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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 134 of 136

#1324 of 1348 Re: '04 Tacoma frame rust failed inspection [kgsresearch] by oxi04

Oct 09, 2012 (6:05 am)

Replying to: kgsresearch (Oct 08, 2012 5:55 pm)
kqs: What state are you in? I'm in NY and have an 04 Tacoma, bought new. I receved a letter in late Dec 2011 that advised me I had until the END of 2012 to have the truck inspected for rust perforation problems with the usual list of options, ie. undercoating or frame replacement. If you have been following this site you will have notice that the dealer did a crappy slam bang job on my truck. I have since resolved most issues with my local mechanic and will be sending the bill to the Dealer (I know lots of luck). Found even more problems as I drove the truck after a while, like leaking brake fluid from untightened connection under the hood. Majority of problem with the vibrations, shuddering were resolved when my local guy found that the dealership had put a bolt in the transmission mount that was too long and was rubbing/pushing on the tranny outer case. Once he removed that and put the right length one in it was like the same old smooth running truck it always had been. Sorry, back to your issue, I would put something in writing to Toyota headquarters in CA and send it certified mail, return receipt requested. Give them a detailed document of what you have done, dates, names of people you have spoken with, the whole 9 yards and ask them for a written response as to what they can do for you. If you have been a Toyata customer for a while give them a list of all the Toyotas you have ownedm ight help, and it can't hurt. Good Luck.

#1325 of 1348 Re: '04 Tacoma frame rust failed inspection [oxi04] by kgsresearch

Oct 09, 2012 (7:00 am)

Replying to: oxi04 (Oct 09, 2012 6:05 am)
Thanks for your feedback! I am new to this site ... new to having any poor dealings with Toyota. Customer care did tell me last night that NY was the only state still applying the undercoating. So do I sell it to someone there, and then they'll get a new frame put on thru this warrenty??!!!
 
Definitely planning to write a letter, and will follow your advice for certified mail, return receipt, & requesting written response ... hadn't thought of those pieces.
 
Sorry to hear about your frustrations with Toyota!

#1326 of 1348 Re: '04 Tacoma frame rust failed inspection [kgsresearch] by cbone14

Oct 09, 2012 (7:36 am)

Replying to: kgsresearch (Oct 09, 2012 7:00 am)
Sorry about all your problems. My 99 off the road got 13k for last summer, put 5k in bank and got a sweet 4runner........ Good Luck

#1327 of 1348 Re: '04 Tacoma frame rust failed inspection [kgsresearch] by oxi04

Oct 09, 2012 (8:11 am)

Replying to: kgsresearch (Oct 09, 2012 7:00 am)
Selling it to someone in NY might be worth a try if you don't get any satisfaction from Toyota. What state are you in? I know a guy here who bought up several of the 95-99 Tacomas and made a ton of money using the buyback deal. Maybe you know someone in NY who could help you out.

#1328 of 1348 Re: '04 Tacoma frame rust failed inspection [kgsresearch] by greg128

Oct 09, 2012 (4:12 pm)

Replying to: kgsresearch (Oct 08, 2012 5:55 pm)
Any advice on where to go from here would be greatly appreciated!!!
 
I knew someone years ago with a new Ford F-150 that had a bad knocking diesel engine that his dealer refused to repair or replace. He showed up on the street in front of the dealership with a sign with a big lemon on it. Guess what...he got a new engine.
 
try showing up in front of the dealership, off of their property with a sign like this in plain view of any prospective Toyota shoppers:
 

#1329 of 1348 Re: ....and here we go! [kgsresearch] by bdvance1

Oct 12, 2012 (8:21 pm)

Replying to: kgsresearch (Oct 08, 2012 5:45 pm)
"YO".....as in TO-"YO" TA.....don't ya love it....whatever.....
 
Guys, I am on my 3rd Tacoma and I love these things (as I hope you all do) only I really wish they didn't feel they had to get so LARGE (2005-2012).
 
