2002 Tacoma Rusted Frame Question

Hello,

So like many Tacomas we are dealing with a completely rusted frame and at this point it is unsafe to drive. We purchased the truck used in 2012. The previous owner followed up on the recall and had the underbody covered in a corrosion resistant compound at some point before the sale. It seems that for earlier Tacomas- like 95-2000 or something- having this done extends the frame warranty to 15 years from original purchase. But somehow the 2002 falls through the cracks. Or at least that is what Toyota told me today. We also do not qualify for the class action law suit. Our truck only has 106k miles on it and everything else is in excellent condition. Has anyone had any luck with 2001-2004 models getting any kind of restitution for such a faulty frame? We already purchased a new truck so some trade in money would be worthless to us now.

Thank you in advance for any help. We are so frustrated over this.

Thanks!!

 

I did. I have a 2003 and they told me they'd replace it if it needed it. Luckily mine didn't need it

 

When did they say that? Before 2012 or in the past couple years?

 

I'd also like to know. I have a 2004, the frame is pretty good but I certainly wouldn't mind a fresh one...

 

They just replaced the one on my 2004. I wonder if you just missed the 15 year mark, it goes by in service date so yours may be a 2001 or early 2002 which would put it past the 15 years

 

I called Toyota today and they confirmed that the purchase date was Aug 2002 so the 15 years is not up until Aug of this year. They also confirmed that the previous owner did have the corrosion resistant compound put on. But they said that the 15 year warranty did not apply to the 2002 models. They opened a case and a case manager is calling me on Monday so maybe the person I spoke to did not have that correct.

 

Choasrob- what did you have to do to get them to replace the frame?

 

01-04 the frame should be replaced I would have argued with them . with 95-99 Tacoma's they where scaling them and paying a 150% of what the truck was worth 2000-04 they replace the frame . the test for a bad frame is simple a small ball peen hammer on the frame right next to the file tank I lost my 99 to the frame rot recall so I went through the same crap so when I got my01 I made sher it had a new frame so my advice is don't give up and keen on them I live in middletown ct the dealer I GI to know I know my Tacoma's they don't fite me on it hope that helps

 

From what you said it should not be an issue and I think the dealer didn't know what they were talking about. I initially got rejected from Lou Fusz Toyota and took it to Pappas who were happy to help and worked with me more than anyone could expect, like royalty really. If you are close to Missouri take it to them, they are amazing and have done several hundred of these

 

If it ends up you cannot get a new frame from toyota, you can still repair and patch your frame, depending on how bad the rust is.
Pictures would help us to tell you what can be done to try to save your truck, in the case toyota can't do anything for you

There's lots of threads about frame repairs people have done, so by searching the forum, you can get an idea of what kind of repairs can be done to fix it

good luck!

 

You can't fix the frame the rust isn't the problem when the manufacturer made the frames some idiot forgot to ad a composite to the steel so noatter what you do the frame will continue to rot .and no I live in ct northeast I have middletown Toyota they know me and don't give me any crap .push for a new frame

 

My husband is a welder and says it can not be fixed. It needs to be replaced. I am hopeful we will get somewhere on Monday. I am not sure why some people seem to not get the replacements and others do.

 

Have your husband test the frame the way I said. before with a ballpeen hammer and video it and show Toyota the video

 

Might not be the dealer - My roadblock was the regional parts & service manager.

-- Had some service done in October. When I picked it up the service advisor said the frame was getting a little sketchy. "Bring it back in the Spring and we'll see about replacing the frame."

-- Went in for state safety inspection in December. Failed because of frame rot. They wanted me to leave it, but I had some work stuff in it I wanted to clear out at home. "You had the frame sprayed, right? Give us a couple days to get the approval and we'll call you to drop it off and pick up your loaner."

So at this point it's clear that the dealer is familiar with the issue and the process and is on board with getting the new frame done.

-- Didn't hear anything for a week. Started calling but my service advisor was not available and did not return calls for several days. Went down there. "Regional manager wants some more pictures. Bring it back tomorrow."

