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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 123 of 136

#1213 of 1348 my tacoma failed frame test by mrshl_bld

Dec 20, 2011 (1:36 pm)

my 01 tacoma failed the frame test a couple weeks ago (which i knew it would because of the holes in the frame) and they oredered me a new frame. dropped it off yesterday and they had my new frame on the lift with a ton of other parts sitting on the floor including leaf springs and front a arms. i cant believe how toyota is going above and beyond to fix this problem, i will buy toyota the rest of my life. they also gave me a 2012 camry as a free rental car. my question is... do you guys recommend anything i should get checked/replaced as the truck will be put back together?? thank you

#1214 of 1348 2002 rusted out frame by clovair

Dec 21, 2011 (4:28 pm)

I brought my 2002 taco for a MA inspection sticker and the mechanic told me to take it directly to a toyota dealer because the frame was by far the worst he has seen, rusted/rotted right through. The dealer checked with toyota and said the recall had expired Sept 31,2011. I had brought it in on Dec 9th, 2011. Toyota is refusing to do anything about it. I know I'm past the deadline, but the truck only has 105,000 miles and looks like it just came off the showroom floor-I cant believe knowing of this safety issue that they wont honor the recall.
 
Any suggestions??

#1215 of 1348 Re: 2002 rusted out frame [clovair] by eallman

Dec 21, 2011 (6:01 pm)

Replying to: clovair (Dec 21, 2011 4:28 pm)
Sorry to hear about your truck and Toyota's refusal to do anything about it. My suggestion would be to call Toyota Corp HQ and discuss it with them. They may tell you something different what they told me but then at least you will be hearing it from HQ.
 
On the more aggressive end of the spectrum...I was fully prepared to deal with a break mechanical breakdown should one occur right in the middle of the street in front of the dealership.
 
Be creative. Make phone calls. Walk into offices. Ask tough questions. Do not take no for answer. Keep records of everyone you talk to, names, phone numbers, dates and times.
 
Good luck. I really hope things work out for you and that nothing bad happens to you and your loved ones; that thought alone gave me the incentive to take a more aggressive approach in returning my truck.
 
Keep me posted. Stay strong.

#1216 of 1348 Hey MA Taco poster with broken frame..please read by eallman

Dec 21, 2011 (6:06 pm)

Wait a minute...you bought it on December the 9th of 2011 and it did not have a current inspection sticker on it. I was in the same situation.
 
Take it back to the dealer and tell them you want your money back now.
 
That truck is not safe. It should be in a junk yard or parted out. It is not safe to drive. If they did not clearly state in writing that the frame was broken then you have a case. Call an attorney. Call the state police and your state attorney general or the dept of motor vehicles.
 
This truck should have never been sold.
 
Stand up. Take action. I can give you some other advice if you can private message me.
 
Keep posting.

#1217 of 1348 2002 scheduled for replacement by kidkelly

Dec 22, 2011 (9:16 pm)

I just had my 02 Tacoma inspected at the dealership today. They told me that I only had until the end of the month to have it inspected under the recall, and that I was "lucky". I was surprised to hear that the frame will need replaced, since they made it seem as if it would only need sprayed with an undercoating. They said they'll call me in January to set an appointment, where they'll need my truck for an entire week. I hope I get a nice rental.
 
I was looking to upgrade to a newer (nicer) Tacoma when I arrived at the dealership earlier this week. If my Tacoma is considered "poor" condition, would this frame replacement effect my trade-in-value at all? It just seems like a lot of work to put a new frame under a rusted cab with rusted panels. Any thoughts?

#1218 of 1348 Re: Hey MA Taco poster with broken frame..please read [eallman] by clovair

Dec 23, 2011 (8:41 am)

Replying to: eallman (Dec 21, 2011 6:06 pm)
No, I've owned it for 2 1/2 years, I was bringing it in for a yearly state inspection sticker on the 9th and thats when they told me it was rotted through. I have a lawyer writing a letter to HQ for me, I'll let you know how it turns out.
 
Thanks

#1219 of 1348 Re: 2002 scheduled for replacement [kidkelly] by clovair

Dec 23, 2011 (8:43 am)

Replying to: kidkelly (Dec 22, 2011 9:16 pm)
kidkelly-- What state are you in? I was told that my recall expired on sept 31, 2011 here in Massachusetts.
 
Thanks

#1220 of 1348 Re: 2002 scheduled for replacement [clovair] by kidkelly

Dec 26, 2011 (10:38 pm)

Replying to: clovair (Dec 23, 2011 8:43 am)
clovair -
I'm in Ohio. I knew my deadline was coming up from reading the notice letters that Toyota sent me. I ignored them for about a year before finally making the trip the dealer. They reiterated that my deadline was Dec 31st.
 
Does anyone know what the frame replacement includes? A buddy of mine told me today that he heard some new parts are included, specifically a new suspension.

#1221 of 1348 Re: 2002 scheduled for replacement [kidkelly] by eallman

Dec 27, 2011 (4:28 am)

Replying to: kidkelly (Dec 26, 2011 10:38 pm)
My father, in WV near the OH border, has a 2001 Tacoma with a new frame that was installed earlier this year; he did not get a new suspension with the deal nor was he offered one.
 
Toyota Corp told me the deadline was March of 2011 and yet I am reading on here it is December 31, 2011. Toyota sure is misleading.
 
I returned a 2002 Tacoma that I bought in November; the mechanic who did the inspection found two soft spots on the frame and we were able to punch holes through it rather easily.
 
I am now driving a 2006 Tacoma which a bigger truck and it looks a lot sweeter that the 02 that I owned for 36 hours.

#1222 of 1348 NY Tacoma 01-04 Frame Rust by oxi04

Jan 03, 2012 (2:48 pm)

A few weeks ago I was looking at trading in my 04 Tacoma through a NH dealership. Salesman told me they couldn't seal a deal without taking my truck to their shop, putting it on a hoist and checking the frame because they had an issue with another NY Tacoma taken in on trade and the frame was toast. He also told me that the 01-04 Tacomas were being recalled in NH but not in NY because of some oddity in the NY laws. Anyway on 12/31/11 I got a letter from Toyota stating they were aware of some rust issues for vehs in areas with cold weather and lots of road salt use. The letter, a "Limited Service Campaign" states that I have until the end of 2012 to take my truck to a Toyota dealer to have it inspected. They will apply and anti corrosion treatment to the frame and warranty it for 15 yrs with unlimited milage. Or it the frame is perforated they may do a "Repurchase" deal where they offer you Kelly Blue book value(assumed excellent condition) plus 50% over the book value or give you the MSRP original selling price of the veh at the time it was offered new. Anyone else have an 04 outside of NYS that has been given this deal? How does it work? How bad does the frame have to be, I have a few small holes through the side of the right side rail near the rear tire. My truck only has 60K and it has been washed and waxed regularly although in the winter it may go a few months because of cold temps, no garage.

Messages Page 123 of 136

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