One of the most dependable automobile manufacturers in the world is Toyota.
Except for several popular pickup truck frames, buyers are essentially promised years of trouble-free driving.
Until a few days ago, when Jenne Middleton heard a terrible sound, her 2004 Toyota Tacoma had been a reliable buddy.
Middlton claimed the car started swerving, so she took it to a nearby repair shop and received some unfavorable information.
They claimed that the frame was rusty, damaged, and hazardous to drive, Middleton added.
It needed a new frame, according to mechanic Mike Fehler, or the entire back end might come off.
“In essence, the area where the leaf spring attaches to the frame is crucial and load bearing. It secures the truck’s bed to it “explained he.
Safety recalls prevent injuries and save money; in this case, they prevented the need for costly repairs. However, many automakers have a time limit on them and will no longer pay for repairs after, say, 15 years.
Toyota has issued a restricted recall for Middleton’s pickup, but it was set to expire in 2019. She had almost missed the deadline for the warranty.
In 2016, the automaker committed to fixing or purchasing back millions of Tacoma, Tundra, and Sequoia SUVs with rusted frames that were manufactured between 2004 and 2008, and in certain cases, 2010 as well.
I owned the car in 2019, but I never got a notification, she claimed.
Here’s some advise so it doesn’t happen to you: make sure the manufacturer of your automobile has your current address so they can send you any repair advisories or recalls. To see if you have any unrepaired recalls, you should go visit recalls.gov.
Middleton expressed his desire to keep his truck. “I’m confident it can travel another 100,000 kilometers.”
A representative from Toyota informed us that although the firm would not guarantee Middleton a free repair, they would speak with her about her choices.
In This Article...
Will Toyota continue to swap out frames?
Have your Subject Vehicle’s frame examined at no cost by a Toyota Dealer to determine whether the frame needs to be replaced. An authorized Toyota Dealer will replace the vehicle’s frame for free if the inspection reveals that it has to be replaced.
How can I become eligible for a replacement Toyota frame?
In other words, the holes in the frame must be greater than 10 mm in diameter (about the width of a marble). For certain cars, Toyota will swap out the frame and provide a rental car while the work is being done. The program is only available to working trucks; titles for salvage or serious damage are not accepted.
Has Toyota addressed the frame rust issue?
Toyota ultimately agreed to offer Tacoma, Tundra, and Sequoia owners a fix for the frame corrosion issue, but it required a $3 billion class-action lawsuit.
They expanded the warranty’s scope, and owners can now bring their vehicles in for a free checkup and part replacement, if needed. If necessary, Toyota may in some instances completely replace the vehicle’s frame.
The duration of this coverage, however, is about to expire, and for some model years, it already has. This is the specifics:
- 15 years for model years 19952000.
- 12 or 15 years for model years 20052010.
- 12 years for model years 20112017.
Unfortunately, the extended warranty has expired for various 20052010 models, as well as units from 2000 and earlier. Some may still be qualified, and models from 2011 to 2017 are still eligible for a checkup.
We advise getting in touch with your neighborhood Toyota dealership if you own a Tacoma from those model years to get your vehicle inspected. In the interim, we advise prospective purchasers to look up the car’s history to determine if the previous owner has submitted the vehicle for the recall.
Which models of Toyotas have frame recalls?
In 2016, Toyota agreed to pay $3 billion to fix millions of Tacoma, Tundra, and Sequoia SUVs with rusted frames as part of a settlement of a class-action lawsuit. Model years from 2004 to 2008 are affected (or 2010 in a few cases). This comes after an earlier extended warranty that applied to Toyota trucks between 1995 and 2003.
When did Toyota change its frames?
Purchase one, and drivers are nearly assured years of trouble-free driving, with the exception of several popular pickup truck frames.
Until a few days ago, when it started swerving, Jeanne Middleton’s 2004 Toyota Tacoma was a reliable companion.
They claimed that the frame was rusty, damaged, and hazardous to drive, Middleton added.
It needs a new frame, according to mechanic Mike Fehler, or the entire back end may come off.
According to Fehler, the load-bearing area where the leaf spring attaches to the frame is essentially what secures the truck bed to the vehicle.
Recalls on unsafe products save lives, as well as thousands of dollars in repairs.
However, many automakers place a time limit on them, and after, say, 15 years, they will no longer pay for a repair.
In 2016, Toyota made a deal to fix or buy back millions of rusted-out Tacoma, Tundra, and Sequoia SUVs. Models from 2004 to 2008, and occasionally 2010 were covered.
Make sure the manufacturer of the car has a current address on file for recalls or service bulletins to ensure that this doesn’t happen to other car owners. Additionally, determine if any unfixed recalls have been submitted by visiting recalls.gov.
Middleton stated, “I would love to keep my truck because I know it has another 100,000 miles in it. However, it needs a $7,000 frame repair to do that.
Will Toyota swap out my 4Runner’s frame?
