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

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

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 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

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

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

REAR LEAF SPRINGS ARE VERY WEAK AND ARE NOT AS SUPPORTIVE AS THEY SHOULD BE. AS SHOWN IN THE PHOTO THE SPRING IS PRETTY MUCH STRAIGHT AND IT SHOULD HAVE SOME CURVE AS THERE IS NO LOAD ON THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11398270

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LEAF SPRING FRACTURED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS DISCOVERED BY TOYOTA OF SCRANTON (3400 N MAIN AVE, SCRANTON, PA 18508) WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V604000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,304.

NHTSA ODI 11337211

THE VEHICLE TAKES LONG TO STOP EVEN AFTER CHANGING THE BRAKE PADS , ROTORS, BRAKE SHOES, WITH NEW COMPONENTS. THE REAR MAKES A THUD SOUND WHEN ACCELERATING OR COMING TO A STOP. THE LEAF SPRINGS ALSO SQUEAK AND I NOTICED AFTER THEY CHANGED MY FRAME THE LEAF SPRINGS WERE NOT CHANGE EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A RECALL ON THE LEAF SPRINGS AND IT WAS RUSTING? THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT STARTED TO MAKE THIS LOUD THUD SOUND WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS AROUND 5-10 MPH. THERE IS ALSO A RECALL ON THIS, BUT MY LOCAL DEALER SAYS THERE ISN'T ONE? WHY DOESN'T THE MAIN BRANCH TALK TO OR UPDATE THE SYSTEM FOR ALL TOYOTA BRANCHES FOR RECALLS? *TR

NHTSA ODI 11330429

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CENTER SECTION OF THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE LEAF SPRING FELL OUT AFTER CRACKING IN TWO AREAS. THE CONTACT CALLED HARR MOTOR GROUP (100-112 GOLD STAR BLVD, WORCESTER, MA 01606, (508) 471-5733) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ALSO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. *BF *TR

NHTSA ODI 11232775

MY MECHANIC NOTICED LEFT LEAF SPRING WAS MISSING A 6 INCH PIECE OF METAL BROKE OFF

NHTSA ODI 11232828

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GALAXY TOYOTA (750 NJ-36, EATONTOWN, NJ 07724, 732-982-4177) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LEAF SPRING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,000.

NHTSA ODI 11220724

I JUST BOUGHT 2011 TOYOTA TACOMA. IT HAS LITTLE OVER 51,000 MILES. I HEARD A POPPING NOISE. TOOK IT TO TOYOTA DEALER. THEY MAINTENANCE IT. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS PASSENGERS SIDE LEFT SPRING IS BROKE. I TOOK OUT POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. BUT DON'T COVER THAT. I SEEN RECALL ON 2011 TOYOTA TACOMA. BUT MINE WASN'T IN RECALL. TOYOTA DEALER TOLD ME I WOULD BE OUT 900.00 TO 1200 DOLLARS I JUST BOUGHT TRUCK GIVE ALMOST 26 THOUSAND DOLLARS. I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO FIX THAT TOO.

NHTSA ODI 11220207

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ABNORMAL SNAPPING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LIA TOYOTA OF COLONY (2116 CENTRAL AVE, SCHENECTADY, NY 12304, (518) 631-5254) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED NEW LEAF SPRINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED THE CONTACT A CREDIT TOWARDS THE REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

NHTSA ODI 11217805

REAR LEFT SIDE LEAF SPRING BROKE WHILE DRIVING; I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM THE U.S INTO THE ISLAND OF GRENADA(CARIBBEAN) WHERE THE SPRING BROKE.. HEARD THIS LOUD FLAPPING UNDER THE VEHICLE ; STOPPED TO INVESTIGATE AND FOUND THE MIDDLE SPRING (OF 3) BROKE AND WAS STICKING OUT FROM THE REST; I NOTICED THAT THE LEAF SPRINGS WERE MORE FLAT THAN CURVED LIKE NORMAL SPRINGS THE TOYOTA DEALER IN GRENADA IS TELLING ME I MUST GET A LETTER FROM A TOYOTA DEALER IN THE U S FOR THEIR REPAIR SERVICES TO ACT. I CANT BELIEVE THE ORDER SAID "GO TO THE NEAREST TOYOTA DEALER" AND THESE PEOPLE WHO SUPPOSED TO BE DEALERS ARE GIVING ME THIS RUN AROUND.

