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 1995–2000.
- 12 years for model years 2011–2017.
- 12 or 15 years for model years 2005–2010.
Unfortunately, the extended warranty has expired for various 2005–2010 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.
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Rusty Toyota frames?
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.
Do Toyotas typically rust?
Toyota Tacoma vehicles from 2005 to 2010 are reportedly more susceptible to corrosion than previous versions. These Tacoma trucks came in fifth place on Hot Cars’ ranking of the ten vehicles that rust the most. Only five model years with issues were included.
Later, the mystery deepens. According to Hot Cars, Toyota faced a significant legal battle in 2016 over the necessity to rebuild over 225,000 steel frames due to extreme corrosion. The Tacoma and a different kind of truck that isn’t specified both used these frames. But at this time, rust problems also affected the Toyota Tundra and Sequoia.
In Maumee, Ohio, Dana Holding Corp. provided the frames. According to Hot Cars, the frames were not adequately cared for at first and primarily suffered damage in the back where the suspension leaf springs are installed.
Can rust on a frame be repaired?
Prior to cutting away the rusty areas from the frame, the frame must be sandblasted. The frame is then prepared and sealed using Automotive Rust Technicians’ SafeTCap Frame Repair Kit. The frame is repaired to “like new condition” by welding the SafeTCap to it. The fresh frame has been primed and varnished for many years of enjoyment.
Cost-effective SafeTCap Frame repair kits are produced in the USA from cold-rolled steel. Depending on how much damage there is, the procedure can take a few hours or perhaps two days.
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.
Toyota will still replace my frame, right?
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.
When did Toyota recall its frames?
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.
What model years did Toyota recall?
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.
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.
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.
What kind of car doesn’t rust?
Mercedes-Benz B-Class and C-Class; Hyundai Accent, Elantra, Entourage, Santa Fe, Sonata, and Tuscon; Kia Forte, Magentis, Optima, Rondo, Sedona, Spectra, and Sportage; Toyota Camry, Corolla, FJ Cruiser, Highlander, Matrix, Prius, RAV4, 4Runner, Solara, Venza, and Yaris.
Toyota advises against rustproofing.
Q According to a Toyota mechanic friend, installing aftermarket rustproofing voids the Prius Hybrid warranty.
According to the claim, the procedure will coat electrical wire to hide high-tension cables.
A Toyota Canada Inc. representative Rebecca Wu responds:
This is due to the fact that they are constructed with careful design considerations, carefully chosen materials, and coatings to assist prevent corrosion.
Toyota would not be held liable if the use of aftermarket rustproofing was the direct cause of a problem with the car.
Our guarantee will cover flaws in workmanship or materials, but it will not cover problems brought on by elements other than manufacturing procedures.
The chemicals used may react with the insulating qualities of the hybrid system, including the wiring harness, connectors, parts, and associated objects that come into touch with rustproofing solutions.
The component’s insulation, functionality, and lifespan may all suffer as a result.
Hybrid vehicles also include parts that are prominently identified, such as the orange high voltage harnesses.
All high-voltage harnesses and electrical systems must be easily identifiable by service professionals and other personnel, such as emergency responders.
Any electrostatic charge that is induced through the ground side may have an impact and cause the hybrid system to malfunction.
In case the insulation on the primary power supply for the hybrid system is damaged, hybrid vehicles are equipped with this fail-safe.
Honda Canada’s public relations coordinator, Laura Heasman, responds:
In the warranty manuals for Honda vehicles, it is stated that damage caused by the use of aftermarket rustproofing products will prevent warranty repairs from being made.
Coverage is specifically denied “for any repairs required as a result of remodelling or changes done to accommodate or install any additions, attachments, parts, or equipment which have not been inspected and approved by Honda.”
Eric Lai continues
I sought comments on this matter from Tom Maher, a franchisee of Ziebart/Tidy Car in Scarborough, and Kelly Hughson, a Rust Check franchisee in Mississauga.
They responded by saying that the aftermarket rustproofing services provided by their individual parent firms (and significant countrywide chains in general) are secure, have a successful track record, and do not void the warranties of the car manufacturer.
Additionally, according to Hughson and Maher, they regularly receive head office memos outlining sensitive parts of new vehicles that may need particular care or that ought to be avoided altogether.
The seasoned rustproofers claimed that a large portion of their business comes directly from new car dealerships.
Others rely on aftermarket sources for the actual application, while other dealers supply and apply rustproofing internally.
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