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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 59 of 136

#573 of 1348 2001 -2004 Toyota Tacoma Customer Support Program by BrianTMS

Dec 19, 2008 (4:48 pm)

Owners of 2001 – 2004 Tacomas have begun to receive letters informing them of a Customer Support Program for frame perforation caused by rust. This warranty extension will be offered for a period of 15 years, five times the original coverage, with no mileage limitation from the vehicle's in-service date, for this specific condition; some conditions apply and these are explained in the Owner Letters.
 
I can assure you we have gone to great lengths to fortify the integrity of this extraordinary program. Here are some details of the program and what we have done to prepare for this event.
 
Based on our experience with the 1995 – 2000 Tacoma, we were able to determine that greater than 97% of the perforated frames came from twenty specific Mid-Western and North-Eastern states where road salt use is prevalent.
 
Owners in the twenty states will have until October 31, 2010 to visit their local dealer for an inspection and application of a corrosion-resistant treatment process in order for the extended warranty to be applied to their vehicle. Toyota is currently preparing the dealerships in these specific twenty states to apply the corrosion-resistant treatment. Customers will receive a letter from us when dealer preparations are complete. Further details and limitations will be provided in the owner letter. Owners in the other thirty states do not need to take action for the extended warranty to be applied.
 
We encourage owners to wait until they receive their letters to ensure the dealer has ample time to spend with their vehicle.
 
If the frame is confirmed by the dealer to be perforated, it will be repaired. Obviously, this new program is different compared to the earlier model Tacoma and here’s why.
 
When we announced the 1995 – 2000 Tacoma program, frame repair was not an option for us or our customers. At the time, we no longer manufactured frames for many variations of these vehicles. In the case of 2001 – 2004 Tacoma, replacement frames are still in production.
 
To develop this new program, engineers here in Los Angeles, working with Toyota engineers from Japan, created a more comprehensive and less intrusive disassembly and reassembly process with built-in quality. In doing so, they identified all of the major and ancillary parts needed to complete the repair.
 
Along with a frame, dealers will receive kits that include all the necessary nuts, bolts, washers, clips, mounts, etc. Additionally, they will replace specific major components like leaf springs and lower control arms as necessary. They won’t replace mufflers, brakes and other wear items as part of the program. However, if the owner wants these parts replaced, we provide the opportunity to take advantage of labor savings.
 
We have allocated a generous amount time for dealers to complete the work and to address the unique challenges specific to each vehicle.
 
We are confident with the unprecedented steps taken with both programs to minimize the inconvenience of our customers and to protect the value of their vehicles. It is our intention to deliver on the “total ownership experience” and to maintain loyal Toyota customers.
 
We sincerely appreciate the feedback we receive from sites such as Edmunds.com. If you have any concerns with your Tacoma or other Toyota vehicle, please call our toll-free help number at 1-800-331-4331. Thank you.
 
Brian R. Lyons
Safety and Quality Communications
Toyota Motor Sales USA

#574 of 1348 Re: 2001 -2004 Toyota Tacoma Customer Support Program [BrianTMS] by SDub

Dec 19, 2008 (5:57 pm)

Replying to: BrianTMS (Dec 19, 2008 4:48 pm)
So are we going to get salvage/reconstruction titles? Anything for the dramatic drop in bluebook value? Is this a bad joke?

#575 of 1348 Re: 2001 -2004 Toyota Tacoma Customer Support Program [SDub] by kcram HOST

Dec 19, 2008 (8:25 pm)

Replying to: SDub (Dec 19, 2008 5:57 pm)
A reconstruction title would apply if you used the frame directly from another in-service vehicle. As these would be brand new frames that are built as repair parts (and do not have a VIN), it's no different than replacing a fender with a new one as far as title is concerned.
 
kcram - Pickups Host

#576 of 1348 2001 Tacoma buy back by bigbe

Dec 20, 2008 (7:50 am)

Holy Cow I had been offered 13000 for my truck so I sent in my title and reg and signed the forms. I then went out and bought a new FJ I. hope they still are offering the 13000 Buy back because if they renege I am so screwed. I would have never bought a new truck if they didn’t make the offer of buy back

#577 of 1348 Re: 1995-2000 Toyota Frame Rust Buy-Back Program [david311] by bruce41

Dec 20, 2008 (8:24 am)

