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Mark didn’t receive communication about a recall or repair offer affecting his Toyota truck, and now the frame is badly rusted. What are his options?
Q. My pickup is a 2004 Tundra that has only 200,000 km on the odometer, and the body is in excellent shape. When I took it in for service, the mechanic called me to come have a look at the frame. With the pickup on a lift, he showed me extensive rust along the main frame and stated the truck was ready to buckle any day.
I never received a recall letter for the frame from Toyota. I asked my dealer many times over the years if there were any recalls on my truck and it was always “No”— until recently. After I escalated my complaint and had discussions with Toyota Canada, my dealer magically found a recall with an expiry date of July 31, 2015, for repairs.
This is a serious safety concern. I have had ongoing discussions with Toyota Canada for months now and I am not getting much help. I have been driving my family around in our Tundra for years and was not been aware of how fortunate we have been that the frame had not buckled and hurt my family. Problem is, you would never know from looking at the vehicle that the frame is rusted out.
–Mark
A. The frame corrosion problem to which you refer affects the Toyota Tacoma and Tundra pickup trucks, as well as the Sequoia, a large three-row SUV built on the Tundra chassis. Toyota had two publicized programs for the Tacoma and one each for the Tundra and Sequoia, as well as internal policies communicated only to Toyota dealers. The public programs covered the 1995 to 2000, and 2005 to 2010 Tacoma, the 2007 to 2008 Tundra, and 2005 to 2008 Sequoia. Here is an excerpt from one of the letters sent to vehicle owners:
Toyota cares about our customers
Toyota has received isolated reports regarding a small number of 1995 through 2000 model year Tacoma vehicles exhibiting excessive corrosion to the frame causing perforation of the metal. Toyota has investigated these reports and determined that the vehicle frames in these vehicles may not have adequate corrosion-resistant protection. This occurrence combined with prolonged exposure to road salts and other environmental factors may contribute to the development of excessive corrosion causing perforations in the frames of some vehicles.…
Although the vehicle’s frame is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 60,000 kilometres (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about your overall experience and confidence with your vehicle. To assure you that we stand behind our product, we are providing an extension of the warranty coverage on your vehicle’s frame for this specific condition.
The warranty on the Tacoma pickups covered by this letter was extended to 15 years with unlimited mileage. There was a March 2016 deadline to take the pickups into dealerships.
Toyota’s various truck corrosion programs are among the most ambitious and generous defect-remediation campaigns the Automobile Protection Association (APA) has seen. Toyota offered to inspect trucks and perform one or more of the following operations:
Most pickups received rustproofing; some pickups received complete new frames and all the related fasteners at a cost far higher than the value of the truck. This was a big undertaking that kept some vehicles off the road for weeks. Toyota covered the cost of a rental vehicle during the repairs (though the rental wasn’t necessarily a pickup). The APA learned of invoices in excess of $10,000 for repairs to some pickups.
The Tundra program resulted from a class action settlement and was also generous, but less comprehensive. Older Tundras like yours were not included in the settlement (but some were repaired under an internal policy introduced earlier).
I’m surprised you had not heard of one of these truck repair recalls in the media or through the grapevine as they were fairly widely reported, and you appear to have good contacts. If Toyota had up-to-date contact information to reach you, the most likely reason you did not receive a letter is because your older vehicle was not included in the publicized class action settlement for 2007 to 2008 model Tundras, but instead qualified for coverage under a confidential program to be applied by the dealer at their discretion. Toyota dealer service departments were handsomely paid for the work under these campaigns, and even if your truck was clean at the time, it might have qualified for additional rustproofing. Perhaps something was overlooked at the dealership.
Transport Canada has taken the position that although a rusted Toyota truck frame may eventually become unsafe, the customer has ample warning (months, if not years), so it’s not a defect that falls under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. For context, a component failure that occurs suddenly and could disable the vehicle or contribute to a loss of control is much more likely to be considered a safety defect that falls under federal legislation. That is the case for rear suspension leaf spring failures due to corrosion on 2005 to 2011 Tacoma pickups; the repair is covered by a safety recall that is still current, and technically does not have a sunset date for free repairs.
Toyota’s owner letter and various repair/replacement programs are obviously an admission there was a defect. And Toyota has an obligation to notify customers when they introduce a program. But at some point, an automaker’s liability for a product durability issue comes to an end. In the absence of a compelling reason, it’s reasonable to argue that time has come on a 16-year-old truck. For readers of this column, the takeaway is to make sure the automaker has your current contact information in their records so you continue to receive recall notices and warranty extensions. If you’re a second or subsequent owner, or have moved since taking delivery of a new vehicle, you cannot assume that the automaker’s ownership records are up to date, even if you are the current customer of a dealership service department that sells the same brand.
