NHTSA Investigating Tundra Frame Rust

Sorry, don’t know anybody getting cash incentive or new frame due to rust. I would like to know if the 2007 on up tundra frames are also being built at that same plant ‘Dana Holding’ in Ohio? One small reason I got rid of my 2007 tundra is the frame was rusting pretty bad in only 1 1/2 years and 20K on the truck here in WI. The 07’s might be in the same boat as the 02’s are now in 4-5 years from now unfortunately. I’m definitely going to check right after winter on my 2010 tundra for rusted tailgates, chrome bumpers and lug nuts, and 2 other areas besides the frame rusting that I had all replaced or repainted on my 2007 tundra double cab. I expect a little rust on the frame in 2 years, not excessive which I know it was on my 2007 tundra.

Good article Jason – keep up the good work and information coming our way.

got 07 tundra live in Utah. no rust anywhere on truck. wash it every once in a while about a week or two in winter to keep salt off it in summer not as much. i use the $6.00 car wash the wax in the car wash help.

Could be wrong, but WI has more snow and salt used on the roads than Utah. Still, the rust all over the 07′ tundra’s frame after 1 winter was a shock and none of my past Chevy Silverados had anywhere near the amount of frame rust after 1 winter as my 07′ tundra did. Hope they got it fixed for rusting on my 2010 tundra – will keep a close eye on it come next April. 26K is pretty good on an 08′ model year carryover as long as it is a 4wd with all those extras. I buy mine at invoice or I don’t buy period. There is always a dealer whether Toyota or Chevy or Ford or Honda or whoever that will sell at invoice. Dealers still make a holdback from their mfg. for every new car sold.

Toyota should come forward with information on how long they used this company or if they still do.

My sympathies Janet!

Screw the dealer and do not bother with them anymore. The dealer is small potatoes and go file to NHTSA your complaint and then maybe hire a good lawyer or contact a lemon law attorney in your state for good advice if nothing else. Don’t let the dealer push you around and don’t bother arguing with them because your case needs to go way above the local dealer’s authority. Hang in there, I bet in the end you will win as well as you should.

Mickey – Agreed. I’ll see if I can find that out.

i notice rust on rear axle heavy toward tires

http://www.thebostonchannel.co.....etail.html
check out the story that started it all….my husband was interviewed for this story …check out the video

2002 tacoma reg. cab noticed flakey frame brought truck to dealer and they took pictures of holes in frame and said I will get a new frame and leaf springs, and a rental car for 3 days. They were very polite

Kreg – It will depend on the amount of data they have and how responsive Toyota is. NHTSA says that they resolve most investigations in less than 16 months…but there are many examples of these investigations being resolved faster. My guess? Toyota officially offers a fix that pre-empts the need for NHTSA to continue (much like they did with the Tacoma warranty extension and buy-back program). If only Toyota had done this 6 months ago when this news first came out…

Thanks so much for this post!

Is there anything one can do preventively to a truck that may be in the affected group but hasn’t shown up with the problem yet? Does undercoating the chassis help? What would be a way to prevent the problem from happening?

Jeremy – The best thing you can do first is to contact NHTSA and file a formal complaint (link is in the article). The investigation is already underway. After that, pictures and video can go a long ways towards motivating public opinion. Feel free to send them here to be published – admin[at]tundraheadquarters.com (but it’s @ instead of [at]).

Dave – Washing the undercarriage regularly – especially during winter – is the best way to prevent rust. Aside from that, there are some chemical coatings that can deter rust (aka undercoating). I don’t know a lot about undercoating, but I’ve never heard good things…so proceed with caution.

You bet man. The way I read that, chances are slim that your vehicle will develop a rust problem based on your geography. The rust issues are almost universally limited to cold, moist climates (where heavy use of road salt and/or salty sea air are quite common). That’s good news I think…but it never hurts to keep an eye out. Thanks for posting – that dealer is pretty cool to have such a reasoned response so quickly.

