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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 75 of 136

#736 of 1348 by grammyd

Feb 21, 2009 (11:47 pm)

2001 - 2004 Canadian Tacoma Owners take a look.. copied from Yotatech
 
----------------------------
 
Subject: Advanced Notification on Customer Satisfaction Campaign 917 – Warranty Coverage Extension for Tacoma Frame Rust Corrosion Perforation
 
For your advanced information, TCI will be initiating a Customer Satisfaction Campaign 917 on certain 2001 through 2004 Model Year Tacoma vehicles to extend the warranty coverage for perforation of the vehicle’s frame caused by rust corrosion.
 
In order to receive the warranty extension, customers must bring in their vehicle to an authorized Toyota dealer for inspection and to have a Corrosion-Resistant Treatment applied to the frame and (where necessary) any frame repairs performed.
 
Q1: What is the condition?
 
A1: Toyota has received reports regarding a number of 2001 through 2004 model year Tacoma vehicles exhibiting excessive rust corrosion to the frame, causing perforation of the metal.
 
Q1a: What is the cause of this condition?
 
A1a: The frames on a number of vehicles may not have adequate corrosion-resistant protection. This combined with prolonged exposure to road salts and other environmental factors may contribute to the development of excessive rust corrosion in the frames of some vehicles. This is unrelated to and separate from normal surface rust which is commonly found on metallic surfaces after some years of usage and/or exposure to the environment.
 
Q2: What is Toyota going to do?
 
A2: Although the vehicle’s frame is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 60,000 kilometers (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customer’s overall experience and confidence in their vehicle. To assure our customers that we stand behind the product, we will extend the warranty coverage, for a total of fifteen years/unlimited mileage from the vehicle’s in-service date, on the vehicle’s frame for this specific condition, subject to the terms and conditions outlined in the owner notification letter.
 
Q3: Is it a safety issue?
 
A3: No. All iron based metallic material will eventually rust. This issue is related to inadequate corrosion-resistance protection, therefore, we believe this is a long term durability issue.
 
Q4: Is this a recall?
 
A4: No. This is an extension of the warranty coverage on 2001 through 2004 model year Tacoma vehicles for perforation of the vehicle’s frame caused by rust corrosion. This warranty extension, subject to certain conditions, will be provided for a period of 15 years with no mileage limitation from the vehicle’s in-service date, for this specific condition.
 
Q5: Why is Toyota launching this Customer Satisfaction Campaign?
 
A5: We at Toyota care about the customer’s overall experience with and confidence in their vehicle. To assure our customers that we stand behind the product, we are providing, subject to certain terms and conditions detailed in the Owner’s letter, an extension of the warranty coverage on certain 2001 through 2004 model year Tacoma vehicles for perforation of the vehicle’s frame caused by rust corrosion.
 
Q6: What are some of the terms and conditions of the Warranty Extension?
 
A6: In order for the warranty enhancement to apply, the customer must bring the vehicle to a Toyota dealer before October 31, 2010. The dealer will inspect the condition of the frame and apply a corrosion-resistant treatment at no charge to the customer. Owners of affected vehicles will receive the details of this program in the owner notification.
 
Q7: Does this Customer Satisfaction Campaign apply to rusted body panels?
 
A7: No. This Customer Satisfaction Campaign only applies to the frame of certain 2001 to 2004 model year Tacoma vehicles.
 
Q8: Are 1995 to 2000 model year Tacomas covered under this program?
 
A8: No. Toyota launched a Customer Support Program in early 2008 for 1995 to 2000 model year Tacoma vehicles.
 
Q9: Are there any other Toyota or Lexus models included in this program?
 
A9: No. This Warranty Enhancement only applies to 2001 to 2004 Model Year Tacoma vehicles.
 
Q10: What is Toyota’s standard rust perforation warranty coverage for the frame?
 
A10: Under the Toyota New Vehicle Warranty, the frame is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 60,000 kilometers (whichever comes first). This is typical practice in the automotive industry.
 
Q11: When did you learn about this condition?
 
A11: We began to investigate this issue in 2001 through 2004 trucks in the first quarter of 2008.
 
Q12: What is involved in the corrosion-resistant treatment?
 
A12: Any Toyota dealership will inspect the condition of the vehicle’s frame and apply a corrosion-resistant treatment. The treatment will be applied to both external and internal surfaces of the frame to enhance the corrosion protection of the Tacoma’s frame.
 
Q13: How long will the corrosion-resistant treatment take?
 
