NHTSA Complaint #10177454 — 1999 TOYOTA TACOMA

CORRODED FRAME RAILS ON A 1999 TOYOTA TACOMA 4X4 WITH XTRACAB. PURCHASED USED FROM A PA USED CAR DEALER WITH 120K MILES. WHILE REPLACING THE REAR SHOCKS, I NOTED SEVERE RUST AND CORROSION OF THE FRAME RAILS AND CROSS MEMBERS ON THE FRAME OF THIS TRUCK. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION, I NOTED SEVERAL AREAS WHERE THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD REPAIR PATCHES WELDED TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE FRAME TO BEEF UP THE WEAKER AREAS. THIS INCLUDES THE DRIVER'S SIDE FROM THE FRONT WHEEL TO THE REAR JUST BEYOND THE REAR WHEEL. THE PASSENGER SIDE ON THE REAR AREA BETWEEN THE SPRING MOUNTS. THE INSIDE OF THE FRAME RAILS ARE FILLED WITH CORROSION AND LARGE PIECES OF THE FRAME THAT HAVE FLAKED OFF. RUST PROOFING WAS APPLIED TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE FRAME TO PROTECT/HIDE THE REPAIRS. THIS VEHICLE WAS OWNED IN COLUMBUS, OHIO IT'S FIRST YEAR, AND THE REMAINING TIME IN W. VA, ACCORDING TO CARFAX. NO ACCIDENT DAMAGE ON THIS VEHICLE. THE BODY IS IMMACULATE. FAILURE OF THE TRUCK'S FRAME COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL AND/OR SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. I AM GOING TO ASK OTHERS VIA VARIOUS WEB PAGES TO REPORT THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR VEHICLES FROM 96-04 MODEL YEARS. *NM