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Toyota Tacoma 2004 and Earlier Frame Problem

1348 messages,  Last post on Apr 25, 2013 at 10:23 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Tacoma, Toyota 4Runner, Car Safety, Auto Body, Car Warranties, Truck

Messages Page 115 of 136

#1134 of 1348 Re: 2000 tacoma frame rust [irvin1965] by irvin1965

Sep 09, 2011 (8:47 am)

Replying to: irvin1965 (Aug 29, 2011 2:03 pm)
Well, went to Shelor Motor Mile, Christiansburg, VA and left my 1998 Toyota Tacoma over night for the inspection. They found no rust perforation. They did the rust corrosion treatment and wanted to keep it 24 hours. After the vehicle was there for a few hours, I received another call that there was a crack in the manifold exhaust and it would cost me $518. Since this is not the place that services my vehicle (no longer under warranty), I declined the repair work. I will have it checked somewhere else and repaired by my service man. That way I will know if I truly have this problem and I already know I can save at least $150.

#1135 of 1348 2003 Tacoma by capricorn_62

Sep 11, 2011 (4:45 pm)

Hello,
I'm a newbie to the tacoma world. I just purchased a 2003 Tacoma extracab 4x4 and I read some of the blogs about the frame rusting and toyota replacing the frame or buying the truck back. Could some steer me in the right direction to have my vehicle checked out for this? Not sure if the owner had it done or not he passed away in Jan. 2011 and I found a letter in the glove box for this problem. The underneath is all rusty but nothing serious. The wife said the vehicle has sat outside since her husband pasted away. The vehicle only has 52,000 miles on it and I really like this truck. Help!
Thanks,

#1136 of 1348 Re: 2003 Tacoma [capricorn_62] by dennisny

Sep 11, 2011 (5:10 pm)

Replying to: capricorn_62 (Sep 11, 2011 4:45 pm)
You need to call Toyota, have your VIN ready. They will check to see if you qualify for the rust program. 800-331-4331. Good luck.

#1137 of 1348 Re: 2003 Tacoma [dennisny] by capricorn_62

Sep 11, 2011 (5:18 pm)

Replying to: dennisny (Sep 11, 2011 5:10 pm)
Than you :o)

#1138 of 1348 Re: 2003 Tacoma [dennisny] by terceltom

Sep 11, 2011 (5:33 pm)

Replying to: dennisny (Sep 11, 2011 5:10 pm)
No, you do not need to call Toyota. All you do is go to your nearest or most proficient Toyota dealer and they will bring your truck up there computer immediately by using your vin number. This will enable them to tell you on the spot if the rust inspection or rust proofing was completed by the previous owner. If not, they will schedule the inspection for you at that time. If it passes fine, if not they will schedule your truck for a reframe at no cost to you. This is good for any subsequent owners of the truck, you do not have to be the original owner for this service. There are no buy backs for the 2003 Tacoma's. My dealer reframed my 2004 Tacoma at a cost of $11,000.00 to Toyota no questions asked and they did a tremendous job. It was like getting a new half of a truck. Good Luck and keep us informed!

#1139 of 1348 Re: 2003 Tacoma [capricorn_62] by biggun1

Sep 11, 2011 (8:25 pm)

Replying to: capricorn_62 (Sep 11, 2011 4:45 pm)
If your Toyota dealer passes it. Take it back EVERY 12mo. . Mine passed 1 1/2 ago then failed completely last Fri.

#1140 of 1348 Re: 2000 tacoma frame rust [irvin1965] by biggun1

Sep 11, 2011 (10:46 pm)

Replying to: irvin1965 (Sep 09, 2011 8:47 am)
Good job Irv. Gotta love those dealers though...huh? You can save $300 if you go online & request quotes for the manifold. just Google...used auto parts & fill out the request. All you really need is the yr. & engine size. You'll receive quotes from all over. Some crazy high....some not. Some downright cheap. Honestly though, unless you notice a drop in power, or hear a ticking that's getting louder....,I wouldn't sweat it. My '97 had the same cracked mani. yours does since i bought it 3 yrs ago. You can see it. But it never got any worse & affected nothing. Mine just failed last fri. & they offered me the buyback for my Taco. Yes, I'm taking it. It passed last spring so in 16mo., mine fell apart. Let them treat it...,say "thank you"& be sure to have it inspected again in 366 days. You have 15 yrs from the manufacture date. Their "treatment" will not stop the deterioration of your frame IF.....it has already begun. It eats the frame from the inside out so most can't see it. I would never have known if i hadn't gotten out my little hammer & gone a "tappin'" on my frame. I encourage all 1995-1999 owners do the same ,AND TAKE IT BACK every 366 days till your 15yrs is up. CUDOS to Toyota for doing this though.....bc they did not have to. My daughters '97 Isuzu Rodeos' frame rusted & broke in half 2 yrs ago. She got zip.

#1141 of 1348 Re: 2000 tacoma frame rust [biggun1] by terceltom

Sep 12, 2011 (5:05 am)

Replying to: biggun1 (Sep 11, 2011 10:46 pm)
I encourage all 1995-1999 owners do the same ,AND TAKE IT BACK every 366 days till your 15yrs is up.
 
I'll go you one better, I suggest every Tacoma owner 2004 and earlier have the frame inspection performed every year until the warranty expires (15 years), until it fails.

#1142 of 1348 Re: 2000 tacoma frame rust [terceltom] by irvin1965

Sep 12, 2011 (1:46 pm)

Replying to: terceltom (Sep 12, 2011 5:05 am)
I was told by the Toyota dealership that when I accepted the rust corrosion treatment (undercoating) it ended my warranty even though my 15 year warranty should not expire until 9-10-12. I don't know if this is true or not but that is what they told me when I was there at the end of Aug. I doubt if they would have volunteered this information but I asked them about when my warranty would expire and this is what they told me. I think there is a lot going on with this program that people don't know about.
Joyce

#1143 of 1348 Re: 2000 tacoma frame rust [irvin1965] by terceltom

Sep 12, 2011 (9:18 pm)

Replying to: irvin1965 (Sep 12, 2011 1:46 pm)
"Should a customer's vehicle experience this condition, they will be requested to present it to any Toyota dealer for inspection. Upon confirmation of rust perforation, Toyota will, at its option, buy back or repair the vehicle. If it is determined that no rust perforation is present, the extended warranty will be in effect for 15 years from original sale."
 
Above is an excerpt directly from Toyota explaining the warranty, your dealer is wrong or just misleading you.
 
Don't know how you could say there is a lot "going on" about this program that people don't know about? All you have to do is search "tacoma rust" and there are hundreds of websites that explain the details of this problem and solutions very plainly. It almost sounds like your trying to blame Toyota for something when in reality they have gone above and beyond what they would have had to to remedy this situation for Tacoma owners. Sure they sold a defective truck, but they wouldn't have had to spend millions of dollars to make the customer whole buying back and reframing Tacomas at a very expensive cost to them. Would Ford or Chevy do this? I think not! Okay, some might say that Fords or Chevys don't rust, no but they don't last as long and are not as usually dependable as a Toyota either.

Messages Page 115 of 136

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