Frame Replacement: Dealing with Corporate - seeking advice

Just had my 06 frame inspected at the dealership. Frame failed. My truck was purchased in VA and driven/registered in both VA and MD over the past 8 years, both Cold Weather States according to the letter they sent out.

I recently moved to South Carolina. Since the dealership is located in SC and its not considered a cold weather state, Toyota won't allow them to do the work. Corporate told the tech I would need to go to a dealership in a cold weather state to get the work done, to his dismay. He said he'd love to be able to do the work because its good money.

The dealership is willing and able to do the work but he said corporate has his hands tied. Tried to call Toyota on my way home but they were closed for the holidays.

I dont understand why they wont allow the dealership to do it. It's all Toyota, it shouldn't matter where the dealership is located, if a truck comes in and meets all the stipulations of their TOYOTA service campaign, it should be done!

Planning on calling corporate monday to file a complaint, any advice or ammunition you guys can suggest to maximize my chances of corportate giving my SC dealership the green light?

 

It's total BS. If your frame is rusted out in 10 years, Toyota should be fixing it. Shouldn't matter what state you currently live in. stupid. stupid. stupid. Its not like this problem is from abuse.

 

Yup!

 

No advice... Good luck!

Subbed to see the outcome.

 

I'm curious on how all this plays out. It shouldn't matter what dealer does the work as long as it's a Toyota dealer.

 

I'll keep this updated. From what I've read sounds like it's taking 2-3 months just to get the frame delivered. If i have to go to VA I kinda doubt they're gonna give me a loaner to take back down south with me for 2 months til my trucks done.

 

maybe the dealers in the south haven't been trained to do the coating or frame replacement. just a thought.

 

One other thought - Toyota seems to break up the dealer base into regions - I am in the Gulf States region for instance. May be worth looking into how they are divided in your area - that *may* (and I emphasize may again for dramatic effect) give you a few ideas ...

 

Uhm? Aren't they giving you a rental? Wouldn't you rather have the work done by a dealer that has done several of these FR's?

To me, I just don't see an issue. It's not like they are going to make you run the truck up to another dealer on your time and money.

Around here, Toyota pays the techs 40 hrs to do a frame change, most can do it in 20 if they have experience doing others. Let the northern dealers do the job, beat the crap out of the rental and try not to worry. You are getting a very big, expensive job for little money.

 

Why should he have to go out of his way for something Toyota screwed up? Just a thought...

 

I asked that question too. Tech said they've done 3 frame replacements in the past two years he's been there. He said they are fully capable of doing the job.

 

What? Who's gonna take the time off work and pay for the gas money to drive it up there? SC to VA is a 9 hr trip, one way - and that would be at least 4 trips.

No, they're not going to force me to take it up there, but what choice would I have? Do nothing?

My service tech literally said "Damn, I wish i could do these frame replaments recalls, in fact i would pay to be able to do these". If they are fully capable and willing to do it, why wouldnt I try and do everything I can to get it done here?

 

Here's hoping you get a more rational answer come Monday. Just realize that Iowa is not considered a cold weather state by Toyota so you may have to keep escalating your case.

 

They may. My wifes Sienna Van had to have the transmission replaced under warranty back in 2000 when she was at her mothers in VA we live in Summerville SC. They gave her a new Sienna 2000 year model to drive for the two months it took to get and replace the transmission. They also volunteered to bring her the van and pick up the loaner.

 

It's probably not Toyota's fault or the dealers fault.

It probably has a lot to do with insurance / claim with the 'company' (aka frame manufacturer). Toyota is only following specific details in the claim/agreement.

Their hands are tied to the claim/agreement legally....

 

I think there is some confusion here between this dealer, yourself and Toyota. theres no reason why Toyota would tell you that you need to go back to a dealer in Virginia. something doesnt sound right. i would contact the service manager of the dealership and get an explanation from him. im sure if this is indeed wat toyota said than it had to come with a reason. tell him you want to know why. i work for Toyota so this is why im saying it doesnt sound right.

 

My brother in law's frame was replaced before the service campaign even began. They will do it it's just a matter of getting the regional rep to see the truck and approve it. My brother in law had a truck with 60k miles on it that wouldn't pass state inspection for six months. Took the dealer 2 months to get approval, 2 months to gather all the parts, and another 2 months to do the work. But again this was before the campaign began. He didn't get a loaner either. Which for him wasn't a big deal because he had his company truck (he owns the company) to drive anyhow. Now my local dealer seems to do a few of these every week. And even when they did the undercoating on mine (my frame was fine) I got a loaner. But it was a prius. That sucked beyond belief.

 

TNTramair,

Maybe then you could enlighten me as to why Iowa is not included as a cold weather state when neighboring states of WI, and MN are?

 

Stand by the fact that your truck spent the majority of its life in states that qualify and caused the inferior quality frame to rust through. I know the legal wording of the court agreements are difficult to alter but your truck did fail in cold weather states and a significant hole does not appear overnight. Good Luck!