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Toyota Tacoma 2004 and Earlier Frame Problem

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Comments

  • redspecialredspecial Member Posts: 1
    I have a 2002 Tacoma with 31,000 miles on it. Last month I took it to my local dealership for a frame inspection, it passed and they sprayed the special frame coating to protect the frame. Since then, dirty white goo (looks like dirty wax) has been dripping from the frame on to my garage floor. I wasn't concerned at first but its been going on for a month, I would of thought this would of dried up by now but it just keeps coming. Has anyone else had this same problem? What is this stuff and should I take it back to the dealer? I would appreciate any advice.
  • tunapete1tunapete1 Member Posts: 3
    Frame rusted through. Dealer said i will have to pay 2k+ for parts. ?? What parts does the new frame come with. Afraid Toyota dealer will charge me for parts that come with new frame. Toyota case manager rep in Calif ,Kevin, was the most rude person I have ever had to deal with. Sure makes me not want to buy another Toyota. 95-2000 owners you were very lucky. 2001-04 new frames but we will have to BUY parts from Toyota to fix our vehicles. Dealer said he would only give me 5K for veh but minus 2k for the parts = 3k for trade in. What a rip off. Thanks Toyota for nothing!!!!
  • medic44medic44 Member Posts: 9
    We had our frame replaced on '01 Tacoma and Toyota paid 100% of the replacement, around 10K....you DO NOT have to pay for Toyota parts they replace while replacing the frame...they will make you pay for aftermarket add ons...basically you get a new front end with the frame replacement, our dealership did a great job and haven't had any problems with the truck.........yet. Sounds like the dealer is trying to stick it to you!
  • ejsegravejsegrav Member Posts: 5
    I have a 2001 that just had the frame replaced and paid for shocks and a emergency brake cable. Toyota paid for everything else including springs and a bunch of other stuff (parts were a page long). My only issues is now it rides pretty stiff like it did 10 years ago. I still can't believe they just didn't give me a deal on a new truck.
  • mcalauttmcalautt Member Posts: 67
    thats because its cheaper for them to replace your frame than buy it back or give you money toward a new one.
  • 01tacowr01tacowr Member Posts: 4
    edited June 2010
    Hi guys,

    Newbie on this forum..

    I have a 2001 Tacoma. I was told today by a muffler shop that I'm basically driving a ticking time bomb. That my frame could cave in any day. Next month will be 5yrs I have the truck and the last thing I want to do is sell/trade it. I'm getting mixed results on whether Toyota will repair/replace my frame free of charge or require me to pay for the parts/labor. Do I just call and make an appointment with Toyota? Is there some legal document stating they must pay? I didn't know so many other Taco owners were have the same issue as me. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
  • toolman4243toolman4243 Member Posts: 5
    There's a large list of parts that are included with the frame swap out. If you have any parts that need to be replaced that aren't on the list you will need to pay for the part, but the labor is free usually. Also if you want things like new shocks, timing chain and such done you have a chance to get it done with only paying for the parts only. When they did my '01 Taco i had bought a new rear bumper online and they installed it for free. I had no other parts that weren't on the list that needed to be replaced so it cost me nothing for the whole thing to be done. Plus loved the free rental car they give you also.
  • 01tacowr01tacowr Member Posts: 4
    Toyota is replacing the frame on my 01 Tacoma. They have set me up with a rental. I'm glad they didn't give me any problems. Basically, my frame was rated at 8 out of 10 with 10 being the worst. I didn't know it was that bad until I had the muffler replaced. Thank you guys for pointing me in the right direction.
  • gusottogusotto Member Posts: 6
    edited June 2010
    Report him to Toyota Headquarters!

    I had my 2001 frame replaced and I knew what would come in the replacement.
    Frame, rear springs, lower control arms, emergency brake cable, hardware, free labor. Free parts!

    I did have the f/r shocks replaced as they had 100,000 miles on them and the labor is free. They are going through the same work operation anyway and it's easier and quicker with new parts.

    While apart, the clutch was replace with a labor savings. Easier with everything out of the truck.

    Parts I bought were clutch, f/r shocks, fuel filter.

    You get new brake fluid, A/C recharge and new antifreeze, all free!

    Total cost sent to Toyota was over $11,000.
    I have a "new" 2001 Tacoma now.

