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Comments
usually what they do is negatively or positively charge the frames and then do the opposite to the inhibitor as they dip the frames.
Not sure why they are telling you they are going to do it after the install.
that does not sound good to me, sounds like they are going to undercoat it which is a friggin mess and doesnt protect anything.
I am also glad to hear replacements are going well. I ended up opting out of it as my circumstances did not allow for it to be an option to me.
I am glad to hear that things are going well for folks and now that frames are avail things seem to be speeding up. Many folks had been waiting a long time for frames, and my 02 was deemed bad before there even was a letter to send out.
Question to All: Does anybody know what product they are using to spray under the ones that are rusty, but are not considered a failure.
Question to All 2: Do we know if the 2005-200x model run corectd the problem?
My understanding was it is a rust from lack of protection spray problem, but also a design flaw in the frame so that moisture does no drain properly.
Thoughts?
Thanks
-wsn
I can't fathom why they would tell you they are putting an undercoating on (which doesn't do anything except increase the problem) other than to make you feel better.
I'm curious how the 2005 and up frames are holding up... unless they have addressed the problem, we'll probably be hearing about this in a year or two.
Thanks for the reply
It was my understanding is that frames that were not rusted (not being replaced) out per se were getting something applied to them instead, under this program, to reduce the risk going fwd. I was wondering what product they were using for this.
I was in a situation where 'waiting' for a frame and using my truck 'after a frame swap' was not an option for me.
I argued with corp for many many weeks, and ended up working out a 'fair' deal with my dealer.
This fair deal now includes me having an 09 TRD OF. I am just trying to gather info on the 2005+ frames, etc under the guise of preventing anything on the 09 now vs later.
Thanks again for the email.
Cheers
-wsn
PS mine has been back for 2 weeks and is doing fine- i plan on watching how my tires wear .........
Just wondering - the 2001 Tacoma Double Cab I am looking to purchase has had its frame tested and it passed even though it is VERY rusty. It was sprayed with some black tar like inhibitor. Do I have more than one shot at being tested? I am assuming I would have 6 more years before the warranty ends and still have the option of frame replacement if it rusts through. Would anyone know for sure.
Thanks again.
I'm not sure I follow.
You can see it is very rusty, yet it is also sprayed?
Are you saying it's sprayed, but maybe not 100%?
If 100%, what part is rusty?
Cheers
-wsn
The truck that I am looking at passed the frame test even thought it is really rusty. The outside of the frame was sprayed but not the inside. The rear leaf springs, gas tank guard and the "inside of the frame" were not sprayed. It shows just how rusted, and I mean RUSTED this frame/and parts really are. It was rusted enough that Toyota Corp. took it and punch tested it to see how bad it was. Because the inside of the frame is so rusted I think it is just a matter of time before it is perforated as the rust eats through the metal. The rest of the body panel though are excellent.
Thanks again.
Thanks for the update.
In my eyes, and in my own opinion, I see this as a three question/step process.
1) Location - Where do you live? Does it snow? Is there salt? Where did the truck live before?
2) After reading this whole thread how do you feel about having a frame replacement? (maybe)
3) What is you own peronal opinion of how well a replacement will hold up over time and the hassle (time is money) you 'may' have to give up in the future if #2 comes true. 'If' other things start failing early as a result of the complete disassembly from the frame replacement. (only the frame itself is covered is my understanding)
It may be the best replacement program in the world, it may not be.I had an 02 Dbl Cab with the problem (hole in frame) and I chose to opt out.
If it was 'me' ,without being forced, I would hesitate.
Just my .02, FWIW.
Cheers
-wsn
There are two vehicles at the dealership where I bought my taco that have frame rust. My taco was 2 years old when rust started on the frame. It got so bad that the dealership stripped the frame, painted and rust proofed. Two weeks later the rust was back worse than ever. The dealership recently took it in again, stripped the frame and applied a chemical treatment. I was told that this would work. I seriously have my doubts considering that Toyota Canada won't extend my rust-perforation warranty like it's doing with the 2001-2004s. If anyone has had this treatment applied to their truck, please let me know. Thanks.
thanks
I am in the market for a Tacoma sized truck from this era (price-driven), and honestly can't think of any other make/model/style that I'd rather own. So my question is this...what are the odds of finding a Taco of this vintage that will last as long as it should?
