Frame rust recall

Shite! I don't blame you for being pissed off. That looks like a used car special when they spray all the lines, the shocks and everything else to hide the rust.

 

My 05 failed the rust test today. I'll talk to dealer but they want $2000 to replace the shocks and leafs that I just replaced with aftermarket items last year. I will post pics but don't think it is as bad as many I see here.


thanks TW for the covered items list, this link https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/ and advise on what they won't cover. I'm pretty pissed, but it sounds like I will have a "runs like new" frame and suspension in 3 months!!! They told me 70+ days for parts and 5 days to replace. That is a long time to drive a crappy little loaner. This is November - and work to be scheduled for Feb!! WHAT!! Not happy with stealership at all.

 

If you have an early second gen tacoma give it the maximum time allowed before bringing it in for the frame inspection, otherwise it will be sprayed with the rust resistant compound. These frames rust from the inside out. The frame may appear to be solid, but isn't. The most common point of rust through is by the catalytic converters. Moisture and salt get between the two pieces of sandwiched frame by the cat's. The heat heat from the cat's helps the oxidation process accelerate. Later model trucks have the same design so the likelihood of bad frames on 2012+ is high. Don't fret unless later model second gens are refused frame replacement.

If you have a frame on an early second gen that isn't rusted they will spray it with corrosion resistant compound and then they are done. If the frame rusts through after they spray then it won't be on them.

 

I moved from Kentucky to Florida 2 years ago i need to get mine up on a lift and look myself. I hope i don't have a fight coming in my future...
Jet

 

I will take pictures this week end of mind.
Try to put them here,you will see how rusted ut is ,compare to the rest of the under truck which had that black diamond rust treatment.
When i realised that my frame was in the bad ones,i was pretty upset and very nervous about it.
Though i am glad that they are changing it,and not spraying it!
As i was told some were not serious cases,but waht about a few years from now fir thise that they don t replace it,and just put that wahtever they out on!
Again,i might have to wait until January.
So about three months or so untill they do it.

 

Anyone happen to notice the really rusty lower A-arm in picture 4? One would think that maybe they would address that problem too.

 

It took them a week to do the job....they gave me a brand new rav4 as a loaner.

 

Just spoke with the dealer and told him that I was not happy with the repair and let him know that this looks like a really poor attempt to cover up a serious problem. Of course he informs me that they have been using the CRC undercoating for many years without a problem. That may be so, but I am not happy with the looks. I was also told that it would take up to a month too dry. Dealer is on his way to pick up my truck and see if he can fix the problem, which he won't be able too. I'm afraid I will be contacting Toyota Corporate very soon.

 

Thanks good to know.

 

As you can clearly see there is SOME rust but not much under my 05. In a garage when not in use for 9 years. 102000k

This is the "punch test" hole they did. Near the cat driver side front.
ed

Here is another view from the underside and some minor surface rust.


This is the leaf spring and it looks pretty normal to me.

 

These pics show the rear frame, hitch bracket (oem) and another shot of the front frame near the cat (where the problem really lies).


There was some separation at seams and standard rusty flaky paint. I'm in Detroit, so this seems normal to me and I plan on driving my truck home.

Here is the issue and why I am posting. This recall (05-08) is new and will go on for years and affect 1000's of guys like you. TMS has been selling this frame since 98 and recalled all those Gen 1's already. WTF?! This is simply a way for them to get you into the service dept. to take your money and remove them from liability. They do not care about the customer really, or they would address the real costs involved.

By the way there is no offer to buy back yours or sell new trucks, but I'm sure they would if you want payments. Not me. My truck is worth roughly 10k now. In 2013 I put $2500+ into the lift kit and tires...do you really think I want the dealer to tear it apart! I want to drive this truck for years, that is why I built and maintain it.

This new frame will not increase the value (only the safety) of your truck.

SO, TMS recalls this model and fails my 05 frame...fine, its unsafe. Then they should replace this manufacturers (life threatening) defect at no cost to me (a loyal 20 year truck customer) and send me home. That's all I want.

But instead they refuse to replace anything and want to charge me $2000 and keep my truck 90 days. Yes, 40 hours labor time is true, IF they have all the parts needed when they tear down the truck. They will not replace ANY parts if they break them coming off. Take a look at your shocks - think you could get them off in one piece?! They will not even pay for a bolt from the hitch receiver if they happen to break it...really!

The mechanic told me and the manager agreed that they would charge me to remove and replace the brush guard and my topper. My lift kit would cost extra to remove and storage costs may become involved if they had to wait for a broken part to arrive (for example if they break a bolt and can't find the right one!) Yeah right!! I told them I will park my truck at home and charge them storage for the 90 days while I wait for my frame to arrive.

So do I want a new frame...yes, I love my truck. I will drive it for years to come if this works out (which is unlikely)..... Will I pay these jerkoffs to store my truck OUTSIDE all winter while I drive some crappy car, HELL NO.

