Revisiting the frame recall

My 08 went in for the frame recall years ago. They did the hammer test and it was called good-to-go with the application of the goop.

I'm noticing increased rusting that has come through the black stuff they put on and am wondering if anyone has re-visited the frame issue? If I remember, the additional warranty was for 12 years from date of originally putting the vehicle in service and I suspect that I'm right on the cusp of that.

Before I call the dealer I was just hoping to see if anyone else has gone through anything similar- revisiting the issue after it had previously been inspected?

Thx-

 

Go get it inspected again as soon as you can. 12 years from first use date, dont miss it and regret it.

 

Yeah I would take it in to them and have it reinspected. IIRC it's something like once a year for inspections?

 

Do you know your in service date.
My 08 is now out of date glad I found my fail early because I don’t think “they” would had have.
Don’t trust the dealer!
Either you or a mechanic or someone you trust should inspect for a fail.

I’d taken care of my frame and failed looks like a bad weld
Mine was the nicest frame in the scrap pile!

 

I did exactly what you're talking about. My '08 was inspected & coated by the previous owner in '15, along with the rear spring replacement TSB. You can enter your vin# on Toyota's owners site, and it will give you all info/service performed by a dealer. My truck has a build date of 3/13/08, so the in service date was after that. Last November I took it to my local dealer for an inspection, since I knew my window was closing soon. They checked it out, sent pics to the Mothership, called me a week later & said Toyota says your getting a new frame. Mind you, I previously had this truck on a lift and thoroughly inspected it, along with my go-to tech, and could not find anything to warrant alarm. Looked like a 12yr old frame, but solid. I never expected a new frame, I figured I'd get a re-coating and be sent on my way. I guess the dealer techs know exactly where to look, glad they did.
As of yesterday, I'm next on the list at my dealer, should be going in next week.
If I were you, I'd definitely follow up, glad I did. Good luck.

 

This now applies to 2011-2017. Please read carefully. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10169416-9999.pdf

 

thanks for the input guys. I called the dealer and set up an appointment for a re-inspection. I think I got lucky as my 'first put in service' date is May 1 according to them. This would have been easy thing to miss. I'm curious what they find and will update after the inspection.

 

Close call on the timeframe! Good luck, hopefully they find a hole and can set you up with a new frame. Coat that new frame with fluid film or something right away inside and out if you’re lucky enough to get one.

 

This is something that continues to puzzle me. Since 1995 Toyota has had issue with rusting frames. I have 1st gen that I monitor closely and Fluid Film 2X a year. What I don't understand, is how is this continuing issue cost effective for Toyota? Wouldn't it be better to change the way the frames are manufactured or the types of steel used and or treated from the beginning? Or is Toyota the only manufacturer that realizes ALL STEEL frames rust and they are the only ones that go the extra mile to provide assistance?

 

You would think they would've figured this out a long time ago, but they evidently don't care- because the solution is simple. The paint that was used on the frames is junk; it's as simple as that. And they had to have known this as they should have been demanding independent salt spray testing from the supplier. I've dealt with this in a past automotive parts manufacturing job, and the e-coat paint we used was essentially bulletproof. I'm in TN, we use very little salt where I live, and my frame looks horrible. My alignment guy asked me if "it was from up north?" No, it's been here the entire time. I've never had a vehicle where the steel on the underside rusted so bad with so little use. And people go on and on about Toyota's legendary quality; but I don't.

 

I was of the understanding it was more to do with the way the steel was laminated for the frame- that it was more prone to separation so salt and water went in between and rotted things from the inside out. But I’m with you, why they haven’t changed this and keep pumping out the same bad frames blows my mind. I’m lucky I just got my frame replaced and I expect my truck will last for quite some time into the future. Not sure my next truck will be a Tacoma though if they haven’t sorted this issue, be my luck I’d buy a new one and the next day they’d discontinue the replacement campaign and I’d be left with a truck that’ll rot out in 10 years.

 

As an aside while I wait for my inspection...when I went in for the first inspection (2014) I had some time to walk around the dealership. When I went into the back lot I was amazed at the number of new frames waiting to be installed and the size of the piles of old frames that had been taken off and cut up.