I had a 92 and loved it but a little underpowered (4cy) so bought a '99 (v6) and just loved it, drove it from Iowa (home) to D.C. MANY times; to Madison,WI MANY times; Minneapolis/home many times; hey this truck was just great, I loved it, my son (madison) and daughter (minneapolis) used it off/on for several years and the entire family loved this thing......until:
 
I had new tires installed and when they tried to align the wheels found that the frame was "junk". So, they bought it back (1.5 times avg. retail) (whoopee) not bad hey, except that I was now forced to buy another truck! Yo, I'm not made of $$$$$$$
 
  
I really liked this generation of tacomas, they have so much more style than the newer ones... So, I'm looking at a 2004 that looks (online posting) like a really nice truck. Previous owner (1st owner) an "older gentleman" that just drove around town/etc... and the guy(2nd owner) says he is "fairly certain" it has been sprayed. Well sorry, that is just not good enough, I need proof. "Been there-done that"...
The truck is several hundred miles away so, my question to you all is: how do I know WHEN was THE DEADLINE? (When "is" the deadline?
If I look at this truck and it looks good, that's great, but if the owner missed the underspray deadline.....now what? I'm going to tell him that I need proof the truck was sprayed and the date of such. What do you guys think, sounds like you have all been through at least (or more) than I have so I need any/all suggestions on how to proceed.
( I have several friends who have over 200,000 miles on their tacomas and they are still doing great-crappy Iowa weather and all).
H....E.....L....P....

#1330 of 1348 '04 Tacoma with rusted frame by kgsresearch

Oct 12, 2012 (8:26 pm)

Toyota told us it would be valued at $500 for a trade in due to the rusted frame. Seriously?? Toyota ... '04 Tacoma wtih 147,000 miles with routine maintenance is now only worth $500?? Nice durability. Real reliable. Super impressive long lasting vehicle Toyota.
Report after report documents that their "undercoating treatment" was completely ineffective ... these frames continued to rust out anyway. Yes, clearly we somehow missed the opportunity to have this ineffective undercoating applied in order to extend the warranty, but we strongly feel that the warranty should be extended to all trucks that Toyota has admitted (and won a lawsuit over) to having a faulty frame. Sooooo disappointed with Toyota now! Continuing to push for support, but Toyota telling us their "sorry, but nothing further can be done". Nothing else basic wear & tear for the age) is wrong with this truck but the rusted frame!! $500 ... my dad offered to pay me more for that just for the tires!

#1331 of 1348 Re: ....and here we go! [bdvance1] by oxi04

Oct 13, 2012 (8:13 am)

Replying to: bdvance1 (Oct 12, 2012 8:21 pm)
bdvance1, I have an 04 Taco X-cab, 4wd, AT, AC. Black. 7400 orig miles, I am the orig owner. No accidents. Excellent conditon. Remote starter, 4 extra mounted snows. New Frame end of June, new exhaust w new converters, new gas tank shield, 2 new front splash shields, new rear shocks, Tow hitch. Runs great. make me and offer. As far as deadline for frame replacements it appears to vary based on what state you are in. I,m in NY and my letter(rec'd 12/2011) said I had until the end of 2012 to bring in for inspection and whatever treatment was deemed necessary. I'm looking at trading truck in but will entertain offers.

#1332 of 1348 me too by lick45

Oct 26, 2012 (3:37 pm)

last week found hole in frame on my 2002 Tacoma, contacted toyota and was told same think--no help! I filed a complaint with Pa. attorney general and BBB. no word.
for all their supposed contact tries, it seems a lot of owners missed the deadline. I know I don't remember getting one.
anyone in NY state want to buy a low mileage rust free ( body ,anyway) Tacoma?

#1333 of 1348 Re: me too [lick45] by kgsresearch

Oct 28, 2012 (6:53 pm)

Replying to: lick45 (Oct 26, 2012 3:37 pm)
That stinks! Ours is still sitting in the driveway... have sent certified letters several places as well, and just waiting to get a written reply from Toyota. One lady from customer care told me it doesn't matter if someone from New York buys it, they would just track the VIN # and it still wouldn't qualify, but I don't quite trust customer care on that one. The local Toyota dealership told me they could give us $500 trade-in, Junkmycar website quoted $2450 for them to come tow it away. Need to also get quotes from salvage yards ... but it still seems unbelieveable that a truck like this is only worth salvage now. If the undercoating spray program had been more effective, then I would accept that we missed the opportunity, but since it was clearly not effective, then we feel strongly that Toyota should extend all warrenties for the trucks they know they made faulty. Keep me posted on any luck you have!

Messages Page 134 of 136

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