NEXT STEP’ WE ALL LET TOYOTA HOW P—- O– WE ARE WE WANT A SAFE TRUCK TOYOTA YOU HAVE THE BALL DON’T DROP IT THIS WILL COST NOW BUT A LOT MORE LATER DO YOU THINK WE WILL BUY A TOYOTA NEXT TIME IF TOYOTA WON’T STAND BY WHAT YOU SOLD US THIS TIME? CAN YOU SPELL FORD PINTO’ GM 5.7 DIESEL

a rental car at Toyotas expense? the dealership still has my truck in pieces, and has acknowledged how bad and unsafe the frame is, and agreed to replace the frame yet refuse to pay for a rental. We spent about $200.00 on a rental and realized we just couldnt afford the cost long term. Our truck was brought in the first week in September, they tell us they want OUR money certain parts connected to the frame (these parts are also corroded). What a nightmare…

Encouragement to contact NHTSA: I did that with my story (See 10/7/09) and was contacted by a NHTSA investigator within a week. He was both concerned and helpful for me. The NHTSA investigation is already launched for 2000-2001 Tundras BUT will likely include much newer models as well. See: http://www.safercar.gov/ Case # PE09049 for all of the details. If you have a rust issue, this is the time to send the NHTSA your information! The more information and pictures that we supply, the more likely any actions will be successful.

Jeremy – I think your approach might make just as many enemies as it does friends. Also, if they’re replacing the frame why would you want them to buy it back? I think it should be one or the other.

Agree Jeremy, buy them all back at 150% of what the blue book tells us the tundras are worth. Much simpler for everybody involved unless you love your rusty tundra so much that 50% more than what the truck is now worth is not enough to get rid of it and get into something safer. I’ve said for the past 2 years to everyone who would listen on these websites, including complaining to Toyota 1-800# several times, that even the current 2007 tundras like I had are rusting so severely after 2 years and 25K of use vs. any of my past Chevies I have had for 2 years, that there is something wrong with the rust protection on these frames and other underneath parts already after 2 years of rusting beyond comprehension. I know it is true, just look at my former 2007 tundra here in WI and tell me different. I had severe rusty frame underneath, both chrome bumpers replaced due to 20+ spots of rust, 2″ receiver underneath rear bumper rusting in spots, all 20 chromed lug nuts rusting, both rear double cab doors in bottom rear corner of rocker panel behind rear doors rust thru with no paint left in a 2″ area and severe rust, and a dime sized rust bubble thru the paint in my outside of my tailgate about 4″ up from the bottom edge in the middle of the tailgate. I tell you all it is happening on the 2007’s on up, but no one will do anything about it until probably 5-6 years down the road when we current Tundra owners are in the same boat. You can bet on my current 2010 tundra, I now know what to look for in terms of rusting and when (not if) my chrome lug nuts show any signs of rusting in the corners after this first winter and under 1 year/12K of driving (warranty only goes 1yr/12K for rusting lug nuts), I will be marching into my dealer and getting them replaced every year after winter forever as long as I own the truck. Mark my words, I am correct unless Toyota has done something different for undercoating and chroming process in 2010, but I doubt it.

Tomorrow, Fox news will be doing a piece on the corrosion problem. We were interviewed in Boston with video hookup to Washington. They have our pictures. This is great media exposure- they contacted us, we did not contact them. Not sure of time yet.

2 weeks ago, in the mail I received a flyer from the dealer that I bought my 2000 Tundra from with an offer to trade it in at a fair price for a new vehicle. The offer was very personalized with VIN #. date of purchase and trade in value ect. I commented to my wife how detailed it was and then threw it in the trash as I bought the truck thinking I would have it until I retire in 10 years. Then I heard national news about the rust problem and crawled underneath and was shocked at the amount of rust on the frame and as another post says the tie rod ends are rusted off on the passenger side. I promptly called the Toyota Customer Experience Center (1-800-331-4331 option #5) to register a complaint about the frame. All other owners should do the same if you haven’t already done so.

Tri-State Toyota has had my truck since Sept.5. Almost 2 months and no loaner vehicle. Wow that’s real customer service. I have been fighting with Toyota for 14 months. The want me to pay for shocks, leaf spring assemblies, Spare tire mount and sub-bumper assemblies= total $1563 Yah right Toyota!

Marc – I can’t blame you. This has got “fiasco” written all over it…Toyota better handle this soon.

Remember everyone,Pictures can tell a story more than words can describe.Toyota dismantled my truck without my signature allowing them to…if we are patient Toyota will
Do more to hurt there reputation by treating there customers like crap. I have been treated as such. They think that no one is looking, so take pitures of the rust and show others!

Greg, thanks for the phone #, I called and did the same.

carl – Let us know how it goes – I’m looking for info on buy backs, replacements, and new Toyota credits.

What does having a Florida plate have to do with the rusting frame? If it’s rusting through it shouldn’t matter where I live to have this fixed. If that’s the case Toyota is keeping their eyes closed on this and should be taken to court.

