What do you do then? Should you simply abandon your desire to purchase a second-generation Tacoma? The second-generation versions from 2011 to 2015 are what you should focus on because they appear to have fewer corrosion issues.
However, here’s what you can do if you already own a 20052010 Tacoma or if you have your heart set on one:
In This Article...
Tacoma Frame Rust Extended Warranty
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.
What Do They Do In The Recall?
As previously noted, Toyota will inspect the frame of your Tacoma for free. They would likely contact a representative from Toyota’s corporate offices to discuss their alternatives if it finds out that the rust has perforated the frame by 10mm or more.
One of two things can happen from here: either they’ll purchase your Tacoma back for 150 percent of its “great condition Blue Book retail value. Alternately, they might completely replace the Tacoma’s frame.
Your Tacoma will be out of operation for some time because this is a challenging and lengthy process. If this turns out to be essential, be careful to make other transportation plans.
Toyota stores will apply corrosion-resistant chemicals to your Tacoma to assist reduce the corrosion if it hasn’t advanced more than 10mm. Some owners claim that it could take a few days to complete this process as well.
Which Deal Should I Insist On?
It’s difficult to decide if you should demand a repurchase or a new frame. You will receive a sizable sum of money from a repurchase, but you will then need to choose a replacement.
A new frame seems like a nice idea in the interim. You get to keep your cherished Tacoma and a new, more rust-resistant frame. A big repair job like this is, however, frequently regarded as not being a good idea.
Therefore, select the option with which you are most comfortable. In either case, it’s preferable to paying $15,000 out of pocket for a full frame replacement. With labor adding another $10,000, the frame itself costs roughly $5,000. With so much money, you might as well purchase a new vehicle.
How About The 4Runner?
Toyota has, regrettably, not offered 4Runner owners a fix. Owners of the 4Runner are also reporting rust issues, though they don’t appear to be as common as those with the Tacoma. The most notable example is Gary Weinreich, who sued Toyota in December 2018.
Keep an eye on the case if you own or want to purchase a 4Runner because it is still active. A 4Runner frame replacement will likewise cost you about $15,000, in case you’re curious.
When did Toyota address the frame corrosion issue?
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).
Toyotas still rot, right?
If you don’t want your truck to rust, there are a few used Toyota Tacoma model years to stay away from. A car’s surface gradually develops rust, which eventually consumes it. However, some trucks, like these Toyota Tacomas, corrode more easily than others.
Toyota still swaps out Tundra frames, right?
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.
Do new Tacomas have rust concerns with the frame?
One of the most useful, capable, and dependable mid-size trucks money can buy is the Toyota Tacoma. They do, however, experience several issues, chief among which is the infamous Tacoma frame rust.
What model years of Tundra frames did Toyota recall?
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.
Which automobiles have the lowest rust risk?
Top 10 automobiles that never rust
- Yaris, Sienna, Solara, Venza, RAV4, 4Runner, FJ Cruiser, Highlander, Matrix, Prius, and Toyota Camry;
- B-Class and C-Class Mercedes-Benz;
- Hyundai Sonata, Santa Fe, Entourage, Accent, Elantra, and Tuscon;
- Magentis, Optima, Rondo, Sedona, Spectra, and Sportage from Kia.
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 an 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 balance 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.
When do I need to be concerned about frame rust?
Therefore, you are curious: “How much rust on a car is too much? The response is not absurd. You should know there is nothing like common corrosion, first and foremost. The boxed section of your car’s frame, on the other hand, starting to peel off should be a warning sign for you to act quickly.
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.
All of the car’s components and accessories are supported by the frame. Therefore, when you notice significant rust on the car frame, it suggests that the support that the frame provides for the entire car body may be at risk.
What occurs then if a frame snaps while driving? Of course, your car wouldn’t necessarily break in half as seen in movies. But rust might make a portion of the car weaker. Further rusting may result in a moving car part coming off, which would be odd-looking. On the road, however, the car would not totally disintegrate into bits.
You’ve had your automobile for a while and are almost ready to sell it when you start to wonder: “Is it prohibited to market a vehicle with a rusted frame? In the majority of US states, selling an automobile with a rusty frame isn’t always against the law.
However, they are required to make this private information public in a document. The buyer might file a lawsuit against the car dealer for failing to disclose the compromised car structure if there is no written record of it.
You can bring your automobile to a skilled auto technician for corroded frame repair depending on the type and extent of rust your car has been subjected to. Repairing a rusty car structure often costs between $1,500 and more. The time-consuming and difficult work contributes to this high expense.
Although you have the option to repair the bottom portion of your car as well, the expense of fixing subsurface rust is not very significant. Budget somewhere between $110 and $175. This price includes the cost of the parts as well as the mechanic’s labor.
