What 183 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Toyota Tacoma

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 ODI 11748620

Chassis recall under Toyota Recall Program ZKA/LSC K0D. While the window of this recall closed in 2017, my vehicle was sold to me several years after 2017. The vehicle chassis is in a critical state and is likely to snap in half. I have sent a letter and photos to: Toyota Motor Corp., Federal Highway Admin, Toyota Clearwater, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, FL House of Rep and BBB Natl Programs. All of the above were sent via trackable and signature required USPS. The vehicle should have been prohibited from any resale if the recall can be closed. As i understand it, technically there should be no expiration date on a significant failure. I do not have $13,000 to get a new vehicle and I do not want to resell to shift the risk to someone else. At minimum Toyota should be forced to buy back the vehicle , replace the chassis or offer a safe used replacement option. Please help me understand where I go from here. Looking for your support and resolution.

NHTSA ODI 11742973

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 ODI 11741784

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 ODI 11713113

The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while attempting to have an inspection completed on the vehicle, the contact was informed by the mechanic that the inspection could not be completed due to several holes in the underbody frame of the vehicle. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 168,000.

NHTSA ODI 11696284

Blower Fan had been cutting off. Only running intermittent on High. Took to Toyota dealer June 2025. Was told it was a Cabin Air Filter Clogged. Paid for replacement and clean out of system. Continued to not work. Called a mechanic and asked for a diagnostic. Was told it was a “known issue” with Toyota Tacomas. Had been a recall in later years. I ordered the blower motor resistor and wiring harness from Toyota parts department. It was on back order due to the issue being widespread. July 2025 parts came in. Returned truck to the shop. The techichian replaced the motor blower resistor and the new wiring harness. However, he cut the burnt wires off and spliced the new wires into old wires back to the motor. Aug 2025 motor has stopped working again. Back to the Toyota shop. The truck needs a new blower motor. The labor will be 1200. Plus the labor I’ve already paid for three other shop visits plus parts. The motor blower is on back order till mid September. The motor has been let unplugged due to “risk of fire”. But I’ve been given the vehicle again to drive. It has had a risk of fire since June. The wires have been overheating and smelling. This should have been a recall in 2011. Just as it was in the later Toyota Tacoma. Pleas investigate

NHTSA ODI 11683275

The underside of my 2011 Toyota Tacoma is experiencing tremendous rust. Dealer said since there was not perforation, nothing to be done. Brackets holding wiring, body panels and now gas tank have rusted and failed. The gas tank strap is a major concern. It is available for inspection. The gas tank is held up now by one unrusted strap and rubber bungee cords I applied. Dealer or independence service center has not seen it. Nearest dealer is a ferry ride away, I live on an island. No inspection by manufacturer etc. No warning lights or messages.

NHTSA ODI 11666324

I am the third owner of a 2011 Toyota Tacoma Access Cab 2.7L. I purchased it in Oct. 2024 in NY. At that time, there were no visible signs of frame rust. Within 6 months, it developed severe corrosion, including deterioration at the suspension mounts. The vehicle is no longer safe to drive and is available for inspection. Toyota previously recalled earlier Tacomas for the same issue, but for 2011–2017 models, they issued a Limited Service Campaign (K0D) and Customer Support Program (ZKA), which expired after only 12 years (vs. 15 years previously). This was not classified as a recall, despite serious safety concerns. The prior owner appears to have driven zero miles from 2020–2022, when the campaign was active. The vehicle was registered in Vermont, where statewide COVID restrictions closed dealerships and suspended non-essential services. No extension or accommodations were provided by Toyota. I discovered the corrosion on [XXX], during a frame inspection immediately after investing $4,800 in bodywork. The mechanic noted the corrosion was extensive and abnormal for a 2011 model—more consistent with a truck from the 1980s. Toyota’s decision to time this campaign at the height of COVID and shorten the eligibility window appears negligent and possibly strategic. Now in 2025, many owners are finding catastrophic frame rot after Toyota's limited program has ended. I urge NHTSA to investigate this as a true safety defect, not a service courtesy. Owner testimonials of frame failure after expiration: [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11662850

The locking mechanism, the vechile was park we put the child in to turn it rear facing and it wouldn’t lock into place, so we turned it forward facing and it still wouldn’t lock into place. The child’s seat will not lock into position. Then we noticed where the lock off is the plastic is bent upward from the seat belt itself. The chest clip is also Magnetic and had to be replaced all ready by manufacturer due to it not latching. This will not let me upload the video

NHTSA ODI 11660196

Severe Frame rust

NHTSA ODI 11626757

The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while working underneath the vehicle, he noticed a hole in the frame rail, passenger's side, rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was inspected under a Service Bulletin however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, the manufacturer confirmed that the vehicle was no longer under Warranty for the repair and a case was opened. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA ODI 11588718

Steering shaft u- joint seizure causing loss of vehicle steering. Very dangerous.

