Toyota Tacomas Breaking in Two

[Mule]

http://yellowbullet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=57756

[Stanley]

The funny thing about the recall is that the Tacoma frames are made in the US by Dana corp. The 4Runner frames are very simular and are made in Japan by Toyota and don't have rust problems. I'm guessing that Dana will be splitting part of the bill since they most likely didn't follow Toyota's specs.

Toyota has done an excellent job of keeping this out the mainstream media. With a recall affecting so many trucks you would think that everyone would know about it by now.

[alf]

I might just have to buy one cheap and turn it in after beating on it for a while

[HardDrive]

I was pretty skeptical when I read this post, but it appears to be true. I read through a couple blogs that said their were paying up to 150% of the Kelly Blue book value to appease customers.

[Sonic dB]

wow...i am surprised at this...I have owned two of these trucks: a 1992 which I bought new and drove for 2 years and should have never sold it....and a 94 that I bought used in 2000 and drove for 2 years...both were excellent trucks, though the 4 cylinder was way under powered...my dad had one in the 80s... great looking, reliable trucks, so im surprised at this rust issue. Neither truck that i owned would have been covered under this 1995 on warranty but still...that is a big deal.

[IROC]

Hmm...my Tacoma is a 2001 model. Doesn't look like it's included. I was just under it not long ago changing the oil and there's not a bit of rust. Must be a benefit of living in the South.

Toyotas used to be known for excessive rusting of the beds on the trucks. Come to find out, the trucks were shipped over here from Japan without the beds and the beds were installed here in the US. So, the only part of the truck that rusted away was the part made in the US.

[Tim Hancock]

Wow, I better check mine. It is a '99 Tacoma 4x4 4 cyl. I bought it with 10k on the clock and now it is at about 80k. I intended on keeping this thing for many more years for when I occasionaly need a truck or for bad snow days. It has been 100% trouble free. It is has been a great truck and I view it as the most reliable vehicle in my fleet.

It has no rust that I am aware of, but if I could sell it back to Toyota and buy a slightly newer one, I guess maybe I should look into it.

[Jims5543]

I only own Toyota pickups for my work trucks. I have been through quite a few over the last 15 years and they have always been dependable. My bro in law bought one of my retired trucks with 180K miles on it, he drove it up to 320K miles and I found out today it died, it seems he has not flushed the coolant since buying it from me 5 years ago. It overheated and blew its head gasket.

I currently have Two 2006 Tacoma 4X4's in use and to be honest, I am going to contact Toyota about a buy back, or see if they are retrofitting them. If the price is right I might give them back and shop for either older trucks and bank the money or something really gas efficient.

*edit* Just read further its only up to 2000 models. Thats fine with me I love my trucks.

[NICKG]

Originally Posted by alf

I might just have to buy one cheap and turn it in after beating on it for a while

nice thought, but you had to have owned it prior to march 2008...i asked already

[Zeke]

Just as a precaution, I checked this with snopes.com. Nothing.

[deathpunk dan]

It is true. I know this because a good friend just got an $11,000+ check for his 98 Tacoma 4 cyl 4x4 with 180k on it. The dealership is also offering an additional $1500 loyalty discount towards purchase of a new one.

Toyota is paying out 150% of KBB excellent condition regardless of actual condition. My understanding is that Dana is longer making the frames. My buddy's truck was in very bad shape.

[Stanley]

Here's the official news release from Toyota's blog

March 07, 2008
Living Up to Our Commitment

Rust, as they say, never sleeps. It certainly never sleeps in the states where road salt is in heavy use, and we’ve recently become aware of additional evidence of that fact.

We’ve received reports that on a small number of model-year 1995 to 2000 Tacomas, excessive corrosion of the frame has caused perforation of the metal. The reason for this, it appears, is that the frames of some of the 813,000 vehicles built during this time-frame may not have adequate corrosion protection. 1997tacoma2wdedited_5

As a result, when they’re exposed to severe environmental conditions, especially in states where salt is used for the de-icing of roads, these frames may develop corrosion that goes beyond the normal surface rust that’s commonly found on metal after years of exposure – and in this case, these trucks are from eight to 13 years old.

Because of our oft-stated commitment to standing behind our products, we’re extending the rust-perforation warranty covering these trucks for a period of 15 years from each vehicle’s original date of purchase, with no mileage limitation, for corrosion damage that results in perforation of the vehicle’s frame material. Owners of these Tacomas need not be the original owners. Even if you bought your Tacoma second- or third-hand, it’s covered by this extended warranty.

Here’s how this will work: Starting in the middle of March and continuing over a period of time, owners of 1995-2000 Tacomas will be sent letters informing them about this issue. If you find rust perforation on your vehicle's frame, have your truck inspected by a Toyota dealer.

If frame corrosion damage is confirmed by an inspection at a Toyota dealership, at Toyota's option, we will either repair the vehicle or repurchase it. No matter the vehicle’s actual condition, it will be valued as a vehicle in excellent condition. If the inspection reveals no rust perforation, the 15-year warranty will remain in force.

This is worth underscoring: This is not a recall. Rather, it’s an example of our commitment to the durability of our products and to our owners. These are older trucks and rust is a fact of life, especially where road salt is used, but that’s not what’s important. What’s important is that we take care of our owners. We just thought you should know that.

- Mike Michels, Corporate Communications

http://blog.lexus.com/2008/03/living-up-to-ou.html

[NICKG]

honestly, you really have to hand it to them for taking care of it...why would anyone buy a different brand of truck?

[onewhippedpuppy]

This wouldn't change my mind, Toyota is still my first choice for a truck or SUV.

[cashflyer]

Until they offer a 3/4T or 1T with a diesel, it's just a froo-froo poseur.

[sammyg2]

I love Toyota trucks. I don't live in a place that puts salt on the roads (for a reason) so if this story is true it wouldn't be an issue with me, plus my last two toyotas were tundras because I get claustrophobic in a tacoma.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by cashflyer

Until they offer a 3/4T or 1T with a diesel, it's just a froo-froo poseur.

Not everyone hauls bulldozers on a daily basis. Though a small displacement turbo-diesel like they get in Europe would be pretty sweet.

[Tim Hancock]

Even though I have driven the truck in salt here in Ohio, I will be shocked if mine is rusted.... If it is though, I will look for another newer Toyota without any hesitation as I love this little truck and it has hauled EVERYTHING "I" ever needed to haul in it without any issues (airplane parts, motorcycles, jetski, wood, mulch, car parts, tools etc). If I ever get the urge to put horns on the front or Nascar stickers and the little guy peeing stickers in the back window, I will be sure to buy a bigger American made truck.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Tim, you forgot the cow balls hanging from the rear bumper.

[robs944]

Originally Posted by cashflyer

Until they offer a 3/4T or 1T with a diesel, it's just a froo-froo poseur.

Here ya go.......



Or better yet a dually- (Sema Concept)




“I am happy to confirm that a new clean-diesel V8 engine will be offered in both the Tundra and the Sequoia in the near future,” Watanabe told a news conference at the North American International Auto Show." Full Article