Frame Problem 05 Taco

Guys I’m stuck in a predicament. An need some advice and possible answers. I bought a used Tacoma from a dealership, I owe just under $4000 for it. Had it for 11 months. The frame is gone - opening up - been about 9 patch/welds. Stickers coming December - and all these welds were on when I bought it - but I didn’t see them. They painted the frame to look new. I’m in Maine so it didn’t take long to fade and go back to rust. What do I do. It’s not safe.

 

You learn an expensive lesson. It’s time to look for a safe vehicle and this time either you check it out or have a shop check it out before you purchase . In your part of the country, rust is a big problem, always look for rust.
Buyer beware!

 

probably find a good shop. the likely hood of a toyota dealer being able to repair an 05 under the frame recall is low due to age of the vehicle. That likely hood is also greatly reduced due to the frame being modified. either find a shop that repairs toyota frames or do an entire frame swap. Best of luck. once you have it solved then do some serious rust prevention with woolwax, fluid film, w/e would be your product of choice

 

The extended frame warranty on 2005 was for 12 years from in service date.
Your frame was out of warranty when you bought it.
You could part it out to pay off loan but I doubt you could get $4k sold as is.

 

Well i definitely appreciate the feedback - really from all areas you guys answered it. So thank you. It was a lesson learned indeed. Sticker comes soon “supposedly.” We’ll see if I’m dealing with a hack of a dealership or not.

 

Where are you? Is there an annual vehicle inspection? If so, would the truck pass that inspection? I find it hard to believe a state with vehicle inspection would allow a dealer to sell a vehicle that wouldn’t pass. I know Pa. wouldn’t.

 

What is this 'sticker' that's coming?

Permission to drive it another year? Because the dealer is the inspection point?

If that's the case, wait till it comes. Then contact a local 'action news' station and your State Attorneys office about the dealership not only selling sketchy vehicles but passing inspection on unsafe ones they sold.

If it gets to the point you are asked 'what do you want' a minimum would be a buyback of the vehicle for what you paid (including taxes and fees). Maybe less a small amount per mile for what you've driven it. (I'm assuming you haven't beat it up otherwise)

You may be pleased with the results.

 

Agree with Clearwater Bill. They should've never sold you the vehicle using deceptive practices of covering up the frame rust. 11 mos would not cause a normal frame to convert to an unsafe condition. I would call the dealership and address your concerns with the manager to see if they will be willing to replace the frame or buy back the truck to avoid any legal action.

 

not true my 05 frame was inspected in June 2019 and it failed, APR 2020 it was replaced, july of last year was the cut off and then it switched to 12 yrs date of in service, I got in a month or so before the change, and so did my neighbor who had a 2007. Im here in Canada but I doubt it was any different in the US

if a Toyota dealer sold him the truck there maybe hope

 

Toyota Frame warranty letter. USA

 

Has anyone tried swapping a 3rd gen frame onto a 2nd gen? A lot of similarities between the 2 generations