Toyota truck frame recall

[C&C]

America still builds the best trucks (IMO), Tundra is catching up (but still sub-par in my eval.), Titan is trying again (and only time will tell but I don't see any revelations). My statements are, as a whole, not individual pros and cons; every make/model can be the best or worst vehicle (someone/somewhere has owned).

 

[Geezer]

No brand loyalty for me. I am leaning towards Toyota these day because my son-in-law is a sales manager at the local dealership.

My Chevy has over 300K miles on it. While looking for a replacement I prefer the Tundra, but it only comes in a half ton and the crew cab with an 8 foot bed is no longer available. I like the idea of the Ford made from aluminum to delay the rust issues, but the frame is still steel. At this point I keep patching up an old Suburban I have and I'll put off buying a new truck for as long as I can.

 

[snikr]

One would think that Toyota would have gotten the frame "issue" all fixed buy now. Glad I own a GMC.

 

[FJR Flyer]

This actually goes back several years and I believe was limited to the Tacoma series. Happened to 2 different coworkers of mine. In one case they reframed the entire truck and installed all new suspension components then issued a warranty against any problems that arose from the swap. Second case they cut him a check to buy it back because of the high mileage on his unit. I think it had something to do with the steel they used for those frames over a period of certain years. Some step was missed in the rust treatment of the frames. It was actually a recall.

About five years ago, my buddy got the notice for his Tacoma. NIce looking truck. Took it in for inspections, and they came back and told him it wasn't leaving. Frame was rusted and they were going to crush it. They gave him substantially more than blue book.

I have a '93 Toyota Truck (pre-Tacoma). My year was older than that initial group that was to be inspected. My truck has large section of frame rusting through. I only use it locally to go to the dump. I was told the box frame design trapped moisture resulting in corrosion.

 

[user 86861]

I have an '07 Tacoma I bought new. Had the frame replaced last year. They put lots of new parts under there, gave me a 2014 loaner, took about six weeks, haven't had any problems at all. Got 107,xxx miles on it now. Great little truck and great service from the dealer.

 

[Bungie]

This whole my brand is better than your brand thing, at least with regards to frame rot, is completely bogus. The same company (<cough>Mexico</cough&gt made all the frames for Toyota/Ford/Chev/Dodge. They are ALL suffering from it, but only Toyota stepped up and is offering to fix it.

Keep this in mind, Tacoma's have the highest residual value of any vehicle on the market for the last 7 years, car OR truck. That means, at trade/sale time, you truck will be worth substantially more than any other brand. Its also explains why finding a good low mileage Tacoma is extremely difficult, ppl just don't sell them. All the ones around here are 250K+ and they still want over $20K for them!

 

[jcyuhn]

Thanks for posting this. I had read of the frame recall some years ago and always wondered what exactly they were doing to remedy it. I am astounded at the lengths Toyota is going to here. The joys of body on frame construction!

 

[El Toro]

I've had Ford, GMC, Chevy, and Toyota. Nearly always in the 150/1500/Tundra size, although some larger.

I buy my trucks based on the dealer support. A truck's a truck. There are some subtle differences, and once you own one, you end up adjusting to it, and it becomes your standard for comparison.

For my money, our local GMC dealer and our local Toyota dealer were both really good. Sharp pencil when you buy. Solid support after the sale.

For whatever reason, back when GM was busy going bankrupt and taking taxpayer dollars to survive, our local GMC dealership got closed. Very sad.

But since that era, I've been driving Tundras. The SR5 trim level is very comfortable. The trucks seem indestructible, as did the GMCs, and the dealer's not trying to cheat me openly. I can't say the same thing about the local dealers for the other brands.

If my Toyota dealer ever becomes problematic, I'll look for something else.

I'm not brand loyal, but nearly all of the cars and trucks are decent these days, and the best choice is the local guy who offers good pricing and honest support after the sale.

 

[yanktar]

I had a 2003 Tundra and the frame recall was "solved" by spraying it with some black sticky crap that never dried. The differential "pumpkin" and the alignment adjusters rusted so that the former leaked and the latter could no longer be used. I was deeply disappointed in that truck, traded it in on a 2014 Silverado that is the first Chevy I've owned in 25 years and the first Chevy I've actually liked. Hell, I love the truck! It does everything but fit in tight parking places!

 

[bergmen]

The prior series Tundra was just named as one of the top 10 worst used cars a person can buy.

Not sure where you are finding that. In the April, 2009 issue of Consumer Reports the Tundra is listed in the "other good choices" when talking about used trucks. April, 2004 Consumer Reports Satisfaction Survey lists the Tundra as "most satisfying".

