Will this qualify for frame replacement??

Hey all, Im new here.

I have a 2010 Tacoma SR5 TRD Sport 4x4 with roughly 160k miles on it. The spray rust prevention has been done by Toyota in 2018. The other day I went out to my car and as you can see in the pictures the bumper frame/bracket is so rusted that it just broke off. I have scheduled an appt with my local Toyota dealer to have the frame inspected.

I reached out to dealer that sold me the truck (different from the one Im having inspect it) and they told me that the Warranty Enhancement Program for my truck has expired and I would not be eligible to have the frame replaced by Toyota. They told me that I could call customer service and try to get them to budge.

1. Does the rust on the frame look like it would qualify to be replaced?? (if pieces are breaking off I'd say yes!)

2. Has anyone else had to deal with Toyota customer service to try and get them to replace even if they're "out of warranty" and if so, what angle do I need to push to get this done?

Any information or advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks all!

 

Disclaimer: No experience myself other than looking at pics here.

The actual parts of the frame don't look great, but they may not be completely gone, no obvious holes. That said, there's other parts like rocker panels and trailer hitch that are pretty bad. And, it looks like those might be the original shocks. If those really have 170k on them, they are likely toast.

 

I also have no experience myself, but from reading other threads on here, Toyota's "goodwill" period ended a few years ago. Others have tried recently, just being months out of warranty. Toyota's response (paraphrased and played through the telephone game) was basically "You had 10 years to fix it, our bulletin has been out for longer than your truck has existed, you're on your own now."


Good luck, I'd take it to a frame shop and see if they can patch it back to life.

 

@Rock Lobster thats rough to hear. I get that you "had 10 years to fix it" but if it wasnt in bad shape wouldnt they not fix it? I also bought this truck used in 2019 from the dealership that originally sold it new.

 

i doubt it. looks like the trailer hitch receiver is the only part that is compromised. i would definitely apply some cosmoline or fluid film after you get it evaluated.

 

That frame isn't that bad honestly. The hitch has to go but I wouldn't stress about the truck as a whole.

Toyota offered an extension already, and it was a class action law suit. There is no good will on that. It's tough beans.

 

It really doesn't look that bad. I would replace the trailer hitch, shocks, and get busy on the rest of it with a wire wheel and some rust treatment. POR-15 for the easily reachable areas and then fluid film EVERYTHING.

Find some third gen takeoffs cheap and swap them on.

 

If Toyota said it expired for your truck, then you’re SOL unfortunately.

 

@breengurdy roughly where do you live, if you don't mind my asking?

 

@AgingDisgracefully North East US

 

My Toyota dealer ran my VIN recently and the frame recall just ended this summer in Canada. My frame is in decent condition thankfully and likely wouldn't have qualified for anything.

As others have mentioned, take off suspension from a third gen can be found cheap and that’s a good start, as well as replacing your hitch.

I got a suspension take off from a 2021 and just put it on my 2012 for good price. Included upper control arms and leaf springs too. Added close to an inch of lift upfront and it rides better now than when I first got it.

 

do NOT tow with this...
or whatever is left of that..

 

The thing is if Toyota Corporate or the Local dealer caves and eats the cost of an out of warranty frame replacement that leaves them open to every other claim.

Your frame is in Good shape get after it now or it will not be soon.

By Northeast USA your in the neighbor hood of Caribou and Presque Isle

 

Well, it looks like it might have had a coating done at some point. If done by Toyota as part of the campaign, not sure how that affects possible coverage. Anyway, it never hurts to ask.

 

Your vehicle is clearly beyond the limit of "12 years from the first in-service date." Sorry, but you're completely on your own and no amount of complaining to Toyota is going to get you anywhere - period. Sorry.

 

From what I've seen on here the place you need to look at is near the cats, inside of the frame where the engine and transmission come together. It seems if there's a hole it's not on the outside of the frame where it's easily visible. Crawl under it and look.

 

It doesn't matter what size hole he finds and where. He's (well) outside the window for a frame replacement.

 

Yes, but it could determine if it's still drivable.

 

Overall it seems as if most are saying they wouldnt in regards to the amount of rust on the frame. Which sucks but I think it really is more the hitch than anything. I would still like to hear others thoughts/tactics on trying to strong arm Toyota into doing it.

 

Sorry, but you will not get anywhere with them. Many have tried. All have failed. If they crack the door open for even one person, the flood gates will open. Remember, all auto dealers rely on one simple legal principle: Let the buyer beware.