My Toyota truck frame is rusted with big holes and could break in two at any time.
2001 Toyota Tacoma
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2001 Toyota Tacoma do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 228.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Tacoma years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
295 reports with mileage · 101 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Structure. Review the 228 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 81 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Unknown Or Other complaints
40 reports- 2001 Toyota Tacoma New Replacement Frame Rusted, it is available for inspection. - The frame is rusted to the point you can push your finger through it, failure concern while driving. -The local Toyota dealership and corporate office, states the vehicle is not covered in any way. - At this time the vehicle has not been inspect…
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- 2001 Toyota Tacoma New Replacement Frame Rusted, it is available for inspection. - The frame is rusted to the point you can push your finger through it, failure concern while driving. -The local Toyota dealership and corporate office, states the vehicle is not covered in any way. - At this time the vehicle has not been inspected due to dealership stating there are no recalls on the second frame that was installed in the 2001 Toyota Tacoma for the original rusting problem. This vehicle likely will not pass state inspection. - There are no warning devices for this problem. The rust/corrosion was located during an oil change.
MY FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND ALL THE CAPOMINTES ARE ALSO. I CANT CHANGE ANYTHING PUT BECAUSE OF IT. MY LEAF SPRINGS ARE SHOT WHERE THEY ARE MOUNTED TO THE FRAME. IS WEAKING WHICH IS MOVING MY BACK AXLE OFF BALANCE. MY FRONT AILMENT IS COMPLETELY OFF. I AND DREAK ANYTHING LOSE TO FIX THE ISSUE'S. IT FEELS LIKE THEY COMPLETEL…
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MY FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND ALL THE CAPOMINTES ARE ALSO. I CANT CHANGE ANYTHING PUT BECAUSE OF IT. MY LEAF SPRINGS ARE SHOT WHERE THEY ARE MOUNTED TO THE FRAME. IS WEAKING WHICH IS MOVING MY BACK AXLE OFF BALANCE. MY FRONT AILMENT IS COMPLETELY OFF. I AND DREAK ANYTHING LOSE TO FIX THE ISSUE'S. IT FEELS LIKE THEY COMPLETELY FORGOT TO SPRAY MY FRAME ON MY TRUCK
I'M WRITING YOU BECAUSE I HAD MY 2001 TACOMA INSPECTED FOR THE FRAME RUST RECALL IN 2010. AT THAT TIME I WAS TOLD THAT MY TRUCK WOULD BE SPRAYED WITH AN INHIBITOR TO PREVENT RUST. THE VEHICLE FRAME HAS SINCE RUSTED AND IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE SPRAY INHIBITOR OBVIOUSLY DID NOT WORK OR WAS APPLIED INCORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE STARTE…
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I'M WRITING YOU BECAUSE I HAD MY 2001 TACOMA INSPECTED FOR THE FRAME RUST RECALL IN 2010. AT THAT TIME I WAS TOLD THAT MY TRUCK WOULD BE SPRAYED WITH AN INHIBITOR TO PREVENT RUST. THE VEHICLE FRAME HAS SINCE RUSTED AND IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE SPRAY INHIBITOR OBVIOUSLY DID NOT WORK OR WAS APPLIED INCORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE STARTED SHOWING THESE SIGNS WHILE DRIVINH.
