2002 Tacoma Rust Recall

I have a 2002 Tacoma 4 x 4, had it since '04. The frame rust 15 yr period runs out in August 2017. Vehicle has 192K on it. I'd like to keep it another 10+ plus years. Truck has always been well maintained. Took it recently to have frame inspected. Dealer said their were no issues with frame. Is there anything that I can pursue here? Since I plan to have the truck for at least another 10 plus years. I am concerned about the frame possibly rusting out at some point & having a good vehicle become unsafe & be forced to give it up. Just figured that I'd throw something out there & see if any one can comment on my situation. Much appreciated.

 

If the dealer said the frame is okay, then they won't do anything. The best you could do is to clean it and fluid film it.

 

^ what he said. use something to protect it and you should enjoy for a while. may have to patch depending on if any bad spots in the future but as of now you can only DIY

 

Tristian is 100% correct.

But, if you do clean it, and if you then find any perforations, it only takes one, 10 mm or larger perforation, that might not have been previously visible, especially near the right rear frame arch at the rear spring and around the rear crossmember, it might be worth a second inspection at a different dealer. After my 2004 Tacoma's frame broke in half this past March, 2017, the Service Manager of the first Toyota dealer I went to flat out told me "That recall is over, there is nothing Toyota can do for you." I left and called the Toyota California hot line for frame replacement, 800-331-4331. They checked my VIN # to see if the truck had been Toyota dealer undercoated in 2010 during the national Toyota Campaign to undercoat Tacoma's, etc. It had been and they had the record, which extended my frame warranty 15 years from date of original sale. I was then told to see a second, different, dealer. The second dealer was far more helpful and said my 2004 Tacoma met the criteria. My frame was replaced approximately 10 days ago.

If you don't find any perforations then the fluid film is the way to go, especially on the inside of the frame.

 

Thanks all. I've got until August. Frame is solid.

 

Good luck with it - and do the frame treatment.

I'm under warranty until 8/2018, but I would like to keep it long past then. I will be going in to the dealer for an inspection in June, and at that time I would like to get an assessment of the vehicle and the frame, with an eye toward keeping it for the foreseeable future. I would be willing to spend some money on maintenance, including frame treatment, should the truck warrant the expense. I'm a diy guy, so I will do the work, with a few exceptions.

 

clean it & "fluid film" it? I take it thru a car wash somewhat regularly. Not sure if that constitutes the cleaning part. I need to find out how to go about the fluid film.

 

did your truck live its life in salty-road environment?

 

absolutely....

 

I'm in a similar boat. Do they guarantee 15 years after your truck was made! I'll need to look more into it. Not sure how to tell if my frame is in awful shape or not :/ looks pretty rusty though!

 

Has it lived his whole life in Arizona?

 

Stick your finger in that hole and feel around for any chunks missing. Theres a drain hole directly under there. See if it is clogged and how much debris is sitting there.

 

It's 15 years after purchase date. But only if it was inspected during the TSB period. That looks potentially like a problem but if you start taking care of it now and get rid of the surface rust and get it treated it should last a while longer.

^ this also makes a difference. certain areas were not covered for the TSB.

 

Apoplogies in advance for the thread hijack, but I am looking to get back into Tacos after a few years absence and this thread may help me make a decision. Made an offer on an 02 DC today, then read about the frame issues and am researching my options.

I called Toyota today and was told my candidate (located in WV) had the corrosion spray in 2010 and the spare tire carrier reworked in 2015, so the preliminary work was done. First date of use is 10/02 so I am good until this October. I assume the warranty transfers to a new owner. Independent inspection (visual only) shows light patches of surface rust, but I guess that means nothing.

So...I am torn. Truck is everything I've been looking for, but I don't want to get caught holding the bag.

I have many questions:

Does the 15 year 'warranty' extend to a new owner ( until October 17)?
What are the odds that a treated frame will suffer failure (it's been 7 years since treatment)?
Should I take it to a Toyota dealer to have it checked before I buy? Or should I buy and hope Toyota will replace the frame should it show perforation?
Should I walk away?
Should I quit whining?

 

Does the 15 year 'warranty' extend to a new owner ( until October 17)?
Yes. I have not been the original owner of any of my Tacomas, and they were all covered.

What are the odds that a treated frame will suffer failure (it's been 7 years since treatment)?
Hard to say. The treatment on my '03 frame has largely flaked off. If the frame checks out OK by Toyota, then you ned to take your own measurers to protect it.

Should I take it to a Toyota dealer to have it checked before I buy? Or should I buy and hope Toyota will replace the frame should it show perforation?
Wouldn't be a bad idea to have it inspected before you buy. You would have an official opinion on the frame, and it may need additional work which they may point out to you.

Should I walk away?
Thats up to you.

Should I quit whining?
We wouldn't have a forum if everyone stopped.

 

The warranty follows the vehicle, especially if it was inspected/sprayed. That means it's in Toyota's system.
There is always a chance for failure. it's now on you to upkeep since you have a small window.
you can have it checked again if you're worried but if there is no perforation larger than 10mm they will say it's fine.
if everything else looks OK go over the frame a little at a time. then decide.
never when money is an object.

 

Thanks for the advice. I will go see this truck for myself next Saturday. Hopefully, they will let me drive it up the road to have Toyota take a look.

 

I find it surprising a Toyota would rust as Japan is an island surrounded by salt water...

This comment is getting me one step closer to 50 posts which I need in order to sell my truck here... lol

 

your frame rails look worse than mine. I would see if the owner would allow you to tap on the frame with a ball peen hammer to see how much rust falls oof. Or see if the current owner would take it in for an inspection. or maybe, you don't want the current owner to get involved.

 

Japan has some strict rules about how long a vehicle is allowed on the road. I thought it was something like 150,000 KM is the max mileage allowed on a vehicle and then they are not allowed to be used, but a quick search on the internets results in that theory being incorrect.

...50% surcharge for cars older than 10 years. Taxes, maintenance, and secondary insurance costs can also go up quite a bit with older cars. Add to that there are tax incentives for purchasing new cars, such as eco subsidies, which further drive down the cost of a new car.
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I do see front clips of vehicles on eBay being shipped to the US - most likely used as engine swaps or replacements for when an original engine needs to be rebuilt.