2003 tacoma frame recall

It's good that you tell them, but please don't tell them it's a recall. It is an extended warranty. If a customer asks Toyota about a frame rust recall Toyota glibly tells them that there isn't one, and has never been one. Toyota will not tell them, "Oh, you must mean the extended warranty".

 

yeah i know what you mean.Was just using (recall) to express that most people have NO idea.

 

Virginia and West Virginia colder than North Dakota, Montana, Alaska.......the list goes on.Got to wonder who made this list.

 

I'm going to guess that Toyota chose states that use a lot of salt or more corrosive substances. From the few weeks I spent in Montana I saw a lot of solid looking Tacoma frames. The same isn't true in some of the states that are on the list.

 

Your probably right. However, I am sure a number of states caught onto what worked and started using the same corrosive substances. I grew up in Iowa. A lot of cars resemble this back there.

 

All tacomas in all states were covered by the extended warranty. Vehicles in the "cold climate states" identified by Toyota were required to have the undercoating due to the heavy use of de-icing road salt.

Tacomas outside of those states have an advantage in that their fate does not depend upon some prior owner following through with the warranty requirements before the Toyota imposed deadline.

Salt, although not the only rust causing agent, acts as a catalyst due to the inadequate use of corrosion retardant elements in or on the steel used to build the frames. The frames were built for Toyota by Dana, a US company, (the frame division was later sold to a Mexican company), and was sued by Toyota, and ordered to pay Toyota $25 million in 2011. It didn't end there though. A class action settlement in 2016 extended coverage to 2nd gen Tacomas. The total cost of the frame warranty on all affected vehicles is estimated to be several billion dollars.

 

Toyota made the mistake of sending me a customer satisfaction survey on my most recent experience in dealing with the Customer Experience. I am pretty sure they will not ever follow up with me again. I get the fact that my vehicle will not be covered under the extended warranty program on the frames because the previous owner did not follow the proper procedures. As I looked further into it and saw the countless number of Toyota owners who can not drive their vehicle, this is unacceptable that the program is not still available. I'm on my 4th Toyota vehicle, app. $130,000 on Toyota's, 2 Sequoia's and 2 Tacoma's. Unfortunately it will be my last. The Customer Experience Center did not want to hear about it.

 

Most of us are here because we are fans of the Tacoma - even though I had to deal with the rust issue myself on my Tacoma I'm still a huge fan of the platform. Granted, I was able to get mine repaired because I was in an exceptional situation (brother had a shop, did all the work). I love the 1st gen reliability (exclusive of the frame), performance and appearance. IMO it's the most balanced pickup available.

That said, I can't say I blame you at all. Toyota will need to rebuild the confidence of their customers. The fact that so many frames have been replaced by Toyota after they were treated by a Toyota dealer is an indictment on the replacement policy for those particular frames. Most of us know the why behind it (Dana, poor metallurgy for the frames, etc - all things @ghs57 has documented above) but that doesn't excuse Toyota from being accountable at the customer level for this.

Strong companies get better by failing and competition coming in to challenge that failure. I'm disappointed for you @LuCarp - going through this is not fun (been there, done that, got the receipts). Hopefully you'll find a truck you are incredibly happy with.

 

That's just it, I love my Tacoma and I'll be able to repair the frame myself because its not too bad. I also love my wife's Sequoia, it's a great vehicle. I feel like I'm in my living room when I drive it.
I totally agree with you on the fact that companies get stronger from situations like this, hopefully they will!

 

If you'll be doing the repair this is a pretty good resource: https://www.autorust.com/product-category/toyota-tacoma/

 

You are totally justified to feel this way.
But in the overall picture as far a manufactures go. Toyota has got them beat.
What other manufacturer is replacing frames on a 10,11,12,13,14,or 15 year old truck.
I had my 97 bought back foe 150% blue book value...........UNHEARD OF took my check and used it for a down payment on my 06.My 06 is sitting at the dealer waiting for a new frame to come in.
Yes the whole rusty frame issue sucks and for some it is downright BS.But do you think is you were driving any other brand of truck,this would even be a consideration.

 

No, you're right, it wouldn't be a consideration elsewhere.

 

agree with @loosnut on the statement. I don't see any other company offering residual forms of compensation for vehicles.

It's the responsibility of the owner (previous or current) to take every advantage offered for the vehicle.

It's also the responsibility of the owner to "take care of" their vehicle in any way possible to make it last. If you have the money and lease good for you. If you plan to keep the vehicle you need to protect it any way you can. You wash the vehicle to make it look "pretty", change the oil and service it to keep it running. But if it falls apart on the side of the road it kind of loses that luster.

Unfortunately most of today is a "throw away" attitude and lacks responsibility/longevity for possessions.

I was fortunate to take care of my frame from the start. Living all my life in the salt-belt affords some knowledge of the situation.

With all the "recalls" out there from other manufacturers I'm glad to own a Toyota with an extended warranty. Not sure I'd buy a 3rd Gen though, thems ugly

 

Keep in mind that most of us that have this problem are dealing with the failings of others that had the vehicle before us. I was so consumed by Toyota's reputation and my previous experience as a Toyota owner that I didn't research the frame rust issue and the seller didn't disclose how bad it was to me when I bought it from him. Of course it's a buyer beware world, but it's hard to go through life questioning every single thing you do. Sometimes you count on the reputation of a manufacturer and the resale value you see on the market as indicators. Knowing that Toyota put a system in place to address that but that because of an inconsequential process (frame coating in 2011) that wasn't done I was not eligible was tremendously frustrating.

Will I buy another Toyota? I just bought my daughter a 2012 FJ so yeah. But I intend my 2003 Tacoma to last for at least another 20 years so it may be a while before I get one for myself .

 

I do feel the same way as "standard." I plan on repairing the frame and keeping it for a long time. The truck is in excellent shape with a lot of life left in it.

 

lol thats my car j/k

 

Hi guys l been reading a lots of comments of people who couldn't get the
Frame replacement it's something legal than they can do against this situation ? I m in Long Island NY and lm going to the dealer on Thursday to get my frame inspection l don't know what to spect , l have a 2004 Tacoma

 

Good luck with the inspection. Two of my Tacomas ('97 & '00) came from Long Island. Both frames rotted out.

Your '04 would still be covered, depending on whether it was undercoated by Toyota before the deadline (if it was a cold climate truck). They are going to check the frame with a ball peen hammer in a number of places subject to failure. If the frame is already rusted through, or weak enough to punch through with the hammer, the frame would fail the test and they will submit a claim with photographs to Toyota Corporate for approval. If it's deemed too dangerous to drive, a loaner vehicle will be provided. Most NY dealers are experienced in the procedure and frame replacement. Usually, the only hang up is waiting for the parts to come in.

Let us know how it goes.

 

I'm waiting for the call from dealership now.....failed inspection....just in time...04 DCSB trd....pics sent to toyota....mine is driveable,and I love doing so.
Mine is non severe climate truck so no under coat required.
Was warned about a buy back....but I want a new frame,lca,and rear springs....ill pay for the rest(body bushings,brake lines,any bolts that break off.
Just put a new frame under this puppy and I'm good....

 

Oh yea....they can't buy this one back....it has a note.....in the details of the buy back,it can't not have a lean......so they going to have to fix it....I hope...