frame rust buy back

The lack of Toyota undercoating before the deadline is a deal breaker for a truck which has spent its entire service life in a cold weather state. According to accounts discussed here, Toyota has not budged on this point. Other than the vehicle aging out of warranty, that has been the reason for every denial that I can recall. Toyota set the rules at the start of this extended warranty, however harsh they are to the current owners, is sticking to them. That makes it all the more aggravating to the now owner, who had no control over what the prior owner did or did not do.

Sounds like your repair has you on the right track, although I like Jon's offer. I may need to take him up on that in a year or so, unless my frame fails before then while under warranty. Have you any pictures of your repair?

 

I do not have any pics at the moment, but this friday I can get some. The truck is going back on the lift for new rear shocks.

Without diverting this thread to much, just want to add a quick little side note on the fix I received with the Safe T Cap product from Rust Technicians in Cranston Rhode Island. I am not out of the woods yet.

When I picked the truck up I noticed 3 things.
1. The gas cap filler neck was loose and was not centered in the access housing of the truck. Does anyone know or recall if theirs is fixed to the bed? Not talking about the tube portion, but the part that the cap screws on to.
2. The gap between the cab and bed is off. Left side gap has more room at the top then the bottom
3. Rear left side corner of bed is sagging. Its off by about 3/4" from the right.

The truck now has an awful chatter coming from the rear. When I hit a bump it feels like I am on little rumble strips for about 100 feet after the bump I know I need new shocks, but before the frame work was done, I didnt have the chatter, even though the shocks were still bad before the work. I get it though, the frame is now beefed up and more strong so any weak suspension parts may show more signs of rough riding. I usually associate that big high and low bouncing motion with blown shocks, not a chatter. However with the three visual signs of the frame being tweaked, I am doubting it is the shocks. However, I am going to replace them and then take it from there. I have a feeling that the Safe T caps were installed a little wonky. If the frame was weak in those areas - especially towards the end of the frame, it wouldnt take much for the new caps to pull on the frame once welded. I just wonder if they took their time and tack welded in all the right spots to avoid the way welding can warp and pull on the weak spots. Or if they used any sort of frame tool to make sure everything was straight during, and after the work.

I wrote them a letter about all of this and I am waiting to hear back. But in the meantime, I will be replacing shocks. The product that I bought is still pretty sweet in my eyes, So if you or someone you know is a good welder I would recommend using the Safe T Cap. I just wish I was there when the work was done so I could have been the more vigilant eye balls on the scene. You know how these shops can be. Get it in and get it out. There is only one person that has your trucks absolute best interests in mind, and thats YOU - the owner. My worst fear is that the frame is slightly warped towards the rear now. And with those three noticeable changes after the work was done, I dont think that is to far off.

 

What's up guys? Just curious about when everyone had the spray done was that a separate notice you received than the inspection notice or was it to be done at the time of inspection? I have records and letters of everything I have received. When I took the truck for frame inspection in 2010 they said it was good to go and sent me on my way and I never heard anything else. Of course I didn't know this dealership was shady at the time but this particular dealership has since been raided by the FBI and shut down for embezzling.

 

I'm no longer a 1st gen owner, but became very well versed during my year long search to find the perfect 1st gen...

To find out what has been done to your truck by Toyota make an account on the Toyota Owners website and enter the VIN, then look in the service history section.

https://www.toyota.com/owners/

If I'm not mistaken you have a Tundra. While they seem to have had a similar problem as the Tacoma, 2005-2008 Tundras are included in the new Frame Settlement.

Check out this website for all of that info:

http://www.toyotaframesettlement.com/

It is extremely frustrating purchasing a vehicle and then having it fall apart on you "prematurely." I say prematurely because every vehicle will break (mechanical or structural) eventually and only the determined person with proper funds and skills will be able to keep it road worthy.

