Toyota has extended the guarantee on the frames of 2000-2003 Tundras, allowing dealers to replace rusted frames on 2000-2003 Toyota Tundras without charging the customer, according to a letter distributed to Toyota dealers. This is great news for Toyota Tundra owners who have experienced frame corrosion difficulties and serves as a potent reminder of Toyota’s dedication to both quality and customer satisfaction. We enthusiastically support this action, even though it didn’t happen as quickly as we would have hoped.
The details of the free frame replacement program are as follows:
- No matter where they were purchased, all Tundras from 2000 to 2003 are eligible for frame repair.
- The frame will only need to be changed if rust perforation is discovered, and only if it is larger than 10mm in diameter. A marble’s diameter is roughly 10mm, for comparison.
- Perforated frames will be replaced without charge, and a rental car will be available while the frame is being changed.
- The vehicle’s overall condition must be satisfactory in order to be eligible for a free frame replacement, but there is no mileage restriction. This program excludes trucks with significant body damage, non-operational powertrains, and salvage vehicles.
- Up to April 2012, this program is still available.
In This Article...
When was the frame of the Toyota Tundra recalled?
To repair excessive rust on the vehicle’s frame, Toyota will recall 110,000 Tundra vehicles from the 20002003 model years.
To repair excessive rust on the vehicle’s frame, Toyota Motor Corp. will recall 110,000 Tundra trucks from the 20002003 model years. In order to prevent the spare tire from falling onto the road and endangering other vehicles, the government advised owners to remove it from the frame.
The 20002003 model year Tundras registered in 20 “cold weather” states and the District of Columbia are subject to the recall that was issued on Tuesday. Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin are the states in question.
After receiving 20 reports of “serious frame corrosion,” the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched an inquiry into excessive rust on Tundra frames in October. The spare tire, which was kept under the truck bed, allegedly came off from the frame, according to 15 reports, the NHTSA reported at the time. According to five other investigations, the rust is to blame for broken brake lines.
Road salts and chemical deicers are frequently used to treat roads during the winter and might cause extra corrosion in the trucks, according to Toyota, which said on Tuesday that it was recalling the trucks in the cold weather states.
Toyota announced that it will start notifying owners in December and asking them to bring their trucks to a Toyota dealer for an inspection of the rear cross-member of the frame. According to Toyota, the cross-member assembly will be changed if the examination reveals that it can no longer support the spare tire in a secure manner.
The dealer will come up with a temporary fix, such as taking out the spare tire and strapping it to the truck bed, if replacement parts are not readily accessible.
Toyota stated that owners will have a corrosion-resistant substance put to the frame if no major rust is observed. Toyota stated that owners will not be charged for the inspections or repairs.
Owners of 2000-2003 Tundras registered outside of states with harsh winters will also be contacted, according to NHTSA, and their cars will be inspected and fixed if they so want.
Toyota stated that customers may “Remove the spare tire to reduce the possibility of it detaching from the rear cross-member. If you decide to do this, please make sure you are not underneath the spare tire carrier or rear cross-member when it is being lowered.” Additionally, the car manufacturer advised customers to store the spare tire in the truck bed or other parts of the car.
Does Toyota still offer a frame warranty?
There have been numerous recalls in the past involving rusting truck chassis for Toyota. Toyota eventually had to settle a class-action lawsuit by providing a constrained repair window since there were so many complaints.
Getting your car fixed for nothing in this particular Toyota frame recall is very challenging. Although NHTSA recalls never expire, Toyota’s recall merely provided its customers with an extended frame warranty. The vast majority of recalled drivers are completely unaware of it!
Rust frequently spreads to other sections of a car when it starts to rust in one place. Your car is vulnerable to a number of serious safety hazards if the frame is not replaced, including:
- Crackly shocks
- driving while vibrating
- tire and wheel alignment issues
- irregular tire wear
- Separate exhaust
- compromised physical makeup
- removable truck bed
- a damaged undercarriage
Which Cars Were Affected by the Toyota Frame Recall?
The Toyota 4Runner, Tacoma, and Sequoia SUVs were included in the most recent recall. Between 2004 and 2010, these vehicles would have been manufactured.
When Was the Extended Warranty Supposed to Expire?
Only 15 years after the car’s production date is the Toyota extended frame warranty still in effect. You will be liable for paying for the vehicle’s repairs after that time period has gone. Depending on the extent of the damage, the cost of restoration could reach $10,000.
Do Toyota’s 2005 Tundra frames still need to be replaced?
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.
Toyota still going to replace 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.
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.
Do tundras have structural problems?
The frames of the Tacoma, T100, and Tundra have all experienced corrosion problems. Because of the seriousness of the rust issues, Toyota has:
- listened to complaints from Toyota T-100 owners who experience the same corrosion issues as those seen in the first-generation Tacoma and first-generation Tundra
- At a high expense (upwards of $18,000 per vehicle), the frame of numerous 2000-2003 Tundras with frame perforation caused by rust was replaced.
- Several 19952000 Tacomas with rust and dust issues were purchased back, paying owners 150% of Kelly Blue Book’s “good value”
When did Toyota start experiencing frame issues?
One of the most dependable automobile manufacturers in the world is Toyota.
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.
When do I need to be concerned about frame rust?
Additionally, you should start to worry about the frame rust when you notice holes all over your car’s frame. Your car’s frame integrity is affected if there are holes present. No matter how far you are going, it might not be a good idea at this moment to get in your car and drive.
How long will Toyota recall its frames?
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.