Frame recall tow bar/bumper issues?

I had my frame replaced as per the recall and less than a year later my bumper is not straight. After inspection it appears the bolts or mount are so rusted that it broke free and is toggling back and forth. If it was a rust issue you think it would’ve been included in the recall. Has anyone else had this problem and if so what did you do to fix it?

 

My receiver bar is pretty rusty with flaking rust and will have to be replaced shortly. I've started to look at replacement bumpers/receivers. Toyota could have chosen a better metal composition for their frames, rear bumpers, and receiver hitches.

 

It's not the alloy, but the finishing process. A poor finish allows almost anything to corrode.

 

A little more nickel or chromium in the metal composition would have slowed the corrosion process. It didn't have to be so much it made it into stainless, but it would have slowed the corrosion. Better to recycle than let it rust away along the roads and have nothing left. Rust isn't recyclable.

 

Not going to disagree with you there, but the steel used in truck frames is pretty standard - and relatively inexpensive. A few bucks invested in a better finishing process would do wonders for salt spray numbers. Look at (almost) everyone else in the truck business. Nobody with wild alloys in their frames and most other folks (except maybe Jeep) don't have significant corrosion issues. Just better finishes. I spent way too many years in the metal finishing business so I can speak with some authority here.

 

Glad you got a new frame. The frame replacement was a warranty enhancement (not a recall) program that was agreed to as a lawsuit settlement. Unfortunately, The settlement doesn’t cover your problem.

if you have a factory tow package (like mine) then your hitch is part of your bumper mounting. My truck’s hitch assembly was just as bad as the frame so I put an aftermarket bumper on mine.

 

The frames should be prepped and finished as unibody cars and SUVs are.

 

Bodies normally use Zinc clad steel. Frames do not.