    Don't let your dealer take advantage of you. Plenty of info on the internet if you check.
  • crapyotacrapyota Member Posts: 1
    Hi new member here and I am looking for some help. So yesterday I went by my local dealership and scheduled a frame inspection for my 01 single cap tacoma and was told that if it failed it would get a new frame. The guy at the service department gave me a 800 number to call if I wanted to try for the buy back. So I called the number filed my complaint and was assigned a case number.I took it into the local dealer today for the frame inspection and like I had figured it failed. My assigned case manger (Tiffany Bishop) contacted me this afternoon and told me first that they had never bought back a 01 to 04 tacoma. Then I told her that I had seen in several forums online that there were people out there that did get their 01 to 04 tacomas bought back. She then changed it to that they had bought some back but it was just before the frame program started. Now I am waiting on a call from tiffany's boss kristi. So what I am trying to figure out has anyone been able to get there truck bought back recently? Also does anyone know how much it cost toyota to do a new frame on my truck? I have researched the value on my truck and it is below the 10 to 13 thousand that i have heard it cost . So why does toyota want to spend the extra money to fix a truck thats worth less than the repair?
  • medic44medic44 Member Posts: 9
    We had our frame replaced on our '01 Tacoma and the invoice we received for Toyota to replace it was around $11K, have not had any problems....YET. We argued and fought with Toyota to do buy back to no avail.....Good Luck!
  • HOBPHOBP Member Posts: 7
    gusotto:

    Please see my posts 05/11 & 05/17. Appreciate u adz if BOTH the front & rear emerg brake cables were replaced on ur Taco - Thx!
  • rustedframerustedframe Member Posts: 6
    *** :( tunapete1 wrote…

    “ Frame rusted through. Dealer said i will have to pay 2k+ for parts. ?? What parts does the new frame come with. Afraid Toyota dealer will charge me for parts that come with new frame. Toyota case manager rep in Calif ,Kevin, was the most rude person I have ever had to deal with. Sure makes me not want to buy another Toyota. 95-2000 owners you were very lucky. 2001-04 new frames but we will have to BUY parts from Toyota to fix our vehicles. Dealer said he would only give me 5K for veh but minus 2k for the parts = 3k for trade in. What a rip off. Thanks Toyota for nothing!!!! ”


    *** :) rustedframe wrote…

    When the Toyota dealership did my rusted frame replacement,
    I made it VERY CLEAR I would not pay 1 penny for anything,
    they agreed there was no costs to me & I in fact write on the paper
    work they had me sign, above my name – “customer not to pay
    any charges, fees or costs of any kind ”.

    I then picked up my completed repaired truck (after careful inspection)
    drove it home, posted it on craigslists & sold it….…at a profit!
  • tcincytcincy Member Posts: 28
    I wouldn't settle for anyting less than a full replacement under their extended Warranty.

    When they agreed to buy back any 1994-2000, Tacoma, they also EXTENDED the warranties to 15 years, for ANY subsequent Tacoma, starting in 1999.
    How many parts does it take to fasten a frame in place - are you kidding me?
    $ 2,000.00

    If your frame is rusting through and it's only 8 years old, I'd raise hell with Toyota, and tell them they either replace everything affected, or I will find me a lawyer willing to take this case on a class-action basis.

    Thousands of Tacoma owners have been affected by rusted frames - some slight - some major. I wouldn't put up $ 2,000.00 after buying thier product.
  • shandershander Member Posts: 2
    My new 2010 Tacoma sits in my drive way. I had to surrender my 98 tacoma to the local toyota dealership due to terminal frame rot. NO ONE should allow anyone to put a new frame under it. Toyota needs to buy it back as there is such a high level of liability involved. However, after reading several of the posts here I wish I had read them before I purchased another tacoma. I just saw a recall on the 2010s on the front drive shaft and I felt I didn't get the incentives I should have gotten to buy another tacoma. I should have played hard to get, but time was running out. Once I accepted the check from toyota I would also have to give back my loaner. I needed a way to get to work. Now I need to know who I can write to at the corporate level and find out if they have the power to change a few things on the deal I made and offer up a few more incentives. I did not want another payment as I have just gotten back to work after searching for a job for over a year. My dealer thought he was doing me a big favor by selling me my truck for $300 under invoice. I guess I had sucker written all over my face. Anyone have any suggestions on who to write to?????? :mad:
  • doubleusndoubleusn Member Posts: 20
    There is nobody. The names you see floating around here are third party reps.

    I had an 02 that became an 09, as a result of the frame recall.

