Rust 2017 Tacoma

I just purchased this 2017 Tacoma from a Toyota dealer and took it to a mechanic to check it over. He said there is a lot of rust for only being 3 years old and 26,000 miles. “More rust than I’d expect”. Did they take advantage of me? I plan on demanding a rust treatment (they seem pretty willing to help), but should I demand my money back and return the truck?

 

Did the sticker say as is or warranty .. I would definitely bring it up with the sales manager . Did you buy this from a reputable dealer. ? That’s a lot of rust . I would have them treat it or demand my money back .

 

I got a 1 year bumper to bumper. I’ll have to read throughly to see if this specific issues is longer. They seem willing to coat but I am worried about a few years from now. I just sold my 2009 4runner and the frame was soft. So I know this is a Toyota issue and that they’d recalled many earlier Tacoma’s. I felt pretty confident that that’d have corrected the issue. For reference I live in Upstate New York (winter salt)
Should I just not risk it and start over looking for another one? I’m more than happy to demand my money back (lol) if it is a big concern.

 

*Very reputable dealer imo Burdick Toyota in Cicero NY

 

I have a 2017 and I am usually in CO or MA where a ton of salt is used and I am extremely meticulous about washing the underside after storms. I don't have even 1% of that rust, I'll take a pic tomorrow. That seems like a lot and the places I'd be extra worried about are the holes in the frame.

I do think if they treat it it will be fine if you are meticulous about washing and potentially using something like fluid film every fall, but I would be somewhat concerned.

 

My 17’ has 60k on it looks nothing like that...If you plan on keeping it along time best to get your money back and start with something cleaner cuz once the cancer starts it’s hard to stop.

 

If the outside of the frame looks that bad you can bet that the inside of the frame is even worse.

 

Doesnt Toyota have a frame recall on rust for 16 and 17s?

 

I'd oil spray it and get the dealer to check the lower alignment cams.

The "good" (big cough) new is;

That is a normal amount of surface rust for a Tacoma that has not been corrosion protected.

The better news is at this time it will be all cosmetic except for things like the alignment cam bolts.
The cam bolts on the lower control arms are notorious for seizing up from rust.

The good news is, an oil spray with a rust converting/treating product will stop any existing rust (not a barrier type product like Fluid Film). So you don't have to scrape off all that surface rust.
Then an annual application of a corrosion barrier product (look at Cosmoline based for durability or Lanolin based if you want to ever wash it off) to the underside of your truck.
And it will last well over 25 years no problem...

The bad news is Toyota knows about frame corrosion issues on North American vehicles, addresses it on "higher end" vehicles but...
The only real corrosion protection the Tacoma gets is;
Paint, a few drain holes, some plugs for water ingress points and some beeswax....

Even after they started adding some wax and plugs in 17.
it might get a frame to not fall apart in a salty area past the 12 year mark, but will still look like utter crap after 2 years.


If you own a Toyota in a salt state or Canada,
annual oil spray is your only hope of having a frame in 15 years.

Even the 2021's have the basic paint, plugs and a tiny bit of wax.... So no Toyota does not care.


Lots of topics on it in this site,
Search;
RP 342
Cosmoline
Fluid Film
Bar Oil
Frame Warranty
Frame Recall

 

There is a frame rust recall that I’m aware of, I’m not sure who falls under that specific recall though. I believe it’s 2016-2017
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/toyota-recall-on-3rd-gen-frame-rust.679596/

 

They will only do the service if you’re in what they designate as “cold climate”. I had a letter sent to our place in MA and tried to bring it in when I was in Denver and they basically said sorry Colorado is isn’t considered a cold climate lol. Then they wrote on the forms they did the recall work. Some dealerships I wouldn’t even trust them to do something that crucial well.

 

Pretty shady that the dealer didn’t disclose the rust to you . It’s not like they didn’t know about it . With there 50 point inspection lol . Sorry man this happened to you. Like others said I would just get my money back and if they give u shit threaten them with a lawsuit.

 

I'd take them up on it, if they're willing to buy it back. Definitely get check done before next purchase.