Toyota Tacoma Structure Problems
Owners have filed 2,204 complaints with NHTSA about structure problems on the Toyota Tacoma across 31 model years. The 2005 model year has the most (260). The words owners use most often: “frame rusted” (12% of reports).
- 2,204structure complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 52mention a crash
- 28mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $8,400typical repair cost reported by owners
- 28%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Frame rusted: mentioned in 267 of 2,204 complaints (12%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical structure repair on the Toyota Tacoma at $8,400, and half of them between $2,400 and $14,450.
Based on 31 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2006–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do structure problems happen?
Based on 1,563 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 2,204 complaints, 52 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 28 an injury.
Toyota Tacoma structure complaints by model year
| Model year | Structure complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Tacoma | 2 | 20% | 12,000 |
| 2025 Tacoma | 42 | 40% | 5,238 |
| 2024 Tacoma | 8 | 5% | — |
| 2022 Tacoma | 8 | 14% | — |
| 2021 Tacoma | 6 | 7% | 281 |
| 2020 Tacoma | 3 | 3% | 9,014 |
| 2019 Tacoma | 12 | 5% | 7,750 |
| 2018 Tacoma | 16 | 8% | 76,000 |
| 2017 Tacoma | 27 | 11% | 20,000 |
| 2016 Tacoma | 22 | 7% | 32,000 |
| 2015 Tacoma | 15 | 15% | 6,500 |
| 2014 Tacoma | 20 | 22% | 35,900 |
| 2013 Tacoma | 11 | 9% | 82,500 |
| 2012 Tacoma | 9 | 3% | 51,000 |
| 2011 Tacoma | 21 | 11% | 86,000 |
| 2010 Tacoma | 30 | 10% | 104,000 |
| 2009 Tacoma | 54 | 10% | 75,000 |
| 2008 Tacoma | 78 | 17% | 115,600 |
| 2007 Tacoma | 109 | 20% | 87,781 |
| 2006 Tacoma | 242 | 31% | 93,000 |
| 2005 Tacoma | 260 | 37% | 109,450 |
| 2004 Tacoma | 203 | 49% | 119,000 |
| 2003 Tacoma | 181 | 50% | 123,208 |
| 2002 Tacoma | 180 | 54% | 122,500 |
| 2001 Tacoma | 228 | 58% | 144,117 |
| 2000 Tacoma | 78 | 37% | 132,000 |
| 1999 Tacoma | 102 | 41% | 124,000 |
| 1998 Tacoma | 98 | 33% | 135,000 |
| 1997 Tacoma | 46 | 35% | 158,500 |
| 1996 Tacoma | 64 | 25% | 170,000 |
| 1995 Tacoma | 29 | 16% | 177,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Equipment; structure:body:hood:hinge and attachments
Model years: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
Problem: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner vehicles equipped with accessory hood scoops installed by SET or SET dealers. The adhesive attaching the hood scoop may weaken, allowing the hood scoop to detach from the vehicle.
Risk: If the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will mechanically fasten the scoop to the hood, free of charge. The recall began on September 1, 2017. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-954-429-2000. SET's number for this recall is SET17B.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
I have been having issues with an intermittent rain smell in my vehicle for the past few months not realizing the smell was due to water intrusion in the cabin of my truck. I own a 2018 Toyota Tacoma. As of recently the situation has been getting exceedingly worse due to stormy and rainy weather…
Significant rusting of frame noted on safety inspection.
Tacoma interior door handle will not open driverâs door. I was sitting in truck reading, engine off. I actuated the start button a couple of times to enable window lowering and lowered the windows. I actuated the start button again a couple of times so as to not drain battery. Suddenly the car…
Vehicle: 2017 Toyota Tacoma Issue: Persistent water intrusion, extensive mold contamination, and unresolved condition following Toyota Limited Service Campaign 21TD03. Approximately 12â18 months ago, Gray-Daniels Toyota in Brandon, Mississippi, performed Toyota's service campaign addressing water…
The driver door handle internal mechanism broke under normal operation, preventing exit from the vehicle. This is a serious safety issue because the driver is literally trapped in the vehicle, unless they roll the window down and engage the handle from the outside, or crawl over the center console…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Toyota Tacomas have structure problems?
No. NHTSA has 2,204 owner complaints about structure for the Toyota Tacoma. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Toyota Tacoma structure?
Yes: 1 safety recall list structure. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix structure problems on the Toyota Tacoma?
Owners report a typical cost of $8,400 (half paid between $2,400 and $14,450), from 31 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about structure problems on the Toyota Tacoma?
The most frequent phrase is “frame rusted”, in 267 of 2,204 complaints.
Other Toyota Tacoma problems
- Suspension problems (1,533)
- Power Train problems (941)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (779)
- Air Bags problems (556)
- Steering problems (476)
- Electrical System problems (434)
- Engine problems (433)
- Service Brakes problems (392)
See all Toyota Tacoma problems.