    Toyota also threatened me with taking loners away, etc.

    Toyota does not care IMHO.

    Vote with your wallet. I sold the 09 a year after.

    Lifetime Toyota customer... Gone!!!
  • mcalauttmcalautt Member Posts: 67
    basically doubleusn is right.. they dont care... the rep I talked to actually gave me a hard time. your lucky yours was a 98.. anyone over 2001 has to get the frame replaced.
    I had mine bought back and it was a 2001 but I fought hard and it was just as they were acknowledging 2000 and up..
    they threatend me with a frame replacment.
  • mancuso2mancuso2 Member Posts: 2
  • mancuso2mancuso2 Member Posts: 2
    owner of 2004 Taco took vehicle to toyota scion of Scranton, Pa 3 weeks ago ,also had a frame hammer test in 2008 came up w/extensive rust then. reps name Diane Hoffman. Her exact words on its way out.2010 test 3 weeks came back failed frame. Getting run around w/frame replacement had 5 different case numbers, want to get in volved in class action law suit. We as taco owners have to stick together; no frame replacements. don,t want a $3-$4000 bill up my back for a vehicle i had in mind to keep for many more years to come. Does everyone know they are taking entire vehicle apart and putting back together w/rusted parts.I am in no position to fix this vehicle or purchase a new one.
  • shandershander Member Posts: 2
    I wonder what would happen if a letter showed up in the local newspaper telling my story and stating that it is only one of many similar stories.... and then go on to say how I was treated and the deal that I got. Do you think it would get me in a lot of hot water?/???
  • andreacandreac Member Posts: 1
    Ok, so really I am so surprised at the continuous problems we have had with our truck...starting probably about 6,000 miles when the tailgate failed to open, after putting a load of dirt in it...mud flaps feel off just driving on our dirt road, along with both horns fell out in the snow one day, now the horn no longer works, first time the wire was broken, now no horn, the compass and degree gauge glitched out and not longer works, the airbag light has been on for awhile now, the fenders flap since they are bolted together with plastic, my husban had to zip tie them, by drilling new holes, since they just broke due to driving vibration? Alright so the real kicker is this, the truck has been making loud noises the last month, when you go over the bumps...took it to my shop, couldn't find a problem...a few weeks pass, my husband looses all powersteering of the truck. stops immediately, see the resevoir is empty...strange we service the truck all the time, fills it up and see if it responds, looses all fluid...we tow to Toyota...Guess what the FRAME is broken!!!!!!!!!! What, how can that be??????????????????
    We only 75,000 miles on this truck and owe over $10,000 still, they tell me $9,000 new frame, along with powersteering pump etc. several more thousand....but get this, they said they will pay for 1/2 of the frame...what ? why? Is it defective?
    I have no warranty, but they are saying we'll pay 1/2, that just shows that it is their fault and we aren't going to take that. It is not fair to sell us junk, and charge us a fortune for it....Going to the top, hopefully that will do something? I am loosing my Faith in Toyota
  • aillonaillon Member Posts: 10
    Hi Everyone,

    So I have deposit on a 01 Tacoma with 84k. It already has a new frame in place, with a new muffler and rear shocks. Car has some rust but not much. I am only paying 8k for it. Sounds like a fair deal that I can drive to 150k.

    Am i making the wrong choice?
  • tcincytcincy Member Posts: 28
    edited July 2010
    I am 56 years old. I have owned about 20 used cars and 2 new vehicles.

    I don't think it matters what the YEAR the vehicle is....it's HOW MANY MILES ARE ON IT and how well has it been maintained?

    84,000 miles isn't a huge amount on a car that's 9 years old. That's only 9,000 miles a year...- not alot.

    The key is: Has the car had REGULAR oil and oil filter changes?
    Has the car been well-maintained?

    In 1999 I purchased a '99 Tacoma, had the oil/filter changed EVERY 3,000 miles.
    When a belt broke I replaced THEM ALL. When a hose broke I replaced THEM ALL. I put 141,000 miles on it with mostly normal maintenance issues..it was a really dependable truck, but then, I helped it by replacing these items before they caused a problem.

    I found out about the "rust" buyback and was lucky enough to sell it to Toyota in 2008, for $ 8K. If not for that....I was the original owner and KNEW it had been well-maintained and was fairly confident it would have lasted until 200,000 miles.