I have an '06 SR5 V-8 that I bought new in August of 2006. It now has close to 190,000 miles on it and drives like the day I took it off the lot. One of the most fantastic vehicles I've ever owned, totally reliable and dependable, comfortable and quiet. It also goes like heck with the 271 hp V-8. I really don't know if this truck will ever wear out.

Dan

 

[yanktar]

The prior series Tundra was just named as one of the top 10 worst used cars a person can buy.

Not sure where you are finding that. In the April, 2009 issue of Consumer Reports the Tundra is listed in the "other good choices" when talking about used trucks. April, 2004 Consumer Reports Satisfaction Survey lists the Tundra as "most satisfying".

I have an '06 SR5 V-8 that I bought new in August of 2006. It now has close to 190,000 miles on it and drives like the day I took it off the lot. One of the most fantastic vehicles I've ever owned, totally reliable and dependable, comfortable and quiet. It also goes like heck with the 271 hp V-8. I really don't know if this truck will ever wear out.

Dan

Watch the frame and body rust. These have long been Toyota weaknesses. Sometimes I think Toyota engines and transmissions are indestructible, but not everything else is.

 

[bergmen]

The prior series Tundra was just named as one of the top 10 worst used cars a person can buy.

Not sure where you are finding that. In the April, 2009 issue of Consumer Reports the Tundra is listed in the "other good choices" when talking about used trucks. April, 2004 Consumer Reports Satisfaction Survey lists the Tundra as "most satisfying".

I have an '06 SR5 V-8 that I bought new in August of 2006. It now has close to 190,000 miles on it and drives like the day I took it off the lot. One of the most fantastic vehicles I've ever owned, totally reliable and dependable, comfortable and quiet. It also goes like heck with the 271 hp V-8. I really don't know if this truck will ever wear out.

Dan

Watch the frame and body rust. These have long been Toyota weaknesses. Sometimes I think Toyota engines and transmissions are indestructible, but not everything else is.

The frame and body rust seem to be region specific (those areas that use salt or corrosive de-icing chemicals). We don't use anything like that in California preferring volcanic lava gravel for ice in our area (northern California).

Dan

 

[Denver_FJR]

Been there, done that!

I had a 2000 Tacoma that had a 15 year extended rust warranty from Toyota. (Different years had different length of coverage) Doing a brake job last spring I noticed a fair bit of rust on the frame and remembered the rust warranty. I realized I was within a few months of the warranty expiring and decided to take vehicle to dealership. They found a 2" perforation in the frame just ahead of the rear axle. In my case they bought me out of the truck. Guess the jig to make 2000 Tacomas had been dismantled.

I was the original owner and it had never been to the dealership other than when I bought it and drove it off the lot. Had to laugh about the script the service techs follow when initially checking in, "We recommend you have your 5k miles oil change and service performed". Me, "Oh really? I'm at 200k miles and am supposed to change the oil?"

There are many pictures on the internet of Tacomas where the frame has snapped due to rust. Give the older Tacomas some room if one is ahead of you,

.

 

[Denver_FJR]

This whole my brand is better than your brand thing, at least with regards to frame rot, is completely bogus. The same company (<cough>Mexico</cough&gt made all the frames for Toyota/Ford/Chev/Dodge. They are ALL suffering from it, but only Toyota stepped up and is offering to fix it.
...

Yep, the 2000 Tacoma frames were made by Dana, Toyota sued and won $25 mil. It's a complex world and not all parts come from the same continent/mfg.

I heard it takes two mechanics 40 hours to do the replacement. I actually wish I had a choice in the matter and would have preferred to keep my 2000 with a new frame. Several folks commented after having frame replaced the vehicle drove like new. I was planning on having a new clutch put in it and drive for another 200k or so.

Mine also went to the crusher.

 

[HotRodZilla]

The prior series Tundra was just named as one of the top 10 worst used cars a person can buy.

Not sure where you are finding that. Dan

Haha...So here's what's funny. I couldn't find that report, but I didn't look that hard. It was a 2015 report, and even it acknowledged that having a Toyota on the list was strange. To be fair, I don't think it was for reliability. It mentioned the frame, performance and comfort issues.

In looking for that report, I did find one that had the Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel listed as the eleventh or twelfth worst vehicle, and the Ford 2500 PowerStroke as #10. I can hear RFH gloating now, but no worries GMC was on there too; although, Chevy was not, which is weird!

I will say this: NONE of those lists likes Damlier/Chrysler/Jeep products. Those dominate the lists, mostly in Jeeps, crossovers and minivans.