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Pickups Toyota Tacoma Toyota Tacoma 2004 and Earlier Frame Problem
925 messages, Last post on Nov 29, 2009 at 8:03 AM
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Replying to: release (Aug 30, 2008 6:04 am)
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Replying to: bigbe (Aug 30, 2008 10:28 am) So, I notice on carfax today that my truck as of 8/21/2008 was retitled back to the manufacturer and listed as junk/salvage title issued. I looked this up and it states that means the vehicle is unsafe to be on the road and gets that kind of title if it will have to have more than 75% of it fixed to be road worthy. I thought for sure they would strip what they could as Midas put in a brand new exhaust manifold for me the month before they took it and I was pretty pissed over that and I am still pissed at Midas for passing the frame when he knew there was a problem. and to boot, for the first time since the Midas by me did my inspections, this year HE DID NOT report it to carfax. Wonder why? I told hubby he ripped me off for one last repair job figuring money in his pocket. I think thats kind of lousy and want to report him to the Better Business Bureau as he knew about the frames. I heard all repair/inspection stations in NY were told in March to send the people to Toyota when presenting for inspection for NY after March 17, 2008. And he didn't. He took my money, got me for 3 new belts and a new exhaust manifold and never even reported he inspected it on carfax. What a bummer he is. Hubby won't let me report him as he still uses him for his 1997 Nissan Pathfinder. And doesn't want me causing trouble that he won't do the things he needs done. BTW...I did get $1000 more than what the KBB was on my truck, but I think it was because last Oct we did frame work and painted the frame after the work. Plus the whole truck was repainted. My husband is very annoyed we didn't get a letter in March when letters started going out. I got mine May 20, 2008. I will never buy from Toyota again. And they gave me lousy service too and were not very nice about having to take in our truck. They are the only dealership around here and they were loading those Tacos and getting rid of them before the checks were even issued. I had to get my plates from them before my check even came. Well, I am very happy with my Hyundai Elantra. Its nice to be able to have extra (cruise controls, power items...etc) And I would never have been able to afford another Toyota used or new. They hiked up the prices by us as soon as trucks started to come in knowing that the people with trucks would need a vehicle. Totally unfair. I think the dealer by me took advantage of the fact people might use the extra money certificate Toyota gave with the checks. They even had the nerve to call me and ask me what kind of vehicle I wanted them to look for for me and I said no thank you. |
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I have owned and loved my '96 Tacoma since '99. When I 1st got the recall notice I just put it away. It wasn't until a couple weeks ago my Toyota mechanic friend called me and said it would be a good idea for me to get it checked. He remembered how bad rust was an issue for me on the truck. Took my truck to my dealer last Tuesday, proceeded to watch them take a hammer to the frame (I literally had to walk away) and the service manager came out and gave me a "thumbs down" sign. Words can NOT express how upset I was. I am one of those anal Tacoma owners, take the best care of the truck, have ALL the extra bells and whistles, it is disgusting clean all the time, my truck has hauled my horses and I to several horse shows over the past 8 years, it has taken care of me in several snow storms, it has let me "play" with it in the mud, it has ALWAYS started for me and the thought of letting it go is honestly breaking my heart. The service manager wanted me to leave my truck there that day but I told him I wanted to take it home. I signed a waiver that I took the truck and now have been checking out new Tacomas and know exactly the truck I want. Now its just a matter of waiting on someone from Toyota to call me to make the arrangements to buy back my truck. My understanding is I will get 150% of KBB at excellent condition (which btw it IS in excellent condition) plus another 1k cause I am buying another Toyota. I figure close to 13k. This whole thing sucks for me because of all the extras I have put into my truck over the years, a 500.00 hard tondeau cover, the BFG All Terrian T/As dont even have 2k miles on them, I just had a brand new rear bumper put on less than 6 months ago because my old one was rusted so badly (shock!) it looked like crap. My trailer hitch, the tinted windows, the bug shield, the taillight covers, the 400.00 CD player - all things that will have to be left with the truck when we part. To top it off my truck only has 130k miles on it, a pup in Toyota terms. Im upset because I adore my truck-Im upset because I havent had a car payment since '03, Im upset because I wanted to have my truck until it hit 200k. There was NO doubt in my mind I would get another Tacoma, NONE. Taking a couple for a test drive definitely sealed that deal-wow!  But I am not upset at Toyota by any means. I can't see ANY American car company paying their customers 150% KBB for one of their cars/trucks if they were recalled. I am thankful Toyota being so generous to us, and I am still a tried and true Toyota fan. I also own a '94 Geo Prizm which is a Corolla engine, it runs like a champ, I love that car! 
