Frame Recall - Bought a lemon

That’s the Avenue were considering. First I’m gonna try to just resell it and take a loss… But I will not be deceptive. I’ll make it pretty clear in the listing that the vehicle will not pass inspections due to frame rust. That being said there are plenty of people out there who will take the gamble and buy an inspection sticker.

If it doesn’t get any bites in a week or so we’re going to start looking at peace mailing the truck back together.

 

12 years from first date the vehicle was put into service, so if that was really 2010 and it got the CRC in 2016 as you mentioned then it would depend on that exact date.

That said, I would first be thinking to unwind the sale as that's not a safe vehicle. Depends on your state's laws etc but at least in MA you have a little time to unwind it if the vehicle cannot pass state inspection and I am sure this wouldn't.

 

thank you. That was an option we briefly discussed… But wasn’t sure how viable it is. I’ll have to do some research on the forums to see what the frame repair pairs entail and if they’re even worth doing considering the nature of the rust. If we’re able to get two years out of this car it won’t feel like a total loss but I also don’t want to dump a fortune into it if that’s all we’re going to get out of it

 

You may look at safe-t-cap and find a good welder in the area. Some guys are wizards with working with metal and may be able to help.

 

thank you! We have a buddy who is the fabricator and would happily handle the welding for us.

That’s what I’m hoping to figure out with this thread… I know that I got hoes here but what options do I have to maybe try to salvage the car. I will definitely be checking those out. This weekend we’re going to get under the car and started punch list of what we think needs to be replaced, right down to bolts in brackets.

 

I got hoes… lol. Sorry - using siri as I cant find my glasses at tge moment. (Insert eyesight / frame jokes here)

 

If you could get a few years out of it and reinforce it by using the product and maybe some sanding and Rust-Oleum it may help it.

 

I don't know about you, but if I am going to buy a vehicle, rain, snow or s**t, you bet that I am most definitely going to look underneath it. Good luck with your truck.

 

Don't beat yourself up too bad over it. Everyone has made expensive mistakes, all you can do is look at what to do from here.

 

I’m surprised it even went on a lift without breaking apart. That is not fixable and probably needs more than a new frame. Rear axle is probably disintegrated, too. I would rather take a loss than have my child get on the road in something so unsafe. Safe-t caps can work for isolated rust but need good metal to weld to, of which you haven’t got any left. I’d sell it for a loss or part it out. Someone with less regard for the law may leave it parked on the street unlocked with keys in it, or drive it off a boat ramp

 

Can you confirm that Toyota did the treatment? You might have a case claiming the treatment did in fact fail and the frame rusted out. I had a 4runner that this happened to I got rid if it. Its not worth spending $$$ for a frame.

 

With the 1st gens, you had to get the treatment done through Toyota in order to qualify for the frame replacement down the road. If Toyota never treated the frame then you couldn't qualify for a replacement when/if it failed later on in the 15 year window.

 

The dealership we took it to stated it was treated in 2016 (just prior to settlement i think)

 

I purchased a 2012 Tacoma about 5 years ago and since traded in for a 18. When I became the owner of the vehicle I got a letter in regards to the frame rust issue. I took it in and got it greased. They told me if it gets worse to bring it back vs bringing it in with holes in it and not getting the treatment and denying a frame swap.

I would call every dealer in the area and gather information. See if they can tell you when exactly the recall ended. Tell them the frame was treated and got worse. The bandaid stop the bleed. They say unlimited miles but put a time stamp on a recall campaign. I would also go to Toyota Corporate and bug the hell out of them. Its their product and your investment cut down by the rust.

 

Yea its looking more and more like a cut-your-losses lesson. Unfortunately.

 

Your better off selling it and taking the loss don’t waste anymore money on it. it’s an 08 and you think Toyota owes you something? Don’t want to rain on you but it’s not a lemon, jeep had the same issue, rusting frames. Buyer beware on purchasing anything used.

 

i dont think toyota “owes me” something… I think there was a class action lawsuit for negligence, and Toyota inspected it numerous times without repairing it. The listed first sale showed that it was still within the 12 year replacement period - THAT is why we took it in. Dealer records showed that carfax’s first sale date was inaccurate.

there’s a difference between looking for a handout and taking your car for a recall

 

we have an 05 LJ and the rust doesnt even come close to my 2018 4Runners. The 4Runner had surface rust in areas of frame within first 6 months that were worse than the LJ! But not to this extent of course

 

Welcome to the forum I regret this has to be your first post.
It sounds like you purchased this from a private individual which for the most part an as is / where is sale.
Curious, did you approach them with the issue?

 

I did, have not gotten a response, which was what we expected