I will post again when they bend me over on Monday and reject me. I might check with the dealer I bought it from, but after my initial call they seemed to have the same stance on what they can really offer from TMS. I want to write to TMS because I'm mad, but is it even worth my time? I am probably going to look into some Motor City Steel this spring and sell the Taco.

 

Your frame will perforate....when? Idk. It doesn't look good on the drivers side. Also, why was the punch test on the outer frame???

Btw, you're dealer sounds like a db

 

That last picture- the frame is already compromised; take a screwdriver along the edge and that whole piece will pop out.

 

Jeep has a serious frame rot issues just like we do. In the 95 model Jeep YJ Wrangler they galvanized the frame and tub. That year Jeep has little to no rust issues. The years before and after that are like our Tacos, rust monsters. Galvanizing the frames is the only answer and would not increase costs that much. Piss on Toyota for not doing whats been proven to work.

 

I do see that spot, but still thought the truck was in good shape. No one wants to feel unsafe and I'm glad I know what I do now. The cost was my sticking point. Let's face it, the dealer had me over a barrel and still does. They have my unsafe vehicle and I have to pay whatever they say it costs. Not fair. The language of the recall (LSC) is just that, LIMITED to what they say (They do not cover the bolts to mount the bed to the frame!), you pay for the rest. Not fair. AND if I take it out without repair, not only am I liable, CARFAX shows this refusal and values your vehicle lower when estimated for trade in. Not fair and shitty of Toyota to just want more money from all these Taco owners.

Here is what I did. The service manager was was my first stop, but after a week of looking for a rental Toy truck (comparable capabilities) it was going nowhere. I sent a nice letter to the GM explaining my situation. I used my VIN for this truck and my last too. Simply stated the facts of being extorted, manipulated and inconvenienced by this mess. She met with me tonight and said they will try to work with me on $0 out of pocket and actually let me take off my capper and brush bars at home and return to "surrender the vehicle" for the recall. That will only happen when "TMS customer experience" approves and gets to her District Mngr. I called TMS customer service and opened a case file today also, so they are aware of it and my case worker will facilitate this whole thing (or send me that dreadful rejection letter!)

I found a good resource on these links for help understanding your rights on this recall crap. Understand what you are getting into before you sign anything = don't let your dealer rip you off.

http://injury.findlaw.com/product-liability/your-right-to-recall-remedies.html

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/recallprocess.cfm

 

First post, some great info, thanks guys. Ive been looking for a couple months for the right Tacoma to replace the Ranger I've been in for last several years.

Long story short, I finally found the perfect truck way up in the NE (I'm in Atlanta, GA-no problem to fly and drive home) that has the specific features I want within my budget. It's an '06, called the dealer (its not a toyo dealer) to get some additional questions answered and sure enough the dealer has taken it in to a toyo dealer to get the frame replaced. I was concerned about a northern truck, but I feel like as long as I am able to get a list of what was replaced that a lot of those concerns should be alleviated.

Other than just looking over the invoice, is there anything you think I ought to ask the dealer in regards to the frame replacement before I decide if this is indeed the truck for me?

 

Ask them everything. Did they replace shocks, control arms, leaf springs? What are you paying for?

Avoid the rust belt trucks, unless you know something about working on them. I will never trust any dealer again. Mine is still stroking me off with promises of reduced cost.

I would look around locally or in a place not under this recall if you want a TACO that will last.

 

Taking mine in tomorrow am. I'm gonna flip if I have half the problems you guys have been having.

 

Great information!! I'd be pissed off also. Actually...I find it very strange that the Toyota dealers are allowed to just take our trucks and hold them hostage. I understand they're not safe, however... I'm thinking of the legal aspect of it.... The only way it can be rendered illegal to be on the road, is if your STATE law renders it illegal. Some states don't have safety inspections - so how can Toyota be allowed to just KEEP (steal??) your truck from you saying its unsafe? You haven't done anything illegal - and thus they seem to think they can just take your truck without notice.

This frame rust issue is NOT a recall. It's a warranty. A HUGE difference.

A warranty has 'limitations' and hence why they're probably legally allowed to charge you for things that aren't covered under the warranty. HOWEVER - as a consumer....I should have the right to know WHEN and WHAT they want to replace and I should be able to approve or deny them.

When you take your truck to the dealership for maintenance, they'll often call you on the phone and say..."Your battery is getting low, do you want us to change it??" You're allowed to say ...YES or NO. How is this any different?

Sorry...I'll get off my soap box. Sounds like we need to get one of those 'investigative reporters' from some news channel to dig deep into the issue and make Toyota situp and pay attention. I gotta stop over-thinking this shit!! LOL

 

my truck is now at the toyota dealer having its frame replaced. Question/ has anyone had theirs done,and have they had mechanical problems after replacement. I am concerned about signing off on the repair work.