Feeling Screwed By Dealer...need Advice.

Hi! I have a 2007 TRD OR 6 speed 4.0 that I've loved. Long story short, I took it into the dealer in 2017 to have the frame checked for the recall. At that time, in 2017, they told me that my frame was just fine and didn't qualify for replacement, etc. Jumping forward to yesterday, I took the truck back to the dealer for an odd vibration that I suspected might be a U-Joint. They called me back telling me the Ujoint was fine, but that there's $7500 worth of other things that need repaired and THEN told me that my frame has a huge hole in it!

I said, well, that's very interesting because you're the same dealer that checked my frame in 2017 and cleared it as being fine. Dealer said that there's nothing they can do, since 3 years have passed since they checked the frame. The claim they had Toyota on the phone as well, who told them they couldn't do anything for me.

I have a huge problem with this same dealer checking my frame in 2017, telling me it was fine, and now telling me I have a huge frame hole from rust and that they can't do anything for me. Honestly feeling too frustrated to even call them back at this point. ...hoping for some advice/guidance from you all... Thanks so much in advance!

 

Do you have the paperwork from the 2017 inspection?

Take it and all documents, politely visit with the GM at your dealer about the situation.

If no resolution, then go to another dealer using a polite approach with your documents.

Remember, you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.

Good Luck.

BTW, you're not screwed. You are up against policy, red tape and procedure. In 2017 the frame was passed, 3 years later........

 

Sounds like a new dealership is in order.

 

I do have the paperwork from 2017 and can certainly take it in and be polite. However, I'm not guessing it'll make a difference to them as they were able to look up my 2017 frame inspection in their system yesterday, confirmed that it happened, confirmed that they said it was fine, but are now claiming that it's been 3 years and that's what caused the rust hole and they can't be responsible for that.

 

Don't forget to use the honey when talking with the GM.

Or try another dealer.

 

Well 2017 was 3 years ago and it's possible it didn't qualify for a free frame then. It takes a perforation and if it didn't have a hole, then it didn't have a hole. Toyota only extended the warranty to 12 years from in service so your 2007 no longer qualifies.

It's painful, I understand. I jumped through all the hoops with inspections but I also maintained my frame so it never rusted out and now I'm beyond the 12-year warranty, too. So it'll hurt one day when (and it's when, not if) it rusts through.

If there was documentation of a hole in 2017 then I'd take it up with Toyota corporate, though.

 

The frame on my '06 was replaced in Feb 2018.

I purchased the truck in Feb 2020. I have spent several hours cleaning the frame of debris from gravel roads and farm fields. I will flush the frame with fresh water every possible chance in the winter. I live in a rust state. In the Spring, I'll crawl under the truck for a thorough clean, flush and visual inspection.

I think your best chance is with the GM of the dealership. You know the situation, you may need to accept and grumble. Not all is lost if the dealer won't help. You can visit a frame shop to see about repair and preventive measures. Sure, this would cost you, but it should be much less than ponying up for a frame replacement.

 

The dealer doesn't make the call, Toyota does. Call them direct and open a case with them. Explain your situation and they may help.

 

Dealer told me to skate as well .

 

Ummm...... your truck broke.

 

It's "normal"

 

Nah, that’s just climbing hill in level cab mode. It’ll bend right back

 

Personally, I wouldn't take their word for it regarding having Toyota on the phone. I'd call myself. Have your paperwork in hand and call 'em, worth a shot. Or just try every dealership in town.

 

100%

 

I’m sorry, I truly believe rust issues on Toyotas are real, but 3 years is a long time for anything to happen on your frame. Even if your frame was immaculate in 2017, it can go from that to perforated in 3, especially in the salt belt.

Why don’t people check their frames more often? It’s not like this is some brand new surprise issue? This has been going on for probably 20 years or more since they caught flack on the 1st gens.

Read the official literature on what qualifies and what doesn’t and talk to Toyota yourself and find a new dealer if your unsatisfied.

 

OP.
so I take it when you had them inspect the frame in 2017 you had not looked around yourself under the truck to see what you may or may not see before you took it in? Where is the large hole they are speaking of today?
Here is why I ask. I do all my own maintenance and am crawling around under my truck all the time. Back in maybe 2012/2013 or so, I noticed a .25 cent size hole on the driver's side frame rail right near the catalytic convertor. I called corporate, their only advice was to take it to the dealer for documentation purposes. This was BEFORE the initial "frame campaign" was ever announced. Of course, the dealer reported back finding the same hole I did, I already knew they could not come back and say they saw nothing.
Now it was December 2014, frame campaign is in full swing, I had been watching the hole grow as time passed, took the truck in, it failed as the hole was large enough to warrant a frame replacement, which I already knew would be the response. By May of 2015 it was finally replaced (they waited that long for a new frame to come in, I was in a loaner for six months).
I truly believe you would have had a hole in the same place back in 2017 that they are claiming today there is one. But if you never inspected it yourself back then, you have to take their word and documentation on all of it.
Good luck

 

Did they give you an invoice listing all the things wrong with it? I had my frame replaced and they gave me a 2 page list of things wrong with the truck. Some was valid a lot of it was bullshit. No way I would pay them to fix it anyways. Big money grab. I would go to a different mechanic.