Might buy a 2010 tomorrow - rust concerns?

Hi all,

New guy here from the northeast, finished up college, looking to get into a Tacoma. I found one for 15k, 150k miles, 6MT, V6. Super clean body and interior and I'm very excited about it. However I do have some rust concerns - some pictures are attached. I'm curious to see what people think, if I should avoid at all costs, or it can be treated? I understand these trucks are plagued with rust problems.

Any advice is much appreciated.

 

You need to knock on that frame with a ball peen hammer to see if any holes appear. Doubtful the seller would be cool with that but maybe they'll do it with you there. Only way to know how bad it really is in those spots.

These frames rust from the inside out so they can be a lot worse than they appear.

2010 might still be covered under the frame replacement program, I think 2nd gens have 12 years from the in service date iirc. With other stipulations

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Thanks for the tips, @eon_blue. It's from a used car dealer so I doubt they will be cool with me tapping on it with a hammer. Another quick question - how can I find more info about the frame recall? I've looked around the forums and seems like the recalls happen on a case by case basis. Should I test drive it over to a Yota dealer and ask?

Also thanks! @buckhuntin-tacoma

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld

 

Get the vin, call Toyota or look online.

 

@Dalandser Thanks. I have the VIN. I will call a dealer in the morning. The carfax does not say there is an open recall for the frame, just the leaf springs.

 

Check up around the cat converters on the inner face of the frame. If you see any crusting in that region be extra cautious. That’s where the holes suddenly pop up.

Keep in mind it’s going to be a bitch to do diy maintenance on with the rusted fasteners probably everywhere just judging by the nuked bracket.

Id ask them to let me use a ball peen and if no ball peen, no green.

 

Yeah I would start with calling Toyota with the VIN just to see if it would be eligible if it does meet the bad frame requirements. After that though it would depend on if any of those rusty spots turn into holes, which you'll only find out after testing them unfortunately.

 

I feel like a 2010 should’ve fallen under the initial campaign that rolled out years ago with the first iteration of the dreaded “CRC” black goop that trapped more rust. If your frame wasn’t coated then Toyota essentially claimed zero responsibility for replacing the frame down the road.

 

Frames were not recalled. They were extended warranty with certain conditions of inspection and Toyota preventative treatment. Which I doubt that truck has had.

I'd not buy a 150k salt country truck w/o having a pre purchase mechanical inspection by a quality independent mechanic, including a compression and leakdown test. And a thorough frame inspection with a ball peen, probe and even a camera that attaches to your phone to act as a borescope.

If the seller won't let you do those things as a condition of purchase, walk away.

 

It's not a recall that's why. The frame replacement program is only for certain model years that meet the requirements.

For 1st gens, the truck had to have been registered in one of the "cold weather states" as deemed by Toyota for one thing. Also had to have had the Toyota rust preventative coating applied by a dealer in the past. Not sure what the 2nd gen stipulations are

 

From looking at the pictures I would say that frame likely has no holes at this moment but doesn’t have a lot of time left. Probably has bad de lamination on the inner edges where the metals overlap and lot of rust on the inside. I wouldn’t invest 15-20k into it as is. And from my knowledge the 2010 ones are out of frame coverage so you would be stuck with it. 2011 is the oldest year to still be under warranty for 12 years from new if in a “cold weather state”. And I guarantee you that’s the original frame. I would pass unfortunately.

 

@JdevTac, @eon_blue, thanks for all the info, I really appreciate it. Seems like there is a ton of stuff that has to happen to get a new frame. I'll look around the forums to see other 2nd gen stipulations ect. It definitely has not been undercoated so I doubt it will be covered. I'll still call a dealer and ask in the morning.
@Clearwater Bill I understand that 150k is a lot of miles and that the frame is not great, but this one fits my price range, and I don't really have time to grab one from the south. I will take it to a mechanic before buying though.

 

@Sean42 Good to know. Thanks. Based on the consensus of the thread I will likely pass, unless for some crazy reason a local dealer will replace it under warranty.

 

Haste is often the biggest waste of $ there is. Cars, houses, wives, etc.

Better to find the right thing than being saddled with one that bleeds you everytime you turn around.

Good luck!

 

I have a 2010 Prerunner that is getting the frame replaced next week. I was amazed that the dealer got the frame replacement authorized because it really isn't bad at all. Follow the guidance above and call Toyota to see if the frame has already been treated or replaced. The pictures really don't look that bad from what you can see. The deal sounds pretty good on the truck if there's no holes on the frame. The warranty period is 12 months from date of first use so you may be able to get the frame replacement covered. You can also see if the dealer will let you have it inspected.

 

Years

Plus other conditions.

 

Thanks for the correction!

 

Hi all, thanks for the help yesterday and today. Instead of buying that one with the questionable frame, I found one with similar mileage, similar price, similar year, much cleaner with a brand new frame put in by the dealership last month. Just bought it and am picking it up tomorrow! Super excited. Thanks again.