George Iny is director of the Automobile Protection Association.
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If i buy a used Tacoma and don’t know if the recall on frame was done, is the recall passed on to the next buyer of a used vehicle Tacoma?
I was rejected because my 2007 Tacoma came from Canada when I ask my local Toyota dealership. What makes a difference if it came from Canada. I have the same rust frame issue. This is BS…
This essentially means that Toyota is NOT a reliable car. The vaunted “Toyota quality” is simply a myth. You cannot call a vehicle reliable if it has these “weak links”. What’s the point if the engine outlives the frame? It’s still an unusable vehicle. In fact, I’d prefer the engine die before the frame rusts. At least I would not be tempted to drive it. An average consumer is not going to be able to inspect frame. Also, considering the premium I paid for my Tacoma, I expected them to at least properly rust-proof the frame. Have they heard of GALVANIZING? Looks like my frame rusted from the inside. It looked fine in 2017 and today its 2020 and it’s half-gone, literally. Apparently, it was bare metal inside the frame tube. Galvanizing it would have solve this issue, so even a rust-prone frame would hold out longer.
In addition, the story of my Tacoma involves at least 4 recalls/issues. First, they recalled it for a drive axle, about 1 year after purchase. Then, at around 50K miles, the oxygen sensors went bad, then this rust issue (inspected with “no rust” conclusion, sprayed with wax), and finally the spare wheel mounting bracket is rustying. Now my frame is basically a disaster waiting to happen. If this is a history of a reliable car then I can’t imagine what an unreliable vehicle would look like.
I have a 2007 Tacoma purchased in the States I live in Canada they rejected me too
Maybe I can trade vehicles with Lee Juchems
Même problème pour moi que Dmitriy Chernoshey.. Mon tacoma 2005 a eu un rappel sur la rouille… En 2017 il avait bien alors toyota Sherbrooke Canada ont décidé de mettre leurs antirouille à la cire et maintenant en septembre 2020 je m’aperçois qu’il rouille partout de l’intérieur.. Vraiment déplaisant et dangereux moi qui passait le garder longtemps…
Peut t-ont obtenir un recours pour celas?
Today I received a call back from Toyota headquarters saying that there was nothing they could do for my Tacoma 2007 rusty frame. That I was mailed the recall paperwork. Which I DID NOT receive. Does anyone know a class action lawsuit for 2020?
I have got a 2008 Tacoma it has been coated with Toyota recall the first time and now the frame is so rusted that I am afraid to drive it and it is also a Canadian truck a I live in the united states and when I call the Toyota place they tell me they cant do anything because it a canaidian truck so I call and they gave me a code the first time to give to the dealer ship here in the US and they did not know what the code was for so I call the canaidian back and now they are telling me that the recall is no longer available so I guess Toyota just put band-aid on there truck till the warranty run out I guess that why they got sue for 3.4 million dollar for knowing something just don’t work like e coat on there frame and the customer buy there product and get stuck with the bill to repair vehicle after buying a high price pc of crap look like a company as big as Toyota would know better
all I can said if you got a older Toyota 2008 and up the warranty is expired on rusted frame I guess my get to pocket the 3.4 billion dollars they got sue over
Was just told today that our 2007 Tacoma has a crack in the frame. Called the dealership and was told that it’s out of the warranty based on years. I was under the impression that the warranty was extended from 12 to 15 years unlimited mileage. Taking it today to see what the damage is gonna cost.
I had my 2014 Tundra inspected a few years ago. I was told it was find and they applied a cost of rust proofing. A couple years later during a brake job the mechanic showed me the holes in the frame. I called Toyota with no luck. They told me it was repaired. I have since directed my children and many others to buy anything but a Toyota. I have since replaced our vehicles with Hyundai and GMC. This poor service has resulted in them losing out on five sales. I had seven Toyota’s and recommended them to family members and friends over the years. I figure my story has indirectly resulted in as much as fifteen lost sales in the last ten years. Many of them have followed me. Toyota talks about Loyalty and concern for there customers, but not in my case. Very disappointed they didn’t back there own recall.
