Frame rust recall

This has gotta be the most FALSE information I have ever read on here.

Do you realize what a SALVAGE title is and what it means??

Where did you hear this information?? Are you absolutely sure this is referring to the 2nd gen trucks???

The 1st Gen trucks also had a frame recall. The difference - you got a new frame OR Toyota bought the truck from you and rendered them SALVAGE and they went to the junkyard.

 

Interesting... I will be getting a different loaner next week (mine happens to be due for maintenance) so i will talk with them then and report my findings..... got me interested now.

 

This is the question, does anyone know for sure if your truck has a salvage title after the work? When an insurance company "totals" a car, it is because the car repairs exceed the car's value. I'm surprised that Toyota would invest $13,000 in repairs to a vehicle that has a value of around $10,000 or perhaps less. From a business standpoint it doesn't make sense. Converting title to salvage on the repaired trucks would certainly lower their resale or trade value. Then if customer wants to buy a new truck, customer has to come up with more cash. I've been screwed on several occasions by Ford, so I'm always looking for the BOHICA moment.

 

Toyota's insurance is completely different than what we carry on our trucks.

The frames are not made by Toyota. I'm pretty certain that Toyota is getting compensated by the Frame manufacturer for all of this work. In fact, they're probably making money off it. If they were taking a loss on all this - they wouldn't be doing it.

This is a RECALL. Has nothing to do with an insurance claim on behalf of the vehicle.

There's no way in hell these trucks will be rendered a salvage title after replacing the frame. Here in Pennsylvania...it would be ILLEGAL to drive it off Toyota's lot with a salvage title.

 

I would imagine the work would just be considered warranty work and would not be reported to the DMV in any given state. Salvage title is generated when a vehicle has been called a total loss be an insurance adjuster. Nothing to do with the amount of non claimed work done to a vehicle. Just the same as if you did a whole bunch of work to your truck. This is not a recall it is an extended service campaign so it will not even show up on the NTSB.

 

I understand the point about insurance, I was only illustrating the path you would get to obtaining a salvage title, even though I left out a few steps.

Your point about Toyota making money from the frame replacement because they didn't actually manufacture the frames is well taken. I would think it would bankrupt any company to pay more to repair a fleet of vehicles than what they are worth. Which brings to mind the question, how long do you think the frame manufacturer will stay in business following this?

Not so sure about legality of dealer releasing salvage title vehicles; I think it is necessary for them to disclose this to the owner just as a seller must disclose it at time of sale. I'll check the vehicle code.

 

My question was probably prompted more than anything by paranoia because of several bad experiences in the past. You know that feeling you get when a company leaves you on the hook for something that was completely out of your control but that they knew about in advance? I've been there far too many times. That's why I still drive this truck. Up until now, nothing but regular maintenance stuff.

 

If that's what Toyota is replacing then I have to say Toyota is being pretty cool. I pictured these frames to be completely brown and crusty with gaping holes. Although these two frames have a lot of rust, they do not look like they are structurally compromised yet.

 

Notice they didn't spend 6 hours and 8 sawzall blades trying to salvage the LCA.

 

My understanding is that the frames were made by DANA. Dana lost a 25 Million suit brought by Toyota. Then DANA sold the company. DANA also made frames for the Ridgeline and some other trucks. The frames were never treated for rust prevention. I would think Toyota was concerned about gaining a negative reputation since the trucks frame been having frame problems dating back to 1999

 

I am signing a new contract every 30 days, this is a work around the 45 day limit.

 

It has nothing to do with Toyota releasing Salvage titles.

In Pennsylvania - it's illegal to drive a salvage title vehicle on the road. It's illegal for insurance companies to insure them. And....you can't register a vehicle without insurance.

If Toyota sold a vehicle with a Salvage title, it would have to leave the lot on a flatbed (in Pennsylvania).

 

You are correct; I saw the word "salvage" in the previous post (there are so many that I've been skimming through them) and confused it with "reconstructed." Salvage title vehicle would not be legal to drive anywhere. Recon title is legal to drive and must be disclosed to anyone buying one in PA. A more appropriate question to ask would have been, "Has anyone had their title converted to reconstructed?" That sums up what Toyota is doing to the trucks. My bad.

 

Someone posted a pic of his new frame prior to install, & it was made in Mexico.
Not sure which manufacturer.

 

Toyota is renting the vehicle and providing it to you.
That is why you do not need your own insurance involved. Toyota provides the car and the insurance.
Because of this you should decline additional insurance.
The enterprise agent did try to sell me insurance though. This is only a way for them to make more $.
Look at those frames!
Someone had stated one of them only had surface rust.
Look at the holes in both frames behind the LCA mounts, & in front of the crossmember.
Those look like big structurally compromising hole to me.

 

I would say no.... a frame replacement by Toyota will never render your vehicle as a 'salvage' title because its never reported to the DMV.

A frame replacement isn't any different than maintenance or repairs. When your transmission is shot...you get it repaired. You don't report it to the DMV. The frame recall is simply a repair.

 

Just to add here:
From western MD. Younger Toyota failed the frame last week and gave me a new corolla to drive for the estimated 3-6 month wait. They will reinstall my suspension lift components, but Toyota will not allow the re-installation of my body lift. Only catch was I need to bring in smaller tires as the 35's wont fit without the body lift.
Very impressed Toyota is standing behind these vehicles!

 

The car rental agency told me that I could not take the car out of state. I beleieved that I was the one renting. Took my credit card and DL. Should not have been necessary if they were renting to Toyota

 

A new piece of information about this frame rust thing.

Out of the blue I just information from my dealer about the frame rust recall on my truck and I live in KS. It looks like maybe they changed their mind on the "non rust belt" states.

crazy timing as the class action is supposed to be filed in California today (they chose California because Toyota USA is based there)

 

They're doing a phased rollout because the manufacturer of frames, harnesses, etc. couldnt keep up if the recall was done all at once. so your state probably is getting it late cuz its the least severe. Canada, and the east regions got theirs a while ago, i am in MN and got mine a couple months ago.