Frame rust recall

You might want to have your lower steering shaft replaced. The u-joint tends to corrode and stick (bad ju-ju when trying to steer) and now is the time. I had a couple other things done. No labor just parts. The guys doing it were experienced and still messed up a bunch of stuff. I took it back and they made it right.

 

Well it's finally done!

Haddad Toyota (Lenox/Pittsfield) did the rusty frame treatment. They kept the vehicle for a week, scaled the frame, treated it with a black, wet, tar-like spray and covered holes with "plugs". I was told this is the treatment that is used on frames under recall. All of which was done "in-house" and not outsourced like the first time. I will add that if it wasn't for the Service Manager, whom I dealt directly with in the end I would probably still be fighting with them.

Additional, during this process I worked with a woman from the Berkshire Consumer Services Program (BCRHA), working in cooperation with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office who guided me on a few things. Apparently Haddad has multiple complaints filled against them and are known for their poor customer service. Contact the BCRHA if you have any issues with Haddad, they're on first name basis with each other.

BCRHA also told me that vehicle sales is the number one complaint they get in the Berkshires.

 

Hi Y'all
I have a 2007 Tacoma v6 access cab 4x4. I am located in Michigan. The truck has 120000 Miles on it and is all around a great truck. I took it into the dealer about a week ago for the frame inspection and was told that it was not eligible because it was inspected and sprayed in 2015. Also, the truck was originally sold in Canada and that would also make it not eligible for inspection and if necessary replacement of the frame. It has been 3 years since it was sprayed and i was not the owner of the truck when this was done in 2015. The Undercoating is now flaking off and she is looking a bit rusty. Do I have a leg to stand on or am I sol when it comes to getting it inspected and may be replaced? What do you all think? Oh, this is my first post on Tacoma world so I apologize if I am ignorant of any well know Tacoma knowledge.

Thank you in advance for your help

 

The fact that it was previously inspected and sprayed 3-4 years ago IN NO WAY makes it ineligible for another inspection, and if it meets the criteria, a frame replacement. However, I don't know about the originally-sold-in-Canada angle. I would contact Toyota Customer Service.

 

I agree with the above poster. I purchased mine last summer and when I called the dealer to have the frame inspected, they told me the same thing,

"Sorry it was already inspected and sprayed 8 months prior".

I told them that's not how it works and I wanted it inspected again. So they agreed and approved me of a new frame that same day.

As others have said, I'm not sure about the Canada/US condition though.

 

Update
I contacted Toyota customer service and they told me to go to a different dealership to have the inspection done. Ok... I called the other dealership and they said I can get it inspected and I have an appointment for this Saturday. Yay! Should I take the time to get under my truck with a hammer and do some pounding to see if there are any holes? I am afraid if I touch it they will void the warranty. Let me know what you all think and I will keep this updated with how it goes.

 

If it's a Canadian truck they simply run the vin through the Canadian system. I had a USA truck and that's what they did for that truck. I'd have a look under your truck at the frame about where your feet would sit while in the front seats, the catalytic converters are next to the frame and the heat generated from them speed up the rust process. Lightly tap around, that will not void anything.

 

Peter,
You have every right to want your frame redone because they never prepared the frame properly, but technically they are correct about getting a new frame if a perforation is found while coating it. This extended warranty or "LSC" only applies to Tacoma from 2005-2010, so this wouldn't apply to your 2011, so anything the dealership does is because they want to keep you as a loyal customer, not because they have to.

 

It couldn't hurt to poke around and see if any problem areas pop up. I'd want to know if it was my truck, regardless how it plays out with the dealer. Just don't tell them you poked around, don't want to give them an excuse to blame you for their rust problems.

 

Thank you all for your help. Looks like I am going to be under my truck tonight. I am hoping to get a new frame out of this but as you said regardless I want to know if my frame is toast.

 

look on the inside frame rail next to the cat. significant problem area

 

Do this make sure its a big hammer too I think using the claw works best.

 

Update.
Well I tapped away in those areas and I think I may have one of the only Tacomas with a stock frame from a northern state that is still in good shape. I was not even able to find a little hole. Darn. I am still going to bring it in on Saturday to see if they can find something I cant. I will keep y'all updated.

 

I have a 2006 Tacoma from Saltachusetts and the dealership associate remarked that my frame looked like it came from the south it looked so good, so my OCD about cleaning my frame has paid off I guess

 

My frame was great I took it anyways and they applied the anti corrosive applicant to my frame free of charge. Even though yours is good it's worth taking

 

Update
Hi Y'all. Well my frame passed inspection and the warranty is up July 20th so it looks like I am going to be scraping all the old Toyota undercoating and rust off and putting on the 3 step por15 on the whole frame. Do you all have opinions about undercoating when you take the frame down to bare metal? Thank you for your input.

 

No undercoat. Go with something soft and semi temporary like fluid film, boiled linseed, waxoyl, etc.

Personally, I don't drink the por 15 koolaid either. I've used it, it's highly overrated. It's a bitch to work with and unless your prep is perfect, which is challenging, it will come off in sheets later or worse trap and exacerbate rust. It's uv sensitive and overpriced. If you do take the frame down to bare metal though and do great prep work, it is a solid product.

I use rust bullet or master series primer, and for frame or undercarriage work then black rustoleum. All of which are far more forgiving and easier to work with.

Best of luck!

 

Thank you for your input I will look into the products you listed.

 

I have a 2008 that passed inspection last year. The frame is covered in surface rust, but otherwise seems solid. I'd like to get a new frame, but I doubt I ever qualify, only 67,000 mi.

On a side note, I have a 2008 Rav4 with the 2.4l I4 that has oil issues. It too is low miles, so it doesn't use enough oil to qualify for new rings, etc...

 

Not sure what you're asking. You want Toyota to warranty your Rav forever?