A13: The treatment process is an overnight process. However, depending upon the dealer’s work
schedule, it may be necessary to make the vehicle available for a longer period of time. During the corrosion-resistant treatment process, however, the Toyota dealer will arrange for a complimentary loaner vehicle for the customer’s use at no charge while the vehicle is being treated.
 
Q14: What is the warranty on the corrosion-resistant treatment?
 
A14: The frame on Tacoma vehicles included in this program will be covered by the warranty enhancement. The enhancement, subject to the terms and conditions outlined in the owner notification letter, is for a period of 15 years with no mileage limitations from the vehicle’s in service date for perforation of the vehicle’s frame caused by rust corrosion.
 
Q15: What if a vehicle has already experienced this condition?
 
A15: Any Toyota dealer will inspect the vehicle’s frame and apply the corrosion-resistant treatment if the frame is not perforated due to this condition. If the inspection of the vehicles confirms excessive rust corrosion to the frame causing perforation of the metal, Toyota will, at its option, either repair or repurchase the vehicle.
 
Q16: What is Toyota going to do if perforation of the vehicle’s frame caused by rust corrosion is found?
 
A16: Upon confirmation, Toyota will, at its option, either repair or repurchase the vehicle.
 
Q17: Is there any special consideration in the case of vehicle repurchase?
 
A17: In the case of repurchase, Toyota Canada will reimburse the customer for the value of their vehicle up to 1.5 times the Canadian Black Book® Suggested Retail Value or at original MSRP when the vehicle was purchased, whichever is lower. The vehicle will be assessed as a vehicle in excellent condition regardless of the vehicle’s actual condition; however, a deduction will be made for moderate damage and/or missing components. Owners will receive detailed information about the terms and conditions for this program in the owner notificat

#737 of 1348 Framed by rachelf

Feb 22, 2009 (1:31 pm)

Picking up newly framed Taco on Tue. wondering if i should sign off on the repair- I am worried about the extended warranty.. I know it is inevitable that I will have new issues/problems due to this "repair" but will this warranty cover those problems.....
any ideas or experience out there? I am not psyched to be one of the first to go thru this.........kinda like a surgeons first procedure...............

#738 of 1348 Re: Framed [rachelf] by silver01taco

Feb 22, 2009 (1:47 pm)

Replying to: rachelf (Feb 22, 2009 1:31 pm)
Hi Rachel - you're one of the first on here to be reframed. I am awaiting the parts for the process for my 01' Tacoma 4x4 myself at Kinderhook Toyota in upstate NY and am curious how your experience has been. I'm currently second in line -I guess it's better than being the guinea pig . I'm also curious about the folks out there that may have received buybacks with their 01'-04's. What Toyota numbers did you call? -what extensions? Did you all have to go through a case worker? Any help you can give would be appreciated - I've already called the attorney generals office, and contacted other government officials that are supposed to be working "for us" to try to get something done about this major issue.

#739 of 1348 by mcalautt

Feb 22, 2009 (3:39 pm)

I am willing to bet that nothing but the frame and components replaced will be covered by warranty later down the road unless something happen as a result of the frame replacement. for example. you have a fuse that keeps blowing. the mechanic determines that it was a wire that got pinched when they bolted the body back onto the frame.. Here is the catch, toyota wont warranty something that was screwed up during installation so now you would need the mechanic to admit he screwed up.
not good odds.
I would get in writing what is actually covered and I would specifically ask the service manager as well as your toyota case manager to answer this question.
this is why I have said all along that the frame replacement is a joke and toyota is screwing their customers.

#740 of 1348 Re: Framed [silver01taco] by mcalautt

Feb 22, 2009 (3:40 pm)

Replying to: silver01taco (Feb 22, 2009 1:47 pm)
I got a buyback and mine was an 01.
there is no special number to call.
i lucked out because I had mine inspected and failed just prior to them coming out with the frame replacement program. they tried to tell me I was getting a frame and I said NO.
i fought and they gave in.. but i dont think that will happen now.

#741 of 1348 Slipped in under the wire too... by GoinDivin

Feb 23, 2009 (7:46 pm)

Replying to: mcalautt (Feb 22, 2009 3:40 pm)
Had essentially the same experience with my 01. The dealer noticed the rot when it was in for basic maintenance, and originally they said it'd likely get a frame replacement. They were eventually told it was in the buyback, because they weren't quite ready to roll out the replacement process yet.
 
