Frame Recall

Might be a bit late but new to the forum and feel I should spread the word. I have an 05 SR5 4x4 that had a recall on the frame and leaf springs. After doing some research, I found that people had a few problems when the recall started so I wanted to be prepared. I took it to a dealership in Matteson, Il for the work. The handler who processed the work order seemed legit because he knew he was getting $15000 from HQ. Also when I asked about parts they may have to break off I was told theyd take care of the replacement. They even gave me a free loaner until the work was finished. When the frame arrived at the dealership 2.5 weeks later, I got a update call and was told some parts needed replacing and it would cost me about $5000. Same guy told me he didnt tell me they would cover part replacement. I got frustrated and engaged with this guy and his bs. Eventually talked him down to $1800 to be able to drive it away but still didn't sit right so I didnt sign off on the work because I wanted to do more research & sleep on it. Calling toyotas corporate did me no good because all they did was log the grievance. Woke up the next day, continued researching and got a call from handler to ask if I approve the work. I have a brother who used to be a toyota master tech and still knows who to talk to.
Service manager wont tell a customer this but he said anything done in the course of the recall is the liability of toyota. This includes parts that were broken or cut to be removed no matter the condition at vehicle acceptance. I ended up telling him that I drove my truck in, I want to drive it out so put my truck back together. The handler said OK. I then got a call back an hour or so later (it actually interrupted my typing of this thread) asking me to bring them shocks because they broke a bolt removing one. Another attempt by the dealership to keep some of the $15000 paid for the frame recall.
DONT let them sell you new parts.
They are legally obligated to complete the recall after they take posession of the vehicle.

I will update with progress &/or completion.

 

What all are they saying needs replaced or fixed?

 

I was talking with a guy who owns a carquest locally, and the dealer in our area (downeast toyota) wanted an additional 7500$ On top of what Toyota would pay to replace the frame. On a regular cab 2wd truck. He showed me part of the estimate, which was over 1000$ to replace the upper control arms.

 

They listed a number of parts. Ball joints, brake lines, right side cat, they broke a bolt when removing shocks and asked me to bring shocks in, bolt was frozen in drive shaft, mounting bolts for bed. There was more but cant list everything.

Cory02taco,
Dont pay for anything if its getting touched due to the recall. Look up your VlN at: toyota.com/recall. If they try to charge you any $ after they take possession of the vehicle, it's cuz they are trying to keep part of the $15000 HQ pays them for the frame. Just them to put it back together to complete the recall.

 

It wasn't my truck, it belonged to the local carquest as their delivery truck. For what it's worth, they did my 02 xtra cab pickup and replaced brake lines, lower control arms, leaf springs, you name it. They didn't charge me a thing.

 

The truck is at the dealer waiting for a frame, the only thing they mentioned in the pre inspection is my steering rack is leaking and my timing cover is leaking.

I'm bringing in a rebuilt rack, and the tech said don't do the timing cover as they all leak and it's barely even a leak.

 

Dont let em get you once the frame comes in. The 15 grand should cover everything they need to touch.

 

Why is it when I looked up my vin for my 2010 v6, on Tacoma.com/recall, it says there are no open recalls for my vehicle?
I did get something in the mail about my frame, but haven't done anything yet. Thanks

 

It's not a recall, it's a warranty enhancement

 

Okay thanks. Wondering if anyone here is not taking their truck in at all?

 

I fear my truck will never be the same since the dealership in Florence SC " fixed it". Little over 4 weeks ago, I took my truck to the dealership in Florence SC for inspection of the recalls I received. The notices I received said safety recall, but the paper I got back after they did the work says warranty enhancement. They found a pinhole in the frame and it needed a leaf spring. They said it was unsafe to drive and said it wouldn't be covered if I drove it off the lot. Then told me they'd have it 6 weeks. They said it takes at least 4 weeks to get the frame and a couple days to do the work ( which I can't imagine). Although, first they said it was because of safety they kept my truck, then the manager said the frame cost $5000 and he needed assurance they wouldn't be stuck with the frame. So basically held my truck ransom, as it it just sat over there. The day we picked up my truck, the brakes went halfway to the floor. Took it back and talked to the mechanic who told me the calibers were seized. After looking at my paper, it was on there in small print. Just seemed sort of important to make sure I knew I had no front brakes after keeping the truck over a pinhole in the frame, just still not happy about that. But I'd rather they had it the entire 6 weeks verses getting a truck back that isn't right. I have bolts missing, my fog light bulb was just hanging down, grease spots in my cab and the 4 wheel drive case is now leaking. This is only what we've found at this point, I've only had the truck back a little over a week. Had to fight with them to get a rental truck and they tried to charge me $80 for wheel alignment. I know if I had it to do over, I would NOT have the frame replaced.

 

It sounds like you got a bad dealer. Most do not have that experience. I had mine done a few years back, and had virtually no issues. The one I had was minor, and got fixed without charge, once it was pointed out.

I would contact Toyota corporate, and let them know what happened. I thought there was supposed to be a year warranty on the labor. If so see if you can have a better dealer do the warranty work.

 

Will do!! It's worth a try at this point. Think I DID pick the WRONG dealership, it's left me pretty salty though. This is my 4th toyota and I've never had issues like this. There is a year or 12,000 mile warranty they gave me after they did the work. The idea of having taking this truck back to that same dealer that didn't get so many things right doesn't set well with me at all. I may have to, but I hope not. Like today....changing my brake pads and my calibers... most of the lug nuts were loose on both front tires. I just keep finding things. To think they kept it for safety reasons. Crazy. My brakes are still going halfway to the floor. Not sure if this was like this or there's something else wrong. Wasn't like that when I dropped it off. Anyway...appreciate it.

 

When getting the bill after mine, they tried to throw a radiator on the bill. Ended up getting a free radiator. They will try anything they can to get money from you.

 

Just had my frame replaced... 2006 TRD Sport. The only odd thing the stealership tried to tack on was brake line brackets and lower control arm nuts (about $125 total, seriously). I complained that I thought that was included as "incidentals" to the frame replacement, and my service manager eventually agreed. However, they did notate multiple items that needed repair... Shocks/Struts all around, new tires (mine were bad), Right Front Wheel Bearing, and front brakes (new calipers, Rotors, and pads). All the work and parts was around $4K.... I asked about free labor as they needed to reinstall anyway... I was told I would get a "reduced labor rate".... BS... I told them do no work... and I've done it all since then using take-off suspensions and parts store standard equipment:

- Tires balanced and mounted: Quoted $850.... Walmart $485 (Wrangler AT/S, not the best, but sufficient for my needs)
- Shocks/ Struts all around: Quoted $723 front/$225 Rear.... instead, I bought takeoff's from a 2018 TRD Sport: $150 Front including Springs, $50 Rear....Score!!!
- Brakes, Front: Quoted $1,200. Instead, i bought Re-man Calipers, Rotors, and pads from Autozone (don't judge)... $323 total, stops on a dime.

Back in the 80's I used to do all my own work ('70 Nova first car)... as a grew older, I stopped even though my garage is well stocked. Now I'm back... I'll never pay retail from the stealership again (Disclaimer... unless it's something I don't have the equipment for... alignment, tire mounting, etc).

 

OP. Planet Toyota will put the screws to ya..wish I would of seen something sooner. David Bruce Toyota in Bourbonnais treated people really good to all new suspension parts, brakes and all extras at no charge when frame replaced few years back. Not sure about currently. I would definitely call Toyota bout this.