AND NOW IT'S WORTH NOTHING......

[FRANKIE]

A few days ago I had taken my Toyota truck to the local Pep Boys auto shop for an oil change. When I went to pick it up, they said they didn't change the oil. They said the frame of the truck was too rusted to place on the lift. I was told that Toyota had rust problems for several years on their truck frames and that they had a recall and were replacing the frames at their cost, approximately $15,000.00. I stopped over at the local Toyota dealership and told them the story about Pep Boys. The service manager looked over at my truck and his eyes popped out. He said they had been constantly replacing truck frames. There were 3 in the shop now and 8 waiting to come in. When he looked at my truck, he said it was the second worse frame he had ever seen. He gave me Toyota's phone number and I called it right away. Toyota informed me that the replacement period ended last January and that there was nothing I could do. The former owner had received all the recall notices and never contacted me about them or perhaps with the registration in my name, he might have thought I had gotten them also. At any rate there is nothing I can do. It's a complete loss. It's such an unusual thing. Everything about the truck was great except the frame rust. I don't know what I can do. Perhaps I can part it out as the engine and auto 4x4 trans are perfect. 130,000 miles on the truck. They strongly recommended that I didn't drive it home as one good bump and the frame would break completely. I drome it home anyway very carefully and slowly, about 4 miles. Soooo, what else is new???........Frankie

 

[BMBabe]

That's awful news! do not except the answer
Keep pushing them for a replacement

 

[Ianmc]

How old is the vehicle Frankie? Suggest ask Toyota (in writing) if they expect their frames to rust out like that in X number of years.

They may prefer to fix your vehicle rather than answer that question!

 

[Redline]

Toyotas own records should have shown that your truck hadn’t been recalled but they let you continue driving it without checking you were aware of the recall. I would take legal advice.

 

[abh29]

http://autoweek.com/article/recalls/toyota-frame-settlement-could-cost-company-34-billion

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/2791663/nissan-navara-safety-fears/

I had the Z3 under sealed recently and the technician doing it commented then on the corrosion he has seen on Toyota trucks,to the extent he advised some owners they were not worth doing.

 

[5harp3y]

That's shocking.

id be pushing very very strongly for them to fix this.

 

[Grumps]

@FRANKIE that is a shocking story, when you say frame I assume you mean Chassis? I'm with @Redline On this one mate, push Toyota, if no luck seek legal action.

 

[t-tony]

It's no big surprise. It's already happening over here with Nissan Navaras, the chassis snaps in two just behind the cab. Especially on special extended type vehicles.

Tony.

 

[FRANKIE]

How old is the vehicle Frankie? Suggest ask Toyota (in writing) if they expect their frames to rust out like that in X number of years.

They may prefer to fix your vehicle rather than answer that question!

The truck is a 2002 but I've had it between 3and 4 years. Their recall ended last January. They say that notices were sent out to the old owner. I think that in the past years, they should have updated their records of ownership. After all, what if the previous owner mooves or dies? Does that let Toyota off the hook?...............Frankie

 

[Medskipper]

A few days ago I had taken my Toyota truck to the local Pep Boys auto shop for an oil change. When I went to pick it up, they said they didn't change the oil. They said the frame of the truck was too rusted to place on the lift. I was told that Toyota had rust problems for several years on their truck frames and that they had a recall and were replacing the frames at their cost, approximately $15,000.00. I stopped over at the local Toyota dealership and told them the story about Pep Boys. The service manager looked over at my truck and his eyes popped out. He said they had been constantly replacing truck frames. There were 3 in the shop now and 8 waiting to come in. When he looked at my truck, he said it was the second worse frame he had ever seen. He gave me Toyota's phone number and I called it right away. Toyota informed me that the replacement period ended last January and that there was nothing I could do. The former owner had received all the recall notices and never contacted me about them or perhaps with the registration in my name, he might have thought I had gotten them also. At any rate there is nothing I can do. It's a complete loss. It's such an unusual thing. Everything about the truck was great except the frame rust. I don't know what I can do. Perhaps I can part it out as the engine and auto 4x4 trans are perfect. 130,000 miles on the truck. They strongly recommended that I didn't drive it home as one good bump and the frame would break completely. I drome it home anyway very carefully and slowly, about 4 miles. Soooo, what else is new???........Frankie

I guess with 130k miles on the clock it’s quite old? What year is it?

 

[Redline]

She doesn’t absolve the manufacturer where recalls are concerned.
Do you have to register or license your cars over there. If so there is a record of ownership.

 

[FRANKIE]

She doesn’t absolve the manufacturer where recalls are concerned.
Do you have to register or license your cars over there. If so there is a record of ownership.

I called the National Highway Traffic Administration and they informed me that while I was the registered owner of the truck, they had the obligation to inform me of the recall. While the recall was still ongoing, I owned the truck for about 2 years. I just called Toyota and spoke with another representative and told them what th government said. They're referring it to a case manager who will call me within 24 hours. Fingers are crossed.............................Frankie

 

[Redline]

I called the National Highway Traffic Administration and they informed me that while I was the registered owner of the truck, they had the obligation to inform me of the recall. While the recall was still ongoing, I owned the truck for about 2 years. I just called Toyota and spoke with another representative and told them what th government said. They're referring it to a case manager who will call me within 24 hours. Fingers are crossed.............................Frankie

Good luck Frankie - there’s hope yet!

 

[G4FUJ]

Yes.
I hope things will now be sorted.

 

[Jjim]

Hope you manage to get it sorted and Toyota take responsibility

 

[Jack Ratt]

Best of luck Frankie, hope it works out for you

 

[Pingu]

Bad news. The surprising thing is that you weren't aware beforehand.

Do you not have an annual test? If so, was nothing reported?

I doubt that you will have any claim on a 15 year old vehicle. I think vehicles are usually expected to last 10 years. Any support that you get after that is through goodwill (this includes spares support).

Good luck chasing it, though - I would.

 

[Mint]

Keep at 'em Frankie, hope they sort it out for you.

 

[Redcon1]

(Edit) I see you have a 2002. My DD in winter is a 2012 4x4 Access Cab. (not one of the years affected by recall).

I hope you are over at TacomaWorld.com-- There are hundreds of 1st & 2nd-Gen owners that have had the frame warrantied and lots of stories about exactly how that process happened. Generally Toyota is bending to the good will side and replacing frames, even those they had previously inspected as good.

Good luck and let us know how it works out.

 

[t-tony]

I tested a 96 Toyota 4x4 pick up this morning with only 86,000 miles but the chassis was still sound and it is fitted with a tow bar.

Tony.