Firstly, an apology is due. I apologize to all those who’ve stumbled upon this site while searching for answers regarding Toyota and their Toyota Tacoma Frame Rust Recall. My narrative abruptly halted after my last post on November 10th, leaving many of you in suspense.
Breaking the Stalemate
I decided to play the waiting game with Toyota, hoping they would blink first. During the wait, their customer service informed me that my disassembled Tacoma would be towed off the lot, and it’d be my responsibility to relocate it.
This all transpired while I was in Europe for work, leading to a barrage of phone calls and a hefty bill. At this point, with a dismantled truck, a pregnant wife back home, and my attention torn away from important matters, I was ready to throw in the towel.
A Sudden Turn of Events
However, just as quickly as things escalated, they began to unravel. Days after I returned from Europe, the dealership called and informed me they’d finish the truck, replacing the parts as needed.
Among my numerous social posts on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, the most effective course of action appeared to be filing a complaint with the Washington State Attorney General and their Consumer Protections Division.
On November 23rd, I received an email from the Attorney General’s office with an attached pdf – Toyota agreed to “cover the additional components to be replaced in … vehicle as a goodwill gesture, and in the interest of customer retention.”
Lessons Learned and Takeaways
So, the end result? My Tacoma is back in my driveway. As for whether Toyota retained a customer, the jury is still out on that.
Here are my key takeaways:
- Keep Calm and Carry On: Throughout this ordeal, maintaining a level of respect for the other party proved crucial. The person on the other end of the line isn’t your enemy; they’re just doing their job.
- Product vs. Brand: Despite the ordeal, I still love my Tacoma – it’s a great vehicle, aside from some minor wear and tear (and, of course, the frame rust!). But the brand? That’s a different story. This fiasco has tarnished my perception of Toyota.
Had this been resolved quickly, this site would never have been created. But now, it serves as a resource for other Toyota Tacoma owners who may find themselves in a similar predicament. Hopefully, my experience can help others navigate their own Toyota Tacoma troubles.
Hi,
I have a 2005 Toyota Tacoma same as you, I purchased the vehicle second hand in April of 2016. I tried to get the frame replaced via my local dealership and they refused saying that the warranty had run out as of March 2016, before I had even purchased the vehicle. I had mentioned this to the agent at the dealer, as well as not having known about the issue until the November 2016 frame rust case was made public, and they still would not budge.
Is there anyway you can help me to get them to replace my frame as well? What steps did you take / how do you contact the attorney general / consumer divisions? Is there anyone at Toyota I should be speaking to, perhaps some higher up in corporate?
Any help would be appreciated, thank you.