Ask the Car People.SM


Toyota Tacoma 2004 and Earlier Frame Problem

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

You are in the Toyota Tacoma Forum.

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

Messages Page 126 of 136

#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!

#1252 of 1348 Re: How much perforation to get the buyback? [oxi04] by kzimmy13

Feb 06, 2012 (9:27 am)

Replying to: oxi04 (Feb 06, 2012 9:11 am)
I just had my 04 Taco done two weeks ago. They do not do the buy back as the frames are available. If you have holes they will replace the frame. Included with the frame replacement was new leaf springs and brake lines. They will also give you a loaner car at no charge. I had a Tundra with all of the bells and wistles. They completed mine in two days. Didn't cost me a dime.

#1253 of 1348 Re: How much perforation to get the buyback? [oxi04] by eallman

Feb 06, 2012 (9:30 am)

Replying to: oxi04 (Feb 06, 2012 9:11 am)
Wow...Toyota Corporate HQ told me that my 02 Taco was not covered under their inspection and that I missed the deadline; that being March 2011. I bought the truck and one day later took it to get a WV inspection where the mechanic was able to punch holes through the frame.
 
Toyota sure is misleading about their warranty. Luckily I was able to return the truck.
 
Other posters have talked of having a truck failed within thirty minutes of inspection. You can find the actual guidelines for the Frame Inspection on the Internet. I have them saved to my computer but can not upload to this site. You can find a lot of information just by using google. Other posters talk of a 3 week loaner vehicle and the 150% KBB buy-back. Good luck.

#1254 of 1348 Re: How much perforation to get the buyback? [oxi04] by tac01orbust

Feb 26, 2012 (7:58 pm)

Replying to: oxi04 (Feb 06, 2012 9:11 am)
I own a 01 Tacoma that's been well cared for, and received that letter issued at the beginning of 2012 which was a subject of inspection and applying a corrosive resistant application. Last week I went to a dealer to get my frame checked, and it was failed. I was quite surprised. The next steps they took was to mention their suggested recommendations for parts to be replaced out of MY pocket because they would be replacing my frame, leaf springs, break lines, emergency break cables. They were suggesting I replace shocks, and calipers and such, which I don't need to replace at this time, and are not an issue to pass NYS inspection. I was assured Toyota would do their best to cover parts needed to replace deemed necessary that were associated with the frame replacement, but no guarentee was given that when they were done, I wouldn't occur some cost. I was furious because it is Toyota that is opening up the can of worms on a truck 11 years old that may or may not come apart . I stated my truck is sound, and meets all safety standards of NYS, and they can go ahead and replace the frame, but if you break something in the process, you fix it. Toyota has the new frames for the 01-04, and are opting to replace frames in lue of any buy back. So, if your frame is weakened at all, your not going to get offered a buy out. My truck goes in tomorrow, and they're giving me a rental at their cost. I refuse to be responsible for any cost of Toyota's weak and uncoated frames. They want to tie up three bays in a dealership to tear my 11 year old truck completely apart and put it back together. I even asked for them to allow me to speak to any of the previous truck owners who went through the frame replacement so I wouldn't worry about how Toyota treated them. Their answer was NO. Don't look for a buy out folks. I'll let you know if they try to charge me anything when it's done.

#1255 of 1348 Re: How much perforation to get the buyback? [tac01orbust] by terceltom

Feb 27, 2012 (7:46 am)

Replying to: tac01orbust (Feb 26, 2012 7:58 pm)
OMG, you should be so glad they are replacing your frame instead of you complaining about it. Are you aware that your truck will be like having a practically new truck after they're done? This is a $11,000.00 job Toyota is doing for you on their dime. I had my 2004 Tacoma with 160,000 miles on it reframed at no cost to me and it was like I said, "a new truck". Just say no to any items they want to replace that you think aren't necessary. If they break anything during the reframing they will replace that item at their cost also. Enjoy and be glad it wasn't a Ford, Chevy or Chrysler as you'd be up s*its creek if it was.

#1256 of 1348 Re: How much perforation to get the buyback? [terceltom] by kzimmy13

Feb 27, 2012 (8:07 am)

Replying to: terceltom (Feb 27, 2012 7:46 am)
I wouldn't say it was like having a practically new truck after they're done. Along with the Frame they also replace the leaf springs and brake lines. Most of us get rid of our vehicles becouse knobs fall off, rusty bumpers, nasty interior, etc.

Messages Page 126 of 136

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement