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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 3 of 135

#20 of 1348 1999 Toyota Tacoma Frame Problem [tmiller159] by tmiller159

Mar 08, 2008 (10:29 am)

Replying to: berdman21 (Mar 05, 2007 2:28 pm)
I posted this several months ago and it looks like people did complain like I did to NHTSA. Relief is in site! Here is the article:
Toyota had begun receiving a few reports from customers that excessive corrosion was occurring on the frames of some older Tacoma pickups, specifically 1995 to 2000 models. The Japanese automaker determined that during this half decade of production, some Taco frames may not have received the kind of corrosion protection from the factory that's needed to withstand harsh climes, especially ones where salt is used to deice roadways. While there is no recall and Toyota says that the number of instances where it has found rust go beyond the surface of the frame to penetrate the metal is small, the automaker is pulling an unorthodox move and doing something about anyway.
 
Toyota is extending the rust perforation warranty on all 1995-2000 Tacoma pickups, some 813,000 units, to 15 years from the original date of purchase, AND you don't have to be the original owner, or the second or the third even. Anyone who owns a Tacoma from this era and finds rust perforation on the frame can have his or her truck officially inspected for rust damage, in which case Toyota will either repair or buy back the truck regardless of its condition. Owners will start receiving letters by mid-March, and those who don't can visit a dealership for a free inspection.
 
Thanks to all who stepped up to the plate and said enough is enough!
Tom Miller
Willoughby Hills, Ohio

#21 of 1348 Re: 1999 Toyota Tacoma Frame Problem [tmiller159] by dale853

Mar 14, 2008 (9:57 am)

Replying to: tmiller159 (Mar 08, 2008 10:29 am)
Hi,
    I had a 1998 tacoma with only 97,000 miles on it, except for frame it was in great condition, I wanted to keep it for the legendary Tacoma lifespan! I had an almost completely through and through rusted out frame and just gave up and
traded in for 2005 Tacoma in October. I got very little money for it, do you know if
Toyota is planning on compensating in these circumstances?
     Thanks, any news will be helpful. Dale Vermont

#22 of 1348 Re: 1999 Toyota Tacoma Frame Problem [montucky] by jpk1200

Mar 14, 2008 (10:16 pm)

Replying to: montucky (Mar 30, 2007 5:26 pm)
Toyota Tacoma Owners! I have a 1998 Tacoma LTD with 193,000 miles on it. My Toyota was inspected by a local dealer today and sever frame rot was found. I was asked to surrender the truck on the spot and Toyota provided me with a free loaner Rav 4. Toyota is going to buy back the truck at 1.5 times the maximum Retail value regardless of the condition. Toyota has just implemented a New Buy Back Program on 1995 - 2000 Tacoma's that have any frame rot due to the safety and liability that it posses.
 
My truck was ralistically worth $4,000, Toyota is going to give me aprox $14,000 for it and an additional $1,000 if I buy a new truck and/or $500 towards a certified pre owned. If you have one of these Tacoma's I strongly suggest you take it to your local dealer and ask the service manager about this buy back. Toyota has really stepped up and doing the right thing to get people out of an unsafe truck regardless of mileage or condition.

#23 of 1348 Re: 1999 Toyota Tacoma Frame Problem [tmiller159] by berdman21

Mar 18, 2008 (3:46 pm)

Replying to: tmiller159 (Mar 08, 2008 10:29 am)
Hello all,
   I had posted this 1999 Tacoma Problem back some time ago as did Tom Miller. Thank you all for making complaints with the NHTSA. I unfortunatly had to give up my Tacoma in April 2007 because of the frame. It had broken and was unserviceable. The book value at the time was 14,000 and I was given half for trade due to the frame. I contacted Toyota at the time and they had said it was unfortunate, but not their concern. Hopefully everyone gets the compensation that they deserve.
Good Luck,
Brian Berdine
Endicott, NY

#24 of 1348 Retribution by tmiller159

Mar 21, 2008 (8:15 am)

You should talk to your attorney to see if there is any recourse. You should be compensated for the damage. At the very least I would consider arbitration since they are bound to abide by that forum.

#25 of 1348 Extended warranty just arrived by mrbill1957

Mar 24, 2008 (3:26 pm)

I just got the extended frame warranty for my 95 Tacoma in the mail. As mentioned previously, the warranty is for 15 years unlimited mileage. It also says Toyota will fix or buy back (at their option) the truck at 1.5x KBB value.
 
Here I was worried that I may have one that rusts out, now I'm bummed that I may have one that does not rust out. Oh well,
 
Mrbill

#26 of 1348 Re: 1999 Toyota Tacoma Frame Problem [drotigel] by bandit10

Mar 24, 2008 (11:43 pm)

Replying to: drotigel (Apr 02, 2007 1:42 pm)
I've read several stories from you Tacoma folks, and it's disgusting how the Dealer and Toyota turned their backs on you, and this serious problem. I got help with my Pontiac. I brought it in for a head blown headgasket. 2 months out of warranty. They replaced the head. But during reassembly the mechanic striped my valve cover bolt in the rear, and they charged me for the repair of this perfectly good valve cover bolt. They said they were not responsiable for parts breaking during the course of repair. I called G.M they were of no help at all. Then I called the Better Business Bureau, they gave me the number for their Auto-Line divison that deals with our mutual problems. I gave them all the paper work and names of the people I spoke with including G.M. in Deroit, and Calif. It took 5 weeks and I recieved my $465.00 from G.M. for the re-tapping threading of the valve cover bolt.

#27 of 1348 Re: 1999 Toyota Tacoma Frame Problem [bandit10] by cozmo354

Mar 31, 2008 (12:06 pm)

Replying to: bandit10 (Mar 24, 2008 11:43 pm)
my buddy just got a letter in the mail the other day. He owned a 1995 Tacoma extend cab. Well after a trip to the dealership this morning he is now driving a 2008 Tacoma. They gave him $11,500 for his old truck and he is pretty happy right now.
 
His uncle also had a 95 Tacoma and he went in on Saturday and also left with a new truck.
 
I guess they cant let you leave the lot with the truck once you get there so go planning to buy or leave with a rental car

#28 of 1348 Re: 1999 Toyota Tacoma Frame Problem [bandit10] by dale853

Apr 01, 2008 (8:43 am)

Replying to: bandit10 (Mar 24, 2008 11:43 pm)
I, too, have had this problem with my 1998. Unfortunately I had to trade it in in Sept.2007, could not drive it at all, frame was gone. Has anyone heard of any
compensation in this circumstance. I have paperwork from the dealer stating it was
unrepairable. Thanks

#29 of 1348 Not too bad of a deal by bignastygs

Apr 05, 2008 (6:36 pm)

I just took my 1998 extended cab into Toyota(State College pa) and they sent the hammer through the frame in 2 places.I painted my frame yearly and apparently it didn't help. I am getting almost 14,000 for it and I just picked up the replacement for it.A 05 Jeep Grand Cherokee Hemi..I will surely miss my Taco..

Messages Page 3 of 135

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