Frame Recall in Nova Scotia, Canada

Hey there,

I am brand new to the Tacoma world website, this is an awesome sight by the way lol. I am taking my 2008 Tacoma Access Cab 4x4 4.0L in for a frame recall inspection in a couple of days, in Nova Scotia, Canada. Just wondering how I can inspect my frame before hand so that I know what to look for to make no stone is un-turned by the dealer? I have read that if you have a hole of 10mm or larger that is a flag for a new frame, or at least a knock towards the inspection. Mine does have a hole that is likely double that size at least, under driver side door where the arm from the main "C" frame rails look to connect to the crossbar. As well, most of frame is exposed and flaking rust where it looks like the original paint or undercoating may have been. Pardon the poor mechanical terminology but that is the best I can describe it lol. I have read a lot from frame recall forums from the US, just wondering what to expect from the east coast of Canada.

Any advice is helpful.

Thanks in Advance!!

 

Welcome to TW! I'm from Canada as well (Ottawa/Gatineau Area where Ontario meets Quebec) and I was approved for the frame replacement a few months ago.

It sounds like you already have a hole so based on the year of your truck, you should be getting a replacement.

What i did just for proof and reassurance was take pictures of the rusted holes that I already had. At least there was time stamp on my photos before taking it into the dealer.

 

DLillest thanks for the speedy response!
Yes I have pics of the frame as well as the hole. I used a measuring tape to show the size of the hole which is roughly 3 inches long by 1.5 inches wide. Also I didn’t notice it before but when I went to get inspection done the garage couldn’t pass it because of the hole in the frame. Thanks again for response!

 

Ok, so as long as that 20mm hole didn't start life as a DRILLED hole (it has to be an actual rust hole), then you're qualified for a frame replacement.
The "usual" place for the frame to rot through is on the INSIDE of the BOXED segment opposite the front cab mounts. The front cab mounts are the part that sticks out the side immediately behind the front wheels and below the front door hinges. Driver's side is typically WORSE because the salt truck spreads down the center of the road between the two lanes (i.e., tosses salt out the driver's side) such that there is less salt under the passenger side. Crawl under the truck and whack at it there a few times with a hammer. If you can get the hammer through the frame there, you're qualified for sure.

 

Dude. EVERYBODY in Canada knows where OTTAWA is. Its just the AMERICANS who don't.

 

There are some "slots" from the factory in roughly that area, but if that was a Toyota garage that wouldn't pass you for the hole, then I think you're pretty much covered though, they *should* know the difference between a factory slot and a rust hole....

 

Hey there,

Yea I didnt drill any holes lol, I don’t wanna make frame any worse than it is hahaha. If it wasn’t for the failed inspection I likely would have missed it until inundercoated sometime in the next couple of weeks. Thanks for the insight though, i can post some pics of the frame and maybe someone can comment. With the hole there currently I can’t pass inspection, but from what I read it doesnt matter if it doesn’t pass inspection if it does fail the check points they cover on their frame checklist.

Thanks again really appreciate the feedback

 

I didn't suggest that YOU drilled holes. I said that there are holes in it drilled by the FACTORY. Some of those are visible on your THIRD picture.

Based on your first TWO pictures, you are 100% qualified for a new frame.

 

Ok sounds good, no i didn’t think you did lol I was just making a little joke. I noticed the holes you were speaking of the look like small slots like you suggested and they are really rusted as well with tons of flaking. Thanks for the input and knowledge gives me a better idea what kind of thought process to be in when I go into the dealer. Outside of the little I know I had no idea what to expect or look for.

 

I'm in Nova Scotia as well. Took my 06 tacoma to the dealer in Dartmouth for the inspection. Took about an hour and they approved me for a new frame due to there being 2 rust holes. My truck is originally from alberta, and judging from the pics above, wasn't rusted as bad as yours.

 

One thing that would be really nice.... would be to see if you could gain access to the cab while its off the frame. I see a lot of body rust under there, so it would be nice to be able to hit it with a wire wheel and a couple of layers of rust encapsulator and por15. It will be WAY more difficult to seal it up properly after its back on the frame.

 

TacoNS thanks for the local update!! The frame seemed to get worse after the moisture started here in Atlantic Canada in the fall due to a relatively dry summer. 96cardboard that is a great idea I will see what the dealer will allow me to have access to lol. That would be awesome to get it “fully sealed” and then the new frame slapped back on it!

 

After seeing all these threads I don't know if I could ever own a tacoma in an area where corrosion is common... out of curiosity for those that live in these areas, do all vehicles corrode like that or is it a Toyota thing?

 

ALL vehicles corrode like that.
Here's FORD for example; https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1362067-anyone-having-rotten-frame-issues-05-f-150-a.html

 

That's unfortunate. I think I'd just be buying used clunkers if I lived in that sort of area.

 

Quick update for anyone that is interested.

Took my Tacoma in for the frame recall and the frame failed, and it will need to be replaced. I believe the service guy told me that I am on the bottom of the list and there are 6-9 trucks ahead of me as well as them sending of request for the frame recall, hope the accept. Called Toyota Canada to find out how rental would work and all parts that would be replaced with the new frame. Rental through the class action suit is only for the week it is in the shop no longer, and they are not able to disclose the details of the "frame kit" that is sent to the dealer. Grateful that Toyota is replacing the frame the only bad is that I only found out that the frame was bad through an inspection failing which runs up in 2-3 weeks. So due to the inspections running out and the pretty long period that it will take to replace the frame I am left with either driving it in a couple of weeks with an expired sticker or letting it sit until I get the call to take it into the shop. All in all I pretty pleased with getting a new frame, just some small details of my situation are gonna suck when the sticker expires lol.

 

Since the province deems the truck unsafe to drive, go back after Toyota for the rental. In other posts mostly from our US counterparts some guys have been driving rentals for over six months waiting for their trucks to be repaired as they were deemed not safe to drive. See if your dealership will get involved. Not sure if you received the class action suit letter from the Canadian suite but I think there is a number you can call if you are having problems.

 

Hey there city Tacoma,

Thanks for the idea I will see what they say when I come back to them. I asked yesterday when I discussed the issues with the dealer and Toyota Canada, both said that because it is the US suit that the claim is under everyone had to be treated exactly the same so 7 days is all they offer lol!! So basically they are saying good luck after the inspection runs out I guess

 

Well they are misinformed as this is not just a US class action suite but a Canadian one also.

 

Ok I will read over there’s file thanks a lot for the pics. I am second owner so I didn’t receive these papers to Ben able to review. The Toyota dealer and Canada both kept stating that it was a US sanctioned law suit so that’s why there hands are tied I guess. I knew about a Canadian law suit and assumed that is what i would Ben under not the US settlement which I didn’t understand when they kept saying that. I just thought it was odd that my inspection failed because of the bad frame Toyota put on the truck and now I have to eat the bullet and find another vehicle in a week or two. Ooo well trials and tribulations of dealing with a big company