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Replying to: toyotafanjo (Aug 31, 2008 6:11 pm) Now, I am not saying all car dealers are bad. I just wonder why it took Toyota so bad to do this recall. After I found this website, I noticed people complaining a year ago. Just for the record. The Hyundai Elantra I have is a "beta" engine PZEV. And was first tried out in CA last year and now this year hit the East Coast in some states. And not knocking Toyotat for this safety issue, but in July of this year when it was the hottest, the fuel pumps starting going bad in the 2008 Elantras. My hubby bought one too and his Elantra stopped in the middle of the road doing 60 miles an hour. I filed a safety report, joined the Hyundai Elantra forum and all of a sudden people were writing in the same thing was happening. Well, needless to say in TWO months Hyundai already put out a recall on all Elantras from November 2007 - June 2008. Apparently ethanol causes a problem with the fuel pump as it is a Beta. Now, its not American, but darn.... Toyota took a yr for a safety recall from what I read here. I get my fuel pump changed this week. My didn't do what hubby's did. Now I am glad I didn't look at cars at Toyota. It looks like Toyota better hop to it with the serious problems. There was no excuse to let a yr go by before they did a recall on this and I bet they knew before a yr ago too. That is why I got pissed so much. Like you I took excellant care of my truck. And I got totally upset when they told me it failed inspection and the rude girl handling the issue had the nerve to tell me why get upset. Its only a truck and you can replace it. I replied to her...just a truck..not to me. I busted my butt as a single mom to make those truck payments on it and I never let anything go on it. I too had extras put on. Toyota might be ok for some to go back to, but just keep in mind there is a safety issue now with the new trucks accelerating and causing accidents. I read where one guy was headed to the dealership to have his problem fixed and crashed from the engine accelerating on the way there. I wouldn't feel safe in a new truck now after reading that.
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Replying to: schukanuoslady (Sep 01, 2008 5:03 am) I owned an '88 Excel (what a piece of crap that car was) a '93 Hyundai Scoupe and that's what I traded in on my truck. I wouldn't touch another Hyundai for personal reasons (they eat dogs) and mechanical issues (hubby owns a Kia Optima which is the mirror of the Hyundai Sonata) and what a piece of crap that thing is. Although nothing as bad as a transmission dieing at 47k miles on his Ford Ranger several years ago and Ford saying "too bad so sad" .... nice! My hubby and I took my Tacoma to the barn last night and every time I hit a bump he was holding his breath. I planned on driving it to work and back until Toyota got with me with a drop off/get my check date but have had a couple people advising me not to do that. I just didnt have the heart to leave my truck at the dealer last week  Ive already taken tons of pictures of it...it just seems such a waste to crush it up into a little box. I talked to one of my Tacoma neighbors yesterday, it is quite obvious that he never washes his truck (the paint is completely ozydized (sp?) he told me his truck passed the test but he was upset about it. He said the dealer (same one as mine) told him 50% of the trucks are failing. He went on to say that he loves his truck, admitted the paint looks like Hell but loves his truck. I can so relate! I cant help thinking that the outcome of the test will depend on where you live. Obviously being in Ohio we get tons of snow, tons of salt, tons of rain. I am sure that has something to do with my frame's demise, maybe even all the times I washed that truck. I would like to hear from some Californians to see if they are having as many recalled as some states are. In as excited as am I about getting a new truck, the sadness I feel having to say bye to my big baby breaks my heart. I literally almost cried yesterday driving it again. Thank God I didnt use it to haul my horses to any shows this season, instead hauling with a friend and splitting gas. Phew. I'd hate to think that Id look in the rearview to see my frame attached to my trailer moving down the highway by itself! Wouldnt that suck? As for all the Toyota bashing--- I know as for me, if I always see tons of 1990's Toyotas (even some T-100s) running down the road. I see at least 5-1 older Toyotas compared to American made trucks. LOVE my Tacoma, will love my new Tacoma and will stand by Toyota. Period. |
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This complaint is in regards to a defective frame on my 2001 Toyota Tacoma pick-up that was purchased used in February of 2007 with 102,000 miles. A NYS inspection was performed upon purchase. The truck now has 130k. September 6th, 2008, while installing new struts at a local tire and brake shop, the tech noticed serious frame rot on the back passenger side of my truck. The shop manager informed me of a voluntary Toyota buy-back for 1999-2000 models, Warranty Policy Bulletin POL08-03, dated 3/7/08. I contacted Toyota and had the truck immediately inspected by Lia Toyota Service of Colonie NY. I was informed the frame was seriously rotted, and the truck no longer safe to drive. I was told the following to rectify the situation: 1. 2001 models are not "usually covered" in the recall. 