My wife, our beagle Frank, and I didn’t anticipate the journey we were embarking upon with our 2005 Toyota Tacoma, a reliable companion that had driven us 182,000 miles from Massachusetts to Washington State. However, as Tacoma owners ourselves, we soon discovered the potential downside of a Toyota Tacoma recall.
Discovering the Frame Rust Issue
The first signs of trouble appeared subtly during a winter in Seattle. An unusual “clunk” from the rear of the truck developed, growing louder over time. Hoping for a simple fix, we brought the Tacoma to a local mechanic, only to learn that the frame was in such bad condition they couldn’t even lift the truck. The root of the issue? A fractured leaf spring, covered, fortunately, by another recall.
The Unexpected Hurdle in the Recall Process
What seemed like a lifeline – our truck being part of a recall – quickly became a nightmare. A Limited Service Campaign was in place, which appeared to promise a solution to our problem. The campaign was supposed to address excessive rust and frame perforation in certain 2005-2008 model year Tacoma vehicles.
Paraphrased details of “Limited Service Campaign:”
Eager to resolve the issue, we left our Tacoma at a local Toyota dealership to undergo the frame perforation test. The truck failed, and we were approved for a frame replacement. Hope renewed, until an unexpected snag hit us.
While replacing the frame, the mechanics discovered parts that would be damaged during the process and needed replacement – parts not covered by the recall campaign. The cost? A whopping $5,380.
The Standoff with Toyota Corporate
The dealership advocated on our behalf, but after two weeks of back and forth, Toyota Corporate would not agree to cover the additional costs. If we didn’t agree to the extra expenses, the dealership threatened to return the truck in its current disassembled state.
Your Tacoma Experiences and TacomaProblems.com
Our Tacoma story isn’t over, but it’s clear this is a complex issue. Many of you may have had similar experiences, or perhaps you’re just starting this journey. I want to hear from you. Whether good or bad, your experiences with the Toyota frame rust issue and recalls matter.
Reach out at [email protected] and share your story. You’re not alone in this, and together we can shed light on the true cost of these recalls.
And yes, TacomaProblems.com is for sale. The price? The cost of the repairs – $5380.
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TL;DR –
- The frame in my 2005 Toyota Tacoma is subject to a Limited Service Campaign due to excessive rust that results in a frame that can be perforated.
- The Toyota Tacoma is currently sitting at a Seattle area dealership in three separate pieces.
- The rebuild isn’t going forward in order for the mechanics to proceed, certain additional parts will need to be replaced, as they will or already have been damaged in the frame replacement.
- Those parts aren’t covered in the recall.
- I’ve told the dealership that I’m not going to pay for any additional expense associated with the recall.
- Service Rep agreed and was advocating on my behalf to Toyota Corporate.
- After 2 weeks of back & forth, Toyota Corporate still will not agree to pay for any parts that aren’t part of the frame recall “policy.”
- If don’t agree to the additional expenses, Toyota will return the truck as it is currently – old, rusty frame and all.
hi my 07 Tacoma was just approved for the new frame leaf springs and u joint when I brought it to the dealer they at first came and said it was good they were not going to do anything I went outside and there was a frame in the back lot just removed from the same truck as mine except mine looked a lot worst the one in the lot I could not any perforation I went home looked under the truck I lowered the spare tire cause the dealer did not look under the spare yes it was cracked underneath and on further investigation found at least three more holes in front driver side right were the body mounts I brought the 07 Tacoma back the next day and showed them the perforations as they put it they agreed to frame replacement there a lot more o this story the pickup has a broken from rust gas strap this gets to the point im shore break lines will need replacing and im not sure what else but did you take pictures and im want to tell them in writing first no out of pocket I am dropping off the truck in newton nj next week I advise very highly to anyone who has to still get there Tacoma frame checked to check it yourself first sure to look under the spare and for sure use a small ballpein hammer on frame all over or find a body shop that can check it