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Comments
The deadline for replacement most definitely has not expired, at least for the 01-04's.
Rather than throw away thousands of dollars because of a obviously misinformed dealer, possibly contact Mark, the service manager at my dealership (815) 748-7300. Since they provide a loaner at their cost, it might be worth the drive to Illinois for an $11,000 + free replacement.
April 13th 2012 the truck was inspected at LIA TOYOTA in Wilbraham,MA. The trucks frame failed. The mechanic painted the frame (white) and stuck a label in area painted. Scott the service manager said they would order frame and would call when the truck was to have frame replaced. I was asked to buy new U-bolts for my trucks existing liftkit as they would probably cut the existing off. I spent $50.00 on new U-bolts. They also told me that they could do other repairs for reduced cost as the truck is disassembled. I purchased new front shocks for $250.00 plus shipping. My truck has numerous custom attachments bumper guards, brush guards, Traction bars, Etc that they asked/suggested I remove to assist in frame work and for my own peace of mind. I Did at a total time of over 6 hours.
Two weeks later I called for update and was told I would need to bring truck back to LIA TOYOTA to have a Truck Program Rep (Justin) reinspect. I scheduled appoint/Time to return. I waited over two hours in LIA TOYOTA's waiting room for Rep to arrive. After it was re-inspected I was told to standby and wait to hear back. Never called me back. Still have not.
I contacted TCC and was given case manager Kevin Spillane. I was told he would look into matter and get back to me within 24hrs. He did not return call. A week later I contacted TCC and was told that Toyota was sorry that they had not got back to me. I was told that Toyota had ended its frame program in MA and I was out of luck.
Toyota lied to me. Toyota had me spend money ($300.00) Toyota had me remove parts and prepare truck for re-framing.
If the program had ended in Massachusetts why did TCC send me to the dealer. They used my name/address/VIN so they knew what state I was in.
Why did the Service Manager Scott tell me they were ordering me a frame and had me spend my time and money for nothing?
If I called TCC and was told from the Get-Go that I had missed a deadline, I would have been upset but I would not have wasted my time and money for nothing.
Tacoma frames are still being replaced in other Cold Climate States and I think Toyota should except that they screwed up and replace this frame without hesitation or litagation. They have wasted to much of my time and money to follow up with legal action, but it looks like thats where this is headed.
I'm not alone with this problem. There are hundreds of Tacoma owners that don't even know their frames are unsafe., and others like myself that were not notified as a second/third party owner
My truck looks like new inside and out....but you can't drive it. sad
& is their any markings on the frame that have dates or serial # that let you know you got one of the bad ones.
Also if mine is a replacement list truck do they do it for 2nd owners or only original owners?
Thank you.
My comment was more along the lines of a mechanic that just thought it easier to replace than taking their time. On mine, one or two of the cab bolts snapped. Not part of the list but the dealership is replacing.
We ALWAYS had paint issues. We had bare spots on frames that we were told to use a spray can of paint to "touch up" I saw frames in our yard that had rust forming on them.
Dana Corp sold out to Metalsa, and our plant here in Stockton Ca was shut down and moved to Mexico. BTW The Tundra frame are also made in Mexico!
When NUMMI shut down there were 5000 jobs lost there, not including all the local suppliers, am i bitter about my job being outsourced to Mexico, I sure in the hell am!
Why should I be ashamed of posting this info? I don't work for Dana or Metalsa any more. When I did, I was not allowed to say anything about what was going on or I would have lost my job and like everyone else, I had bills to pay. The Dana plant was non union until the last year and a half, by that time we were Metalsa. Although I was considered part of management I was not allowed to join the union.
He told me that by my tapping a hole through Toyota would not warranty the frame. I told him that the "hammer test" was how these frames were being passed/failed by dealers like him all over the place. He confirmed "hammer test" was initially used, but claims that after the protective undercoating was applied use of a hammer was not permitted anymore and would most likely mean Toyota would not replace the frame.
So now I have a truck with a hole in the frame, and the Toyota Rep. will be out in a week or so to check it out for a final decision. It may work in my favor, but I have a bad feeling I may need to fight this. I'm just trying to get my ducks in a row and would appreciate any advice/opinions on the best ways to proceed and not get taken advantage of. Thanks!
now i am wondering is it worth welding it?? worried this will just be a problem that keeps coming back to haunt me.
