My 2023 Tacoma Already Shows Frame Rust From Coastal Flooding, And Here Is My Prevention Plan

A truck that’s as reliable as your grandpa’s old pocket watch and as tough as a two-dollar steak. The 2023 Toyota Tacoma continues the tradition of being rugged, practical, and unkillable. It’s the kind of vehicle that makes you want to quit your job, move to the mountains, and start overlanding full-time. 

The Hidden Weakness

But for all its strengths, even a truck as bulletproof as the Tacoma has a kryptonite, salt water. While your shiny new rig might be able to conquer muddy trails, sandy beaches, and flooded streets without breaking a sweat, it’s what happens after those adventures that’ll come back to haunt you. Because if there’s one thing that can destroy a truck faster than a novice off-roader with a lead foot, it’s corrosion.

Just ask this Tacoma owner, who posted the following online:

"What’s up guys. Have a 2023 Toyota Tacoma. We live near the coast and see significant flooding a couple times a year. Frame is showing signs of minor surface rust, thought I’d clean and hit with POR15 to mitigate. Thoughts?"

It’s a fair question, and the responses were solid. Kyle Morgese, had this to say,

"Did my entire frame with POR15 top coat spray when the truck was new and only 8 months old. If you do proper cleaning and preparation work for the POR15, it’s a worthwhile job. If you wanna do the messy wool wax or fluid film after the POR15 then you can, but I personally just do a lot of maintenance cleanings to the underside of the truck/the truck in general."

Morgese is onto something. Preventative maintenance is the name of the game here, and there are a few ways to keep your Tacoma from rusting into oblivion. First, regular washes, especially after driving through salt water or flooded streets, are non-negotiable. Second, coatings like POR-15, Fluid Film, or Woolwax can work wonders, but they need proper prep. 

That means getting rid of existing rust, cleaning the surface thoroughly, and applying the product correctly. If done right, these coatings create a barrier that keeps moisture and oxygen from getting to the metal, two things that accelerate corrosion faster than a dealership finance manager trying to upsell you on an extended warranty.

When 2023 Tacoma Factory Protection Fails

Now, if you’re in the Northeast or the Midwest, you probably already know that road salt and ocean air will eat your truck alive if you let them. But here’s where it gets interesting, many truck owners in southern states, particularly places like Georgia, don’t even realize rust is a problem. Why? Because their states don’t salt the roads in winter, and they don’t have decades of rusted-out Chevy Silverados sitting in junkyards as a warning. 

Why Rust Is Bad

• Rust compromises the strength of a vehicle's frame and body panels, potentially making it unsafe to drive. ​
• Corrosion can damage essential components such as brake lines, fuel tanks, and suspension systems, leading to hazardous driving conditions. ​
• Addressing rust damage can be costly, and extensive corrosion may significantly reduce a vehicle's resale value.

But coastal living changes the game. Salt-laden air, storm surges, and even just parking near the beach can start the slow, silent death of your truck’s undercarriage.

And without consistent prevention, even a brand-new vehicle can start showing rust before it’s old enough for its first oil change.

Proven Maintenance & Undercoating Solutions for Your 2023 Tacoma

The real kicker? In 2023, rust on a new vehicle isn’t just an inconvenience, it’s unacceptable. Back in the ‘80s and ‘90s, sure, rust was a fact of life. You bought a truck, and within five or six years, the fenders started to bubble, and the frame looked like Swiss cheese. But we’ve moved past that. Automakers now use advanced coatings, better galvanization techniques, and improved design to mitigate rust from the factory. So, if your Tacoma is rusting early, something’s gone wrong. Either the factory protection wasn’t up to par, or the environment you’re driving in is so extreme that it’s overpowering even modern corrosion resistance. Either way, it’s a problem that needs addressing ASAP.

What’s The Solution?

So, what’s the solution? If you’ve got a 2023 Tacoma and you’re seeing early signs of rust, the first step is to stop it in its tracks. Wire brush the affected areas, treat them with rust converters if necessary, and apply a high-quality undercoating. POR-15, Fluid Film, and Woolwax are all solid choices, but they require maintenance. A one-and-done approach won’t cut it. You need to reapply coatings periodically and stay on top of washing the undercarriage, especially after driving through salty water. And if your truck spends a lot of time near the ocean, consider installing an electronic rust inhibitor. While their effectiveness is debated, some owners swear by them.

At the end of the day, the Tacoma is one of the best trucks money can buy, whether you’re daily driving it, off-roading it, or using it as an apocalypse escape vehicle. But like any great machine, it needs proper care to stay in top shape. Toyota’s engineers have done their part; now it’s up to you. Because while the Tacoma might be built to last, salt water is still undefeated, unless you take the fight to it.

Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.

Image by Chet Hewitt from his post referenced above.