Also, if these trucks are so bad (Not to doubt ANYTHING I have read here), how come all the automotive reviews websites (including Consumer Reports, MSN autos, etc), STILL rate the used Tacomas as excellent vehicles to buy? NOT ONE MENTION on Consumer Reports of any frame problems? Also, almost all the personal reviewers RAVE about this vehicle. Don't believe me, see for yourselves. Am I delusional, or could it be that you folks are the "vocal minority"?
I'd be curious to know how many folks here know of people who have NO ISSUES with their Tacos' frames, especially up north in snowy climates?
I guess I'd like one kinda badly, and need to be talked out of buying one. Of course, I'd have my mechanic inspect it first.
Thanks
PS: I am truly sorry for those who've been BONED by Toyota. Some of your stories are almost heartbreaking.
but if they are not in a high salt area then they prob wont have a frame issue.
other than the frame having a problem with corrosion protection, the truck is rock solid.( no pun)
I loved my truck and it was typical toyota quality.
I assume that CR and others rave about it because they have not and may never experience this frame issue depending on where they live.
The sales brochure for the 95 and 1/2 states: Tacoma's tough anti-corrosive steel frame resists rusting. That's one of the reasons I bought the truck. Sounds like something changed in the years following the first year?
Mrbill
Was your VIN within the "Extended Warranty" range? Have you had your dealer give it "the inspection"? Have you taken any extraordinary protective measures under carriage? Are you the original owner?
thanks for the post...maybe I'll hafta aim for a 1995.0 or older. Guess I'd get "more truck" for the $$ that way.
thanks for posting.
I love my truck, and even with all this pain and suffering, wouldn't buy anything else. I
I purchased the truck new, and did have it undercoated. Although it may have helped with the outside of the frame from rusting, I don't think they did any spraying on the inside of the "box" of the frame, and other posts stated the rust is bad on the inside and outside the frame. I poked around myself in just about every hole I could reach into and did not find any scale. There must be some truth in the statement from Toyota that not all frames are prone to the problem.
Kind of ironic for me, I wouldn't mind replacing my truck, but would rather get the 1.5x the KBB value for a rusted frame.
BTW, mine is a 4x2, I wonder if the frame is different on a 4x4? The posts usually don't state if there truck is a 4x2 or 4x4.
Mrbill
It was about a 3 hour drive from where we lived, but the 1st dealers reputation is not very good and we did not want to deal with them at that point. Her second inspection showed a hole in the frame, and both of her cab mounts were gone.
She also lost her brakes on the way over. When the rep. who met her asked, he could not believe they jepordized her life that way. All I can say is know your dealer
& check out their reputation before going to see them.
no idea how that is possible since recalls are due to safety concerns.
maybe because the frame problem was never reported as an event that cause anyone harm and or death.
I had the frame replaced on my '02 Tacoma last month. I am very pleased with the result. No problems at all. Here is a list of the parts that were covered under the extended warranty:
I had a hole in the top of my muffler and I had the dealer replace that at the same time. My only cost for that was the material cost. I am told that this muffler is warranted for as long as I own the vehicle - free replacement by Toyota if I ever needed to.
I had a rental car for the entire week. It takes all of one week. Mine went in on Monday morning and I picked it back up late that Friday. Toyota indicates that the job involves 60 manhours of labor. I was able to visit the work effort every day and be shown the progress as everything came apart and went back together. The dealer tells me that these frame replacements costs Toyota about $13K each, all told. I believe it.
I've been in the market for a (new-to-me) used truck, and DO NOT LIKE the looks of others in this class (Frontier, Durango, etc). Keep getting drawn back to the idea of a Tacoma. Among other things, for the size, it seems the Taco gets the best gas mileage. I've see plenty advertised, and wonder how many have had their frames replaced...NONE OF THE ADS I SEE neither mention the possibility of frame problems, nor state that the frame's been already replaced. You would think that the supply of available trucks would, at this point, include a certain quantity that have had the frame replaced already. Kinda wonder about the new frame's corrosion treatment too, and issues CAUSED by de-constructing / re-constructing a truck.