Replying to: david311 (Nov 03, 2008 2:16 pm)
I had a 2001 Tacoma with perforated and split frame that was deemed not road worthy. It was hard dealing with the help dept. at toyota and was told for over a week that someone would call back but they never did until I went to the dealer and showed the service manager the problem. He contacted them and then things started to happen. They came back with an offer of 11K and my immediate response was "that's not acceptable." She didn't really know what to say and proceeded to give the standard answers,, blah blah blah. I ended the conversation say I was not going to accept the offer and that I was going to the state attorney generals office for advice. I had pictures taken and forwarded them and sent some letters to other agencies list in some of the forums. About 2 weeks later I received a call and they upped the offer to 15,295. I said that was more in the range I expected and I would accept the offer. I am now waiting for my check and have a Tundra at the dealer waiting for me as soon as I receive it Moral of the story I guess is to wait them out, but it is frustrating. Hope you can settle to your satisfaction.

#578 of 1348 Re: 2001 Tacoma buy back [bigbe] by mcalautt

Dec 21, 2008 (8:56 pm)

Replying to: bigbe (Dec 20, 2008 7:50 am)
if you accepted an offer then you should be getting the money..
however dude..
the FJ cruisers have a subframe issue..
look it up..
the front right inner stamped frame along the top of the fenders are literally cracking
in half and then the front bumper drops because of the split,,
it has been a prob for a few years.
 
check these out.
http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/2007/04/2007-toyota-fj-cruiser---a-crack-in-t- he-armor.html
 
http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/attachments/problems-dealer-service/14799d- 1187501670-engine-bay-body-rips-dsc03059w.jpg

#579 of 1348 Re: 2001 Tacoma buy back [mcalautt] by bigbe

Dec 22, 2008 (6:58 am)

Replying to: mcalautt (Dec 21, 2008 8:56 pm)
Hi Thank for your answer I went on the websites you sug. .... I miss my tacoma

#580 of 1348 Re: 2001 Tacoma buy back [bigbe] by mcalautt

Dec 22, 2008 (7:53 am)

Replying to: bigbe (Dec 22, 2008 6:58 am)
i hear you dude ..
 
i still havent heard back from tosuckya. I still have a bad feeling they are going to attempt to tell me they are going to "offer" to replace the frame.
I am going to try to call them today.

#581 of 1348 Frame off by daleyplanit

Dec 22, 2008 (1:01 pm)

I turned in the keys to my 2001 Tacoma in early December. Toyota wouldn't even give me what the KBB value was. I was told it was unsafe to drive, and when ISG came to take it the rep told me aside from the frame the truck was one of the best he has seen. I put a lot of work into it. Now Toyota is accepting the 2001+ models (fantastic) but offering owners the option of a frame fix. I feel like a kid at christmas who got an expensive toy he did not want. I am really overjoyed that Toyota is doing the right thing now, but in all seriousness, it is bittersweet. I was pressured to sell what Toyota might consider now to be a perfectly good truck for far under its value. If there was any way to give back the $10k Toyota gave me, and get my truck back - i'd consider it but the vehicle is long gone by now. Sad end to a sad chapter.
 
Re: Mr. Lyons post - I hope Toyota learns something from this fiasco. I spent nearly as much time looking for the perfect Tacoma as I did driving it. It lasted me one winter. It's really a shame how the company handled this - betting today's bottom line against future customer loyalty. When it does come time to buy a new car, a vehicle with a Toyota badge line won't be in my consideration.

#582 of 1348 Re: 2001 Tacos now covered [grammyd] by MAKO69

Dec 26, 2008 (1:11 pm)

Replying to: grammyd (Dec 18, 2008 8:14 pm)
Yes this is true. Was having a boat load of work done at an ASE certified shop on my 2002 built in '01when I got the call. My mech. stated they went to lift the vehicle and heard a loud CRUNCH. He said that the frame was rotted through and they could not do any of the exhaust, water pump, and timing belt work. He said it can't be safe, and informed me of the 95-00 buy back program so drove it 8 minutes down the road to HARR Toyota of Worcester, MA (charged the 58 bucks they SUCK) they called me said it failed come pick up your vehicle we are getting snow and it will be in the way. Brought vehicle to Herb Chambers Toyota of Auburn, MA (30 Min away) were I bought it they started making calls right away, got me a loaner (only after I bugged them for 3 days with harrasing phone calls) and said the frame replacement program starts in about 2-3 months. Toyota and the dealers have some logistical stuff to iron out before the program starts up. A lot of work. I loved my truck until I got that call. I will be shatcanning it as soon as I get it back. Will No longer be a Toyota Family. So much for Toyota Quality and Longevity the wife has a 05 Highlander man those are junk 2.

Messages Page 59 of 136

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