Now the Toyota Tundra under investigation for frame corrosion

kaisen · 10-09-2009, 10:31 AM

Feds probe Toyota Tundras | detnews.com | The Detroit News

Feds probe Toyota Tundras

2000-01 models face inquiry into corrosion, brake, spare tire issues

DAVID SHEPARDSON
Detroit News Washington Bureau

Washington -- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Tuesday opened a preliminary investigation into corrosion on 218,000 Toyota Tundra pickups -- the latest safety issue to dog the Japanese automaker.

In a notice on its Web site, NHTSA said its Office of Defects Investigation had opened a preliminary probe into corrosion linked to spare tires and brake lines on 2000 and 2001 model year Tundras.

The government said it has "received 20 reports on the subject vehicles that relate to spare tire separation and brake system failures as a result of severe frame corrosion."

NHTSA said 15 reports allege the underbody-mounted spare tire "separated from the rear crossmember" and five reports alleged brake lines broke on the driver's side of the "rear crossmember at upper shock mount."

Toyota spokesman Brian Lyons said the company is aware of the NHTSA investigation, and was conducting its own evaluation of the issue.

"We're at the preliminary evaluation stage," he said, adding that the company hasn't communicated with its dealers about the issue.

NHTSA said it had not identified any accidents or injuries as a result of the complaints.

This isn't the first trouble Toyota has had with corrosion on pickups.

Last year, Toyota offered to buy back 1995-2000 model year Tacoma pickups whose frames were rusted beyond repair. The buyback -- 1.5 times the Kelley Blue Book price -- applied to pickups in 20 cold weather states.

Toyota also agreed to apply supplemental corrosion treatment and inspect and replace frames if necessary on 2001-04 Tacomas in cold weather states, but not to buy them back.

In total, Toyota extended the warranty to 15 years and unlimited miles on more than 1.4 million 1995-2004 Tacoma trucks.

Toyota said the 2000-01 Tundras under investigation by NHTSA "had a similar frame design" and were built by the same Toyota supplier, but were manufactured at a different North American plant, Lyons said. He said Toyota hadn't decided to take any similar steps for the Tundras.

Sean Kane, president of Massachusetts-based Safety Research & Strategies, said that when rust developed on some Toyota pickups "the bottom can collapse."

"This is just more bad news for Toyota at a time when they are getting hit on all sides," Kane said.

The new NHTSA investigation came just one day after Toyota formally agreed to recall 3.8 million 2004-09 model year vehicles over reports of sudden acceleration that may have been linked to jammed accelerator pedals under floor mats.

The company's president issued an apology Friday after four people died in an Aug. 28 California crash whose cause is suspected of being linked to a jammed floor mat.

That recall is the company's largest ever in the United States -- surpassing a 900,000 vehicle recall in 2005.

Toyota and the Transportation Department urged owners of the affected vehicles to immediately remove the floor mats until Toyota comes up with a "vehicle" fix -- something that will go beyond simply a new floor mat.

m21sniper · 10-09-2009, 10:49 AM

Toyota quality is unparalleled.

The Gaijin · 10-09-2009, 10:51 AM

"Last year, Toyota offered to buy back 1995-2000 model year Tacoma pickups whose frames were rusted beyond repair. The buyback -- 1.5 times the Kelley Blue Book price -- applied to pickups in 20 cold weather states.

Toyota also agreed to apply supplemental corrosion treatment and inspect and replace frames if necessary on 2001-04 Tacomas in cold weather states, but not to buy them back.

In total, Toyota extended the warranty to 15 years and unlimited miles on more than 1.4 million 1995-2004 Tacoma trucks..."

Doing the right thing gets you punished. Apparently, Toyota spent too much money on the recall and not enough with lobbists.

kaisen · 10-09-2009, 11:05 AM

The frames in question here (2000-2001 Tundra) were built to Toyota's specs by Dana in Owensboro, Kentucky

Mrmerlin · 10-09-2009, 11:11 AM

you can bet they will spend a bit more time on the corrosion control program

kaisen · 10-09-2009, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Gaijin

Doing the right thing gets you punished. Apparently, Toyota spent too much money on the recall and not enough with lobbists.

How is Toyota punished? I must have missed that. It is just the beginning of a Federal investigation. No punishment yet, that I'm aware of.

m21sniper · 10-09-2009, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Gaijin

Doing the right thing gets you punished. Apparently, Toyota spent too much money on the recall and not enough with lobbists.

Perhaps they should have just built better trucks.

924slover · 10-09-2009, 11:22 AM

toyota frame's have been rusting since i can remember why start getting upset now??

Tim Hancock · 10-09-2009, 11:30 AM

Huh, maybe I will get another sweetheart deal when the 2002 Tundra I bought to replace my Toyota "buy back" Tacoma got recalled. Of course until then I will do just like I did with the Tacoma I put 90,000 troublefree miles on...... Get in... turn key... drive... park... repeat.

Weaver · 10-09-2009, 12:53 PM

My 2k tundra has three softball size holes in the floor of the bed. Was going to cut them out and weld in new steel next week, but I might hold off and see where this goes. Thanks for posting!!!

sammyg2 · 10-16-2009, 10:38 AM

I'm on my second tundra. No corrosion issues at all with either one.
Of course, I don't like in snow and salt land.

When I get tired of my current tundra, I'll probably buy another.
I've driven ford and chebbie trucks, toyotas are better.

onewhippedpuppy · 10-16-2009, 11:20 AM

Quote:

The frames in question here (2000-2001 Tundra) were built to Toyota's specs by Dana in Owensboro, Kentucky

God bless America. I don't see frames rusting out from under the Japanese built 4Runners.

Ever notice you don't see any threads on here with people trying to convince others that Toyota builds the best trucks? There are issues related to Toyota frames, and Toyota is standing behind their products. Good luck getting that support from a domestic.

lendaddy · 11:33 AM

My 2000 Tundra has a salvage title and 250k+ miles on her..no complaints. I would LOVE 1.5 times blue book

My last truck was a 1990 Chevy 1500, I put 220k on that too but it was literally falling apart when I gave it to an employee. The Tundra is still a pretty good truck.