Rusted Frame advice

New to this forum so any advice and assistance is appreciated. March 13, 2024 we purchased a 2006 Tacoma V6 from Classic Toyoto, in Wilkesboro, NC, with 197,000+ miles and Carfax showed it had moderate driver side damage. To see it you would never have known. We brought it as is since it was a dealer selling it (will never do that again). The next day, we took it to our mechanic to get it in their system as we've done with 5 other vehicles. We asked them to do a general inspection thinking there may be minor things needed. They congratulated us on our purchase. Once they completed their review they asked us to come back. We walked in and once I saw our mechanic's face, we braced ourselves. They asked did the dealer disclose anything about the vehicle's recall status due to rusting frames? I hesitantly said no, but that we had a carfax printout. By this time, the shop manager came to the counter and said take a look at this carfax report that only dealers have access to. That report, coupled with several photos they took broke our hearts . We were devastated. We felt duped! Thus the user name. Our mechanics mildly scolded us for not bringing the vehicle to them first. We said since we live in Salisbury NC and Classic Toyota was 2 hours away, we let our desire to get another truck, after selling our 1988 Dodge Ram 100 get the best of us. As senior citizens, we never thought to look underneath the truck, especially since a left hip replacement and other age related ailments, largely discourage such movements. Essentially, we relied on the reputation of Toyoto and our current ownership of a 1999 Toyoto Celicia and a 2000 Avalon sedan. Maybe we should have taken the name "Duped Fools." We contacted Toyoto's national customer service office and they agreed to contact Classic Toyoto, particularly since we answered no to their question: "Did they disclose the frame rust recall on this model?" We then went to a local Toyoto dealer and they too were surprised by the lack of transparency by Classic Toyoto, and agreed to see what recourse we may have. We called the finance department at Classic Toyoto and asked that they cancel the service agreement we signed up for and to refund us our $2,200. They asked why we were terminating the contract, and we mentioned the non-disclosure of the frame rust issues. Complete silence on this issue from the Finance Manager. He said we should have our refund by mid-June! And yes, we take responsibility for not being more diligent and patient. That said, the salt in the wound is being too trusting. So, long story short, are there any other avenues of recourse available to us. Our appreciation to each person who reads this thread and our deep gratitude to all who respond. PS: Our mechanics advised us to not put any overly heavy loads in the truck and to avoid using a trailer to carry loads. Two of the main reasons for buying the truck was immediately torn apart!

 

You've only had it 4 days, right? (March 13, 2024 we purchased a 2006 Tacoma V6 from Classic Toyoto)

Call tomorrow AM, tell them the problem and ask for a refund.

NC has a state safety inspection requirement. Did the dealer provide a fresh one with the sale? https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/title-registration/emissions-safety/Pages/safety-inspections.aspx If the dealer themselves are the registered inspectors, report them to the state. Fast. Let them jerk a knot in their tail.

I will say I'm shocked Toyota sold you a 'service agreement' on a vehicle this old and with that much mileage. I suspect that is an aftermarket product that would have caused you a lot of grief when you tried to make claims.

If they don't say sure, bring it back, there are possibilities.

Does a TV station in the town of the dealership have a 'investigative reporter' that pursues things like this?

Your State Consumer Protection Agency can help. https://ncdoj.gov/protecting-consumers/

You also have elder abuse laws in NC since you state you are in that category https://ncdoj.gov/public-protection/protecting-seniors/

You have the option of a personal attorney getting involved to be persuasive.

I kindly suggest the next time you go to buy a vehicle you consult or take with you someone who is trustworthy and well versed in these types of transactions. Not just to look at a frame, but to keep you out of paperwork trouble.

BTW, the only dealer who 'may' care about you owning 2 other 24 and 25 yo Toyotas would be the dealer who sold them to you and maintained them for you. And since it's most unlikely that's the case, Toyota itself doesn't really care. This is a pure dealer issue.

Best wishes for a fast resolution.

 

Man, this pains me. Good luck to you.
Excellent advice above, by the way.

The first word that came to my mind was "lawyer".

 

I am so sorry to hear about this. Damn stealerships came after somebody they think they can dupe. I would definitely lawyer up on this case. Print out any information you have as far as interactions by e-mail, calls or texts. To the best of your ability, write a detailed report of the step by step of all the events that transpired. Much like what you wrote above but with more details. Good luck to you and sure hope that you get a resolution to this.

 

There a lot of us that do or have had rust issues. With that said we also need pictures to make recomendations. This place sells frame parts and has a list of installers. I live in the Asheville area and the only guy listed in NC is in Swanannoa who I used to repair my frame.
Buckeye Performance Inc.https://www.autorust.com/product/2005-2015-tacoma-2nd-gen-wall-chart/
Keep us posted.

 

Search on YouTube: ian, big tire garage, tacoma frame
and its the first one that comes up.