It was the love for my 2005 Toyota Tacoma that led me into this quagmire, a journey mired in confusion, high costs, and a prolonged tussle with Toyota Corporate over an issue that should have been straightforward: excessive frame rust. This is a tale of a Limited Service Campaign that turned into a burdensome challenge.
The Heart of the Matter
My Tacoma is currently a scattered jigsaw puzzle, strewn across a Seattle-area dealership. The reason? A supposed Toyota Tacoma frame recall to address the excessive rust that has led to frame perforation.
The hitch in this supposedly straightforward process lies in the need for additional part replacements, ones that will be – or already have been – damaged during the frame replacement process. The catch? These parts aren’t included in the recall, which leads us to the burning question: Why is a recall costing $5,380?
The Recall Runaround
Despite my refusal to bear any additional expenses tied to the recall, Toyota Corporate remains unyielding. They refuse to cover any parts outside the frame recall “policy.” If I don’t agree to the additional expenses, I’ll be handed back my truck in its current state – disassembled, with its old, rusty frame intact.
An Ongoing Battle
This battle started in late March/April of last year. An overwhelming demand for new frames has stretched Toyota thin, leaving numerous Tacoma owners in a protracted waiting period. My truck has been in limbo for 218 days, sitting disassembled at the dealership for over a month.
Despite exhaustive negotiations with the dealer and Toyota Corporate, no solutions have been offered. All I wanted was the completed recall and my truck back. However, the dealers maintain that some parts will unavoidably be damaged and need to be replaced during the process. The cost, initially quoted as $3,500, has now escalated to $5,380.
The Struggle Continues
Frustrated and cornered, I turned to the court of public opinion. Using Twitter and other social platforms, I’ve been bringing attention to the Toyota Tacoma frame rust issue and Toyota’s uncooperative stance. It seems to be making an impact – I received a call from my case manager, notifying me that Toyota had reduced the price to $2,800, but they’re still unwilling to cover the remainder.
That’s not acceptable. I’m adamant – I won’t pay for a recall.
The next steps? A few more strategies are in line, but ultimately, all I want is my truck back, recall completed, without a hefty price tag attached.
As for those incessant Twitter posts? Yes, I have 5,380 of them scheduled – one for each dollar I’m being asked to pay. And they’ll continue to pop up every hour until July.
Glad you’re sharing this, Dan! I’m in the market for a newer, used vehicle and if this is how Toyota handles recalls, then they are officially off my purchase consideration list! Thank you for taking the time to inform consumers!!
I saw in Instagram u got it back at no cost. How did that happen? Mine was just recalled and the dealer warned me about additional parts.
My 2005 goes in next month… Dealer has only mentioned that I should get shocks an radiator hoses and that they will install for free. Otherwise no other cost mentioned.
Hopefully things have worked out for you.
Thank You for posting this information.
87 4runner
96 tacoma
92 pickup
07 corolla
07 tacoma
Parents have an Avalon and New Camry.
The government shouldn’t allow this voluntary recall. The whole reason for it is to only to take a portion of the population of bad vehicles out to prevent a full governmental recall which would most likely require all parts damaged in the repair or from faulty steel/ rust proofing, to be replaced at no cost to the (victim) consumer.
I think we are done with toyota. My 4×4 cummins gets better mileage than my 4 cyl taco and will pull a house. If it would go in mud there would no point in having the tacoma at all.
My 2006 Tacoma passed the perforation test only to fail the state yearly inspection 5 months later due to the frame. I loved this truck and was planning to get a new one in the next month. Now I’m trying to figure out if I can get the frame to pass inspection and sell it. Not sure if I’ll ever buy another Toyota again. Has just been a horrible experience.
I have a 2006 Toyota Tacoma. The frame is very rusted. Actually falling apart. I wasn’t aware of the recall until I called about my frame damage this week. I called the dealer and was told it was my problem and that Toyota wasn’t responsible. My vehicle has 100,600 miles. My last Toyota truck was in the frame recall. I thought Toyota had learned their lesson. I was right. Now they know how to avoid any responsibility for frame defects. I called the customer service number provided by the dealer and got the same answer the dealer gave me but with different terminology. The customer service rep said Toyota lawyers would now allow them to fix my vehicle. I can’t afford a new vehicle and I can’t afford to sell this one as junk.
Has anyone gotten any good news about this problem?
Please advise.
Thanks
Hey Veda,
Sorry it took me some time to respond! I’d suggest reaching out to your state attorney general and file a complaint with the consumer protection agency.
Best,
Dan
I have a Tacoma Small cab 4X4 and just this year the frame won’t pass Inspection. I called when I heard about the recall. Gave them my VIN number ad they told me mine was not on the List. However I have a friend that works for Toyota and he looked at my frame and said it has the same rust areas that the recall has! Mine is a 2000. I was hoping to pass it down to my grandson in a few years But the chassis has to be totally replaced. AT this point Toyota has Lost my whole families Bussiness. I have 450 relatives in three states. I emailed all of them and they all vowed to not buy Toyota’s. As one member said. It figures they have gone down hill like so many others. Just another flush in the TOYLet!