Toyota Frame Rust Recall

@george101 Regarding the appeal to the lawsuit, I left a message with the attorney's office. Haven't heard back yet. Will try more next week. But my truck was bought in May 2006, so I may be out of luck. Pretty disgusted about the whole issue. When I called a local dealer about it, they looked up the RECALL items and said that I could bring it in for a frame inspection and if it didn't have wholes, I could get an undercoating. They weren't helpful about the whole lawsuit issue and I think it's intentional on their part ... they don't want to be helpful because they don't want to do it. If I get in touch with the lawyer's office I will post info here.

 

I am so sorry, I just saw your message. Please know I feel so awful about all of this as well. I love my truck, and should be getting many more miles from it. I don't know how private messages work here, but feel free to message me. I would like to get in touch with an attorney, but don't know where to begin. Take care.

 

So they replaced my leaf springs and did a frame inspection. My frame almost has no rust on it at all so I think I am good. I may eventually throw some paint on it myself but as of right now its 99% rust free.

 

Does anyone know if they pull out the CV axles when putting on the new frame?

 

Per the YouTube videos I've seen the CV axles stay attached to engine/ trans, but are removed from hub assemblies.

 

Brought my 2009 in for a frame inspection due to the lawsuit. There's a 1-inch hole near the front right crossmember.
They say it's unsafe to drive and they'll have to keep it there for 6 months until a new frame comes in. They'll give me a loaner "car" until then.
I'm thinking a small hole like that won't get too much bigger in 6 months. Why can't I just drive it until the new frame comes in? All they say is "it's unsafe".
I only drive 100 miles a week.

 

Interesting. I’m in the queue for a new frame and the dealer will not give a loaner until work actually starts!

I asked a second dealer and they said the same thing too.

What exactly are the rules? I saw a Toyota memo stating a loaner car will be provided if the frame fails inspection.

What gives?

My rust hole is “L” shaped too.

 

I have no idea what criteria they use to determine if a frame is unsafe. Mine was, and I was in a loaner for 2 1/2 months. I would have thought that if the frame failed inspection and was going to be replaced, it would automatically be deemed unsafe and the truck taken off the road, with a loaner supplied.

As in so many issues surrounding this frame replacement thing, there seems to be a lot of leeway on policies among dealers. But I wonder if there's an official Toyota policy...

 

I was given the choice so I took the loaner for 3 months.

 

My loaner was a brand new Tacoma with all the trimmings. My neighbor kept telling me that now was the time for that trip to Alaska!

 

george101 - Here is an update. The 2006 Tacoma I mentioned was actually my son's. I contacted one of the lawyers associated with the frame rust settlement. He said that my toyota which was first purchased in May 2006 had missed the deadline for frame replacement. He suggested taking it to a local dealer and see what they say. And he said that in the event they turned it down I could call him back. He said he would reach out to Toyota directly and see if they would be willing to replace it. I thought that was pretty decent of the attorney. His name is Anthony Parkhill (Barnow & Assoc, I believe) and his phone number is 312-621-2007. He didn't ask my name or anything so I would think he's willing to do that for anyone. So my son took his truck to a dealer in SC (where he now lives). They checked it out and said he needed a new frame, the dealer contacted Toyota to get the repair authorized, which it was. It took a couple weeks for the parts to come in and about a week for the repair, during which time they gave him a Highlander to drive free of charge. I have to tell you I was shocked! They sent him pictures along the way as it was being repaired. I think my son said that the dealer said the repair period had been extended to January 2019. After looking at his truck during the repair, the dealer recommended the power steering lines be replaced. That was $1200. I'm not sure if that's a good price or not. So I would suggest you head right down to your Toyota dealer. All hope may NOT be lost!! Good luck!!

 

Wow!!!!! THANK YOU so very, very much!!! You have no idea how appreciative I am. I will call the attorney's office tomorrow.. I wonder if it's the same office I called a few months ago. They really "shot me down", and said it's too late. The receptionist also said, "oh maybe another firm could be handling some." I was really taken back. Interesting about the repair period extended until 1/19. I will go back to my dealership for sure. Would the attorney's office advise me about the extended time I wonder? In the meantime, best wishes to you and your son!! I am so sorry about the power steering lines. Yikes. Is that also related to the rust?

 

In regards to my earlier msg. ..I have now read about holes in the frames and other possible ways a frame might fail. My GF totaled her last Tacoma out a few months ago and while out shopping for Tacoma no.4 for her, a dealer told me that the problem with the frame failure is Toyota located the catalytic converter to close to the frame and the heat is actually cooking the steel and the gauge of the steel is becoming less than what Toyota requires. I don't know if this dealer was blowing smoke or not, but it could be the reason I could never find a problem area, if the the catalytic converter was hiding it? Hopefully my 15 never has this problem. Dan

 

First off, I am so sorry about your girlfriend, and I hope she's ok. What did she end up buying? How interesting to hear about the catalytic converter and heat.. I will be honest here; the info you previously shared about the attorney...I've done nothing. Work and family are have been so overwhelming. Tomorrow I'm off, and this is a good kick in the pants. Thank you so much for your post. Really.

 

Heat contributes along with salt etc.

I have seen frames with rot far away from the exhaust. I feel it is a manufacturing defect like improper cleaning coating etc

The cross section (box) with little to no drain holes can contribute too.

My 1993 t100 never rotted like my Taco!

 

Gads, now I am so worried if I were ever to be in an accident driving my truck. There were no holes found, my 12 yr period is over, but I have rust! Yikes. This is so scary. I need to pay off bills before I buy something else. I'm holding my breath!

 

So I asked this also and dealer says basically the inspector makes the call. If he deems it unsafe it don’t leave!
If he deems it safe you can drive it for a time period pending what and where?
Mine is about done box is back on today I’ll get it Monday they say.
No issues with the loaner truck they wanted to give me a tundra but I said no.
Got a purrty blue 17 taco sr5 4 banger auto.
I drove mine also was offered the loaner but sitting for months doesn’t do them any good.
I took mine home.

 

Also I have to say local dealer has made this pretty painless and if all goes good.
I will be happy as pig in what a pig likes.
9 weeks from inspection to finish!
10 days in loaner but only 3-4 days to do job.
I had spent a lot of time under it trying to save it!
The suit was a saving grace.