Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Pickups Toyota Tacoma Toyota Tacoma 2004 and Earlier Frame Problem
928 messages, Last post on Dec 04, 2009 at 4:34 AM
You are in the Toyota Tacoma Forum. Your Host is kcram
|
|
|---|---|
|
Well, Kevin is polite as a corporate drone can be. I know it's not his and Ms. Bishop's fault, so I do my best not to lose my mind when I deal with them, even though that's essentially what Toyota pays them for; to be the first in line for the firing squad as it were. But, like you guys, I have no idea when the "kits" will be available, what my "kit" will include as all models will have different "kits" according to Kevin. When the dealership could expect my "kit" to arrive, or how long it would take once my "kit" got there. Sounds like they're building a model truck or something.  He did mention leaf springs, but that's it, and even those he didn't seem too sure about. I mentioned the absence of any formal acknowledgment from Toyota corp that there are frame rot issues with their Tacomas. The way I see it, regardless of how they're treating us who are aware we have a problem, the fact that they seem to be in no rush to let others know they might be putting themselves and their families in harm's way is frightening and disgusting. Is the corporate logic so far advanced that they will refuse to issue a recall and cross their fingers that noone is killed in a Tacoma due to frame failure while this little mess is being swept under the carpet by keeping us quiet by replacing our frames? It's downright scary when you think of it like that. Kevin said that a formal letter was being sent out, but in "waves", that these mass mailings "take a lot of time" to get off the ground. Chalk that one up to bull, I've seen a backwoods secretary priority mail a thousand envelopes in under an hour. Don't tell me a corporate monster like Toyota can't do the same. Kevin told me even though I had opened a case that I would receive a letter. He even says it could take months, and that I could very well have my truck back from the dealership by the time the letter arrives. Gee, that makes me feel a lot better, and all the parents driving around with their kids in the back should do so in blissful ignorance and as long as it doesn't affect corporate earnings, right?! All right ... off that soapbox for the moment and on to another one: A complete dissatisfaction with the NEW Toyotas. I love my 2001. Takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin' ... until a serious frame issue pops up, but that's beside the point. I've been tooling around in a dealership provided 2008 Highlander until last Thursday. Kind of like a luxurious schoolbus ... handles about the same too. Anyway, the windshield wiper fluid light comes on. Pulled over, got a gallon and poured it in the resevoir ... and kept pouring. Turns out the resevoir is busted and fluid is pouring all over the concrete. Huh? Call the dealership and trade the Highlander rental for a 2009 Tacoma. By the time I get home, there is a message on my answering machine demanding a call back right away. The rental agent says the service department has looked at the Highlander and determined that I must have struck something as the interior bumper plates are pushed back and that's what crushed the windshield wiper fluid resevoir. Huh?! She said that the techs have seen it a lot this winter and I must have struck a snow bank. According to the techs the snowbanks are especially hard this year. WTF?! Long story short, I owe them $395 for damages incurred while in my possession, even though I think I'd remember if I smacked a snowbank, don't you? And that leads me to my initial rant about the new Toyotas. Are they that fragile that I might have crushed the front bumper supports and wiper fluid tank by simply parking the car into a snow bank? If I Dukes of Hazzarded it into the parking lot, I might understand, but the idea that a brand new vehicle can be messed right up with something I could probably inflict with my fist is really pathetic. So now I got this 2009 Tacoma and I'm scared to death to drive it in fear that it might suddenly incur some random damage I'll be held responsible for. Uggghhh. Fixing up that old Ford truck out behind the garage is starting to look more and more inviting. Toyota has pissed in my shoes too many times in the last month.
|
|
|
|
|
Replying to: Sambone5769 (Jan 31, 2009 5:05 pm) |
|
|
Replying to: Sambone5769 (Jan 31, 2009 5:05 pm) This is the other reason I worked a trade-in deal with my dealer. Having their rental is a liability, and can become an extra expense in this already nightmare-ish problem. If you can and it's in the cards for you, get your dealer to take yours in trade  kbb trade value (as if the frame problem did not exist) and then take it to buy an aggressively discounted new car from them. You do sadly get a new payment, but you also get a new car, and the nightmare goes away. They also get a 'sale' at a time when they need them and Corp will pay for frame work (not the dealer). It worked for me. Didn't want a payment, but more so didn't want the nightmare to last another 6 months... or longer. |
|
|
|
|
Replying to: doubleusn (Feb 01, 2009 11:55 am)
|
|
|
|
|
Replying to: doubleusn (Feb 01, 2009 11:55 am) However, I think it might be in my best interests to take a spin around there used lot and see if there is something that might work as a trade. Even if they offered me top KBB for my Taco, that's not saying a whole lot since the value has plummeted recently. I'd like to get a truck back. Not a TOY that breaks if it's sneezed on wrong. I use my truck, it's not just for looks.
|
|
|
Replying to: Sambone5769 (Feb 01, 2009 1:05 pm) why buy another toyota after this run around and blatant disregard for your safety. I will never buy a toyota again and not because of the quality, shit happens, but the way they are treating people sux. further more, trade in your taco now for nothing, the dealership will get the frame paid for the same way and turn around and sell it for much more and tell the buyer " dont worry about the frame problem you heard of sir, this has a new frame with a 15 year warranty.." DONT GIVE EM UR MONEY.. u want a truck ? buy a ridgeline.. look at consumer reports.. it got awesome accross the board
|
|
|
|
|
Replying to: mcalautt (Feb 01, 2009 5:53 pm) I wanted a Tacoma ever since I saw Back to the Future. No joke. Finally got mine and spent a lot of happy years driving it and telling everyone I know how great and dependable and reliable they are. And now this? Dont misunderstand, when I get another truck, it will NOT be a Toyota. |
|
| Turned in my Taco on Fri. am now driving a Kia Sportage at Toyota's expense......have no idea on time frame- neither does the dealer- they are going to evaluate current condition based on passing inspection ( I need a new gas tank- mine rusted- what a coincidence......) then we are going to make "an agreement on what the frame repair will include" sounds squeaky to me..we'll see. | |
|
Replying to: jokerman17 (Feb 01, 2009 1:03 pm) In the end I think Corp is jerking the dealers around just as much. I was also skeptical of a new Tacoma but this is all my dealer sells. One may have better luck at a multivendor dealer. Just thinking out loud. FWIW: It has been six weeks and still no letter and I know my old 02 is still just sitting there. |
|
|
Replying to: doubleusn (Feb 02, 2009 8:19 am) doublesn, you are not obligated to buy a truck from the dealer your getting yours "fixed" at. so go to another dealer after yours get fixed. Odds are ( i assume) the new tacoma's will not have the same frame problem but this is a matter of morals.
|
|
You are here:
Forums
Pickups Toyota Tacoma Toyota Tacoma 2004 and Earlier Frame Problem
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2011 Toyota Tacoma
2010 Toyota 4Runner
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
