Toyota Frame Rust Recall

I no longer own my Tacoma but I got a letter from Toyota staging that 2011-2017 models had a high volume of complaints about the frame corroding in cold climate states that see a lot of road salt use. Anybody else receive this?

 

I got my letter in the mail yesterday, but it is limited to cold weather states. Colorado isn't considered a cold weather state. I believe it is also related to salt use on the roads. I'm not certain, but I think Colorado recently started using more salt, so who knows how the frame will hold up. Fortunately, mine is a 2014, so I have a few years.

 

I got the letter for the inspection, and plan on making an appointment. I have a 14 Tacoma, and I live in Massachusetts, where they dump a bunch of road salt down. My question is has anyone received/ needed to have the frame replaced, in a newer Tacoma like 12 or newer?My fear is that they will only plug up the holes with the coating but will eventually need a new frame down the road.

 

Welcome!!

Not yet but I've heard of 09-10 needing it. I have a '10 and got the CRC coating last spring

 

That road you are worried about is 12 years long - if you get all of the required frame inspection / service / coatings done. I'll take that any day of the week.

 

So what if you have been doing occasional rust mitigation on your own? I just cleaned up and sealed a section behind the right front wheel because it was getting bad enough that I was worried that it could eventually turn into something structural. Most of the rest of the frame, especially around the welds, is showing signs of going down the same road. Also, there are seemingly random spots on the sides of the frame rails, not near any holes or welds, that have rust starting aggressively enough that I can dig in a small screwdriver and chip away small flakes. Has anyone heard of Toyota or a dealer trying to deny taking responsibility for a frame that does not meet the requirements of the lawsuit because of being tampered with or refinished by the owner, etc?

 

Yes. There is a post in one of these frame rust threads where the owner chipped away at a rust hole and Toyota denied him because of something like saying he made the hole bigger, even though it was already rusted through.

Before you do anything else, get your truck to a dealer and get an inspection on the record.

 

Does it matter if not first owner?

 

I wouldn't mess with it any more before taking it in for your inspection.

 

No, it doesn’t matter.

 

This, I bought my 10 used. Brought it in last spring for the first inspection and the CRC. I have until Sept 2021 for the second inspection.

 

excellent. I will call about scheduling an inspection soon. should I have a TSB or some info ready if they question what I am talking about?

 

If they don't know what you're talking about, it's time to go to another dealer. This program is not new news. The only thing you may have to do is live with an inspection only on your first visit. The newest treatment protocol involves special equipment and materials and the technicians have to be trained. Not every dealer is completely ready yet. I work at Toyota dealership and our guys haven't been trained yet, so I've had (and passed) my inspection, but am waiting for my frame treatment. Should be this month or next.

 

That is good to hear. Is the newest treatment something that may actually be helpful? Sounds like the CRC stuff was just a temporary bandaid that did not do much in the end or that the procedure to make it successful was unreasonably thorough to expect it to be done consistently.

 

I think it will be helpful from what I've seen of it. The trouble with rust though is that once it starts, it's very tough to stop. I'd be much happier if they did this treatment to new vehicles.

 

I took my 2012 TRD in last week to have snow tires swapped out and they informed me that I was eligible for the frame inspection. Today(5/1/2020) is the appointment for the frame inspection and they gave me a dealer Corolla to drive until it is finished.

I live in Dover, New Hampshire and Bill Dube Toyota is doing the inspection. I have been going there for the last few things I have needed and it has been nice. I don't have information on if it passed yet, but they explained that photos are taken and sent to Toyota for review. If it "passes", they are going to coat the inside of the frame.

I am the second owner of my truck and have had it for 4 years. It has 122k miles on it. Truck was in Louisiana until about 2017. Only a few years so far with all of the NH road salt and potential problems. We shall see how it goes. I guess I don't care either way, but a new frame and whatnot would be kind of cool.
Let me know if you have any questions or want pictures or whatever.

 

Keep us posted man, I'm in MA

 

Keep a good eye on it. I'm in MA and have a 2010, had the inspection and CRC spray in ~Dec 2017. Stuff was falling off a year later, brought it in, found a hole and got a frame swap ~Feb 2019.

 

got my frame notice yesterday, coverage is 12 years from the date of first use.

 

Frame rust recall, brake master cyllender recall, fuel pump recall, tss safety sensor recall, clutch pedal squeek master cyllender replacement tsb, engine surge software update tsb, howling diffs, crank positioning sensor failures, etc etc etc.... jesus christ Toyota get your shit together.

Then youve got the fanbois that post here "my truck is perfect youre all just a bunch of entitled crybabys."