    I know someone who has a '90 Ford Ranger. It's 20 years old...HOWEVER...
    he has given it regular oil changes/filter changes and regular maintenace.
    it just turned 200,000 miles.

    lst thing I do after buying an old car is "have the oil and filter changed" immediately.

    It doesn't matter if the previous owner said it had a recent oil change or not - I do it RIGHT AWAY.....so I KNOW it has just had one !

    2nd thing I do is have ALLTHE BELTS AND HOSES REPLACED.
    If the vehicle has 50,000 or more miles on it, and I know the hoses and belts are original, or appear to be old - I replace them all. Yes, it's an expense.
    But it's just a matter of time before a belt or hose wear outs and breaks, causing either overheating, breakdown and/or tow truck to garage - in short - headaches.

    Having hoses replaced also means the radiator coolant/anti-freeze will be replaced! These items will help an older car get a "new lease" on life from the get-go.

    That's what I did with a 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse I purchased for a teen in 2007.
    It had 52,000 miles on it. I knew the owner but decided to have the oil and filter changed right away, have all the hoses and belts replaced right away because they were original and would wear out "anytime". The car now has 113,000 and I have no reason to believe it won't last to 200,000 miles.
  • tunapete1tunapete1 Member Posts: 3
    Truck in shop 5/28 Picked up on 7/9, new frame. only had to put new shocks on rear 85 bucks.. I think dealer was trying to make me buy new veh with threat of 2K of parts. I still wish they gave me 10k towards a new truck. Now I have a pu with 138K and still not worth that much for trade in. Thanks for all comments as info is important when talking with the dealer. They can't give you a snowjob... Tks Pete
  • gscott13gscott13 Member Posts: 1
    my 2001 tacoma is at the dealership now awaiting a new frame. when i brought it in, i also intended to have some additional work done and was unsure if i should call them on the estimate i received... just wondering if they are trying to slip a couple of things through by billing both toyota corp. and me for the same thing...

    one of the things it needed a four wheel alignment (not horribly out of alignment). in my head, i'm thinking that this would be happening anyway given they are stripping everything off of the frame...

    the other item is the replacement of the right rear emergency brake pivot and bell crank... i've seen people reference the e-brake in other posts, but was unsure if this is the same thing...

    lastly, i guess, are there any questions in particular i should be asking about things they should be doing that they might try to slip through that i should specifically ask about? admittedly, i don't know much at all about vehicles and would appreciate any guidance...

    cheers.

    -greg
  • tunapete1tunapete1 Member Posts: 3
    you get veh alignment. They tried to make me pay for emg brake pivot fix but I lube mine so they were loose. Many are frozen. If they are frozen take some PB Blaster and a hammer and loosen them up slow. They will free up in time. Have to keep them lubes or they will freeze up. Good time to replace shocks.
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,327
    Is there somewhere on the net that you can check by Vin. to see if the frame has been replaced?

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • mrbill1957mrbill1957 Member Posts: 823
    I haven't seen any list, and I doubt any list will ever be published.

    Keep in mind, the frame replacement is just that, a replacement. It falls under the same category as any other warranty part Toyota replaces. Sure it's a big job, but the truck wasn't in an accident so the truck won't be on any lists showing damage as if it was in an accident.
  • davidwickdavidwick Member Posts: 1
    Just learned from Toyota this evening that my 2003 Extended Cab frame is eligible for replacement due to rust perforation. Before I call them back to discuss options, can people share their stories/strategies for negotiating with Toyota for fare treatment. Last spring/summer I spent 3 months researching the purchase of my 2003, and after testing 2001's with replacement frames I vowed I'd buy a newer one because the trucks I drove just didn't feel "right". Now after just 11 months of owning this one, it's destined for the same fate.

    Has anyone been successful in getting them to either honor the 1.5 KBB replacement value or offer comparable credit towards a tradein for a new/used Toyota.

    -Thanks
    David
  • egduttonegdutton Member Posts: 2
    edited September 2010
    I just learned of the rusty frame issue and called my VIN into Toyota and was told it was not included in frame recall. I don't see any signs of rust but live in very dry climate so leaves me wondering if I'm getting the straight story. Are there some other 2002s that are known not to have the frame problem and are not included in the recall?

