Frame rust recall

I am in Nova Scotia Canada and experiencing the same issues with frame being recalled. I found out frame was bad through my vehicle inspection sticker expiring at the end of November. My truck will be down till at least March, is what I am told. There is only a loaner vehicle for the duration of time it is in the shop or 7 days which ever comes first. I have been on the phone countless times with the class action line and Toyota Canada, with the end result being there is nothing they can do for me. I even brought up to them that it was their defective frame that created the failed inspection.... hence making it fail the provincial standard for what the acceptable condition of a vehicle should be for a passed road inspection sticker. Their response was because it is the "court mandated decision/class action suit" they are only allowed to abide by those binding decisions. So in the end I seem like I do not have a leg to stand on with all resources exhausted lol.

 

My truck frame recall runs out in January so I had the dealer take another look at it this past Friday while it was in for the NYS inspection. They found a hole, and opened a case Friday for the frame swap. Dealer called me Monday to say it was approved and they have ordered the frame/kit to do the swap. Estimated wait for the frame is about 4 or 5 weeks. They will call when it arrives to schedule a time to do the swap. I have a new set of TRD Pro shocks and struts that I will have them install when they swap the frame. I am pretty happy about the pending swap. Its a 13 year old truck with just shy of 200K miles on it. Its still in good shape so I am hoping to drive it for a long time.

 

Got hit with a $400-500 dollar bill for a new inner tie rod. Disputed them charging full labor charges because I felt they were double dipping since everything had to be taken down/rebuilt anyway for the frame to no avail. If you think your dealership is a stealership, try living in Miami.

 

I didn't get 'hit', but I was informed of certain things that needed attention that could be done for the cost of parts alone, so I took advantage of a couple items. But it was strictly my choice, and fair enough.

 

This is what my dealer advised me. If they find something that needs attention they will let me know and the additional work if any would be done for parts cost only.

 

I took mine in to have the dealership look at it today. I made the appointment by calling them and saying I had gotten several letters about "the frame, the propeller shaft, and the leaf springs and figured I should take it in for you to look at it." When I pulled in to their little drive-thru garage thingy one of their service leads and one of the two guys that does their frame replacements were there. I told them that the exhaust hanger on the passenger side was hanging down because the frame had rusted through there. The frame guy took one quick look under there and said "yep, put him in a rental that's going to be a fail for sure."

So, I'm on my way to new frame town. After the whole rental thing was lined up (they put me in a Corolla, which I'm not wild about but it beats walking), I happened to catch the frame replacement guy outside on a smoke break as I was transferring a few things from my truck to the rental. We BS'd for a good half hour and it really made me more comfortable about their process at the dealership. They only have a couple guys doing frames and they do "a few each week" and have done "more than I could keep count of" since the whole debacle has gone down. I feel pretty confident they'll do a good job for me.

They said they'd gladly do anything that needs to be taken apart anyway for no labor charge, and anything that is made easier buy the disassembly at "the nice price" on heavily reduced labor charges. So, I'm going to try to source some low-mileage take-off upper control arms and shocks all around at least. No mention of any BS up-front costs, though I expect they'll find something they want to do to it along the way. I guess if it's something actually broken and not BS and I can afford it, I'll let them.

They said if I wanted to come in and take some pictures when everything was taken apart they'd be cool with that.

Anyway, at least starting out everything seems to be being handled very well and I feel good about things at least for now.

For the record, this is Toyota of Waldorf, MD. Here was my thread asking about replacement dealers in my area and it shows the obvious rust-through I had:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/frame-replacement-in-dc-md-va-area.577629/

 

I feel for you. Any way that you can have a patch welded on so you can pass inspection? Initially I was told by my dealership that I would have to wait till mid September. .... now they are telling me spring, and I was approved in August. All I can do is wait. My truck has 261000 on it so a new frame will give it new life for hopefully another 260000.

 

Where was the hole, old bean? I'm an hour or so west of you and about a half hour east of Buffalo.

 

Tacotim0321 I was told that is an option but I am kinda nervous to do anything to frame because it may give Toyota an out. Initially I thought it was a great idea but some did mention that it would be better to leave it, just in case it voids some stupid issue Toyota can come up with lol. I am stuck in a tough place because I wanna just patch the frame to get the inspection good so I can drive it but it would be devastating to have Toyota day “ well thanks for the effort but you messed with the existing frame so now you are outta luck” lol. I am still up in the air on what my next moves are.

Thanks for the insight though I appreciate it!

 

You shouldn’t be! They’re not telling you the whole story! I know the process is complicated and they’re trying to be cost effective but common! NINE MONTHS?! IIRC my frame came in a little over 2 months and the other parts took 3-4 more weeks.
My dealership was willing to work with me on installing additional parts. I ended up having a few things done for no labor. Be sure to ask.

Edit: I bet if you were in a loaner your frame would be in a whole lot sooner!

 

I'm in the same position as you. I was approved in August and they told me September or October. Now it's almost December and no news. From the last time I spoke with them, it seemed like they were pushing for the spring.

 

I don't know, I guess I should have asked. I will try to find out. I was just surprised that they found one and had already submitted the claim to Toyota for approval. I have had the frame inspected previously and even had the CRC done. The claim was submitted on Friday and I was called on Monday saying it was approved. I've always known my frame was rusty and was concerned it would be a problem down the road. I bought the truck used and other than the frame its in pretty good shape for a 13 year old truck living in NYS. I have done what I could to try and keep the frame in good shape. I initially used fluid film, but found it was a pain to crawl under the truck every year to spray it down. So I eventually got a deal on Zeibart.

 

No guarantee from Zeibart?

 

I haven't talked to them yet. Not sure what if anything they would do.

 

That was more a rhetorical question.

 

Are you in canada? Just by reading some of the posts on here it seems to me that the frames are delivered in the states faster then in canada.

 

Would a phone call to the dealer be out of line? Asking if any repairs are allowed or if any repairs would void the replacement. Hopefully they would be willing to work with you. I would get any approval in writing so as not to face recourse. Here's hoping for you....

 

You can call and ask, but they will probably tell you they won’t work on a modified frame.
Why would you want to attempt a repair on a frame they will replace on their dime?

 

He would repair it so he can get a safety sticker so he can drive it. Without the sticker he is without a vehicle until late the frame replacement in the spring.

 

Free loaner from dealer until frame is done.