I'm not sure that Toyota is going to be to apologetic to people who were not original owners/or to people bought trucks that were already sitting on rotten frames. This would be more of a buyer beware scenario.

If you purchased your truck in the shape that it is currently in, I think you would have more of a chance fighting with the dealership that sold it to you than Toyota.

 

Hey you all need to go back to page 10 If Toyota can sue Dana the company that built these frames for 25mil we should be able to get new frames for our trucks. If you have not filed a complaint with the NHTSA you need to do so The more they see the more they are going to do something about it There # is 18883274236

 

@Johnc11 There already was a LSC for 1st generation Tacoma's to get new frame's or to have trucks bought back by Toyota. At this point I would say that you are wasting time looking to get a new frame for a 15 year old truck. As I stated before, you would have more of a shot for getting your money back going to the dealership you purchased from than Toyota, and even then it is always advisable to do a through inspection of any vehicle before purchasing. Just because Tacoma's are know for their reliability doesn't mean they are without fault.

Go to google and search Frame Rust Tacomaworld and you will have a couple weeks worth of reading on the subject.

 

I hate to be a little rude here but these frames are under warrantee for 15years So from 2002 up you have a frame problem fight with them like me

 

Not taken as rude, I'm just trying to help you get some information in case you don't have the time to sift through the piles of information on the frame rust available.

A settlement was already reached for your year Tundra and 1st generation Tacoma's. If you had a Tacoma the following details are important:
1)Your truck must have had the CRC coating done by the dealer to qualify for a replacement frame.
2)If the CRC coating was applied then you have 15 years for the inservice date to have Toyota check your frame for a perforation and start the paperwork to replace the frame if a 10mm hole was found. This would mean that 2017 is the last year for 2002 Tacomas.

I looked for some information about the Tundra as I know that the 2005-2008 Tundras are part of the new LSC that has jest reached approval. Here is what I came up with:

http://www.tundraheadquarters.com/blog/toyota-launches-00-03-tundra-frame-replacement-program/

Looks like the LSC for your specific truck ended in 2012, but if you haven't taken it to a dealer then I would start there.

These law suits are class action suits which means that unless you opt out (which there is usually a specific way to do this) you get lumped into the included class. Class action suits are good and bad depending on which way you look at them. As a regular ol' dude with a meager income I could in no way take on Toyota with a law suit, but when you represent a class of people numbering over 100,000 you can get a legal team to take on the job. Also it help Toyota not have to settle 100,000+ individual law suits.

In my opinion Toyota did more than most manufacturers and made good with most customers.

Since you are in the south (as I've learned from a post you made in another thread) you should seek out non-rusted Tundra and do a frame swap since your seems to be in good working order otherwise.

And regarding Dana Corp, the plaintiff sued Toyota who then sued Dana to cover the cost of the frames they would have to replace for their customers.

 

If that is the case why would a dealership tell me they would not put a new frame under my veh. because the frame was worked on

 

I'm no expert, so my word and advice is only as good as the research I have done on this subject, but:

That person was talking about the buyback, which was for early model 1st gen Tacoma's.

There were different stipulations for the later models and now 2nd gens.

Also you have a Tundra, so it will have its own set of rules regarding the frame swap.

When you say frame was worked on what do you mean? Unfortunately the dealership is the one that gets to decided if you get a new frame. If you don't meet the criteria (whatever that may be for your Tundra) then the next step is to take your complaint to Toyota Corporate. Do you know you in service date for your Tundra? You need to know that so you can find out if it's even still available for a frame swap if it meets the standards.

I think that part of the problem that you are going to run into is that you are in Georgia, dealerships down there probably have very little experience with frame swaps.

If you can find a copy of the court order from the Tundra settlement and bring that with you to the dealership it may help you.