    Mine is a 4x4 SR5 Standard Cab and has been a great truck with 89K mi

    Thanks. Glad to have found this forum

    Ells Dutton
    Boulder, CO
  • mcalauttmcalautt Member Posts: 67
    as far as the 2002 is concerned it should be covered but i dont think they will do a frame replacement if the original is still ok..

    for the 2003, they will replace the frame.. you can kiss the 1.5KBB goodbye.
    they wont buy back any trucks that they can do a frame swap on it..
    anything after 2000 i know for sure they will replace the frame.
    I had a 2001 and i fought with them hard and got them to buy it back but i was just lucky because I fell in just prior to them deciding to do the frame replacement.
    they even offered to do the replacement for me and I said no.
    that was almost 2 years ago.
  • dauangedauange Member Posts: 3
    I just had my frame replaced last week on my '01 dbl cab prerunner. Turns out that the new frames for this configuration only are faulty and result in a severely uneven rear that droops down on the driver's side. My dealership finally recognizes that there is a serious issue and is dealing with corporate. Has anyone else discovered this issue?
  • redtrukredtruk Member Posts: 2
    Just had my 2001 Tacoma frame replaced. Not 2 miles out of the dealership, brake & check engine lights go on. Took it back, the hand break bracket was reattached (their mistake) but I paid $450 for a new sensor, which they said "might" have been knocked out during reassembly. However, that repair was on my dime. 18 miles out of the dealship after this fix, check engine light goes back on & they determine I need a new catalytic converter, over $1000! I think Toyota or the newly renovated dealership is slowly having me pay for the frame replacement!

    (Will be taking the truck to my local & trusted mechanic today.)

    This was the one vehicle we had without ANY problems until Toyota got it's hands on it again!
  • northilnorthil Member Posts: 1
    I just got my 2002 Tacoma back from its fram replacement on Saturday October 2. It has this exact problem. The rear on the drivers side is considerable lower than the other side. It looks like something is broken. Dauange, has your dealership taken any corrective action? What did corporate say? I haven't taken my back to the dealership yet.
  • gberkstressergberkstresser Member Posts: 6
    David, I have a 2004 Taco in for frame replacement. 3 MONTHS !!! has any other Taco owners experienced this length of time ???? I have requested a buy back from any one who will listen a Toyota (which isn't many). Today, I am writing the president of Toyota USA, might as well write Obama. I do not hold much hope for any help. Toyota must have forgotten the TMS. These people cant make a product that does not get recalled. The only recourse is to vote with our dollars next vehicle purchase while letting everyone who will listen about the poor response from Toyota.

    Any reasonable customer service will be listed here. So far I haven't seen any.

    Sorry for the bad news.
  • leor_ggleor_gg Member Posts: 2
    See the link below for info about expensive repairs of the catalytic converter and the car computer (ECU), imposed on some owners due to Toyota'a production defects leading to error codes P0420 and P0430 in many pre-2004 models:
    http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=120463654675522&v=wall
  • gberkstressergberkstresser Member Posts: 6
    edited October 2010
    I have an '04 in for a frame replacement. I have been refused a buy back. The dealer will not even have the parts for 2.5 months. I was told by Toyota customer service that there are no buy backs since the parts are available. Does 2.5 months sound like "available" to a normal person. When I called back to Toyota customer service to instruct the customer service rep that the parts are not available (2.5 months). She said that it was only shipping delays. I believe that you could ship parts around the world several times by car and boat in that time period. I have sent Jim Lentz (president of Toyota USA) a letter about no buyouts and the inconvenience of not having a truck. This is a cold weather state and firewood needs to be hauled. (not this year), I am loosing $2K due to Toyota poor quality. Plan was to get a new truck next year, I have to research where the nearest Ford dealer is located.

    Of course in the order of fairness, I will let Edmonds know what (if anything) Mr. Lentz' response is when it arrives.
  • KCRamKCRam Member Posts: 3,516
    Unfortunately, "available" means that the parts are still in production, not that they are ready for immediate delivery. That's why 2001-04 Tacomas are getting frame replacements.

    kcram - Pickups/Wagons Host
  • gberkstressergberkstresser Member Posts: 6
    thanks for the feedback. I guess that this is the new Toyota level of customer service (three month is acceptable level of service). It's like they are happiest when you are off the line or out of the dealership. I.e. I was promised a 4 wheel drive pickup (same as my Tacoma) over a week ago. I told them that I live almost a mile back on a 1 lane dirt road (my little farm) and cant get to my house without a 4WD vehicle. This is true statement. I guess I will have to call the dealer for a ride once the snow flies, or wait for my wife picks me up in her Jeep Grand Cherokee. Needless to say I am dissapointed in the level of customer service that Toyota has provided. I will provide facts about my Toyota experience in this great forum until this ordeal is over.