NHTSA ODI 11210206

ON LINE IT SAYS THERE IS A RECALL ON MY 2011 TACOMA FOR REAR LEAF SPRINGS BREAKING. MY LEAF SPRING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE BROKE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH NO WEIGHT IN MY BED. TOYOTA TELLS ME MY VIN DOESN'T COME UP ON THE LIST. IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WHY ISN'T MY TRUCK COVERED? I DON'T OVERLOAD MY TRUCK, IN FACT I BABY IT. I'VE ONLY HAD IT JUST OVER ONE YEAR. I'M REALLY DISAPPOINTED THAT THEY WOULD BASICALLY SAY SORRY YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN! IT'S GOING TO COST $800-$1000 DOLLARS I CAN'T AFFORD BUT HAVE NO CHOICE! ARE THERE ANY OTHER OPTIONS?

NHTSA ODI 11191728

BOTH REAR LEAF SPRING BROKE. TOYOTA DOES NOT SELL THE THREE LEAF SPRING ONLY 4 LEAF. I NOTIFIED TOYOTA AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THE LEAF SPRINGS ON THE 2011 TACOMAS.

NHTSA ODI 11182783

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 35-40 MPH, THERE WAS A SLIGHT CLUNKING NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHILE BRAKING OR MAKING A RIGHT TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR LEAF SPRING FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ADDITIONALLY, THE CLOCKSPRING FRACTURED AND WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V604000 (SUSPENSION). GAULT TOYOTA (LOCATED AT 2205 NORTH STREET, ENDICOTT, NY 13760) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,500.

NHTSA ODI 11174921

TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF A SIBLING WHO OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE LEAF SPRING FRACTURED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO EAST MADISON TOYOTA (LOCATED AT 3501 LANCASTER DR, MADISON, WI 53718, (608) 243-5500). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT BOTH THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE LEAF SPRINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V604000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,385.

NHTSA ODI 11140032

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE LEAF SPRING WAS FRACTURED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER (GAMBREL TOYOTA, 311 EAST CUMBERLAND GAP PARKWAY, CORBIN, KY 40701, (800) 328-2931) AND WAS INFORMED TO SCHEDULE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V604000 (SUSPENSION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. *TT UPDATED 12/20/18*JB

NHTSA ODI 11139488

WHEN SERVICING OUR TRUCK, DEALER HAS FOUND BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT REAR LEAF SPRINGS BROKEN. THERE IS A RECALL ISSUED FOR 690,000 TACOMA TRUCKS EXACTLY LIKE MINE FOR THE YEARS OF 2005 THRU 2011 MINE IS A 2011 ALSO, BUT THEY WILL NOT INCLUDE MY VIN #... AS DESCRIBED BY TOYOTA DEALER AND RECALL NOTICES, THIS ISSUE "COULD BREAK , PUNCTURE THE GAS TANK AND CAUSE A FIRE " . DEALER SAYS " UNSAFE CONDITION AS IF THE REMAINING PART OF SPRING BREAKS THE AXLE WILL NO LONGER BE SECURED UNDER THE VEHICLE" THIS TRUCK IS USED UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS W/NO HEAVY HAULING OR TOWING WHY IS IT NOT BEING RECALLED ? THIS IS NOT NORMAL , PUTTING MYSELF AND FAMILY IN HARMS WAY ? WHAT CHANGED DURING PRODUCTION AND ASSEMBLY THAT MY 2011 TACOMA WAS ANY DIFFERENT THAN THE ONE BEHIND IT OR IN FRONT OF IT DURING PRODUCTION , SAME MODEL YEAR ? TOYOTA WILL NOT ANSWER THAT QUESTION , ONLY TO SAY " THAT VIN. # IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL 4TH TOYOTA TRUCK IN A ROW DEALER SERVICED EVERY 5K MILES. AS RECOMMENDED NOW THIS IS CUSTOMER LOYALTY APPRECIATION. TOYOTA TELLS ME " NO FARTHER APPEAL PROCESS " ? IS THIS CORRECT ?

NHTSA ODI 11130014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING AN INSPECTION, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SPRING WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. JOHNSTONS TOYOTA (5021 NY-17M, NEW HAMPTON, NY 10958, (845) 374-8600) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 11113877

MY 2011TACOMA HAS BROKEN REAR LEAF SPRINGS. THEY ARE LOCATED ABOVE THE AXLE IN DANGER OF PUCTURING GAS TANK. TOYOTA HAS RECALLED TACOMAS FROM THE YEARS 2005-11 FOR THIS EXACT REASON. TOYOTA TELLS ME I DON'T QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL, BUT THEY CAN GIVE NO REASON WHY I DON'T QUALIFY.

NHTSA ODI 11093811