Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Toyota Tacoma owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 1999 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, an unknown popping sound was coming from the rear-end of the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact discovered severe corrosion and a crack that had formed on the rear passenger's side fender. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 147,813.
Hi, i had the recall preventive performed by toyota for rusting and corrosion of the frame. Now, the vehicle is rusting throughout the frame and is very very unsafe to drive. TOYOTA is claiming that it was a program and not a recall and had no documentation to prove. Toyota performed the recall and now the frame is still at risk to crack and very unsafe.
Dec 13, 2015, while bending down to pick up my reading glasses in the driveway, I noticed a clean through fracture of the frame, rear passenger side, just in front of the shock absorber fitting. A few days earlier I had wondered why the bed was tilted up pinching the back of the cab. The vehicle had passed state inspection year after year and had been see by my regular mechanic less than 2 years ago and no issues with frame deterioration were found or brought to my attention. I contacted Toyota and just yesterday was told, sorry about your "rust" issue, but the warranty has long expired. This is a well documented design and manufacturing defect tied to improper prep by Toyota frame contractor dana holding corp. The vehicle was fully operational and now it is un-driveable. If the vehicle had come apart at highway speeds, it could have caused serious injury or fatality. …
I've had complete failure of both sides- front ball joints. I chalked up the the drivers side failure to happenstance, but after passenger side recently had the same failure I did some investigating and realized this is a vehicle assembly issue. The same issue had recalls for the later models 2001-05 tacomas, I believe. Not sure why the earlier models were excluded, but this is scary and dangerous to have a complete breakdown while in traffic. The tows and repairs cost over $500 in total for both instances. I'm not looking for reimbursement as much as reassurance that my truck is safe to drive. Both instances occurred on city streets. Passenger side was under 10 MPH turning right towards my driveway. The recent incident was turning left at approximately 25 MPH through an intersection with a traffic light. …
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Toyota Tacoma. While driving 20 MPH over a bump in the road, the contact heard a loud abnormal noise coming from the vehicle. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the rear shock absorber fractured and that there was a hole in the frame. Del Toyota (2945 Lincoln hwy e, thorndale, pa 19372, [phone]) was contacted and stated that the vehicle was sold as is without further assistance. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 83,000.
Noticed my truck was leaking gas. Upon further inspection it appears to be coming from the tank and then I noticed that the frame is rotted out around where the leaf spring is mounted. My truck frame was inspected by Toyota years ago and I was told that it passed. I know about the extended frame warranty but just my luck it expired for my truck at the beginning of this year. I usually do a visual of the frame when I wash my truck but didn't notice anything. I'm not sure what I should do I can't drive my truck this way. I know Toyota is going to give me the run around.
It was under warranty for rusting underneath.I'ts a1999 Tacoma the manufactor said the warranty expired in I think March for my truck.but my frame broke in August and they (Toyota) are not going to do nothing for me about it.I didnt recive any of the recall notices from them and I told them this .they told me they could only do what the dmv sends them well I have had the truck since 2006.so you would think somebody would have sent something!!! My man is sick and I have to bum a ride and that really sucks!I'm not used to mother May I.any way it's all a blame game.
The vehicle was recalled due to corrosion in the frame beneath the leaf springs. The repair was supposed to be fixed in July 2011 by spraying anti-corrosion chemicals. However, this did not satisfy the problem as the rear is so rusted out it is unsafe to drive. Neither the Toyota dealer nor the Toyota company will fix this now as part of the recall because it is "expired" since the corrosion now is so complete, it is obvious that the "fix" in 2011 did not work. The truck has less that 125,000 miles and should not be rusted out.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle was inspected at a Toyota dealer for corrosion. The technician assured the contact that the vehicle was fine. Five years later, the contact brought the vehicle in for an oil change and it was diagnosed that the rear suspension detached from the frame due to severe corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 172,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Toyota Tacoma. While driving at 50 MPH, the contact heard a noise emitting from the rear of the vehicle. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the rear driver side leaf spring shackle fractured from the frame. In addition, the contact noticed corrosion on the frame of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 149,000.
Suspension complaints in other Tacoma years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 1999 Toyota Tacoma?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the suspension of the 1999 Toyota Tacoma, 14% of the model year's 249 complaints. The component named most often is front (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Toyota Tacoma suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension recall for the 1999 Toyota Tacoma. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Toyota Tacoma suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 133,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 4 injuries to suspension problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.