    I am still waiting for a reply from Toyota USA president Jim Lentz.
  • cheethacheetha Member Posts: 1
    Just picked up my Tacoma today.

    While shopping for a new small 4X4 p/u back Christmas time 2001, I had tested some Rangers that were much better equipped and comparable prices. The top-of-the-line Ranger that I almost bought was loaded with a 4.0L V6.

    I choose the Tacoma with the 2.7 for it's name only. The salesman who sold it to me showed me where all the lights were, buttons, etc; and said "If the check engine light ever came on to give him a call, he'd never seen one come on." Like an idiot I felt confident in his assertions. I was a long-haul trucker back then and the truck sat at the yard for months on end until I got home. 4 years and 37,000 miles after purchase my check-engine-light came on and stayed on. A free test showed a bad O2 sensor. I asked the mechanic how much and he said $120.00 but to not bother because they eat them like candy. The truck's now eight years old with only 56,000 miles on it and the idiot light has glowed the last 4 years.

    At 4 years and 41,000 miles my factory exhaust fell apart to the tune of $500.00.

    At 5 years and 48,000 miles my rear bumper rotted off. Oil leaks started to develop.

    At 8 years and 56,000 miles the frame has been replaced but the dealer's shop couldn't get the right shock off and they had to cut it off and I had to buy the new shock for $115.00. The truck had sit out in their repair lot for over a month and the breaks had seized up and I had to pay for a new caliper and master-cylinder. Total bill for a "Free" frame came to $1052.00 for a new shock, new bumper, and new breaks . Took them two months to complete all the work.

    Those Tacoma television ads drive me crazy!!
  • dauangedauange Member Posts: 3
    Since my previous post, my frame replaced lopsided tacoma has spent 2 weeks in the body shop taking measurements to determine what is wrong with the frame. I got the truck back when I needed it for a vacation (kids' stuff and the rental Carolla don't go together). Once I got back, I called to touch base and they said that the District rep from corporate wanted to come and see it before anything is done. He isn't free till the middle of Nov. Now today I get a call that the body shop lost all of the frame measurements and needs it back to re-measure everything. This is starting to get pretty old. Whenever they have my truck i can't go deer hunting...maybe I can put my ATV on the roof of the rental car...
  • gberkstressergberkstresser Member Posts: 6
    I think you should push your dealer for a 'truck' rental car. You shouldn't miss anything. This is all a Toyota issue. Get them to pay for it.
  • cmhtruckguycmhtruckguy Member Posts: 1
    Just got my 2003 tacoma 4WD back with a new frame a week ago ,pleased is a understatment .

    I took it in they told me it failed and would need a new frame .
    I freaked being a machanic and knowing what was involed . But really had no choice after calling Tayota hotline on the recall notice .

    They said the frame and all the parts would take about 4 weeks to come in and almost to the day they called and the new frame had come in to the dealership .

    I drop it off they gave me a new Camary with 1000 mile on it free of charge to drive ,it took them 5 days and they called and said it was ready .

    I spent quite a bit of time checking over the truck before signing the paper work and also demanded a test drive with a tech before accepting the truck back .

    Well to my amazement the truck drives like a ''dream'' ,they replaced most moving parts ,break and fuel lines ,springs ,I bought my own shocked and struts they installed free of charge with rebate for 150 for new Gabrials all the way around .

    The shocker I had to sign the bill they sent to Toyota to be paid by the company for the work ''$11,375'' bucks,that's eleven thousand

    I bought the truck used in 05 for 12,000 bucks wholesale through a dealer friend .

    Never a day of trouble with the vehicle .

    I have a brand new freaking truck underneath ,only complaint is with all new suspension including Springs paid for by Toyota is it rides much harder now but will calm down in time .

    Yes a little ticked I had to go through all this but let's face it I got a tons of stuff done on the truck for free that may have had to be done down the road being 7 yrs olds .
    I was told at the dealership they have special trained techs this is all they do day in and out .