i have a 2002 toyota seqouia sr5 i have put all my money in this vehicle , and not a spec of rust, toyota gave a inspection that was not honest having to fix muffler issues and now i find out that my frame is rusted out! and the muffler co tells me toyota should of never passed the inspection slip. just lookin at it, and seeing slip n what they noted on slip all within me ouning the truck. , if anyone has any information please email, im running out of options,, thanks again
marthavflynn1977@gmail,com
martha flynn
missouri
Due to the large volume of comments we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond directly to each one. We invite you to email your question to [email protected], where it will be considered for a future response by one of our expert columnists. For personal advice, we suggest consulting with a qualified advisor.
i have a 2002 toyota seqouia sr5 i have put all my money in this vehicle , and not a spec of rust, toyota gave a inspection that was not honest having to fix muffler issues and now i find out that my frame is rusted out! and the muffler co tells me toyota should of never passed the inspection slip. just lookin at it, and seeing slip n what they noted on slip all within me ouning the truck. , if anyone has any information please email, im running out of options,, thanks again
marthavflynn1977@gmail,com
missouri
Due to the large volume of comments we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond directly to each one. We invite you to email your question to [email protected], where it will be considered for a future response by one of our expert columnists. For personal advice, we suggest consulting with a qualified advisor.
I have a 2000 tundra which originally belonged to my boy. I have had it about 5 years when i notice one side of bed was lower on front right corner. I took it to be inspected at dealership. Pictures were sent to Toyota Corporate and they had dealership work up a repair bill. It was going to run 10,000 parts and labor. They contacted me and told me they had fulfilled their warranty obligation and to scrap it. Very disappointed in them.
I have a 2005 and a 2006 Toyota Tacoma and both were treated for rust protection. The 06 we bought new and 05 second hand.both are showing some rusted almost out spots near the rear springs. Will Toyota still warrant these frames. The coating they sprayed has come off. To look at these trucks, you would never know the frame is going bad.
I have a 2005 Toyota Tundra. Seen the rear leaking took it to my mechanic . He said the rear was beyond repair. He showed me the rear and I couldn’t believe it. The whole rear was a bucket of rust. I took my truck to Toyota when I received the recall and they said they sprayed it. Did not need a new chassis. If the chassis needed spraying I think the rust spread to my rear.
Sorry to hear all the issues people are dealing with rusting out vehicles. I was looking to buy a mid 2000 Tacoma here in the states and looks like I’ll stick to my main Ford, Dodge, Jeep, and GM vehicles. Seems stealerships got their money’s worth and Toyota is crapping on their revenue makers. No thank you!
Hey- have a 2005 Tacoma, got the recall and had rust proofing done (the dealer said frame did not need to be replaced). This was 2018. Now frame is rusted through and they are refusing to replace, saying recall is closed and not their problem. Truck is not safe to drive and may be a right off. Any ideas on how to get them to admit liability? Don’t want a new truck, just a new frame!
I have a toyota rav4 2012. Been kept in garage only 43000 miles now one of the subframe bolts rusted and fell off in garage. Is rusting a big problem with toyota?
I have a 1999 Toyota Tacoma that I just bought last year from a farm owner and I know nothing about a Toyota recall and my whole frame is breaking apart my lead Springs or a loose my shocks in the back or lose my whole bed and frame is about to come apart in the middle at the cab I think it’s 8 Hazard for my family to ride in this vehicle is the only vehicle I have the only one I could afford but I know nothing about a recall I wish that I knew if there was something that I can do about it because it is a very unsafe vehicle but I have no other way to work and I have to take it as transportation
It’s time for a 2nd class action lawsuit to recover damages created by the ‘frame spraying’ remedy from the 1st settlement. By encapsulating a compromised frame, Toyota has accelerated a known defective product and now has 1,000’s of rolling liabilities. We needn’t look far for expert testimony that will prove Toyota is negligent in the ‘remedy’.
I’m afraid Toyota is waiting for someone to be killed once a truck frame breaks on the road, similar to the Takata lawsuit. It makes me SICK that everyone at Toyota knows this is a HUGE defect, yet won’t do anything about it.
I worked at a Toyota dealer for 7 years, and I have a very clear message for Toytota: You may think you’re saving $$ by ignoring the Tacoma and Tundra frame defect, but it has already cost you tenfold in sales from the likes of myself and others that will NEVER, EVER BUY ANOTHER TOYOTA as well as our friends. Once someone unfortunately dies, YOU WILL BE EXPOSED and the simple remedy of replacing these frames will seem inexpensive.
