Safety Recall E02, 2005 - 2011 leaf springs

Like I did on my '05 with weak springs, I just added Firestone Ride Rite Air Bags (they call them air springs) and eliminated all rear spring issues instantly. They install in place of the bump stops above the leaf springs and by changing the air pressure (10-40 psi in my case) I control the firmness of the ride, the rear bed height (or level when its loaded), and I couldn't be happier. They make a great addition when you upgrade the shocks to 5100s.

 

Anyone had the recall done since they started sending letters? Curious about the quality of what we're getting.

 

I talked to toyota about this awhile ago and they said that if your springs are cracked or missing they will fix both springs and if you have a lift they were saying I might have to buy the "U" bolts but not anyone with a
2005-2011 can go in and get them fix right now unless one of the springs is cracked or broken in half like mins. Thing is I don't wanna leave my truck with them for a week

 

This is what I was told when I got my frame (w/ new real leaf springs) replaced in DEC 2015.

 

Just left my dealership. The person who made the appointment was wrong about the springs being available..

The important takeaway was that they are ONLY REPLACING BROKEN SPRINGS. Everyone else gets a "good luck" and sent on their way.

Edit:
Spoke with Toyota Corprate. Apparently the dealer is going off of old information. Per the rep: All vehicles involved in this recall WILL get new springs.

 

Yes, but when?
LOL

 

oh, cool, in phase 12 now instead of 11. Whatever, same as spiral cable...will deal with it if an issue arises. Already have 4 leaf pack and my reg cab isn't gonna sag those out. I'd be interested in part number comparison to what I have so if anyone in New England who has had this done already could post them up that'd be nice.

 

Anyone smart on this? I called about my truck getting the new leaf springs and they wanted to do an inspection first? It's a NH registered truck, so the parts are available, but the service rep said an inspection needs to be done to see if it's 3 or 4 leaves? Again, I'm not smart on this stuff, so am I missing something?

My understanding is that the leaf springs on both sides are to be replaced free of charge, regardless of condition. Correct?

 

Called my local Toyota dealer a few weeks back about this . My leafs had a very exaggerated permanent frown and nearly on bumpstops even with an empty bed . In in LA , so phase 11 (thanks , thanks a lot ) and it was before they finalized the schedule so we were TBD still . Local service manager acted like I made all this recall up .... Until I read him the email word for word waiting dates and numbers ... Ok so that pissed me off . Then , this wait we've already endured? I said fuck it and bought Dakars .
He called me a week later wanting me to bring it in for inspection "to see what he could do for me " yeah ... Too late . So I asked about reimbursement options and requirements ... He basically laughed because I had went aftermarket . I'm curious exactly who I was going to buy factory springs from and all that jazz lol

Long story short , peace out factory springs ... You suck and I'm happier now

 

And add a 2015 to this recall

 

They want to do inspections first to see if they are broken/cracked. If you read the whole letter of the notice, not all tacomas are affected. If they perform the inspection and the leafs are good then no action is legally required. but most dealers will probably just replace them to cover their asses

 

I happen to have current information--but also a couple of questions. Sorry about the length, but it might help someone. Feel free to skip to the end, but please don't ignore my questions.

Current information first. I've talked with a number of people at Toyota corporate in the last little bit. One told me that there were multiple phases of recall, and I (in the SE) am in group 10. I asked to talk to her supervisor. I then talked to an extremely dislikable woman named "Kierra," in "Tier 2 Corporate." * She told me that there was no phased repair, that the only thing Toyota is doing is interim repairs when the springs break, and that there was no way I could get them to repair it now. I then spoke with a supervisor in Operations. She gave me additional information, which Everyone agrees, however: there are no parts for recall. They don't know when there will be parts.

The operations supervisor gave me two additional bits of information. I'm not endorsing them, I'm just telling you what she said. First, she said that prior to a regulatory change, Toyota would have known they were going to do a recall, but not notified anyone while they did their preparations, then issued a recall notice when they were ready to replace things. Now, with a new regulation, they are required to issue an "interim notice"--which is what we all got--even before they know what they're going to do, to do the repair. Which is why it looks like they're taking so long. (I did not point out to her that it is a strange coincidence that every month that goes on, more of us wreck, trade or sell our affected Tacomas, and that means less money they have to spend.)

The second thing she said was that although Toyota did say (in the Q&A in the interim recall notice) that the leaf springs could fail under stress, and that there are no warning signs, that Toyota did not say the truck was unsafe to drive or to tow. She said she personally would not hesitate to tow as usual because Toyota has not said that the truck is unsafe. Take that for what it's worth.

Now, questions. (1) Does anyone know of cases where these leaf springs actually failed and what the result was for the driver/passengers? (2) For towing at the upper end of the load range, what are the after-market alternatives and what do they cost?

_____
*I understand that people have jobs to do, and Customer Service's job is not to do the customer any service if they can avoid that. I'm calling Kierra out by name because she got extremely hostile, arguing rather nastily, putting words in my mouth, and--the coup de grace--telling me that she didn't actually have a supervisor that I could talk to. Toyota, if you're listening? Kierra should not be in a "customer service" position.

 

We'll see. I'm at the dealership now.

 

Glad to know I'm not the only one this happened to when I called in to Toyota

 

It's infuriating that the Canadian recall system is different - and in may cases inferior. Why would a recall for American trucks not apply to Canadian ones - they are built in the same plant are they not?!?

 

The dealership finished with their inspection and said my springs fit the "criteria" for replacement, so they're on order. Simple.

 

There you go. pretty sure the new leaf packs have an extra leaf too. i have ridden in both old & new leaf packs and havent noticed any changes in driveability so thats a plus

 

I'll let everyone know what I think after the install. Parts came in real fast, so I've got an appointment Monday. I'll include before and after pics.

 

What could be nice is to see a comparison with a load. If you have a quad or anything consistent in weight for a before and after. I'm in group 11 so I have a ways to wait still If the new springs don't handle weight any better than the stock ones have then might be worth just going aftermarket anyhow. Still think I will get the recall done first then go aftermarket if I choose to just so I have a "spare" set for free