Rust, Recalls & Everything in between for this Toyota Tacoma.
Category: Toyota Frame Rust Recall
Toyota Frame Rust Recall
While now focused on the more positive aspects of travel by 4×4, this website started out with the purpose of informing readers about my experience with the Toyota Tacoma frame rust recall. Here’s a collection of posts documenting the original ordeal – hopefully it’s viewed as a source of information. Read on >>
In the aftermath of the announcement in November 2020 that Toyota Motor Corp agreed to settle a class action lawsuit about excessive frame rust on Toyota Tacoma pickup trucks, owners (myself included) have started receiving official notices.
The notifications, coming from the representing law firms for Brian Warner et al, summarize the agreement between the parties involved. Crucially, while Toyota admits no wrongdoing, they have agreed to extend their frame perforation testing and replacement programs.
For those finding this website while researching the Toyota Tacoma frame rust recall, here’s the essential information you need:
Visit ToyotaFrameSettlement.com for the most comprehensive and detailed information about the Toyota Tacoma Frame Rust Recall, including timelines, forms, and more.
Key Dates for the Settlement Process
Deadline to Object to the Settlement: March 27, 2017. You must mail your written objection to the Clerk of Court so it is received and filed no later than this date. Mail your objections to:
Clerk of Court, United States District Court, Central District of California, 312 North Spring Street, Room G-8, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
Deadline to Exclude Yourself from the Settlement: March 27, 2017. You must complete and mail your request for exclusion form so that it is postmarked no later than this date.
Deadline to File a Claim for Reimbursement: No earlier than June 26, 2017. The deadline to submit a claim form is sixty (60) days after the Court issues the Final Order and Final Judgment, which will happen, if approved, after the Fairness Hearing.
Share your experiences and thoughts on the Tacoma frame rust recall settlement in the comments below. Your insight is valuable and can help others navigate this situation. And, don’t forget to share this post on your social media channels to spread the word about the Tacoma recalls.
Early last month, the news broke that Toyota Motor Corp had agreed to settle a federal class action suit brought to court by owners of vehicles whose frames could rust through – specifically the Toyota Tacoma frame.
“We want our customers to have a great ownership experience, so we are pleased to resolve this litigation in a way that benefits them and demonstrates that we stand behind the quality and reliability of our vehicles,” Toyota said
Well, what exactly does this entail?
Sure – they had already agreed to the replacement via their “Limited Service Campaign,” but how far does this go?
Will dealers use this recall as a chance to recoup cost by demanding those who brought their Toyota vehicles in for service pay for parts that need to be replaced as a result of the recall? Will it be a similar situation to the one I faced last November?
Per Reuters, “The settlement reached on Oct. 31 covers Tacoma trucks from the model years 2005 through 2010, Sequoias from 2005 through 2008 and Tundras from the 2007 and 2008 model years.“
Toyota Settles – Will Pay for Rust Frame Replacements!
The arduous journey of Tacoma owners facing the notorious frame rust recall may finally be reaching its resolution. A recent court agreement promises to bring much-needed relief to many, including myself, who’ve grappled with this persistent issue.
“Toyota Motor Corp has agreed to a settlement of up to $3.4 billion for a federal class action brought by U.S. owners of pickup trucks and SUVs whose frames could rust through, plaintiffs lawyers have said in court papers.” – Reuters
According to a report by Reuters, Toyota Motor Corp has reached a settlement in a federal class action lawsuit brought forth by U.S. owners of pickup trucks and SUVs. This agreement, amounting up to $3.4 billion, is poised to address vehicles suffering from the persistent issue of frame rust-through.
The Scope and Hope of the Settlement
The settlement covers specific models and years including Tacoma trucks from 2005 to 2010, Sequoias from 2005 to 2008, and Tundras from 2007 and 2008. The hope is that this arrangement will alleviate the headaches that many Tacoma owners, including myself, have experienced. The pivotal question remains: Will this settlement cover the full cost and spare others the ordeal I’ve chronicled here?
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.
My journey with the Toyota Tacoma frame rust recall is still unfolding, and there’s some good news (of sorts) to share. After whittling down from a staggering $5300+ quote, we’re now looking at a comparatively more palatable $1500 – all for a recall on a frame damaged by excessive rust.
