150,000 Toyota Tacoma pickup trucks recalled due to rust risk

Toyota is recalling its popular Tacoma pickup truck, sold in certain parts of the country. At issue is the carriers that hold the emergency spare tire underneath the truck may not be adequately protected from the chemical road de-icers used in several states. If the tire carrier rusts, the spare tire may fall off the truck and present a road hazard, increasing the risk of collisions.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the rust problem affects 150,000 2001 to 2004 model year Toyota Tacoma full-size pickup trucks sold in so-call "rust belt" areas of the U.S., including:

• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kentucky
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New York
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• Virginia
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Washington, DC

Toyota has not yet developed a remedy to this situation, but they will notify owners when a fix is in place.

For more information, Tacoma owners can call contact their local Toyota dealer, the Toyota Customer Experience Center (800-331-4331) or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236.

For advice on how on to drive your vehicle safely in cold climates, see our Guide to winter driving and winter driving tips.

Source:
RECALL: 2001-2004 Toyota Tacoma - spare tire; Campaign ID #: 12V542000 [NHTSA]

—Paul Eng