2005 tacoma 2nd gen terminal frame rot rust cancer

Just bought my 05 and found the passenger side frame bracket welds for the engine mount rusted so bad the frame bracket folded into the frame. The dealer has agreed to fix the issue but I may ask them to have it inspected by Toyota first. Seems if its a known issue I would rather have the new frame than a possible botched repair from an auto body shop. Then having to still deal with the corrosion issues.

 

I'm glad I don't live up north.

 

Did you check the frame before you bought it?

 

Quick basic once over. I didn't know about the frame issues before I bought it. The rest of the frame looks very good it just seems to be that one welded area that's bad.

 

Frame looks great overall just went over it. Looks like the broken engine mount bracket may have been a result of rather aggressive driving by a previous owner.

 

I live in newfoundland East coast canada. heavy salt usage in winter. My 4wd stopped working. Local mechanic said my front differential broke free of frame due to excessive corrosion and alerted me to the current recall. took it in for inspection. their first response was frame is fine we will just spray it. i asked if they looked at the front diff connection they said duuuuuh no. on reinspection they said i qualify for frame replacement. they said parts would take 2mos, and that was 6mos ago. Now they say they dont know when they will be in. i have a feeling that at some point they will reneg and say sorry they will not replace it. word to the wise. check ur front diff connection points on frame.

 

Lucky, Toyota made 2016 frame pretty much the same as the previous years, so hopefully they continue replacement until 2016, and we all get new less rusty frames.

 

contact toyota cares. they were able to give me a date on my frame. not to say it won't be delayed.

 

how many people who have had this issue will buy another Toyota? I have some rust but have been able to keep it under control with fluid film. Kinda surprised I'm having the issue in Southern California. I do go to the mountains frequently but always hose it down . My 96 bronco frame looks much better.

 

Whole thing ticks me off.....

For like an extra $150 per vehicle, Toyota could Galvanize or zinc dip the frames and then apply a superior coating.

Even some cheepo boat trailers are galvanized.

Who wouldn't gladly pay an extra $150 built into the base price for a galvanized frame?


BB

 

But then the trucks would last forever.

 

Timed obsolescence , period . Newer vehicles are designed to keep people buying new replacements when warranty runs out .
Sarge

 

If you spent any time at a saltwater boat harbor you would see lots rusted galvanized boat trailers.

The frames probably couldn't be dipped with the current design since there can be no areas that trap air when hot dipping. Don't think you can dip sandwiched metal. Also the temperature might warp some of the brackets. Maybe the frames could be formed up out of galvanized stock but I'm not sure that's feasible. Also the frames would need to be welded after and something done to protect welds. Some of the threaded areas would need to be retapped after dipping. If the frame company just coated the frame with paint correctly there wouldn't be an issue.

 

I have to wonder if the new frames (2015) will do this down the road?

 

I 2nd this notion. Exactly. Engineered to fail.

 

This is so hard to explain to folks why I prefer my half rusted out '77 Cruiser - it's not built like any other Toyota . The Land Cruiser is world market vehicle that is sold to people who will not tolerate things wearing out easily or breaking down - that can lead to death in some places . The Taco is a limited sales market truck , it's just too light duty to handle the rigors of real work elsewhere in the world and those markets won't tolerate it . Toyota will not bring the new style 79 series Land Cruiser here - it's expensive and would destroy the Tundra and Tacoma market - they do not break , ever .

I had a long talk last night with a good friend that is also a car nut and understands the world markets better than I do . He used Ford's mistake in the early 60's with the 1st generation Falcon - it nearly cost Ford the whole Aussie market since it was a piece of crap. His opinion is the US has been taught to accept disposable vehicles made by the Big 3 in the early 80's . Toyota has adopted this approach after ending the original Hilux (mini truck) at the end of that production run . Everywhere else they get the tougher Hilux and Land Cruisers - those markets will not tolerate anything less . Importing a 79 series is not impossible , but would be tough as it doesn't meet crash and emission standards . Getting parts would be a problem also , even with routine wear items as they would likely have to be imported . Might be worth the risk , looking at 2010 to 2012 models in Dubai right now ...

Sarge

 

The almost concluding post to the OP story of this thread.

Received the official notification from Toyota when the frame campaign started. This documentation included a note that if you had made frame repairs prior to the campaign that you might be eligible for reimbursement.

Earlier this year I sent in all the paperwork and documentation. I explained that our frame was replaced but that we had to pay for control arms. I also explained that we were without our truck for 110 days (with no loaner from the dealership), that the loss of use of the truck had caused us car rental expenses (receipts submitted) and we were forced to buy a new vehicle using a car loan.

After the requisite 45 days or whatever it was, I called in to see what the status of our claim was. I was told that the claim was rejected on a date shortly after I mailed it in and that I should have been notified of this. Nothing ever arrived here or I would have been on the phone immediately. The reason noted in the record was that my state was not eligible for the campaign at that time. This is Toyota's response on receiving the official paperwork that they sent to me (!). How many other people had to face such an incorrect evaluation of their claims?

Luckily the person I was on the phone with reviewed matters and forwarded it to a customer service specialist. After some further review they indicated that our claim would be approved and check sent. After more weeks of waiting I called in to see what the status was. There was no explanation available to them for the delay but they were kicking back to another dept to have the check expedited.

Today I received a check from Toyota solely for the cost of the control arms as paid during our frame swap.

No compensation for the car rental.

No compensation for the 110 days loss of use.

Happy to have the check for the control arms but they have serious customer service issues.

Thanks again to everyone here who provided advice and support during this crazy process.

Good luck to anyone still dealing with this frame BS.

 

Dropped my 2001 Tacoma off on Tuesday and was done by Monday AM.
Had a free loaner car and LCA's were part of the replacement, along with frame, rear springs, brake lines/emergency brake cable, hardware and free labor.
Recharged the A/C and new anti-freeze.

I have no idea of why you were without your truck for 110 days.
Once the parts are in, it oesn't take long to replace the frame.

 

i'm somewhere around 150 days now. they don't have 2nd gen frames laying around. waiting, watching the clock.....

 

What he said.