Tag: Tacoma

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Air Bag Peril: Toyota Announces Major Recall on Popular Models

The relentless series of recalls plaguing the automobile industry continues unabated, with Toyota being the latest victim. In what seems to be a recurrent trend, Toyota has been compelled to initiate another broad recall, this time centered around a critical safety feature – the airbag. An article on The Scioto Post released on July 25th, 2023, highlights the issue in detail.

Faulty Air Bag Connection Prompts Recall

According to the report, Toyota is conducting a non-compliance safety recall involving a staggering 110,000 vehicles in the U.S. Models included in this recall are 2023 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross hybrid, Highlander, Highlander hybrid, Tacoma, as well as Lexus RX and RX hybrid and 2024 model year NX and NX hybrid.

The concern is that the spiral cable assembly in the steering column, which controls the driver’s airbag, could lose its electrical connection. If this occurs, the driver’s airbag may not deploy in a crash. The issue not only fails to meet certain federal motor vehicle safety requirements, but also significantly heightens the risk of injury to the driver in the event of a crash.

Toyota’s Response

Toyota is notifying affected owners about this airbag issue by early September 2023. For all involved vehicles, Toyota and Lexus dealers will inspect the serial number of the spiral cable and, if necessary, replace it with a new cable at no cost to customers.

This is yet another blow to the auto giant’s reputation, which has been battered by a series of recalls in recent times. It also underscores the need for stringent quality control measures and extensive pre-launch testing of vehicles to avert such issues.

If you own any of the listed models, it’s important to confirm if your vehicle is included in the recall. You can do this by visiting Toyota.com/recall or nhtsa.gov/recalls and entering your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or license plate information. Should you have any additional questions, you can reach out to the Toyota Brand Engagement Center (1-800-331-4331) for Toyota vehicles, or the Lexus Brand Engagement Center (1-800-255-3987) for Lexus vehicles.

Concluding Thoughts

As Toyota grapples with the impact of this recall, it’s crucial that they swiftly rectify the issue and work to regain consumer trust. The frequency of recalls in recent times underlines the importance of manufacturers investing in rigorous safety checks and maintaining the highest standards of quality and safety.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing situation, and always remember, safety should be paramount when it comes to driving.

Source: The Scioto Post

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Toyota Tacoma Frame Settlement Reached – Now What?

A Toyota Tacoma sits in pieces during the Frame Rust Recall

Toyota Tacoma Frame Rust LawsuitEarly 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.“

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The Hidden Cost of Toyota Tacoma’s Frame Recall: A Personal Experience

A Toyota Tacoma sits in pieces during the Frame Rust Recall

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.

Toyota Tacoma Problems - Somewhere in the Pacific Northwest
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.

A broken leafspring on a Toyota Tacoma
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.

Tacoma Problems - The Toyota Recall Will Cost Money
Tacoma Problems - The Toyota Recall Will Cost Money
Tacoma Problems - The Toyota Recall Will Cost Money
A hole in the frame of a recalled Toyota Tacoma
A hole in the frame of a Toyota Tacoma
A broken leafspring on a Toyota Tacoma
The rear leafspring in my truck had fractured.
A broken leafspring on a Toyota Tacoma
The rust on a frame of a recalled Toyota Tacoma
A hole in the frame of a recalled Toyota Tacoma
A Toyota Tacoma sits in pieces during the Frame Rust Recall
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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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.