What do you do when Toyota says they will not replace your rusting frame that they recalled?

I have 2009 Double Cab Toyota TRD, and the Frame is rusting. When I took it back to the Dealer Jim Coleman in Bethesda, MD. They said there was no perforation, so I though good I wouldn't have to worry about it. Then 8 months ago, I noticed the Brackets that are welded to the from that support the muffler were hanging down. When I took the Truck to my mechanic and he got it on the lift, the brackets rusted holes in my frame just past the driver seat and the passenger set. He then informed of the Frame recall. Then when I tried to contact Toyota they stated that there is nothing they could do for me. I was shocked, after the dealer Jim Coleman in Bethesda Maryland told me that the frame didn't need anything or need to be replaced. At the mechanic shop, the frame not only had two holes from the muffler brackets rusting out, I now have extensive Rust were the inner frame is rusting not only the inner frame, but the otter frame.

Does anyone have a solution or who I could contact to get Toyota to Stand up and honor their recall? Because if Toyota does not take care of this I will never buy a Toyota again. Any insight is greatly appreciated.

Thank You,

J

 

I believe the recall was 12 years from date of first use.
There might be a “slight” possibility you are still in warranty.
Like less than 3 week possibility.

You can make an account on Toyota’s website. Enter your VIN and find out when the “Date of first use was”. If it’s passed 12 years. There’s nothing you can do.

 

Got any pics of these rusted areas? More than likely you're going to be SOL with Toyota.

 

I'm thinking he's out of the time window based on his comment about Toyota stating there was nothing they could do, although OP can confirm.

 

Hopefully the executives at Toyota see this post and scramble to save the company by not potentially losing your future business.

 

Prepare to shell out big bucks for another frame or start shopping for another brand. Whoever made some of the decisions regarding the Tacoma should have been forced to commit seppuku.

 

Everything you have all have spoken about in your posts is what I have done, I have looked it up on the Toyota Recall web site and contacted them. They said they were going to get a dealer to contact me. The dealer did not contact me. Though I had the Truck at Jim Coleman Toyota in Bethesda Maryland when they replaced the leaf springs, and at that time I heard of the Frame recall, they say they inspected it, and it didn't need anything for the rust of the frame. It's just amazing that they will not just fix it. I love the truck, but if Toyota is going to treat me like that then I will choose another Manufacturer for a Pick up truck. I am working on filing a complaint with the Consumer Protection Agency. The warranty should be for 12 years from the date of the notification, and then Dealer doing the inspection and saying it is not needed, then all of a sudden out of the blue it starts rusting out everywhere on the frame that is not my fault. I should not be penalized for someone else's mistake/AKA Stupidity from the manufacture, and then from the dealer. This is not good, if I have to get an attorney it will cost them 4 times as much, because I will collect for my time. I appreciate you all responding to my post, if you now anyone who could give me an estimate for replacing the frame I'll give them a call and see. Though I think my attorney will have a different plan to get this resolved. Then the next Truck I buy will not be a Toyota. Its sad that Toyota treats their customers like that, and the Dealer to. The truck dives like it just came off the showroom floor, mostly highway miles, and maybe 20K off road, but not like down in the mud, or baja.

Thank You all,

J

 

I'll try to get some pictures in the afternoon today to show you all.

Thanks,

Jay

 

Here's frame repair kits, you can buy seperate sections, they need to be welded and of course your frame cleaned up first.

https://www.autorust.com/product-ca...tacoma-2nd-gen-access-cab-dbl-cab-wall-chart/

 

12 years is a pretty generous time frame for a warranty repair. 2009 + 12 years = 2021.....you are right on the edge of being out of warranty period. Need to confirm the "First Use Date" We only have about 3 more weeks in 2021.

BTW, all steel will rust. Doesn't matter the manufacturer.

Frankly, I feel Toyota went above and beyond on this issue. What response do other manufacturers provide?

Your contact at Toyota who said a dealer would contact you.....You should call that person back to report the lack of contact from the dealer. During the call, ask specific questions, "Which dealer will contact me?" "Please provide a name of the dealer contact person." "When can I expect the contact?" "Do you have a direct number where I can contact you?" Use email or text to document and confirm your phone conversations.

<edit> BTW, I doubt Toyota would see much impact on their annual sales when you select another brand.

 

Don’t take pictures just for us, take them to show Toyota, another dealer etc.
If you’re outside the 12 year window when you took it to the dealer will be tough to get them to replace it.

 

If you haven't learned to weld yet in life, now is the perfect time. If you got a few grand to spend, current welding set ups are user friendly and almost bombproof in their simplicity. After a weekend of playing around on practice welds you can get good fast. If you've gotta kid or good buddy to learn along with, it can be a real bonding experience. Then a whole new world will open up. Patching up the holes in your Yokohama rust bucket will be child's play. Learn to weld and all the neighborhood wives will begin looking at you in a whole new way. Seriously, though.... it's a dang good time for you to learn to weld. Power up your man mojo and you will see the light.

 

Thanks for the website to buy the frame sections, and Yes I know all metal rusts eventually unless your prep it and seal it with great paint or rust inhibitor. It just frustrates me that a Toyota Dealer would say that nothing needed to be done when Toyota would have paid them to fix it. Then they didn't fix it and then it becomes a safety problem later. The truck only has !32,000 miles on it. The truck should last for at least 250K-300K. So I paid to lease it but can't return it. I know by me choosing another brand of truck really isn't going to impact their bottom line, but I will be telling anyone I speak to who is going to buy a Toyota how they treat their customers, and they tell two people. I just don't think it is in their best interest to have a dissatisfied customer talking about the horrors of stupid Dealers and a manufacture who won't get their dealer in line. It will just foster a bad image for them. If any one know a good frame repair specialist in the Maryland area between Baltimore and Washington DC let me know. I appreciate every ones help. I just put satellites in space to measure the earth, and I am usually paying someone else to do the labor.

Thanks,

J

 

Wait... that works? I have yet to see any rewards...

 

As an electrician, I remove shorts...

 

When did they do the initial inspection where they said it was good to go? Like what year?

 

The warranty is 12 years
Your truck is 2009
It's 2021

You're out by time

 

Never never never trust the dealer. Regardless of what brand you choose to buy you should be able to look under the truck and see if the rust there is acceptable to you as a consumer. Also, no one at the dealer gets paid if your truck is rusted through. Even if you were within the warranty period, you would likely need to push them some to buy your truck back.

 

I had the same issue. They sent me the recall notice for my truck about a month after the warranty was out for it. I found a good welder and had the bad section cut out. Sand blasted the out/in side of the area then coated with Ospho then painted. Next i had a new piece of steel welded in place. Oh forgot to mention that we drilled a few holes in the bottom of the frame rail so it can drain now.

 

This is interesting. You go out and buy a new Tacoma and fork over $40000+ for something that will be scrap in 12 years like this poor guy. What a waste of money.