I NOTICED MY 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA MAKING ODD NOISES WHILE DRIVING. I DECIDED TO HAVE MY MECHANIC TAKE A LOOK AT IT FROM THE BOTTOM OF TRUCK: HE SAW AND TOOK PICTURES OF THE OBSERVABLE EXTENSIVE RUSTED/CORROSION AND PERFORATED AREAS ON THE FRAME/CHASSIS OF THE TRUCK AND SAID IT WAS A GOOD IDEA TO TAKE IT TO DEALERSHIP SINCE THERE H…
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I NOTICED MY 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA MAKING ODD NOISES WHILE DRIVING. I DECIDED TO HAVE MY MECHANIC TAKE A LOOK AT IT FROM THE BOTTOM OF TRUCK: HE SAW AND TOOK PICTURES OF THE OBSERVABLE EXTENSIVE RUSTED/CORROSION AND PERFORATED AREAS ON THE FRAME/CHASSIS OF THE TRUCK AND SAID IT WAS A GOOD IDEA TO TAKE IT TO DEALERSHIP SINCE THERE HAS BEEN A SETTLEMENT LAWSUIT FOR DEFECTS ON TOYOTA TACOMA'S THAT WHERE NOT TREATED WELL ENOUGH WITH THE RUST INHIBITOR SPRAY. I TOOK MY TACOMA TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT ORIGINALLY AND THEY SAID EXACTLY WHAT MY MECHANIC HAD ALREADY TOLD ME ABOUT THE RUSTED AND PERFORATED AREAS ON THE FRAME/CHASSIS AND STATED THAT THE CHASSIS/FRAME HAS AN ADVANCED CORROSION/ RUST DAMAGES TO THE POINT OF THE FRAME BEING FRACTURED OR BROKEN IN HALF IF THE PROBLEM CONTINUES, WHEREAS IT'S VERY DANGEROUS TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE TRUCK. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT ON THE RUSTY FRAMES AND NOW AM CONSIDERING FURTHER INTO HIRING AN ATTORNEY REGARDING MY 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD FOR ME AND MY LOVED ONES AND I BELEIVE IT'S INCONSIDERATE AND SHAMING ON TOYOTA TO NOT HAVE ONE SINGLE RECALL INFORMATION ON 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA'S. I HOPE I CAN GET ANSWERS SOON IN REGARDS TO THIS PROBLEM AND WILL DUE WHAT'S NECESSARY TO HAVE TOYOTA RESPOND TO MY ISSUE. I HAVE ALREADY CALLED THEM 4MONTHS AGO AND THEY STATED I HAD TO FIRST FILE THIS COMPLAINT ON THIS WEBSITE IN ORDER TO PROCEED TO THE NEXT STEPS.
THE TRUCK WAS BROKEN BY THE HALF WHERE THE LOADING PART BEGINS.
2001 TACOMA. THE 15 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY IS NOT ENOUGH; IT SHOULD BE A MANDATORY RECALL/INSPECTION WITH NO TIME LIMITATIONS. FRAMES ARE VISIBLY RUSTING THROUGH AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES, BUT THE FRAMES ARE DEFECTIVE PRIOR TO THAT AND OWNERS DON'T REALIZE IT BECAUSE NO RECALL WAS EVER ISSUED AND ANY VISIBLE INSPECTION DOESN'T …
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2001 TACOMA. THE 15 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY IS NOT ENOUGH; IT SHOULD BE A MANDATORY RECALL/INSPECTION WITH NO TIME LIMITATIONS. FRAMES ARE VISIBLY RUSTING THROUGH AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES, BUT THE FRAMES ARE DEFECTIVE PRIOR TO THAT AND OWNERS DON'T REALIZE IT BECAUSE NO RECALL WAS EVER ISSUED AND ANY VISIBLE INSPECTION DOESN'T REVEAL THE PROBLEM. I KNOW NOW THAT MY FRAME WAS DEFECTIVE DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD BUT IT DIDN'T BECOME 'VISIBLE' UNTIL AFTER 16 YEARS. TOYOTA HAS TRIED TO SWEEP THIS UNDER THE RUG BY DOING AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE TO EASE THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM. HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE DRIVING ON LIFE-THREATENING FRAMES THAT DON'T EVEN REALIZE IT BECAUSE THE FRAME IS SOMETHING AN AVERAGE PERSON DOESN'T TEND TO CHECK? AN OFFICIAL 'RECALL' NOTICE WOULD GET THOSE TRUCKS IN THE SHOP FOR INSPECTION.