 

Also @Johnc11 read this thoroughly if you haven't already:

http://www.tundraheadquarters.com/blog/toyota-launches-00-03-tundra-frame-replacement-program/

 

I had a 2001 Tacoma. I received a first class envelope in the mail from Toyota on April 8, 2010 stating 2001 through 2004 Tacoma Frame Rust Corrosion Perforation Warranty Enhancement. It has lists of states and what Toyota would do for your vehicle. Mine was taken to the dealership on May 12, 2010 to have the "Corrosion-Resistant Treatment" applied. That extended the frame warranty to 15 years (2016). In 2015 I had issues with frame rust again. I reached out to Toyota, provided them with some information and set up an appointment at my dealership. My frame "passed" because the holes weren't a certain size (the amount escapes me right now). They told me I still had about 5 months left on my warranty and to wait it out until it rusts more. I went back a few months later and it failed. Dealership contacted Toyota and I was taken care of. I no longer have that truck as I have a 2016 Tacoma now.

If you didn't get the spray done you're out of luck. If you missed the 15 year extended cutoff you're likely out of luck. If the previous owner didn't get it done and you weren't aware... you're out of luck.

I do still have all my paperwork that I can pull out and reference.

 

they blocked me from all Tundra sights I guess I got under there skin I feel that some of these southern dealers are getting with these northern dealers buying these trucks for nix to nothing and selling down south and out west for a huge profit since in the southern and western states have no inspection going on and the consumer is not use to that rust so they don't look at the frame that close like what happen to me. When I went to put a Reese hitch on it

 

Trucks can end up anywhere, there's not a conspiracy to rip people off, that's just your run of the mill used car lot!

 

A small Mom and pa shop don't have that kind of money If it is going on it has to be these big boys doing it and moving several at a time.

 

So here's how it goes:
Joe owns a 2002 Tundra in Boston. He decides that he wants a new truck. Goes to the dealership and they say "I'll give you $1500 for that Tundra as a trade, that's a hell of deal considering it won't pass inspection!" Joe says ok a drives off in a Honda Rodgeline. Dealership sends the Tundra to auction because they don't sell 15 year old rotten trucks on their new car dealership. Used car dealership buys Tundra at auction for cheap because it had a hole in the frame. Used car salesman details the Tundra and then puts it up for sale "no credit no problem!" Someone buys the Tundra and now it's their problem.

 

Thanks. Doesn't appear to have had the spray done. I handed the service guys the letter about the frame i got in the mail and they took the truck to the shop and I picked it up at the end of the day. They said they performed everything and I was good to go. Of course the frame looked fine then but now it's sketchy as hell. I'm probably outta luck though.

 

that's one of the problems if these dealership buy one of there vehicle knowing it has a bad frame under it. there needs to be some type of law that they need to fix it or junk it sell as parts not to try sell it to some one and they get killed over it

 

Lemon Laws...also they do not cover used cars in GA. http://consumer.georgia.gov/consumer-services/lemon-law-complaint-process

If there aren't vehicle inspections in Georgia and the truck is running then you really don't have a case in my non-lawyer opinion. You just do like a lot of people and drive it until it falls apart.

And instead of trying to fight Toyota Corporation you go back to the dealer with you problem. Toyota already settled this and you aren't going to get anything out of them.

One thing for sure is that this forum is well versed in the class action suits for Tacomas and somewhat the Tundras. You aren't going to find any magic remedy on here, and you aren't really bringing anything new to the forum by sharing photos of rust. It's the most commonly discussed topic here besides "what tare the biggest tires I can fit" and "what lift should I get."

Listen to the folks here who know and have been through the frame replacement process. The requirements are pretty straight forward.

Take the issue up with the dealer you bought from, or hire a lawyer, or both.

Regardless of what you do hopefully you will crawl under the next vehicle you buy before you hand over any money.

 

I thought it was a federal law that you can't legally sell a vehicle as an operational one if it won't pass a safety inspection? Or is that a state-to-state thing? There has to be some recourse for a dealership that sells a registered vehicle as operational if it can't, in fact, be registered because it can't pass a safety inspection.