Tacoma Rust/Corrosion Issue

My son purchased his very first vehicle... a 2006 Tacoma. It was used but he saved his money and fell in love with the Tacoma. I got the recall notice for the leaf springs and when I brought it to the dealer they showed me the frame and told me about the LSC. BUT... they refused to do anything about it because it was treated in 12/14 with the coating (4 months before my son bought it). One year and 4 months later the corrosion is worse. How can it be worse unless they did a piss poor job, tried to cover it up, didn't remove the existing rust, didn't prep it, are using BS products! Toyota refuses to do anything about it. I spoke with the customer service and opened a case. The supervisor Christopher Adamo told me the following:

· “I am the end of the line”

· “There will be no one that will want to listen to you”

· “There is no one that will even want to hear your story”

· “Your story is like many others. The answer won’t change”

Are you kidding me? This is how they talk to customers! They acknowledge the problem (and BTW if you do some research you will find that Tundras have a similar problem) and they have a remedy and when it doesn't work they say "oh well... we tried! Sorry!"

So what do I tell my son who is now stuck with a $15000 paperweight?!?!

My next step was to call CEO of North America Jim Lentz His number is 310-468-4000 Ext 5368. This brought me to an operator and I asked for Jim Lentz. He forwarded me to the Executive Analyst mailbox and I left a message. The mailbox said an analyst would contact me within 1 business day. Waiting for a reply...

I have done the following:

1) File a complaint with NHTSA against your dealership and Toyota. Toyota, for safety reasons should buy back these trucks because they are not safe to you or other people. NHTSA can force Toyota’s hand on this and should for safety reasons. https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/

2) File the same complaint against your dealership with the Consumer Protection Division of the Attorney’s General Office

3) File the same complaint with the Better Business Bureau https://w...ww.bbb.org/consumer-c…/file-a-complaint/get-started

3) Call Philip Milligan (479) 783-2213. He is an attorney in Arkansas running the class action law suit.

I have also created a Facebook page called Toyota Frame Corrosion where I am sharing information and hoping people will like the page and share information to help us all fight Toyota. Maybe the CEO should give us the millions he makes in salaries to help a kid buying his first truck... But that would be the right morale thing to do, wouldn't it?

 

When your son went into get new leaf springs, did they find a perforation in the frame? Where on the the frame was there a perforation?

 

There is corrosion and rust everywhere... the dealer said the truck was still drivable but if it was inspected in VA today it would not pass.

 

Did he tell you why it would not pass the inspection? The LSC ends March 31. 2016, I would think that if the frame fails the inspection Toyota will replace it.

Have you spoken to anyone from Toyota customer support? What have they told you when you called them?

 

I spoke with the customer service and opened a case. The supervisor Christopher Adamo told me the following:

· “I am the end of the line”

· “There will be no one that will want to listen to you”

· “There is no one that will even want to hear your story”

· “Your story is like many others. The answer won’t change”

 

they said because it was treated with the CRC in 12/2014 that is all they had to do. Even though the rust is worse and what they applied didn't work

 

You are doing the right thing in going higher up or at least talk to someone who can offer you more help. All they told you was that it wouldn't pass the inspection and they gave no reason? Have you taken it to the dealership to be inspected, so you know what is causing your frame to fail?

 

They said the frame is compromised. Toyota corporate is saying they will do nothing which is ridiculous.

 

I would keep going the route you are and don't give up. I would like to know where it failed if they saw it when putting on new leaf springs. I have the same year Tacoma, that had CRC applied like your son and feel still being in the LSC window, they should cover it. You need to speak to the right person and tell them what you typed here and document everything. The 2001-2004, has an extension of the warranty after having the CRC applied and won't understand why we don't get the same extension too.

 

Do you have any documents that show they extended the warranty on the 2001-2004 warranty after having the CRC applied? That may be helpful.

If you are willing and able to look up the facebook page I created please do - Toyota Frame Corrosion

 

After I had the CRC applied, I asked the dealership service manager if they would extend the warranty and he said, "no they will not, but you can come back if you have a problem and we will see what we can do". See, this is a voluntary campaign and warranty wise Toyota doesn't have to do anything, but having trucks not driveable 9 years after buying them, is unacceptable, especially after they know they made a defective product and should stand by them, even if they are out of warranty.

 

Exactly... BUT Toyota is taking a hard stance stating they applied the CRC and that's all they need to do. Hence, the class action and complaints filed with the FTC, NHTSA, BBB, and the social media campaign I am trying to start. Keep passing the information on because the more people that file complaints then we will have to force Toyota's hand. This is a fundamental defect to the vehicle.

 

I thought that if the undercoat was applied in a certain time frame and the vehicle continued to rust it was entitled to a warranty frame replacement? Perhaps the corrosion control spray was applied too late?

 

Did you see that anywhere in writing? Because Toyota is refusing to do anything further

 

I agree, Toyota is keeping this quiet by issuing a voluntary campaign, instead of a recall which would be made public and more eyes would see. These Tacoma's, especially in the cold weather states should be recalled, because like you it's just the luck of the draw. some have enough corrosion to fail, while others may just have enough frame left to pass, but another year may not be driveable. Dana gave Toyota 25 million for making defective frames, so Toyota should recall "all" frames so people aren't stuck or at the very least offer a 15 year extension, because Toyota is know to be reliable and as owners, we paid a premium for that reputation.

 

After I had the CRC applied, I asked the dealership service manager if they would extend the warranty and he said, "no they will not, but you can come back if you have a problem and we will see what we can do". See, this is a voluntary campaign and warranty wise Toyota doesn't have to do anything, but having trucks not driveable 9 years after buying them, is unacceptable, especially after they know they made a defective product and should stand by them, even if they are out of warranty.

 

That's what I am fighting for! I have all of that information posted on the facebook page - Toyota Frame Corrosion

I've sent out tweets and I hope to reach more people for a call to action!

 

How much did your son pay for his truck?

 

$16450 and we (his parents) put more money into to replace the brakes, new tires, paid registration and taxes for him, new headlights and other stuff that we thought he needed as a young driver.

 

I wish you the best of luck! That being said I. Don't see anything coming out of this. Toyota jumped to try and satisfy customers unfortunately they aren't going to satisfy them all. I don't see any legal obligation or responsibility on thier behalf and I'm sure they went over everything with their legal department.