-- Brought it down for more photos. "You'll hear from us in 2 or 3 days."

-- Didn't hear anything for a week. Started calling but my service advisor was not available and did not return calls for several days. Went down there. "Sorry, the regional manager has advised us that there is..." (Pause to read from his computer screen) "...currently no program which covers your vehicle." I asked to speak with someone higher up. No management available to escalate discussion.
Me - "Well, I played by your rules and had the frame sprayed, so Toyota gave me an extended warranty against frame rot. You inspected it and said the frame is rotten, so what do you wanna do?"
Service Advisor - "I don't know. I can send another email and ask what's going on."
Me - "Let me guess, I'll hear back in a few days?"
Service Advisor (embarrassed) - "No, I'll do it right now and copy you. We should get a response within a day."

-- No response by the end of the next day. Done with dealership and regional people. Called Toyota Customer Service Line. Call answered by a human on the first ring. I explained what was going on. "OK, this will be assigned to a case manager who will investigate and call you late tomorrow. Probably around 4."

-- Case manager called at 3:05 the next day. "Called you service advisor and he sent me the pictures of your frame. I'll talk to the regional manager and you'll hear from me again within 3 days."

-- Case manager called at 10 AM the second day. "You've probably heard from the regional manager..."
Me - "Uh, no."
Case Manager - "Hmmm. He was supposed to call you to explain what's going on and arrange for you to drop off the vehicle."
Me - "Uh, no, but does this mean you're gonna replace the frame?"
Case Manager - "Absolutely. I'm sure you'll be hearing from him shortly. If you don't hear by tomorrow afternoon call me. My direct line is xxx-xxxx."

-- Service Advisor called about an hour later. "I'm sure you got an email from the regional manager..."
Me - "Uh, no."
Service Advisor - "Oh." (Long pause) "Well, everything is all set, but we won't have your loaner until around 3 this afternoon.
Me - "I'll be there at 3."

-- Hand keys to service advisor.
Me - "Sorry to do an end run and call Corporate on you."
Service Advisor - "No, that's what cleared up the, uh, confusion, and got it pushed through."
I start to ask about what happened but he's "too busy" right now. He passes me off to a secretary to do paperwork on the loaner vehicle and disappears.

So bottom line is I'm getting the frame done, but jeez, I'm kinda curious about what the hell is up with the regional manager guy. Looks like the dealer was good to go, then the regional guy tried to block it for some reason and got overruled by Corporate. Then he never called or emailed me when he was supposed to, and nobody at the dealership wants to talk about it either.

 

I feel sorry for your Husband !!

They can be repaired or new sections spliced in but without seeing yours who can say how bad yours is.

Nothing that can`t be saved but being cost effective is another issue

I have done quite a few of these Tacoma`s since this started and each one is some what different.

 

Sorry I forgot to tell you when you test the frame its next to the fuel tank cab end is where they punch a home through my frame when they tested my 99

 

Had my 01 replaced in 2015, from the info you provided the only thing I can see that would disqualify you would be where the truck was registered, I think only certain "rust belt" states qualify

 

We are in Western MA. I am feeling hopeful we can get this frame replaced.

 

This is very interesting. Makes you wonder when a warranty is not a warranty. In light of last fall's settlement of the class action lawsuit against Toyota, which extended the frame warranty to some 2nd gen tacomas, tundras, and 4runners, one would think that this kind of hang up would not still be occurring. I'll be at my dealer for an inspection in a few months, so I will be sure to enquire on the status of my warranty.

Also, there have been accounts here on TW of frame replacements on vehicles outside of the cold weather states named in the warranty. These trucks were not required to have the undercoating due to their location, but the frames were covered by Toyota.

My 01's frame was replaced back at the beginning of the program for '01-'04 model years, around 2011 or so. My 2 prior tacomas were both bought back by Toyota before I bought the '01.

 

Mine is a 02 and they replaced the frame in January. I did have to go to Toyota corporate as the local dealer was no help. The local dealer told me it was not under warrenty.