vehicle drove without issue on the way to my destination. On the return trip, I noticed a creaking sound, loud clunks, particularly when going over bumps or turning, and also increased sway. Given how new the vehicle is, a catastrophic suspension failure was not something I anticipated. The failure was confirmed on February 12th by my authorized Toyota dealer, Toyota of Muskegon in Muskegon, MI as a manufacturer defect. The vehicle is currently at the dealership awaiting a replacement part and is available for inspection upon request. A broken leaf spring compromises the structural integrity of the rear suspension, affecting vehicle stability, handling, and control - particularly at highway speeds or during braking. A failed leaf spring can also contact the fuel tank, creating a potential fire hazard. This is a documented risk, as Toyota issued a recall on 790,000 Tacomas from model years 2005–2011 for this same failure. When I called my authorized dealership, the service manager told me to get the truck off the road immediately. Based on my description, he identified it as a likely broken leaf spring and that it was an extremely dangerous situation. He even suggested that I get the truck towed into the dealership. The dealer has documented it as a manufacturer defect and submitted a warranty claim. A replacement part has been ordered but is currently on an extended backorder with no confirmed availability date. The vehicle was inspected by an authorized Toyota dealer, who confirmed the leaf spring failure as a manufacturer defect. Toyota corporate has been notified and a case has been opened (Case #: 260303000171) There were no warning lamps or messages prior to the failure. The leaf spring failed without any prior symptoms or indication of a problem.

NHTSA complaint #11722176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

I tried to take my 2007 Toyota Tacoma for a recall about the leaf springs to Modern Toyota in Winston-Salem, NC. Modern Toyota took my truck for inspection, but upon return, informed me the would not replace the component nor were the obligated to do so.

NHTSA complaint #11720009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

I took my 2003 Toyota Tacoma and for a tire alignment and was told by an employee of the tire shop that my rack and pinion needed to be replaced and lower ball joints. I checked the VIN number and it said I have zero recalls, but there is a general recall on this make a model that I have what do I do? I also have the steering has a lot of play whenever I go for a bump in the road like the tires catch the road so I kind of swerve a little bit and I feel that it’s very unsafe to me and other drivers.

NHTSA complaint #11719764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

Voss Toyota would not perform the recall of new leaf springs that has not been completed on my truck. The frame is rusty and they will not touch my truck. There should be an existing recall or customer satisfaction program on the frame of this truck that needs done as well.

NHTSA complaint #11719698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

I was turning into a gas station and all the sudden the vehicle came to a complete stop i was unable to move the vehicle and sat there until the tow truck was able to show up. Looked under the vehicle and on the passenger side front suspension the lower ball joint was no longer where it belongs.

NHTSA complaint #11717952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

I purchased the truck December 6th 2025 within a thousand Miles within the end of the year I experienced brake failure on the highway I laid under the truck to patch the brake failure and found a cracked leaf spring suspension component which there's already a recall for that exact make and model just not my VIN number for that cracked leaf spring there was a recall for frame rust and just rust in general and my brake lines rusted out but a certified technician from the used car dealership said it was safe and road Worthy I experienced a brake fire on the front calipers shortly after this brake failure the fire caused 7800 worth of damage I got quoted from Toyota to fix it and that doesn't cover the $2,000 worth of leaf springs which there was already an exact recall for this exact model of truck for the exact damage depicted but somehow my VIN is not applicable for this repair.

NHTSA complaint #11713113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

Invoice no. XXX Frame recall. I have a receipt stating…”J# 20TOZFRAM,;CS FRAM Inspection TECY(S):351 Warrenty inspected Frame, Frame failed, perforation, Replaced Frame at Dealer”. Except they did not replace the frame, I have a receipt stating they replaced the “ spare tire rack assembly. Now, my frame is so rusted it will not pass inspection next September. It has been welded already, at the tune of $2500.00. This truck has 122,000 miles. I want the truck fixed. I’ve been in touch with the BBB and the attorney general, and others. The attorney general suggested I get a lawyer. This is a a gross deception from the Orleans Dealer in [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11708851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

Supplemental Safety Description I am submitting this supplemental statement to provide a complete and consolidated description of the ongoing safety concern affecting my vehicle. Vehicle Behavior and Safety Symptoms During normal driving conditions, the vehicle consistently exhibits directional instability, including pulling to one side and difficulty maintaining straight-line tracking. Steering control feels unstable, and the vehicle experiences abnormal harshness and vertical movement over the road surface. The vehicle often feels difficult to control and demonstrates behavior consistent with lateral misalignment, including a crab-walking sensation. During rapid left and right steering inputs, the vehicle exhibits abnormal and asymmetric body movement. One side of the vehicle body rises excessively while the opposite side compresses, resulting in excessive body roll and uneven suspension response. This abnormal dynamic behavior creates a strong perception of instability and increases the risk of loss of control or rollover during steering maneuvers. Additionally, overall traction appears reduced. Under wet or slippery road conditions, the wheels are more prone to slipping, further compromising vehicle stability and steering control. Repair History and Dealer Involvement The vehicle has been presented to four different Toyota authorized dealerships for the same steering and suspension-related concerns. Multiple wheel alignments, steering calibrations, inspections, and road tests were performed. Despite these repeated repair attempts, the condition persists. Each dealership reported that no abnormal condition was found and stated that the vehicle was operating normally. In at least one instance, a dealership declined to continue further repair attempts while the safety-related condition remained unresolved. Independent Review and Technical Findings After repeated unsuccessful repair attempts, I conducted an independent review to better understand the cause of the on

NHTSA complaint #11706992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.