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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 126 of 136

#1242 of 1348 Re: Tacoma Frames [cassb] by sweetd8943

Feb 03, 2012 (4:58 pm)

Replying to: cassb (Feb 02, 2012 3:54 pm)
Just wanted to add my $0.02 here as previous information from others has helped me deal with this issue.
 
I just took my 2000 Tacoma SR5 4x4 in this week for the frame inspection after I noticed really bad perforation on the frame (it looked fine less than a month ago).
 
Toyota really has stepped up. They failed 4he truck within 30 minutes of me dropping it off for the inspection. I have a 30 day loaner for free (brand new Siena van) and I just got the offer: $13,774. I paid $10,200 for the truck four years ago. Great experience for me overall.

#1243 of 1348 Re: Tacoma Frames [sweetd8943] by eallman

Feb 04, 2012 (7:45 am)

Replying to: sweetd8943 (Feb 03, 2012 4:58 pm)
I am amazed at just how different your experience with Toyota was with mine. I bought truck back 02 Tacoma back in November, I took it in for a WV DMV Inspection Sticker the next day and a private mechanic found two soft spots on the frame; he was able to punch holes through it with is fingers. I called Toyota Corp Headquarters and spoke to them about the issue. Toyota HQ told me my truck was not warranted and that they would not offer a replacement or a buy-back.
 
Luckily, i was able to take the truck back to the dealer and get a full refund.

#1245 of 1348 Re: Tacoma Frames [eallman] by terceltom

Feb 04, 2012 (8:01 am)

Replying to: eallman (Feb 04, 2012 7:45 am)
That's really weird; your the only one I know that had any problems with Toyota replacing the frame, buying it back if it was a 99 or before or rust proofing it if it only had surface rust on their Tacomas.

#1246 of 1348 Re: Tacoma Frames [eallman] by dennisny

Feb 04, 2012 (8:03 am)

Replying to: eallman (Feb 04, 2012 7:45 am)
It's possible that at the time of your experience the replacement program may have ended, however I received a letter yesterday from Toyota stating that the program is now effective until march 31 2012. In September 2011, I got $16,200 for my 99 Tacoma. I have been telling every Tacoma driver I see to check it out, most people had no idea of the problem. Good luck to all.

#1247 of 1348 Re: Tacoma Frames [eallman] by sweetd8943

Feb 04, 2012 (9:23 am)

Replying to: eallman (Feb 04, 2012 7:45 am)
It's possible that your truck was not one of the VIN#s that Toyota has warrantied, although I would think they would be willing to take a look at any Tacoma that falls into the timeframe (1995-2004).
 
When I first called the dealership to inquire about it, they also told me that "the program had ended", but when I called Toyota Corporate, different story.
 
Good that you got your money back, still a crappy situation though. Good luck finding something else.

#1248 of 1348 Re: Tacoma Frames [dennisny] by cassb

Feb 04, 2012 (10:24 am)

Replying to: dennisny (Feb 04, 2012 8:03 am)
Yes, Dennis, I got the same letter... March 31, 2012. That's why I brought it in last week... otherwise I would not have. I really like the truck and don't want to give it up, but I cannot refuse $15k for an essentially worthless vehicle. I am going to test drive a RAV4 and Highlander today... wish me luck! It's going to be hard to find one of those newer than 2006 for under 15k.

#1249 of 1348 How much perforation to get the buyback? by oxi04

Feb 06, 2012 (9:11 am)

I have an 04 Tacoma, go the letter 12/31/11, says I have until the end of 2012 to bring it to a Toyota dealer for inspection. Can anyone tell me how badly perforated the frame needs to be to get the buyback deal? I definitely have some holes on the inside of the passengers side frame rail immediately in front of the attachment point of the leaf spring and based on my hammer test there are definitely some thin spots along both frame rails. I've spoken to my mechanic and he looked at it quickly and told me it technically shouldn't pass the NYS inspection which is due at the end of April. Next question, can someone who has gone through the buyback process tell me how long it takes once Toyota determines the frame is gone and you are eligible for the buyback? Thanks for any info anyone can give me on this.

#1250 of 1348 Any perforation is bad. by dennisny

Feb 06, 2012 (9:21 am)

To the best of my knowledge, any perforation is reason for replacement, however buy back vs frame replacement or repair vs. buy back is Toyotas call, my 99 was bought back because frames are no longer available. It's very likely that a 2004 will be repaired. Good luck

#1251 of 1348 Re: How much perforation to get the buyback? [oxi04] by sweetd8943

Feb 06, 2012 (9:22 am)

Replying to: oxi04 (Feb 06, 2012 9:11 am)
Tacomas from 2001 to 2004 have been falling under a different program whereby Toyota is inspecting the frame, and then either replacing the frame itself if it's deemed as a fail, or spraying some rust-proofing stuff on it if it passes inspection.
 
It was the 1995-2000 Tacoma models that were simply being bought back, without the option to replace the frame.
 
So Toyota may offer to replace your frame. It could be that they are now offering a buyback on the 2001-2004 models...I'm not sure.
 
As far as how badly perforated the frame needs to be to fail...from everything I have read and heard, it doesn't take much. If the frame has any perforation whatsoever, I believe it will fail the test.
 
As far as timeframe, I think 30 days is pretty typical.
 
Good luck and please post back with your results!

Messages Page 126 of 136

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