REAR FRAME IS RUSTED OUT AND BRAKING INTO PIECES. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE RUSTED PARTS. THEY TOLD ME THE RECALL HAS EXPIRED AND THEY WILL NOT HONOR IT
AFTER A MUFFLER SHOP POINTED OUT SERIOUS HOLES IN THE FRAME OF MY 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA (WITH 174,000 MILES), I CONTACTED KINGS TOYOTA AND TOYOTA MANUFACTURING. THEY SAID THE TRUCK WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I TOOK IT TO HAMILTON BODY SHOP AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE LIFE OF THE TRUCK.I CONTACTED PERFORMANCE TOYOTA WITH MY V…
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AFTER A MUFFLER SHOP POINTED OUT SERIOUS HOLES IN THE FRAME OF MY 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA (WITH 174,000 MILES), I CONTACTED KINGS TOYOTA AND TOYOTA MANUFACTURING. THEY SAID THE TRUCK WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I TOOK IT TO HAMILTON BODY SHOP AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE LIFE OF THE TRUCK.I CONTACTED PERFORMANCE TOYOTA WITH MY VIN # AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL IN THEIR DATA BANK. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE TRUCK IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE HAD THE TRUCK FRAME INSPECTED AT KINGS TOYOTA TWICE IN THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS AND THEY SAID THE FRAME WAS OK AT THAT TIME. MY TRUCK IS IN MECHANICALLY GOOD CONDITION, BODY LOOKS FINE TOO. WOULD LOVE TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT SEVERAL MORE YEARS. WOULD APPRECIATE HELP DETERMINING IF THERE IS, IN FACT , A RECALL AND HOW DO I GO ABOUT GETTING THE INFORMATION I NEED TO GET THIS FRAME REPAIRED.
THE FRAME RUSTED OUT WITH ONLY 150,000 MILES, INFORMED VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE JUNKED OR HAVE FRAME REPLACED.THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
Official recalls
412V542000 · Tires:temporary/emergency Spare Tire
Nov 23, 2012
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2004 Tacoma light trucks manufactured from August 28, 2000, through August 27, 2004, and originally sold, or currently registered, in the following cold climate states with high road salt usage: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. The spare tire in the subject vehicles is located underneath the rear of the vehicle and held by a spare tire carrier. A lift plate on the carrier is used to help raise, lower and retain the tire. During its manufacture, the lift plate may not have been sufficiently coated with anti-corrosion materials. If the plate is insufficiently coated and the vehicle is operated in cold climate regions where road salts are frequently used, road spray can reach the carrier assembly and corrode the lift plate.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Corrosion of the plate could cause it to break, which could result in detachment of the spare tire from the vehicle. Detachment of the spare tire could result in a road hazard which may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace the spare tire carrier lift plate as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in February 2013. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
05V225000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
May 17, 2005
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ISSUE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SURFACE OF THE BALL OF THE JOINT MAY HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED. THE BALL JOINT MAY EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND LOOSENESS, RESULTING IN INCREASED STEERING EFFORT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
03V189000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
May 19, 2003
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, DURING SIDE IMPACT NCAP TEST (I.E. LINCAP TEST), A FLANGE AT THE REAR END OF THE DOUBLE CAB BODY DEFORMED AND INTERFERED WITH THE FUEL INLET HOSE THAT CONNECTS THE FUEL FILLER PIPE AND FUEL TANK, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE FUEL INLET HOSE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE IF IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUEL HOSE PROTECTOR ON THE BODY FLANGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 3, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
01V186000 · Tires:sidewall
Jun 7, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 4X2 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TU4 WHITE LETTER TIRE UPGRADE OPTION AND DISTRIBUTED BY SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA. TIRE DAMAGE MAY HAVE OCCURRED DUE TO IMPROPER INSTALLATION, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE TIRE TO DEFLATE OR A BULGE APPEARING IN THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AN IMPROPERLY INFLATED TIRE COULD RESULT IN VEHICLE HANDLING PROBLEMS OR A BLOW OUT OF AN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED TIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK ALL FOUR TIRES, REBALANCE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE ANY DAMAGED TIRE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 3, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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