To remove the rust, your vehicle mechanic might wish to try a different technique. To adequately bind the elements, he might either sandpaper the rust or apply paint and a durable coating finish. If the rust gets worse while being sandpapered, he can also replace the entire panel.
This is the exciting part. When cars with rust issues are exposed to salt water and air, they rust. Typically, cars with these problems have a lower resale value. As a result, you should steer clear of some vehicles with rust issues while looking to buy your next vehicle.
Q: How long will a rusted frame last?
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. A road with standing water can interfere with the coating finish applied to the damaged area.
Weather conditions have an equal impact on automotive rust. For instance, when the weather becomes cold during the winter and your car is exposed to the elements together with salt, this can cause rust to develop.
Q: Can you drive a car with a rusted frame?
It is not advisable to drive a car with a rusted frame due to the potential for damage, as rust is a form of corrosion that slowly eats away at the structure, turning the metallic frame into flaky powder.
Your car’s structure automatically loses structural integrity over time as rust eats away at it deeply. Such an automobile may wind up with some of its parts breaking apart while in motion if you force yourself to drive it. In a word, excessive corrosion will have a negative effect on your car’s performance.
Q: How much does it cost to fix a rusted frame on a car?
Even if you continue to put off fixing the rust on your car, you will eventually have to come out from hiding. The car will eventually break down and demand payment. You should be better prepared to understand the basics of the repair rather than avoiding the obligation of fixing the reason.
Rusted car frame repairs can cost as low as $25 and as much as $1500. The cost mostly depends on the extent of the rust present on the structure and the quality of the proposed rust repair. You must be aware that not all vehicle mechanics provide corrosion repair, which raises the price.
Q: Will insurance cover a rusted frame?
The majority of insurance companies refuse to compensate for rusting frames. The explanation seems plausible. As was previously said, rusting is a process that develops over time as a result of wear and tear from exposure to seawater and air. However, because wear and tear is a scheduled event for which the owner should have made enough preparations, typical insurance policies do not cover it.
Car insurance companies only cover unforeseen occurrences like head-on collisions with other cars, third-party compensation, and other connected accidents, rather than covering rust and mechanical issues.
Q: When should I worry about frame rust?
It’s necessary to cease driving your car when the structure of your vehicle develops severe rust to the point where multiple holes start to form. The gaps in your car’s frame suggest that its structural integrity has significantly declined.
The police have the authority to pull you over and demand that your car be hauled off the road if it has an excessive amount of rust on its frame. It is crucial that you ascertain the type of rust that your car’s frame may occasionally be experiencing.
The rust could be visible or hidden, structural or aesthetic. Any sort of corrosion requires your car mechanic’s immediate attention. You can also determine the type of rust with the aid of a panel beater. Rust requires your attention because it spreads over time and may impact unaffected portions.
Q: Should I buy a car with rust underneath?
The majority of automotive rust issues are found beneath the vehicle and any connected parts. The most frequent type of rusting is beneath because the components of the car underneath are in constant contact with salt water and air, which causes corrosion.
Rust-free auto parts guarantee the longevity of the vehicle’s structure and its continued performance. As a result, it is wise to consult your mechanic to find out the type of rust underneath a car before you buy it.
Your expert auto mechanic will be able to determine if the rust is little or so dangerous that fixing it would be extremely expensive.
Q: Is frame rust repairable?
Your panel beater will need to confirm the level of rust if you want to know if a corroded frame is repairable. Localized rust on the frame can be removed by sanding the damaged area, applying rust treatment, painting, and applying coating finish. The rusting is stopped and prevented from spreading by this technique.
However, if the rust on the frame has already begun to form holes, your car repair will need to remove the damaged area and replace it with a new one. Apply paint and a finishing coat.
If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty while you apply grease and paint, you may easily fix cosmetic rust on your own by setting aside quality time. That is all there is to it!
Q: How dangerous is a rusted subframe?
Rust on your car’s structure should cause you serious concern. Rust weakens the structural integrity of your car when it is severe. As a result, when the car is moving down the road, pieces may pull off or break.
The vehicle may not offer sufficient protection in the event of a collision with another vehicle on the road since the integrity of the car’s structure has been damaged.
A collision with an approaching vehicle can be fatal, even if you might be able to drive with a bent automobile frame provided it still aligns correctly. Instead of putting your life and the lives of your passengers in danger, it is better for you to repair the damage professionally.
Q: Can you fix rust under a car?
In a word, yes! Even the sharpest swords will rust if submerged in saline water. As was previously said, exposing your car to seawater and air can create rust. As long as the severity is not too severe, it can be addressed. The smallest amount of rust can be removed by sanding; paint and a coating finish can then be applied to stop the rust from spreading.
The afflicted area should be replaced as a whole by your auto mechanic if the rust has eaten too deeply into the material.