The overly rusted frame of your 4Runner will be replaced for free by Toyota Motor Corporation if you decide to launch your product liability lawsuit with the aid of our legal team. Toyota Motor Corporation is accountable for producing cars with improperly treated undercarriages.
Key Points
- Airbags that might not deploy and excessive rust and rot that compromises the structural integrity of the frame were the two problems that led to the recall of Toyota Tacomas from 2005 to 2010.
- For a variety of issues, the 2016 and 2017 models received poor ratings overall, with a peculiar transmission being the most prevalent.
- Overall, the Toyota Tacoma is among the best midsize pickups in its class, and if you steer clear of the model’s worst years, you should be delighted with your purchase.
Can a car’s rusting frame be fixed?
Yes, a truck frame that has cracks in it can be repaired with welding. But this is not a task that should be taken lightly.
You might put yourself and your passengers in danger if you make just one mistake. But you can also be breaking the law in addition to endangering your safety.
Federal law prohibits anybody other than the vehicle’s manufacturer from drilling holes into the rail flanges of a vehicle. As a result, many “homebrew” or “DIY” welders are technically forbidden from being used on public roads. While we would advise against it, you are free to decide how much danger you are willing to take and whether or not to utilize your truck for off-roading on your land. The same car, though, is not permitted to be driven on a public street or highway.
Additionally, if a weld was improperly completed and it causes damage or injuries, the welder may be held civilly liable. As a result, many shops outright decline to weld a car’s frame because they just do not want to take that chance.
Additionally, some insurance providers won’t cover a car if the frame has been chopped or welded. You will have a lot fewer options and probably end up paying a higher insurance price if you decide to have your frame welded.
Having said that, a skilled welder with knowledge of frame construction may repair a broken frame. The procedure typically entails fabricating and welding a plate or sleeve covering both halves of the break. Once again, only a highly qualified specialist should handle this job.
In most cases, having the frame fixed doesn’t really make much sense if your truck is worth less than this amount because frame restoration can cost up to $10,000. It is far preferable to get a new frame for your truck than to weld the current one, if there are any available for it. However, for the majority of vintage trucks, a weld will be your only choice.
How long is the life of a car frame?
What is the lifespan of a rusty frame? Typically, a good car should take at least five years to develop a similar problem after correctly fixing a rusty frame. The type of the environment where cars are regularly driven is another aspect that could affect how long a rusted frame lasts.
What model years of Tundra frames did Toyota recall?
Even the top automakers have problems at times, and Toyota is no exception. Toyota offers a variety of vehicles, including pickup trucks and passenger cars. With cars that are truly in a class of their own, this Japanese automaker is a global leader. However, rust appears to be the only issue this brand is having.
Due to frame corrosion, the business had to recall thousands of Toyota Tundra models from the years 2000 to 2003 that were marketed in the US. The Toyota Tundra was the second full-size pickup truck produced by a Japanese company and the first full-size pickup produced by a Japanese company in North America. Additionally, it was a candidate for the North American “Truck of the Year” award.
Despite the Tundra’s popularity and performance, the company was forced to recall them due to unanticipated frame rust. The Japanese automaker accused one of its suppliers of giving them subpar steel for the frames of the Truck.
Does the Toyota warranty cover rust?
Although Toyota cars are among the best-built, highest-quality vehicles on the market, problems can still occur in them. Toyota provides new car owners with a unique guarantee to cover any issues that arise with their cars soon after they purchase them. We’re showing you what is covered by the Toyota warranty because we want you to know that your car is in good hands here at Dan Cava’s Toyota World.
Even though the Toyota warranty has many different components, all of which are explained in your Warranty and Maintenance Guide, we’ll just discuss the major ones, such as the Basic Warranty, Powertrain Warranty, Emissions Warranty, and Corrosion Coverage.
What does my warranty cover?
The fundamental warranty provides assistance to owners who run into issues with Toyota-supplied components or workmanship within the first 36 months or 36,000 miles of ownership, whichever comes first. As long as the vehicle satisfies these criteria and the issue is caused by a Toyota part or craftsmanship, drivers will receive any required repairs on their car free of charge under the standard warranty.
This warranty also includes coverage for wheel balancing and alignment, but only for the first 12 months or 12,000 miles.
The Powertrain Warranty will pay for repairs if your new Toyota’s engine develops issues. This covers a wide range of powertrain problems, including fixing the front hub and hearings as well as the timing belt and oil pump. Consult your Warranty and Maintenance Guide if you have a specific issue and want to know if your warranty will cover it.
This guarantee is valid for the first 60 months that you own your car or the first 60,000 miles that you drive your Toyota, whichever comes first.
The Toyota Corrosion coverage will take care of any corrosion or rust issues your car may have. Any original body panel replacement is permitted by this coverage. Regardless of mileage, the corrosion coverage is valid for the first 60 months of ownership.
Toyota will perform all required repairs on your vehicle if it fails to pass the relevant emissions standard in an EPA-approved emissions test and this failure results in a fine for the owner. The first two years or 24,000 miles after the vehicle’s put-in-service date are covered by this guarantee.