Will Toyota still replace my frame after a small accident?

Hey all, got some bad news. Last Friday on my way home from work I was rear ended at an intersection when I stopped for the person in front of me to turn. Lady in a Trail Blazer smashed into the back of my Taco doing between 15 and 20mph I'd guess. After getting off the street I immediately jumped out and checked the frame and there are some small bends in it towards the back right before the C channels turn into the fully boxed section of the frame. Nothing major but you can see where the old undercoat spray is now gone and the wound definitely looks fresh. Toyota already has my new frame on the way and it's about a month away, I don't plan to tell them about the accident when I take it in but would this cause them not to do it? Or should I tell them anyway?
Other damage to the truck was it bent the middle of the box up slightly and the tailgate no longer opens, the rear bumper is pushed down slightly as well. Her insurance is paying for all that and it's at the body shop now getting checked out and estimated cost to repair. I already explained to them the situation with Toyota.

The Trail Blazer hit my tow receiver, not the actual bumper itself so I think that saved me from a lot more damage that could've been done. I could try to post pics of the damage but it's really hard to see without actually being here in person. These trucks are pretty damn tough gotta admit! I've been driving my 7.3l Powerstroke the past week because I'm not so sure I should even drive the Taco until I know what the body shop guys have to say. They were going to measure the frame and see how damaged it was and if there is something I didn't see. The truck still drives okay but I've only driven it straight home after the accident and to the body shop this morning.

Am I screwed for getting a new frame? Drop me some input if any of you have had a similar thing happen before. Much appreciated, thanks all!

 

hmmmmm this is the fine line between yes and no. first off you need to tell them, they do need to be aware of this. but i want to say youre not totally screwed because the dealer is going to have a frame sitting around taking up space if they change their minds. plus they were already approved to do the warranty work so they will be getting their cut of the warranty money. i doubt they want a frame sitting around and that much less in profits from the work to be done. im almost certain they will still do the work.

but like I said, let them know! because if they do end up cancelling the whole thing, you will need to get the other person to pay for either a new frame or a proper frame pull.

good luck

 

Okay, I will, thanks!

 

It should not effect your warranty only if the hit caused damage the needs to be fixed during the frame swap

You did get all the insurance info from the woman and are making a claim??

You still need to file a claim get a estimate otherwise you will be paying out of pocket for the extras during your frame swap

Back in the early days before the warranty claims started I fixed quite a few frames that the trucks ending up getting bought so your little fender bender won`t cause a problem.

Now if you hit a tree and totaled the truck that would be different

 

Yes, all insurance information has been collected and the truck was at the body shop getting an estimate yesterday. Probably going to have them fix the box and bumper, then let Toyota do the frame. Dealership is 130 miles away so it's slightly inconvenient! Probably going to rent a trailer and haul the Taco down there when the time comes. Don't think I could ever bring myself to driving it currently, will try and take some pics and post them here.

 

I remember those days when going to Kmart was 100 miles one way.

I miss the Country like it was back then

 

Here's the pics I grabbed today of the damage and the rust spots that have actually gotten worse since I last checked them about 2 months ago. This frame is deteriorating fast, 2 months ago you could barely see the holes above the spring mounts, now they are very large, pronounced and spreading fast. The new orange rust spots were not there at all last time. Makes me wonder how bad the inside of the frame looks, must be terrifying! Either way, truck is permanently parked until new frame is in, I'm only going to risk driving it on a trailer when it comes time to take it to the dealer. This is bad, I only hope the new frames are actually better quality. Dealer claims they are special made so we'll see.

 

yeah dude. that frame is done. you should totally look into getting it replaced by toyota

 

If your worried about it call a dealer in a different state and ask what they would do hypotheticly lol

 

You could argue that the damage was made worse because of the rusted out frame...
Just show up for your appt!

 

Wouldn't the Tacoma be considered totaled from frame damage?

Toyota may not replace the frame on a totaled vehicle.

 

Or the rusted out frame made it un repairable!

 

I think you are going to be OK, the accident didn't cause the rusted frame, that frame was toast well before you got hit.

 

Have the dealer that's doing the frame do the body repair as well. How could they pass up that money maker!

 

Yeah, I'm not too worried about it now. The damage to the rest of the truck is minimal and can be fixed. Most it'll need is new receiver, bumper, and to straighten out the bed.