We bought this truck in 2015 and we were never informed about this problem with the frame. We found out the hard way when it broke and now were stuck paying almost $400 a month with 13 payments left because we never got a letter on the recall or the 15 year frame warranty. When I called Toyota this year they told me the recall and the warranty both had expired and they refused to make good on fixing it. It also has 5 other recalls that we've never been informed about. I also asked about them and we still haven't gotten a letter to have those fixed so our next step will be a lawyer.
The truck was a very needed asset when I purchased it. When I began to replace brakes is when I noticed the danger I was in from just driving down the road. When you can see completely through the floor panel in several places. Sure makes the ride not feel as safe as a person should feel while traveling. Toyota sure didn't put any kind of rust protection on the frame of this truck. Maybe If the truck was only driven only in a warm climate would not poise a problem. But for folks like me who lives in western North Carolina with several months of wintry weather has turned this truck into a death trap. I am disabled and don't have money to throw away to repair something that shouldn't be in the shape it is. I have seen trucks that are 30 years old that doesn't have the problems that this truck has. There is no way that the frame was protected for colder climate weather.at the time of assembly. If it had been protected it would be in one piece instead of having several rusted out holes in it. Cant even travel far away for fear that the truck will end up in two or more pieces..
We took the truck back for another recall and they replaced the tire carrier. However, the amount of rust that still is there is worrying us. We have had Toyotas forever and this is the first truck that has ever got this much rust. The front is not bad but the frame and the back of the truck is completely rusted. The pan covering the gas tank and oil pain is almost rusted through not to mention parts of the frame. What should we do? Should we contact a lawyer?
Update from May 5, 2016: Talked to Toyota they said since there is no recall they do not have to fix it. If I don't like it get a lawyer.
The frame and body of my 03 Tacoma is rotting away as the days go on I'm do for new frame from Toyota but don't know when that will be. I don't know if truck will last much longer. There's holes in the frame you can put your hand in. The brake lines rotted out and I'm still having problems with the brakes. I think Toyota should buy these vehicles and get them off the road. I will send pictures after I take them.
The frame was constructed in such a way that moisture can get inside and rust out the frame. It also rusted out the bracket that holds one end of the springs. When it was discovered it was very close to total failure. I had to have it re-boxed in, welded, painted and the spring bracket repaired. This is solely a result of tragically bad engineering that allows water to splash inside the frame on that side only.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
We bought this truck in 2015 and we were never informed about this problem with the frame. We found out the hard way when it broke and now were stuck paying almost $400 a month with 13 payments left because we never got a letter on the recall or the 15 year frame warranty. When I called Toyota this year they told me the recall and the warranty both had expired and they refused to make good on fixing it. It also has 5 other recalls that we've never been informed about. I also asked about them and we still haven't gotten a letter to have those fixed so our next step will be a lawyer.
- Wendy O., Foster, KY, US