Definitely planning to write a letter, and will follow your advice for certified mail, return receipt, & requesting written response ... hadn't thought of those pieces.
Sorry to hear about your frustrations with Toyota!
I knew someone years ago with a new Ford F-150 that had a bad knocking diesel engine that his dealer refused to repair or replace. He showed up on the street in front of the dealership with a sign with a big lemon on it. Guess what...he got a new engine.
try showing up in front of the dealership, off of their property with a sign like this in plain view of any prospective Toyota shoppers:
Guys, I am on my 3rd Tacoma and I love these things (as I hope you all do) only I really wish they didn't feel they had to get so LARGE (2005-2012).
I had a 92 and loved it but a little underpowered (4cy) so bought a '99 (v6) and just loved it, drove it from Iowa (home) to D.C. MANY times; to Madison,WI MANY times; Minneapolis/home many times; hey this truck was just great, I loved it, my son (madison) and daughter (minneapolis) used it off/on for several years and the entire family loved this thing......until:
I had new tires installed and when they tried to align the wheels found that the frame was "junk". So, they bought it back (1.5 times avg. retail) (whoopee) not bad hey, except that I was now forced to buy another truck! Yo, I'm not made of $$$$$$$
I really liked this generation of tacomas, they have so much more style than the newer ones... So, I'm looking at a 2004 that looks (online posting) like a really nice truck. Previous owner (1st owner) an "older gentleman" that just drove around town/etc... and the guy(2nd owner) says he is "fairly certain" it has been sprayed. Well sorry, that is just not good enough, I need proof. "Been there-done that"...
The truck is several hundred miles away so, my question to you all is: how do I know WHEN was THE DEADLINE? (When "is" the deadline?
If I look at this truck and it looks good, that's great, but if the owner missed the underspray deadline.....now what? I'm going to tell him that I need proof the truck was sprayed and the date of such. What do you guys think, sounds like you have all been through at least (or more) than I have so I need any/all suggestions on how to proceed.
( I have several friends who have over 200,000 miles on their tacomas and they are still doing great-crappy Iowa weather and all).
H....E.....L....P....
Report after report documents that their "undercoating treatment" was completely ineffective ... these frames continued to rust out anyway. Yes, clearly we somehow missed the opportunity to have this ineffective undercoating applied in order to extend the warranty, but we strongly feel that the warranty should be extended to all trucks that Toyota has admitted (and won a lawsuit over) to having a faulty frame. Sooooo disappointed with Toyota now! Continuing to push for support, but Toyota telling us their "sorry, but nothing further can be done". Nothing else basic wear & tear for the age) is wrong with this truck but the rusted frame!! $500 ... my dad offered to pay me more for that just for the tires!
for all their supposed contact tries, it seems a lot of owners missed the deadline. I know I don't remember getting one.
anyone in NY state want to buy a low mileage rust free ( body ,anyway) Tacoma?
Apparently I was the first truck they had seen with rust/perforation AFTER the undercoating had been applied. I had a good amount of surface rust prior to the coating (coating applied August 2010), and now everywhere that the paint covered the rust, paint was peeling and the frame continued to rust. I'm sorry but you can't paint over a problem and pretend it isnt there. I feel the coating was nothing more than a feel good stall technique to get people to forget about the rust until hopefully the warranty expires. Outta sight=Outta mind.
Good News - they disqualified the current hole, but the rest of the frame was still under warranty if any new holes would surface.
Just my luck a few weeks later the proportioning valve broke, and in the course of replacing that several other rusted parts associated with it broke. Between the frame issues and overall rust under the truck I decided to get rid of it before any more headaches came up. Luckily I was able to get a more than fair price on a trade in and have moved on to a new vehicle.
My advice to anyone out there is DO NOT attempt to break/tap/manipulate any suspected weak spots or holes on your frame. If you can't push your finger through it with little force, it won't qualify. I feel Toyota has spent so much money and time with this issue that they are really clamping down and are FAR less cooperative and willing to make things right. Best of luck to all of you, you will need it!