2004 Tundra here. Body looks great. Frame rusted out under doors/front wheel area. Hasn’t buckled but has 12-24 inch holes in frame. $160k miles. Also bought it from Mark Motors Toyota in Plover.
I recently had another child so we purchased a mini-van and now I can’t sell the tundra because of Toyota’s half baked recall that seems to have excluded a large portion of the defective population.
Very sad. Won’t make that mistake again.
No one has mentioned the FJ Cruiser. Same problems.
I bought a 1998 Toyota Tacoma in 2006 and never got a recall on this problem. Today the frame came apart o the road. The truck dropped down on the passenger side the tire went up into the finger well. Causing me to lose control of the truck. Went off the road into a ditch and over on its side. Injuring my left shoulder and neck. Time to speak to an attorney. First thing in the morning.
Does anyone know if there is anyone working on a class-action lawsuit for the rusting/rotting chassis’s for the FJ Cruiser?
I have a 2004 Toyota tundra. Brought it to the dealer for its oil change. Dealer says it’s unsafe to drive because of the corrosion. The dealer didn’t even offer its services for a new frame they just were very short and said they can’t help me basically saying best of luck. I left the dealer looked underneath the frame and saw holes In my frame I immediately called Toyota headquarters they gave me a run around. Waited to hear from customer relations that took 3 days for them to get back to me basically saying that they can’t help me. But you can clearly tell on the phone they are being recorded and they are very careful what they are saying but they know deep down that it’s a faulty frame My Toyota should have had a frame swap years ago but the dealer kept quiet. My truck is immaculate and well kept Shame on Toyota. This is not a cheap machine Toyota is very expensive. I thought by spending money on a Toyota that I would have the last truck standing. Boy was I wrong. Toyota is no longer number one. I always recommended Toyota not anymore
Bought a 2007 Sequoia with 240kms and noticed some treatment was done to the frame however after owning the vehicle for about a year I had the vehicle inspected for a noise I was hearing. The inspection revealed a hole in the frame,that was about a year after Collingwood Toyota inspected it and treated the frame. When I contacted the dealer and Toyota Canada I was told there’s no monetary help they could offer by that time time time had expired for the recall.So Collingwood Toyota did a bang up job that pushes the benefits outside of the covered time line and now I’m on my own. I think Collingwood Toyota and or Toyota Canada should have done something to remedy the problem…I must add the customer service representative for Toyota was super nice and polite that certainly soften the blow.
I own a 2009 Taco 4×4 with a rotten frame 1 yr after inspection and now Toyota Canada says I’m SOL…. I can’t let this slide and would happily join any law suit àgainst Toyota
2006 Tundra 130,000 miles outside looks great. Frame rusted through and left side drivers wheel fell up into the wheel well. The whole steering assemble just broke off the frame and is resting on the side of the motor. Now I am attempting to sell the truck for parts as everyone I have spoken with says its unrepairable damage. Full coverage insurance does nothing because I was not in an accident. Basically just SOL.
We had it into the dealership in March of this year and I asked for a rust inspection. They told me my frame was corroded but it passed inspection. They told me that even if it qualified for recall and that had not expired it would have passed and nothing would have been done. They recommended I do many other VERY expensive repairs to the truck at that time however I refused.
We were about to take the truck on an extensive road trip the next morning. I had just gassed up and was making one last errand stop when the wheel and steering assembly detached. Thank goodness we were not rolling down the interstate when that happened.
I will be filing a complaint with Toyota but I have my doubts if will do much good.
My 2007 tacoma also encountered the problem of frame corrosion and perforation. They replied that the car has no maintenance value and they refused to repair it. The current Toyota quality has passed 300,000 kilometers, and there is no sense of security at all.
2005 Sequoia – Toyota dealer in Chantilly, Virginia inspected the frame in or around 2020 as part of the recall and said it was fine. Vehicle has not been driven more than 2k miles since then. Yesterday I was under the Sequoia replacing the rear leveling air bags and noticed a gaping hole in the box frame. I could reach inside the hole and remove large chunks of rusted metal from inside the box frame. The vehicle is in great shape otherwise. Dealer clearly lied about condition of the frame 2k miles ago, so is this a total loss or is there anything that can be done now? If the box frame is rusting from the inside out, the simple undercoating that Toyota was applying was only a delay tactic to run out the clock. ALL of these affected vehicles should have received new frames and the dealer should have had nothing to say in the matter. I am really angry about this. Low miles, great paint and now a perforated frame!