frame rust buy back

If anyone was wondering, Toyota is still doing the frame rust buy back. I got $13,762 for my 2000 Tacoma 4x4 extended cab with 238,000 miles.

 

Curious to see what steps you went thru for this buy back option? What were your first indications of problems with the frame? I've got a 2004 PreRunner 4dr and received a PRE- recall notice on a spare tire carrier. I read somewhere online about the recall 3-4 weeks before I received the letter.

Currently at this time, I had my receiver looked at because I knew something was wrong. In fact, the guy said NOT to carry anything bc receiver may literally snap off. When I took my taco to dealership with notice in hand they took it like you would expect and gave me a general timeframe to have it looked at. Within 10 minutes they called me and said with it only being a NOTICE they can't really look at it since there hasn't been a "fix" decided for it yet........nor did the look at the frame as I requested.

So that's why I'm curious.


Thank you,
Havok

 

Sub'd for steps you took

 

The frame on my truck was rusted through on the passenger side, so the damage was obvious. I called the local dealer about the rust perforation, and at first they had no idea about the frame rust recall/warranty. I explained what I had read online about getting the truck inspected for rust perforation, and that if the damage was bad enough, Toyota would replace the frame or buy the truck back. After they researched it, I got a call to bring the truck in for an inspection. They inspected the truck and said it was unsafe to drive. Then Toyota corporate got involved and about a month later I got my check.

 

I have a '92 with a frame issue. I'll have to check on this. Thanks!

 

I think its only for tacomas man

 

If you search the forum, you will find tons of information. My 1998 was bought back in 2009. Only 90k miles, but you could put your fist through the frame. I had the frame welded by guy that had done several Tacomas and 4 Runners and promptly got my letter from Toyota a month or 2 later. I got $11-12k for it.

 

Its only for 95-04's. 95-00's are a buy back and 01-04's are a frame replacement. The window is 15 years from 'in use' date, but the lady I spoke to at customer service back in September said that that 'may' change.

 

Hmmm... I hope so. My driver's side lower control arm snapped from the frame while I was driving it recently- rusted through. The frame under the passenger side of the bed has a hole through it. It has around 250k on it and still runs great.

 

Hi do u know about 1998 tacoma if the toyota program still buying?

 

I have 1998 tacoma have big hole in the frame do u know about if the toyota still buying the 98's
Thanks

 

I'm pretty sure you were supposed to have had the frame inspected and coated back in like October 2010 or something to be eligible for buyback or replacement in the future. It's worth a try calling a dealer and seeing what they say, even calling all the dealers around you to see if any will do anything.

 

98 is expired. They're not doing any buy backs. But like he said the dealer might give you a nice deal on a truck if you talk to them

 

YES, the Toyota buyback program is still operating.

NO, for a 1998, it did not have to have a prior inspection.
(1995.5 through 2000 did not require a prior inspection)

As a blanket statement - incorrect

HOWEVER, for "your truck" to be eligible for buyback depends on its specific 'date of first service' relative to the 15 yr warranty extension.

In other words, if your truck's date of first service was for example 6/18/1998, it can still qualify - if you show up at the Toyota dealer tomorrow.
If your truck's date of first service was, for example 6/15/1998... the truck is past the 15 yr warranty extension, and is no longer eligible for buyback.
(All things must end sometime)

A Toyota service dept will research the VIN of your truck and tell you if it is still within the 15 yr cutoff period.

 

Mighty good of Toyota to still honor this...

 

Do you know if they will cover the frame on a 2001 if the previous owner didn't get the undercoating?

 

I just bought an 04 that has the undercoating, but it's flaking off and showing a lot of rust underneath. What are the odds of a new frame in this instance?

 

Take it to a dealer and get it inspected. If the frame was undercoated (by Toyota), it is covered by the 15 year from in service date warranty. A lot of trucks (including my own) had the undercoating initially only to fail a subsequent inspection and get a frame replacement. My frame was udercoated in 2009, the frame replaced in 2011.

 

So, basically, this truck was put on the road in May 2004, so even if it passes now, if it fails before May 2019, it could be replaced?

Edit: One other question, is it frame only, or suspension components as well?

 

As long as that undercoating was applied by Toyota as part of the frame rust inspection program, your frame is covered by the extended warranty for 15 years from the first in-service date, yes.

frame replacement includes all frame-mounted brake lines, rear springs, the lower arms and other misc parts that are too corroded to remove and reinstall. There are a lot of associated parts that should get replaced while the truck is apart but don't. If your frame needs replacing, its likely there's a lot of corrosion on stuff under there that's not part of the frame but still important.

Toyota will replace the frame and as little else as possible.

Since my frame was replaced: I have gone on to replace/restore: fuel tank, drive shafts, UCA's, shocks, entire rear assembly etc, etc...