I would think that an '01-'04 truck with a new frame COULD BE a decent driver, OR could have lots of issues. I also would like to hear from others who've been DOWN THAT ROAD (pun intended!) .
"'01-'04 truck with a new frame COULD BE a decent driver, OR could have lots of issues."
there is no way of knowing until you own it and drove it for a little while.
its hit or miss and I dont think its worth the chance, however,
tacoma's are the best truck aside from the frame problem.
also, toyota is now claiming 01 to 04 but prior to that magically it only involved 95 to 00. so I would not be surpised if it extends to 06 later down the road.
Only reason they have not mentioned that is because I think they are still to new to see a problem yet.
Grammy
We were shocked. The frame is the single largest and most important structural part of the truck. The entire vehicle has to be disassambled and reassembled. Quite frankly, the truck will never be the same. There is a serious safety issue if we don't get the new frame and potential serious safety issues if they get it wrong.
We have spoken directly with Toyota only to be fed the "party line."
We want Toyota to buy back the truck just as they did for thousands of 1995 - 2000 owners this past year. This is the same vehicle and there is no way we owners of 2001 -2005 Tacomas should be treated as second-class citizens.
What can we do to push Toyota to buy ours (and others). Anyone with ideas please let us know.
A friend went by a local dealer in Litchfield, CT the other day and say a tractor trailer load of frames being unloaded. I can't believe Tacoma owners are buying off on this.
Help?
David
it’s more like Toyota is not giving you a choice.
Look at my previous posts and you will see I agree 100%.
replacing the frame is not the answer but apparently Toyota seems to think it’s cheaper for them.
When you call corp you do in fact get a cute pre-recorded message about how they care about their customers involved in the frame problem.
At the same time they also act as if they are hero;s for acknowledging the problem and providing a solution as if they didnt have to but are because they care.
I had a 2001 and managed to get in on the buyback before the frame replacment
"program" was initiated.
the only option I think you have is to get it replaced and then get rid of it.
however that is not fair because you wont get as much on a trade or private sale as the people got back from the buy back program.
I still dont understand how toyota got away with this not being a recall.
I posted on Edmunds, Tacoma World and several other sights expressing my opinions that I wasn't happy, I was worried about the major repairs and problems down the road.
In the process I also learned why Toyota was replacing frames and not buying them back for those who don't know the story. Dana Corporation was the company that actually made the defective frames. They didn't use the right mixture in the steel thus they rot, not rust, in the salt belt. Toyota isn't footing all the bill for these re-builds. Dana is making the frames for Toyota, so don't think it's Toyota that is picking up the entire price for the rebuild. Its more 50/50.
Since I live in NE Ohio, my Tacoma has had 8 years of healthy salt which led to a 6 inch hole in the side of the frame. I was mad, I was upset that Toyota was ignoring all of us that were complaining, but I don't have the time or the energy to keep fighting, so I gave in.
To make it worse, my Tacoma was the first to go under the knife at my dealership. As poorly as Kevin and Headquarters treated you when you spoke to them, I found just the opposite from the dealership. The Service Manager was really great, nice, knowledgable and walked me through the process.
The day I took my truck in, they had already had the frame all assembled and fully ready to start the process. During the week they had the truck I had new shocks, tailpipe and two sensors changed out. Most of us bought a Tacoma because they are great looking trucks and we all expect them to last even with a little abuse. I have 134k miles on the truck and really expect it to last me (and my kids who will be driving in 3 years) 8+ more years.
The truck rides like new, seems to sit alittle higher with the new shocks and springs. I am even considering a new paint job to touch up some of the chips and scrapes it's picked up over the years. There wasn't any rust on the truck except for the frame. When they took the truck apart, it was suprisingly clean under the bed and body. I haven't had any squeeks, electrical problems or anything else I can speak to. Its been good for me.
For those that are fighting, good luck. I hope you can get the 150%, I know I wasn't able to convince Toyota to give it to me. If you like your truck but are concerned, don't trade it in, get the frame re-build done. I hope you have as good as experience as I had.
I've had it back now 2 weeks. I have to admit that I am glad I had it done. The truck runs as well as it did when I bought it. As upset as I was at Toyota Headquarters you really have to ask yourself... really would any other car maker do this? Though its Dana footing the bill, I have a new 8 year old truck.