Frame Recall 2005-2010 or Longer??

05-10 MY is 12 years after manufacture and applies to Canadian models as well. I took mine in to the dealer on a hunch 11 years and 8 months after the recall and was told I just made it in time. I do not believe the dealer nor Toyota is obliged to seek out the owners of trucks that were "problematic".
There was also an NHTSA bulletin for 2011 to 2017 MY as well:
UPDATE Limited Service Campaign K0D Certain 2011 2017 Model Year Tacoma Frame Corrosion Resistant Compound CRC Application Internal (nhtsa.gov)

 

Unfortunately almost every brand of vehicle out there should be inspected regularly by owners,not just Toyota.
Regular inspection and services is for anybody that owns a vehicle.

 

People likely aren't/weren't crawling under their Tacoma's inspecting their frames because they never had one completely fail and rot out from under them and fail before.
I had two full-frame SUV's (Ford Bronco and Chevy Blazer) and neither had any frame issues even after ten years in salt belt. It just wasn't common. Maybe the body didn't look too good in places because of salt and rust, but half of my co-workers had Chevy trucks in the 70's and '80s and I never saw one with frame rot or holes in the frames. The trucks sat higher then (especially a 4x4) and most of the frame was visible without crawling under them.

 

Nope. At least my '09 Access Cab wasn't.

 

I get what you're saying, and agree to a point but the sentiment doesn't hold when extrapolated to other complicated items. No one pays an electrician to inspect the wiring on a functional microwave because we trust that a microwave isn't going to burst into flames. People don't pay mechanics to inspect their frames because no one expects their truck frame to prematurely turn into autumn leaves when other makes aren't. Owners have a responsibility to maintain their vehicles, but it's unrealistic to expect most owners to anticipate uncommon problems like premature frame rot that afflict Tacomas far more often than comparable vehicles.

 

Exactly, this is why they have settlement on this because its uncommon and irresponsible for Toyota to have made such a sub standard frame especially in the last twenty years. This is not the 70s where cars just rusted to pieces because of bad coatings or poorly treated metal.
This was not a mistake either someone in engineering or above engineering made a decision to try to cut corners and produce bad frames probably just to save Toyota some money, but that's not fair to consumers and Toyota should be paying us reparations for all time Taco owners have had to spend on something that should never have been an issue in first place.

For those of you still reading i applied some surface shield to my frame in a few test areas. Very surprised at what it looks like after sitting overnight. It really looks like its adhered to frame, supposed to be good for 2 years per coating. So far this product seems far superior to fluid film which i also put on frame but now cannot even tell it was ever applied after 6-8 months.

 

True true, no first inspection/coating equals no second inspection prior to the 12 yrs elapsing.

My friend had a MA truck and moved to NC after the truck spent a long time here, hers broke and it was a nightmare getting it done as NC wasn't a "cold weather state" and therefore not part of this program. She did manage it however.

Toyota did send letters out, I know I got one for my 2010 that I've owned for 11 yrs now. I was aware of the potential issue between my wife having had a 96 that rotted plus being here.

 

You're preaching to the choir. As my profile pic would suggest, I'm dealing with the problem, too. The whole experience has soured me on Toyota, and I doubt my next truck will be a Toyota. It's a shame because other than the frame, the truck is in great shape and I love it. But that's a bit like saying "Other than breaking every bone in his body, he is in perfect health."

 

It's been a problem for 40 + years. Toyota needs to figure this out. My 2004 Mazda b2300 looked 10x better than my 09 Tacoma. Ridiculous.

 

So ... in response to this post ... bought my 2009 Tacoma new and took it back regularly for service asking for all checks to the same small-town Toyota dealer I bought it from. No ability to drive to another authorized Toyota service provider - next closest dealer is a ferry ride then hundreds of miles of driving away. I'm in a northern state but not one of Toyota's "Cold Climate States." Dealership/service provider changed hands in 2023.

During service this October 2024 I was advised of serious frame rust - 25mm x 13mm hole in the front on the passenger side. Can't remember the exact words but my understanding is the engine could drop through the frame in a year or so. I'm not helpless - can change my headlights, oil, gap spark plugs, use synthetic oil, etc but don't have a garage and don't live for that kind of thing. So, figured getting authorized Toyota service was a good investment.

After doing some research and seeing the time limits were expired, called Toyota corporate to ask about options because of my customer history. As in, "Please help me feel good again about Toyota products and Toyota as a responsible company." Call seemed to go well but they haven't gotten back to me. Guessing things got lost/disregarded and I'll need to call back / write a letter.

