Toyota frame rust letter

i just got a letter about frame rust on my 02 taco. they say if there is a fixable problem they will spray some crap on it, and that wil fix it. wont that just seal in the rust making it worse later? if the rust is "un fixable" they will buy the truck back for bluebook value. has any one else got this letter or delt with this yet. I guess this letter was only sent to heavily road salted areas

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/6549-95-2k-rust-help-toyota.html Have fun.

 

Please read your letter carefully. I know that the 01-04 tacomas are supposed to have frame replacements if the rust can't be mitigated. My 00 was bought back by Toyota for 150% of excellent KBB retail value. For what KBB value will Toyota buy it back if the rust can't be halted/repaired? Since buying my 2010, I have not been following the 01-04 frame rust mitigation, but there are many on here who've been directly affected by this, and will most likely chime in.

 

As far as spray on halting the process, the theory is that rust needs oxygen in order to grow, so by cutting that off, it shouldn't ever get worse. Good in theory, but I'm highly doubtful of this fix since there are just many places they cant easily get the spray and the spray they do use doesn't seem to last all that long.

 

I got the same letter, I have some rust but have not had it checked out yet, you?

 

Oh, cool. I was about to give Toyota a call soon, because I was actually thinking of sanding down some rust and spraying it with some rattle can paint myself to stop it from rusting more. If they'd do it for free that would be awesome.

Go for it.

 

i have not taken it in. i plan on calling later today to get it in. ill let you know when i get more info it would be cool if you did the same

 

i just looked under mine and theres rust but it dosent look 2 bad i think mine will pass SHIT i had my hopes high for a reason to get a new taco

 

Wait.. so they've changed now from frame replacement being an option to now either spray or buy back? So no more frame replacement?

And regarding blue book value, did they say whether they'll buy back at Excellent Cond price?

 

buy back is 1.5 times exelent kbb

 

my appointment is Wednesday

 

so absolutely no mention of frame replacement huh? damn..

 

2001-2004 is still frame replacement. They have the frames.
1995.5-2000 is 150% KBB. No frames.

Take your truck in to get it inspected as that gets you entered into their 15 year extended warranty (from the time the truck was 1st put into service.) plan.
You have until Oct. 2010.
Doesn't cost anything but if you get a rust-through in that time, your truck will be bought back or frame replaced, just depends on the year of the truck.

 

they still got frames? well not according to the letter the OP received they don't...

 

Could be that dealer doesn't want to replace the frame (or doesn't have anyone qualified enough working for them to do the work.)

Easiest way for the OP to find out... talk to the dealer and ask. I've gotta schedule mine, just in case.

 

If they are extending the frame replacement out 15 years, I'm sure they have frames.

I had my frame replaced in January and the semi that brought my frame had frames stacked 10 deep on his truck, on their way to other dealers.

 

I'm waiting for my call from Toyota to get their buyback offer. I think the issue is not whether they have replacemnt frames, but a matter of cost. It probably costs Toyota less to replace the frames on the 01-04s than to buy them back at 1.5X KBB, whereas they are paying less than $12K for the 97-00s' buyback. Just a matter of a break-point.

The worst of the rust is actually on the insides of the frame (as in on the inside of the frame, where you can't see). Stick your finger in a hole and feel around. You'll feel the flaking. It will first rust through just ahead of the front perch for the rear springs, particularly on the driver's side. I doubt there is any way they can spray rust preventative in there to kill the cancer. Take a hammer and hit that part of your frame, on the inside (as in between the frame rails) by the gas tank. If it makes a hole, take it in. You qualify. If not, take it in for inspection and get the rust-proofing. The rust-proofing will not invalidate the extended warranty. Eventually it will rust out anyway.

 

You're missing the point.. the confusion here is a 2002 owner received a letter stating ONLY rust prevention treatment OR buyback. 01-04 is suppose to have frame replacement as an option instead of buyback. So unless the OP can clarify what the letter states, this would indicate a change of direction for the rust issue on the 01-04 models