06 Corroded Frame- advice?

My 06 with only 111,000 miles is going to salvage due to a corroded frame. LOVE this truck and my heart is broken.

It's a known manufacturing defect.

I've always had great faith in Toyota, but when i called the company they didn't offer repair or compensation.

Has anyone else dealt with this? Is there any way to get compensation?

Thanks much for any advice.

 

Welcome to TW..

 

Ultimately it’s a near 20 year old vehicle. It had a warranty enhancement that was either missed or it was still in decent shape while it was inspected. Time takes a toll on things especially living in The north. If it makes you feel any better my friend 2012 f150 split in half from rust. Ford didn’t offer him anything.

anything’s fixable with enough money though. And I have yet to finish it, but the 16+ Tacoma frames are damn near bolt in for the 2nd gens

 

There was a program, that if you were within 10 years, they MIGHT replace your frame. You are well outside that window and Toyota will do absolutely zero for you. Im sorry. Did you do any kind of frame treatment on it? Fluid film or woolwax? Means nothing now really, just curious if you maintained the frame and such...

 

Welcome, your story has been reported here many times. Many Tacomas have lived and died in the salt belt way before their time. RIP old girl, happy trails.

 

The truck was 19 plus years old.

OP, at what point, in your opinion, would a manufacturer no longer have to repair something which is out of their control?

25 years? 50 years? Forever and ever?

Also, OP, what steps did YOU take to limit damage from exposure to corrosive road treatments and/or ocean beaches?

 

Don't waste your time/energy on this. Put your efforts towards saving up for your next vehicle.

 

Two choices:

1) you have time and money, you can transfer your truck onto the new frame.

2) sell the truck and get a new vehicle.


Up to you.

 

Sorry about your frame..Where did the truck live most of its life ?

 

If you went to any other manufacturer with the same set of circumstances, would you expect a different result? It's a 19-year-old vehicle. Nobody would do anything in that case. Sorry.

 

It never lived up north. I'm looking at a $7000 loss selling it as salvage.

Why shouldn't Toyota step up???

 

Because your truck is almost 20 years old.

At what age do you think it’s fair for a company to stop repairing vehicles for free? 30 years?

 

I don't remember how long the program lasted. I have an '07. On a vacation I was going thru Madison and I heard what sounded like a heat shield coming loose (October 2017). 307k miles. I went to the dealer (Smart Toyota). They said they didn't have time to look at it but they would 'soon'. I rented a car. Had to be somewhere. Not long outta town, I got a call saying I could not have it back. They would check with corporate to see if it was warrantied but the frame was bad. I had had it treated at a local dealer a few years prior to this. A few days later they let me know that it was covered, the rental was free, they'd let me know when it was fixed. I don't remember all the details but I stopped in there now n then. A guy told me it would take 'forever' to get the frame. I happened by when they were working on it. Two guys authorized 40 hours each. They put a ball peen hammer thru the frame, showed me all the new parts. Got it back in February 2018. There's a lot of new stuff but many of the fasteners they re-use (unfortunately). It's now at 385k, 7 years bonus I figure. The frame looks great but other stuff under there is starting to look bleak. I fluid filmed it but some of it was/is too far gone. I'll drive it 'til it dies. Too bad for the OP.

 

I think as previously stated there has to be a time limit on or there would be no more Toyota. I have one of the famous white Tacomas that’s paint is falling off, there were recalls but I missed them, unfortunately now it’s my problem to deal with. I don’t think Toyota can guarantee any part of our trucks for more than a reasonable amount of time. Just my opinion and I’m really sorry about your truck.

 

Because the warranty on the frame was 12 years from date of first use.
You are well passed the warranty coverage.
And that warranty is within the limits of the law.

So, in short, that's why they shouldn't have to step up.

Not trying to be harsh man.
That's just life.

I know $7,000 is a tough hit.
But it could be worse.

 

I didn’t think recalls had time limits. I had the leaf spring recall from 2014 done last year.

 

It was never a recall. I believe it was a service bulletin.

 

It was a class action lawsuit for most of them, so a solid time frame with no wiggle room.

I've never seen an extension for frame corrosion. Ever.

 

Extending it for anyone past the previously agreed timeframe opens them up for additional litigation. Toyota is a major corporation, and all major corporations are run by lawyers when you get down to it

 

The OP seems to be gone...but to anyone else that's reading this and thinking about buying an older Tacoma?

Get under the truck with a flashlight and look. They sit high enough off the ground you can do it in a private seller's driveway or the dealer's parking lot. You don't even need a lift.

When I was shopping for mine I found the exact model I was looking for (2nd gen base with 4WD) 20 miles from home with a decent price and was the first person to test drive the truck after the dealer took it on trade. One minute under the truck with a flashlight and I knew it wasn't the truck for me.

Kinda sucked because I'd been looking for a while, but as a buyer it's your responsibility to look. Based on the $7000 loss, seems like the OP bought his truck used. If so, I'll go out on a limb and say if he'd of looked he'd have seen rust.