2. If covered, I would not get a loaner car 3. If covered, I would not receive the 150% value as is standard for 1995-2001 models 4. The dealership could not 'go to bat for me' to assist me with dealing with Toyota for a recall request; 5. I had to call 1-800-Go-Toyota for more information This is a SLAP IN THE FACE. Why should the 2001 models be excluded from the warrantee and recall coverage afforded by the 1995-2001 models? My truck is NEWER - yet it has THE SAME FRAME ROT. The fact that the dealer refused to assist me with this process is additionally infuriating. I don't know if Toyota will pay me 100% of the value of my truck for March of 2008 or August of 2008. The blue book value of my truck has dropped SIGNIFICANTLY since the recall was issued. Toyota’s customer care center representatives keep promising me that my claim will be handled “the next business day,” though Toyota has yet to contact me via the case manager they should have already assigned me. My situation is not unique. A simple Google search, and a check of complaints on the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration home page has revealed this problem is affecting owners of post 2000 model year Tacomas What will happen to drivers when the frames of 2001 and newer Toyota Tacomas star to fail? A broken frame could result in a serious accident as the frame is the most integral component holding the vehicle together. 2001 and later year Toyota Tacoma owners were never sent notice of the manufacturer’s defect causing frame failures – therefore most of these owners are driving around with potentially dangerous vehicles. If an owner of a 2001 or newer Tacoma were to sell a truck with a rusted frame, then the frame failed, would the previous owner be liable for not informing the new owner of the defect? Defective frames are not exclusive to the 1995-2000 model year Tacomas - so why is Toyota excluding newer models? This is dangerous, perhaps even criminally negligent. Toyota should be recalling Tacoma trucks manufactured after 2000 that are experiencing massive frame rust - without doing so the company is endangering the lives of Tacoma owners. I've contaced the NHTSA and my local paper. Next on my list is the NYS attorney generals office, DMV, insurance institute, and owners selling these dangerous trucks. I've also set up a resource for people to share thoughts and experiences in real-time http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=33853493734 Check it out if you've had problems, can offer advice on the buy-back, or just for general info about this frame issue. I paid $12,000 for my truck in February of 2007 and now it is worthless. Thanks, Toyota. 
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Replying to: missunderstood (Aug 28, 2008 7:28 am) http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=33853493734 i started it to get on track for fighting back |
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Replying to: daleyplanit (Sep 10, 2008 9:48 am) I totally agree. The rotting frame is Toyotas problem that has turned into ours. Not giving us what they are giving other buyers is absolute crap!!! Our vehicles are (were) worth more and were in better condition then most!! Plus just offering KBB doesnt cover our registration fees, sales tax, up keep. I called Toyota in March when my mechanic first noticed the problem, but Toyotas mechaninc said, right now its not broken so we aren't fixing it!!!! So i proceed w/ 4 new tires and spring work to pass hte inspection just to turn around 5 months later to lose my truck, lose out on the $1500 in cash for the tires and spring.....then to top it off...they give me a camry renter. I mean its a great car....but when it comes to moving weekend, its a lot easier to move in a truck then a car!!! Right now I am totally disgusted w/ Toyota. We have been an advocate and consumer of Toyota vehicles for over 10 years now.....this is what we get...!!!! Pissed.!!! I like your ideas....and will follow with the same letters to Maine AG and such. I will also try to keep up on your facebook and expand it to mine as well. My blog is : http://www.carspace.com/blogs/rottedtaco/ Toyota needs to step up! |
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The story made TV headlines http://www.thebostonchannel.com/investigative/15879699/detail.html http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/15877183/detail.html And it was also noted by the New York Times http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/07/toyota-offers-to-buy-back-rusty-tacom- - as/ This problem is not limited to the 1995-2000 model years - many owners of 2001 and later Tacoma's are finding their frames failing, too. If you plan to buy or sell a 1995-2004 Tacma - GET IN INSPECTED IMMEDIATELY by your local Toyota delership (Free). If you have a post 2000 Tacoma, and Toyota gives you the "call 1-800-Go-Toyota brush-off, contact your state attorney general's office, the NHTSA, and the consumer protection board for your state. If your having trouble figuring out who to write, or how, email me (tacomarecall  gmail.com) i'd be happy to send you template letters to al lthe agencies i've contacted including - My State Attorney General's Office - Consumer Protection Board - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration - New York State Department of Motor Vehicles - Ebay, Autotrader, and Cars.com (These trucks should not be sold without being inpsected) - The Securities and Exchange Commision - it's a tough angle, but as a stockholder I'm arguing that Toyota is taking an unreasonable risk by allowing these trucks to be on the road and not warning drivers. This risk opens leaves the company open to a class-action suit and therefor could devalue my stock. Toyota is being carelessly negligent (I'll send a copy of that letter to Toyota of course - The State Garage and Repair Shop Association - My local Newspapers and TV stations - My insurance Company and the Insurance Institute of America. If you got tips or advice I'd love to hear from you.
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