NHTSA ODI 11573788

The horn on my truck no longer works. Cruise control is intermittent at times. Vehicle was taken to my independent repair shop I've been told it is the clock spring in my steering wheel. My concern is the air bag would quit working. Been told same vehicle from 2012 and newer was fixed by Toyota for same problem.

NHTSA ODI 11568701

1.) Headlights are yellowing. 2.) Hard to see at night. 3.) Everyone has the same problem. The government should mandate going back to glass headlights for safety reasons. Buffing them only lasts a short period of time and the elderly can't afford to buy new OEM headlights every 6 years as they are very, very expensive. This is a safety issue, as yellow lenses equal more nighttime accidents, fact. This should have been addressed years ago.

NHTSA ODI 11555787

The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that after taking the vehicle for repair, the contact was made aware of rust on the steering shaft and the support arms and the front end of the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and the contact was informed that there was no fix for the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 144,000.

NHTSA ODI 11540542

My vehicle failed the state of Maine safety inspection due to a broken leaf spring. I had the vehicle further inspected at a Toyota dealership and they reported the same issue. They gave me an estimate to replace the rear springs for a total cost to me of $2321.00. This an expense that I do not believe should have to bare, as this vehicle is only used for personal use. The heaviest load this vehicle has carried is a few bags of fertilizer.

NHTSA ODI 11502393

Vehicle was brought to dealer to replace ROTTED transmission cooler lines. During inspection it was noticed that the vehicles rack & pinion steering tube is almost completely ROTTED through as well, this is a complicated and expensive repair, which if it completely fails will render the vehicle unsafe for the road, a danger to myself and others on the road. The vehicle has only 127,000 miles. I was also informed that the vehicle no longer qualifies for frame replacement under recall ' because I waited too long '

NHTSA ODI 11499413

Toyota Tacoma was sprayed in 2020 for frame rust. Rust has began again on the frame. Also the suspension and behind the two rear wheels rust is rampant. Lots and lots of rust but no new holes since was sprayed. Pictures attached of the 2011 Toyota Tacoma with 68,000 miles.

NHTSA ODI 11485565

The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the driver's and passenger's side headlights were inoperable. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the headlight assemblies were extremely hot and had melted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the driver's and passenger's side headlight assemblies needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 210,000.

NHTSA ODI 11480199

This VIN number was totaled due to a bent frame after being rear ended on June 10th. I fear my insurance company (USAA) will attempt to commit fraud by not reporting the title as salvage.

NHTSA ODI 11475353

The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Tacoma. Upon purchase of the vehicle, the contact received a Carfax report from the independent dealer that the vehicle had been placed under a service campaign for frame corrosion. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer where he was denied the service campaign because his vehicle was in a non-cold climate state. The manufacturer was also notified, and also denied his claim. The contact stated that he had discovered corrosion on the sub frame of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11450135

MY VEHICLE FAILED VA INSPECTION DUE TO THE HORN NOT WORKING. I HAVE TO GET THE SPIRAL CABLE REPLACED PER THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THIS WAS A RECALL ON TACOMA'S UP TO 2009 (RECALL B1801) BUT NOT MY YEAR. MY YEAR SHOULD BE PART OF THE RECALL. I BELIEVE THIS ALSO IMPACTS THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT FROM THE STEERING WHEEL.

NHTSA ODI 11415222

RUBBER STRIP DOWN THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ROOF GONE.

NHTSA ODI 11414741

TOYOTA SCRANTON IS WILLFULLY DEFRAUDING OWNERS ENTITLED TO REMEDY FOR SEVERELY RUSTED FRAME UNDER CASE NUMBER 2:15-CV-02171, US DISTRICT COURT, CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA. SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENTATION AND PHOTOGRAPHS.

NHTSA ODI 11407456

PASSENGER SIDE REAR SUSPENSION WAS MAKING NOISE. LOUD CLUNKING. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, REAR LEAF SPRING IS BROKEN IN 2 PLACES. THE PREVIOUSLY INSTATED RECALL DOES NOT COVER MY VEHICLE??

NHTSA ODI 11399522