2009 Toyota Tacoma Structure
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that after maintenance service on the vehicle, it was discovered that the front subframe of the vehicle was severely corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was inspected, and determined that the entire subframe had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where the same diagnostic result was provide,d and the contact was informed that the entire subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that upon further inspection, the contact became aware that the chassis was rusted. The local dealer was contacted; however, the contact was informed that an unknown Toyota recall for warranty coverage had expired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
THE FRAME HAS RUSTED AND HOLES ARE UNSAFE. I AM WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING MY VEHICLE. THE SAFETY OF ME AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD I AM TRAVELING ARE AT RISK. I WENT TO LIBERTY TOYOTA IN BURLINGTON, NJ AND THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR. THE RUST IS UNUSUAL AND THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER YEARS AFFECTED AND FRAMES REPLACED. MY WIFE PURCHASED THIS TRUCK FROM LIBERTY TOYOTA
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact discovered a branch lodged beneath the vehicle and the corroded subframe with a hole in the front passenger’s side subframe. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.
Chassis in the middle frame back left too much rust and big hole due to rust
I just learned from my Mechanic that the Frame Corrosion is bad. The frame was inspected by Vanderstyne (now West Herr) Toyota on 06/20/2020. It passed the Inspection at that time, so they did not do anything. But within 4.5 years and only a little more than 6,000 miles driving since then - this corrosion shows up. I think the Toyota Specs for the Corrosion Inspection were not sufficient. Toyota should be held accountable for their negligence. I only have 72,900 miles on this Tacoma. I would have liked to keep it for another 5 years or so, but now I cannot and Toyota washed their hand when I contacted them.
See attached document for complaint
My frame is rusting and has holes in places. Is there a recall for that?
See Attached Letter
We recently went to have new tires put on the Tacoma at Costco. The Costco technician said that the frame was rusted and he had a similar problem with his Tacoma and Toyota repaired it. He told us that he couldn't install the new tires with the rusted frame and suggested that we go to our Toyota Dealer. We went to Toyota Direct in Columbus, Ohio (where we have had the vehicle serviced every time) and they took pictures of the rust and told us they would call us back. Although we have inquired several times, they had not called us back so we reached out to Toyota Corporate and they said that the recall/warranty extension had expired and there was nothing they could do. Costco has refused to install the new tires until the frame is repaired. (our problem is not with Costco.) The Costco tech did tell us that he was surprised that the rust had not been noticed before by the Dealer during regular service as it would not have appeared so quickly. So the complaint goes against Toyota Corporate and Toyota Direct... why did they not notice any rust while the warranty/recall was in effect or any of the service visits if this is a standard problem with 2009 Toyotas. If the vehicle has a rusted frame, that could be dangerous to whoever is driving the vehicle. In addition, without being able to have new tires installed due to the frame issue, that creates another safety concern with winter weather approaching and tires that need replaced.
I purchased this vehicle on 12/16/2019 with 20,990 miles on it. Now the vehicle has 33,000 miles on it and I was told by an independent service station that I have a large hole in the frame. I brought the truck on 4/07/2023 to a Toyota dealer and they said the recall for a new frame expired 12 years after the vehicle was purchased. I called Toyota and they told me the same thing. I had know idea that these trucks had frame rust issues when I bought it. I read that Canada received a 3 year extension to 15 years on Tacoma 2009 trucks with mileage under 36,000, I have only 33,000 miles. Please help!
Just learned from CT Toyota dealer that my 2009 Toyota Tacoma frame has significant corrosion and that it's time to replace frame or vehicle. Very disappointed. Vehicle did go in for recall service on 12/7/17 and CRC spray was applied as frame was determined ok at that time. Looks like that didn't help much to prevent further corrosion less than 6 years later. Voicing my frustration over those that got new frames are still driving on road, while I have to retire my truck. Extending warranty to 12 years from date of first use clearly did me no help. Do I and others like this have any options?
Significant amount of rust and rot on multiple structural points of the truck’s frame. This deterioration has advanced much quicker than anticipated, compromising the structural integrity and safety of the vehicle. The rust and rot have affected crucial components of the frame, including crossmembers and suspension mounting points. I have entered my vin # multiple times in the past years to the Toyota frame recall webpage but I am continually denied frame replacement. I feel that the extent of rust and the time frame in which it occurred should allow for a manufacturer replacement or compensation.
Rust flaking frame small hole
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that he noticed that the subframe was excessively rusted. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer for routine oil change and tire rotation services, and after the contact made the mechanic aware of the failure, he was informed that the vehicle could not be raised up on the lift because the subframe had excessive rust and would fracture. The contact was informed that the subframe needed to be replaced. The contact then made Toyota of Bedford (18151 Rockside Rd, Bedford, OH 44146) aware of the failure; however, the dealer declined to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.
Went to get an undercoat application. Tech pointed out severe rust/rot on my truck frame, located on both front wheel control arm area. Vehicle was inspected by N.E. Undercoating, Plainfield Ct. No warnings. NEVER RECEIVED A FRAME RECALL NOTICE Contacted Toyota Corporation and they said "sorry, nothing we can do"
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the subframe needed to be replaced. The contact stated that she had received a recall in the past for the subframe however, the vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure but informed the contact that the recall had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the tire hit the wheel well and the frame was ripped apart. The dealer sent a technician to the contact’s home to inspect the vehicle. The contact was informed that the sub frame needed to be replaced however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 250,000.
Severe rusting and corrosion of chassis/under body, body and frame of truck.
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for routine maintenance, the mechanic informed him that there was a hole in the sub-frame and that the sub-frame was severely corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. Additionally, the extended warranty had expired. The vehicle had previously been serviced in 2017 when the dealer applied an undercoating to the subframe. The failure mileage was 65,136.
The vehicle has an excessive frame rotten. The car was inspected by Toyota dealer confirming the issue. The issue appeared the first week of August 2021.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED AT TOYOTA CITY (1305 E BOSTON POST RD, MAMARONECK, NY 10543, (914) 825-5611) UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V604000 (SUSPENSION) HE BECAME AWARE THAT THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 34,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED HE BECAME AWARE THAT THE CHASSIS UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY RUSTED. THE CONTACT CALLED BRISTOL TOYOTA LOCATED AT 2283 GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC HWY, SWANSEA, MA 02777, (401) 253-2100, AND WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,458.
I HAD A RUSTY FRAME RECALL WHICH I TOOK IN ON FEB. 2018 AND HAD THEY SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED THIS BY RUSTPROOFING. SINCE THEN ALL THE NEW RUSTPROOFING APPLIED FOR THIS FIX HAS DETERIORATED. THIS TRUCK HAS ONLY BEEN DRIVEN LESS THAN 10,000 MILES SINCE THAT TIME AND IS HOUSED IN A GARAGE. THIS RECALL ENDS ON JULY 28TH OF 2020 AND MY DEALER SAYS THE WILL DO NOTHING. BECAUSE NO PERFORATIONS ARE SEEN THEY WILL NOT HELP. I ASSUMED THAT THIS WAS REPAIRED CORRECTLY WHEN IT WAS DONE INITIALLY BUT HAVE FOUND THAT THE JOB DONE WAS MAINLY COSMETIC AND THE MATTER WAS NOT FIXED. I AM NOW ASKING FOR HELP TO HAVE THIS REPAIR DONE PROPERLY. *TR
THE ENTIRE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE IS RUSTED
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Quick Summary
The 2009 Toyota Tacoma has 36 Structure complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.