TOYOTA(2001-2004 RUSTY FRAME)WON'T REPLACE ANYMORE!!!

yea unfortunately this is correct, the deadline according to jim barkley toyota in asheville NC is 9/30/2011....I bought my truck from a used dealership in VA in 2013 so shame on me.

I have written toyota a couple times (I got Jim Lentz, the CEO of toyota national headquarters, mailing address in cali) and am writing another one asking if there would be any way i could finance a new frame. The lady that returned my last letter with a call told me there was no way to finance a frame replacement, which I think is BS...Why not be able to buy a new frame if you want? you can buy most other stuff for it from the dealer... The frame replacements are still being done (jim barkley in NC has 6 going on as I write this) , the cost the dealer told me was approx 15-17k out the door including labor. Maybe toyota could give me somewhat of a break?

Those of you that have these trucks and KNOW how good they are will appreciate that I am willing to spend up to 5k? replacing the frame (hopefully toyota corporate can give me some kind of goodwill discount and then cover half?) who knows but its worth a shot. i know i know i shouldn't spend more than its worth only to get T boned in an intersection the next day blah blah blah

I love the truck and am just dissapointed that a multi million dollar company can't help me out being I bought the truck after the deadline. its my fault I didn't check to see if it had been protective sprayed before the 9/30/11 deadline, and they have already done more than their part in replacing the frames that were brought in, but come on Toyota.

Im just a small fry, my moms toyota corolla has 395k miles on it and still her daily driver, my family are loyal customers, WTF!!!!

enough of my sob story, if anyone wants to write the CEO and maybe if enough people do the squeaky wheels will get the grease

Jim Lentz, CEO
Toyota National Headquarters
19001 Southwestern AVE
Torrance, CA
90509

 

I guess the general consensus is; if your covered by the 15 yr warranty provided you had your vehicle inspected by the applicable deadline hooray for toyota, and if your not covered for what ever reason their a bunch of corksoakers

 

From what I know, toyota has been very reasonable in addressing these frame issues, more than reasonable in my opinion. Making everyone happy is an impossible task for any business.

 

Wouldn't it be cheaper to find another one of the same trucks with no rust?

 

There are quite a few re-framed Tacomas out there if you look around. I sold my re-framed '01 reg cab 4x4 with 150K on ebay in November. It ran and drove perfect and went for $4500. A bargain. It did have some very minor body rust.

 

You can also do what I did, try and find one that has a rotted frame, check the vin and call toyota. If it's eligible, buy, bring it in for a new frame and get it done the way you want.

Get all your suspension on that you want, get to know the teck working on it, and while the truck is apart get other stuff replaced while not paying extra labour to get at it!

I had found a mint (body, interior etc..) 2002 with 110K (km's) on it, with a pooched frame. Bought, got it re-framed, happy dude now.

For the record, I think toyota has gone above and beyond trying to get in touch with their customers, not to mention extending their warranty for 15yrs??? Who does that? I understand liability issues and stuff, but you don't see ford or gm doing that at all. I'll stick with Toyota for a long time.

Cheers,

D.C

 

Just so I have this straight, I recently purchased a 2003 Tacoma and the maint. history shows that in 2010 the original owner had the frame inspected and coated. It looks pretty good but there are a couple spots that could spell trouble in the future. Anyway, the 15 year extension goes from the date it was inspected and sprayed or from the date it was sold and went in service? Can anyone clarify that for me? Thanks!

 

depends on where the truck was "originally" purchased

The "warranty" is 15 years from the date of production or purchase, NOT the date of inspection/spraying. My 2004 is covered until 2019 (April being the latest)

 

The reason for the expiration of eligibility if you didn't have the frame inspected and sprayed is that they didn't have a chance to prevent the frame from rusting through. Basically they are saying, We offered to correct the potential problem 4 years ago. Now that we didn't get the chance to spray it we can't tell at this point weather the protective spray would have kept the frame free of holes. Now you have a rotted frame that may have been fine in 2011 but, now rotted through. If it had been brought in and sprayed before rust took its toll it would qualify for the full 15 years. It's like the original truck owner being told by his mechanic that it failed a state safety inspection for low brake linings. They were not replaced nor was there an inspection sticker issued. You now had bought the truck needing safety inspection at the end of the current month that ends in 3 weeks. After a week in your newly purchased truck, you hear the brake pads grinding into your rotors. You happen to bring it to the same mechanic that previously noted the pads needed to be replaced. He tells you since he wasn't given the approval to replace the pads last time it was in you need to buy rotors too. you don't expect the mechanic to honor the original estimate and eat the cost of rotors. The only difference is Toyota may decide to make exceptions because they didnt originally ensure the proper protection was applied and want to keep you happy but they have a fair offer and if they cover rust on a 15 year old truck after having the opportunity to prevent it, I'd say they are then and only then liable.