A Potential Resolution?
In an attempt to resolve the matter, I reached out to the dealership and proposed we split the difference. For a fair $750, we could agree on the costs, get the work done, and everyone wins. I get my truck back, the dealership frees up some space, and Toyota gets to appease an irate customer. Sounds like a win-win situation, right?
However, my proposed solution was quickly dismissed. “The $1500 is the total cost for parts, and those aren’t even at retail; they’re at Toyota’s cost,” they said.
The Real Costs
Unsatisfied with the abrupt dismissal, I insisted on receiving a detailed parts list of what I was expected to cover. Surprisingly, I was told, “No, we’re done with email. It’ll end up on the website.”
I managed to find a ride down to the dealership during my lunch break to pick up the quote. But lo and behold, the total was no longer $1500 – it had mysteriously risen to $1643.30! That includes $962.28 for parts and a jaw-dropping $592.60 for four hours of labor.
The Truth Uncovered
Diving deeper, I found that even the parts costs were misleading. I discovered I could order these same parts online and have them shipped to the dealership at a cheaper rate than quoted.
So, here I stand again, attempting to bridge the gap. Toyota, I am ready to meet you halfway with a fair $316.50. Will this saga finally find its resolution?
We find ourselves at another crossroad, with the saga of my 2005 Toyota Tacoma recall issue continuing unabated. All I’m asking for is the truck back, the recall completed, and any damaged parts replaced – at no additional cost to me.
The journey, however, seems far from over. An email this morning from my service rep at the dealership suggested a rather grim reality: “Drive it at your own risk, or better yet, have it towed out.”
A Perplexing Predicament
With my loaner returned (as requested), I now find myself without a means of transportation. To add salt to the wound, my Tacoma remains disassembled and, as per the dealership, potentially a deathtrap.
In response to the unsettling email, I urged the service rep to halt any further work until they clarified the extent of the damage and what “loose” means in this context. The response left me speechless: “Loose means if the part is needed, and you don’t want to pay for it, we will not put that part in.”
So, due to the Toyota Tacoma frame rust recall, I am now facing the return of a truck that is missing vital parts.
In Search of the Missing Pieces
On the somewhat bright side, a trip to drop off the loaner led me to the third piece of my Tacoma puzzle: my cap and bed, hidden away in the back of the service area, safely covered and correctly supported. At least the dealership is committed to reassembling my Tacoma correctly.
One thing I will allow Toyota to replace is the fuel nozzle cover. It rusted out a few years back and has never fit correctly. Toyota, consider this your green light to fix that one item.
The Toyota Tacoma frame rust recall journey has been filled with unexpected turns, but one thing remains constant – my determination to see the issue resolved without incurring a crippling expense.
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.
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.
The Tacoma, The Beagle, The Wife
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 rear leaf spring in my truck had fractured.
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:”
Limited Service Campaign E0D (Specific 20 Cold Climate States Only) – Certain 2005-2008 Model Year Toyota Tacoma Vehicles – Corrosion-Resistant Compound Application to the Vehicle’s Frame
This is a Limited Service Campaign (LSC). Please contact an authorized Toyota Dealer and make an appointment to have your vehicle inspected and the CRC application completed before 3/31/2016. This campaign covers vehicles currently registered in CT DE IL IN KY MA MD ME MI MN NH NJ NY OH PA RI VA VT WA WI WV & D.C. This LSC will be launched in Phases. Currently only dealers in MA, ME, NH, RI, & VT are authorized to perform this campaign
Condition: Certain 05-08 MY Tacoma vehicles operated in specific cold climate areas with high road salt use, may exhibit more than normal corrosion to the frame. An authorized dealer will inspect the frame. If significant rust perforation is not found*, corrosion-resistant compounds (CRC) will be applied to key areas of the frame. If an authorized dealer confirms the frame has significant rust perforation*, an appropriate remedy will be provided.
*Based on Toyota’s Criteria
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 rear leafspring in my truck had fractured.The dismantled Toyota Tacoma.
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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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.