I spoke with the service manager and he told me that they'd done so many that they had gotten it down to a really quick process- almost like a NASCAR pit stop. Toyota had allotted a fixed amount of $ for the job and if the dealerships could be really efficient they could turn it into a profit center. I was thinking about that conversation when I called yesterday to make the appointment and wasn't at all surprised when the service rep said 'Come on down!'

 

I had 4 first gen Tacomas in a row, owning and driving them for a total of hundreds of thousands of miles, from 1997 to 2019. Not one breakdown, and nothing other than brake pads and timing belts.

Last fall I bought a second gen with 120K, and have been absolutely disappointed at the build quality, the road feel, and the reliability of electrical components. In 5 months of owning my 2nd Gen, I had to change the clockspring, solder the clock board in the overhead console, the Aux input, and had a failed fuel pump relay that left me stranded and needed a tow. If I feather the throttle at low RPM, the engine will knock. There's wind noise coming from the door seals at freeway speeds (double cab). The steering column shake over a bumpy road. The engine has ticking from what sounds like very thin walled exhaust. I believe thats it so far.

I will say though, that the truck loves doing 90 on the freeway, and the interior experience is nice. Sigh.

 

First,

THIS IS NOT A RECAL....

where is the proof?

here
Now, question 1 and answer 1 state it clearly.

next, the letter says YOU can do the inspection yourself.

so, why is this important? Legality and your rights are the reason, a recall must be replaced no matter what at company expense, a SERVICE WARRANTY or SERVICE BULLETIN
Is a quid pro quo type thing. Your rights are limited to specific times and dates, and even what gets removed and replaced.

Here is the kicker, TEXAS is NOT on the high risk list, but, I got a letter.

IF You own a taco inspect yourself frame and contact a dealer about the inspection.

if they act funny, find another dealer OR independent shop that will CERTIFY the findings.

for those of you that are close to the end of the 12 years, get the inspection done. Also the letter I have does not say Toyota will apply anything unless authorized. To this old mechanic that means you can take the inspection report and have a coating of your choice done.
Again, a recall would spell out procedures and parts specifically.....

end

 

I’m in Texas also and just had my vehicle inspected at the Toyota dealership in San Marcos cause it started it's life in NY then VT so it definitely has the symptoms. They sent all the pics and videos up to the mothership. Now I wait for an engineer to review and call me with the next steps.

 

Poorly designed frame to poor material selection for the frame. It's either this or supplier quality engineers missed something.
Anytime you have to weld that many extra plates to the frame to pass strength or crash test there's something wrong in the design. Moisture just loves the seams from all the extra welded steel. Will the continuing problem Toyota has with frames you'd think they'd set up a hot dip galvanizing tank on the assembly line.

 

Update-
Just back from the inspection. They found a few holes in the frame that exceeded 10mm. New frame on order. They wouldn't let me drive it off the lot. I probably could have insisted but my head was spinning a bit. They gave me a new Tacoma, said it would be a couple of months to get the frame and install it. Would do new brake lines and anything else that wouldn't easily switch over. My warranty expired in May f this year, I feel like I dodged a bullet.

Now that I'm home and have had a chance to collect my thoughts I'll have to figure out some kind of tarp to cover the bed as I work out of the truck. Also the loaner is a short bed but I'll accommodate it somehow. Beggars --->choosers and all.

Here's one of the holes, just below the drivers side door and visible without it being on the lift. And this shows the general level of rust all over the frame that made me even think of getting it inspected.

 

Sweet! That’ll add some years to your truck. Do you normally have a cap on the bed to work out of? I switched my cap over to the 2020 they loaned me during the frame replace. It wasn’t a perfect fit but worked in the meantime. if they’re gonna have it a while maybe they can drum up a long bed for you instead and you can switch your old cap over.

they offered me a new tundra or a new Tacoma and I really wanted that tundra, but opted for the Tacoma just cause I needed to swap my cap over cause I use that covered space a lot.

 

Voodoo blue really isn’t my color, but like you said, beggars can’t be choosers

 

Mine is a silver SR5, 2019. At least you got a cap
I'm a photographer and work on location half the time (the other is in my studio). I don't carry too much but a lot of wood panel backgrounds that I'd like to keep out of the weather. Glad they gave me the 4 door cab that'll help. I'll get a tarp and some clamps for a short term solution and see if I can't get something else. I normally have a 6' bed with a Leer cap.