    I have a feeling some of the negitive posts on here are from American truck owners bashing .
  • iewiiiiewiii Member Posts: 3
    yep had new frame put under my 2004 taco drivers side sitting 2" lower then passengers side,the dealership is sending it to a frame shop and they said they have been having this problem.I have a call into toyota and waiting to hear back,I sugest everyone with this problem call them!
  • barnold2barnold2 Member Posts: 1
    Just looked at my 99 Tacoma and it did not look to bad (some rust) until I looked at the area above the drivers side rear spring mount. The inside wall of the frame above the forward spring mount is rusted away. An a approx 6" long x 3" hole in the frame. I am having the dealership look at it monday. Is this enough to warrant a buy back?
  • jpm53jpm53 Member Posts: 1
    I own both a 2000 Tundra 4x4 and a 2000 Tacoma 2x4. The good news is that I just go my Tundra back after seven weeks in the shop. New frame, new exhaust from the CAT back, new brake lines, etc. Ran great. Took it on a road trip and the check engine light pops on. Inefficient CAT. Hmmmm. Dealer reset it, and we'll see what happens. There is some remaining rusting parts on the underside (backing plates for disc brakes), but they won't replace them! Anybody else have this experience?

    The bad news is that I took my Tacoma in today, just to have it checked, not thinking that it too had a problem. I was wrong. They would not give it back to me! Gave me a loaner and told me Toyota would be in touch. They mentioned 150% of Kelly BB value. Is that retail value? I'm not a very happy camper. Truck was in great shape otherwise and will be difficult to replace with something comparable even at 150%!
  • tcincytcincy Member Posts: 28
    edited November 2010
    In August, 2008 I took my 1999 Tacoma to the dealer for radiator flush & fill and a few other things. A service guy called me later in the day and said, "We can't service your Tacoma because of a rusted frame issue, and you can't drive it either". Needless to say I was pissed. I drove to the dealer, and they informed me of the 1995-1999 rusty frame buyback at 150% excellent retail. Being suspicious, I at first said, no thanks and raised hell and demanded to see the Service Mgr. whom I advised NO ONE WAS KEEPING MY TRUCK. He agreed, and said the service guy shouldn't have told me I couldn't have my car back.

    Upon further review....the offer was legit. I had 140,000 miles on my '99 but I kept it in excellent shape, outside looked good, interior looked excellent, engine was clean, and I changed oil EVERY 3,000 miles (at no small expense).

    However, I did the math, and checked blue book and figured out that IF they were telling the truth by the 150% excellent retail value, they would have to offer me
    $ 8,990 for a 9 year old truck with 140,000 miles that would probably have gotten
    $ 3,500 - $ 4,000 for if I sold it to another person. They verified without me telling them my figures - sure enough, they offered me $ 8,900 PLUS $ 1,000 more if I purchased another Tacoma within 60 days (or $2,000 if I bought a Tundra).
    I took the deal, drove my old Tacoma out of there...for a week or so while the paperwork got done in Texas, then dropped the Tacoma off at the dealer and yes, they gave me a check for $ 8,990, a certificate good for $1,000 / $2,000 AND a loaner for 30 days.

    I bought a 2009 Tacoma, used the $ 9,990 and paid $ 6,000 for a NEW Tacoma.

    However, I purchased the Tacoma from another dealer, because the experience of the service guy telling me I could not and would not drive my old Tacoma away from the dealer....left a bad taste in my mouth. Any Tacoma dealer, at the time, honored the $ 1,000 certificate.
  • iewiiiiewiii Member Posts: 3
    well after the dealer having my taco for a month and sending it to a frame shop with everbody scratching thier heads on how to fix my lopsided truck now toyota reps came out to inspect it and decided to replace the replacement frame so it has to go back in once the new frame comes in.Toyotas new comercial says "JUST ASK A TOYOTA OWNER" yea go ahead ask me!
  • dauangedauange Member Posts: 3
    Yeah, same here. Toyota Corporate finally admitted this week that there are some frames being welded with suspension attachments in the wrong places. They are putting another new frame under mine. At this point they would have been much better off to have done the buyout on my 2001.
  • gberkstressergberkstresser Member Posts: 6
    Dear JPM,
    The buyback on the recall paperwork stated 150% retail. Good luck getting a buy back. My 2004 has been gone for almost 2 months. I have had rental trucks (Dodge and Chevy) at cost to Toyota. I filled 2 tickets with Toyota customer service requesting a buy back, no luck. I am told that the frame replacement is $12000 and the rental will be close to $4000. I would have taken the $16000 and applied it toward a new Tacoma. I also wrote to the president of Toyota USA when this all began. He must be too busy with all the recalls to respond.
    So I wish you good luck with the buyback $$ and if you get it, take it. Let us here on Edmonds know. Thanks
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