So, mourning this 4wd standard transmission truck I love that is otherwise in great condition at 80,000 miles but is now pretty much worthless and becoming unsafe. Nothing lasts forever and yeah, maybe I should have done more myself but heck.

 

I got a new frame in 2019, for my 2010.

 

If that's a no, look into the Saf-T-Cap method. Not sure if it's an option where your issue is but I have heard of it being done on these frames in general, and it sounds like your truck overall is worth investing in.

 

I never understand why people think Toyota owes them a new frame forever

12 years is generous (although court mandated)
What about a Chevy that eats its lifter from cylinder deactivation outside of warranty?
Or a Ford that has its phasers blow up twice in 12 years?
Or a ram that’s on its third transmission?

All of those issues cost about what a frame swap would, and are all about the same level of home gamer fix-ability

Lots of people find out about those problems when they first happen to them, doesn’t mean being an educated owner wouldn’t have helped them all

Toyota has had frame issues for more than 20 years. But it’s the easiest thing in the world to prevent, especially compared to some other manufacturers problems

 

The Car Care Nut (YouTube and owner of his own shop, still keeping his Toyota Master Diagnostic Technician certifications current, and Toyota service databases) says that all (that means "all") body on frame trucks, have the frame rust problem. The SR5-DLT (Dad's Last Truck) received its first NHOU frame treatment in 2022, the year after I drove it home, and it's on my list for this spring. It's not that big a problem here, but since this dad is taking care of it for his kids (and grandkids), it's worth the effort and expense. Elsewhere on TW, there's video of a Tacoma that pulled out on a highway looking like it had a dump bed and a tilt cab. The driveline was holding it together...

 

Exactly, which is what is so frustrating. Toyota has been selling frames made of inferior steel for over 40 years, while the domestics had it figured out years ago. In 2017 my 09 Tacoma frame was way rustier than my 04 Ranger frame. Exact same mileage and conditions. It's not rocket surgery.

 

Or Chevy with the defective cylinder head that was under 2 different warranties and they still refused to fix it..

 

Thank you for the suggestion, will research, much appreciated. Finding an accessible replacement frame seems unlikely, from initial research, without even considering cost to swap. Checking with a body shop I trust on whether the frame is too far gone or not for repair.

Don't expect any manufacturer to make vehicles that last forever. Just figuring out options. Yeah, could have been a better educated owner but maybe also fell through a service crack - same authorized service provider, all recommended frame checks, regular service with all recommended service & safety checks requested, but this major perforation was the first alert of any issue. No fun but it happens.

Has been a great vehicle. If I could rebuy the truck new and do more preventative work, probably would. If I can reasonably extend its safe driving life, makes sense to do so. And after that hopefully its usable parts will benefit someone else.

 

That or perhaps a solid truck needing running gear and swap yours over could be another option.

Have a look see here..

https://www.autorust.com/safe-t-cap-kits/

If I understand right you can find shops that deal with them or purchase and take them to a welding shop yourself.

 

I had mine inspected in 2019 and they said it was "fine" some dude that looked like he was in HS still did the inspection. Then year and half later in 2021 I look myself and around the CATs its rotting from inside out. I welded a plate over the hole but its not the best weld ever did it with ARC welder, however the plate has not fallen off yet either. The driver side was the worst while the passenger side while not good didnt seem bad enough to try welding a plate over that side.
I took and sprayed some RUST convertor inside the boxed part of frame and covered the rust in it all.
Also spray surface shield (fluid film) on it about twice a year. Its BS but at least the Ive extended the life of the frame some ??
Never contacted Toyota Corporate had the feeling they just blow me off and it would be a huge waste of time.
Believe me my frame should have been replaced the dealer was too scummy to actually do it. No one ever told me to come back to get it inspected again before the 12 years was up nor did anyone say anything about frame plugs or the CRC coating. Although im not in a salt state those things should have still been brought to my attention. Never trust the stealership EVER.
The mechanic doesnt even take a photo of the hole they measure they just measure it and take notes then after 3 years dealer destroys the records the whole process is a joke and Toyota Corporate should never have dealer doing settlement or recall inspections that should be done by a neutral third party mechanic paid for by Toytota Corporate. Beyond that whats crazy is even on 17 or 18 Tacos i look at in parking lot it doesnt look like the frame design was ever changed just same POS they put on my 2008 !
There needs be another class action on this its pure fraud.

 

For those that don't care too inspect/maintain their vehicle,don't complain later when it falls apart,that goes for ALL makes. Pretty simple concept.