Didn't have to call anyone, just waited to be contacted by ISG. I eventually heard from Latonya there, who was polite and helpful and gave me an honest 150% KBB buyout offer. My local dealer was helpful throughout too, with a no-questions-asked loaner.
 
Just the luck of the draw, I guess. Wasn't planning on buying a new truck anytime soon, but so far, I very happy with my 09 Taco.
 
Hope the frame replacement process goes well for everyone stuck with it.

#742 of 1348 You know it's bad when....... by rachelf

Feb 24, 2009 (6:43 am)

When you know more about the warranty on the frame replacement then the guy who put it in...... got a call from the service mgr. telling me my truck is ready. i asked to receive something in writing regarding a warranty on the work...." I dont know anything about a warranty, I just do the work- come pick up your truck! " I politely mention that I have some knowledge of a 15 yr warranty on the frame (which I learned here- thanks) . " I dont know anything about it- come pick up your truck!" I
mention that since he is the service mgr of an authorized Toyota dealership that it might behoove him to know something about it......I say that I am hesitant to sign off on the repair without knowing that I will be covered "down the road" for any subsequent problems stemming from the frame replacement. He says : " There is nothing to sign- come pick up your truck!"
What the %*& ! I have not received one piece of anything in writing from Toyota since the whole debaucle started on Dec. 1. I have a call in to our favorite corp. dude Kevin to clarify ( yeah right) the warranty......I am completely bummed about my dealer ( BTW I bought my truck there) and the service mgr. needs some anger management help. I have decided to wait till I speak w/ Kevin to pick up the vehicle.....I am a pretty laid back individual, but am also considering calling the Mgr of the dealership to complain about the aggressive way I have been dealt w/ and thelack of dealer support and knowledge of the situation. ( Like that will do anything.....except ruin all future service I have done there). As you can see, I am frustrated- so thanks for letting me vent- What's done is done, and maybe I will have no problems down the road-

#743 of 1348 Re: You know it's bad when....... [rachelf] by doubleusn

Feb 24, 2009 (7:02 am)

Replying to: rachelf (Feb 24, 2009 6:43 am)
Hi - I eventually went a different route and worked a trade on an 09 for my frame rusted 02. Your above frustrations(s) was one of the reasons I did this. The 1st month was bad enough, but knew it would just be more of the same as time went on. For whatever it is worth, my dealer was overall pretty decent about things. The only time it got 'heated' was when we were both being jerked around by Toyota Motor Corp. (Each being told different things) A quick call to the dealers owner got things back in sync. I eventually spoke with his #2 person (owners) but it fixed the problem. In the long run though I am 99.99% convinced this is a Toyota Corp thing and the dealers are also at the mercy of them like we are and are also being jerked around by them like we are. My original case manager corp was confrontational, didn't return calls when she said she would, etc, etc. My dealer's CS manager, while we didn't always see eye to eye, was always very respectful. Maybe a quick call to the owner (probably listed in dealers website or via BBB lookup) may get things back under control. After you get where yo need to be maybe you could post a list of what was replaced. The frame and what misc parts? Thanks in advance and good luck.
 
Cheers
-wsn

#744 of 1348 Re: frame replacement by silver01taco

Feb 24, 2009 (10:12 am)

Replying to: doubleusn (Feb 24, 2009 7:02 am)
I have been given an approxiamate list as to what's included with my frame replacement. In addition to the frame itself, all brake lines, rear leaf springs, spring shackles, front control arms, and what they generically call frame replacement kit #1 and #2 are included in the swap -that's all I know thus far. I'm still waiting for an actual frame myself -It's been 3 weeks now since I was inspected and failed and no frame yet. Every time I call the dealer service department (who has been excellent thus far) they've been very cooperative and tell me as soon as they have anything that they'll call ASAP. Unfortunately, I've heard horror stories of having to wait a month or more for this process. I hope that isn't the case.

#745 of 1348 Re: frame replacement [silver01taco] by pataco01

Feb 24, 2009 (1:23 pm)

Replying to: silver01taco (Feb 24, 2009 10:12 am)
Huh, 3 weeks? Try 2 months. Talked to the dealer the other day and mine was to be started 2/23. Was at the dealership 2 weeks ago bs'n to the mechanic and he actually told me it takes him and 1 other guy a full day from start to alignment. Bullcrap. They're gonna have to cut the bumper off mine cuz I welded it on when I got tired of the DEER knock'n it off. Plus I'm having them do the clutch and timing belt. That'll keep me from cuss'n out those top bell housing bolts.

Messages Page 75 of 136

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