I’m another Tundra owner with a badly rusted frame. I’ve had my struts rust away and broke while driving. My oxygen sensors rust out also and some were replaced. I removed my spare tire in fears that it would fall off. I live in Connecticut which uses salt on the roads in the winter. I don’t drive the truck very often and have only 31K miles on it. The body and interior are in excellent condition. I bought this truck for my retirement in 2000 with hopes it would last me forever.
I’m trading in my 2004 Nissan Altima tomorrow for a Buick Enclave. I wanted to get a Toyota Highlander, but I’m too upset with Toyota to buy another one from them. I’ll still be stuck with my “rust bucket” and don’t know what to do short of waiting for a recall. Any suggestions? I could try to peddle this truck on a trade in with my Nissan, but then some unknowing buyer would get stuck with it.

I also have a 2000 Tundra which I bought new. I live in Mass. and know the wear the Winters provide for us. My frame is in the same shape most of the people on this site have complained about including having to replace my power steering line that rusted out ($700). I planned on keeping my truck for another 5 years because it runs great but I’m not so sure now. I will probably contact the NHTSA to document another complaint but I’m not holding my breath on any favorable resolution from Toyota. They are big business and we are the “Little People”. I’m hoping Toyota does the right thing.

Called Toyota Customer Experience Center yesterday to check on status of issue. I have a case file # from my previous call to them in Oct. The agent was very polite (customer service survey after call was offered) and I spent a long time on hold while she supposedly went to check with a technician on the status. I felt like this was done to make me believe I were the only call of the week asking about the rust problem and that no one else was calling. She finally did respond and told me that there was no additional information and that I would be notified by mail if a resolution was offered.

Someone posted on the Tundra Solution discussion site that “a guy” told him Toyota would issue a statement Nov. 20…tomorrow.

I’ve been stopping to talk to every Tundra owner I see and inform them about the rust. 5 of the 6 owners did not know about it

I was told that they(toyota) would have some info this week. I called yesterday, they said to call back in a couple of weeks.

When I called two weeks ago they said the matter would be resolved soon…..we will see.

From PickUpTruvks.com article…….
“The information requested by NHTSA in the Information Request dated 10/9/09 is due today, not necessarily a response [to the complaints] from Toyota,” said Brian Lyons, Toyota’s Safety and Quality Communications Manager. “The requirements per the Information Request have been fulfilled.”

Toyota responded to the NHTSA so we may not hear anything right now.

Every 00 or 01 Tundra owner I have spoken to in my area (southern NH) has had similar problems to mine (spare falling off and other welds failing) and they are aware of the investigation. I sneak my truck out for a ride once a week to keep everything from seizing up because it won’t pass inspection and it thus has no value.

This should be headsup for the rest of the trucks owners out there. Take a video shot of the truck all around and underneath before they take it in. Show the dealership while filming. Dealer may complain about the filming but you need to exercise your rights before letting this happening to you.

Woo Hoo. Toyota is recalling the old Tundras. Just hit the air. . .

Just the crossmember??? What about the rest of the frame and attaching components? This just does’nt seem right does it?

I HAVE A 2002 TUNDRA WITH 50,000 MILES ON IT. IS THEIR A RECALL ON IT?

Robert – Only if you live in the North East. Otherwise, you’re entitled to a free inspection at your local Toyota dealer. Simply call and schedule an appointment.

I purchased my 2000 Tundra last year and right now it has 83000 miles on it. I was checking for recalls before I bought it but only found exterior lighting issues. Today, as i was checking my tires out I noticed on my my rear driver side my frame is broken in 2 places and cracked in 2 others. It looks like it just rusted through. I contacted Toyota today and they gave me a case # and told me someone would contact me to go over my next steps. I am glad I found this sight because I am going to file a complaint with the NHTSA as soon as possible.To find out the frame was made in the same plant as the Tacoma is really discouraging. I am hoping they follow suit and just offer a buy back on these trucks.

The entire Tundra Rust issue seems to be on back burner since Toyota’s other recalls have surfaced. We were told in November that we would be contacted in December or January… and now it’s of course February. Has anyone started a Class Action Suit yet? Hello Lawyers?? I’m still in for over $5,000 from the damage caused by my dropped spare tire and not finished with repairs yet. Not a word from Toyota at this time.

Ok, here’s my update. If you search backward in the thread for my posts you’ll see I’ve been out of touch for awhile. Now, after about 9 or 10 weeks of waiting for a frame, the replacement job is done on my 2000 4×4 limited with 113K miles. I had a loaner for the duration of the job, which took about a week total. Was told that any items that were in the critical dis/reassembly path could be replaced for only the parts cost – that they’d charge me no labor. I’d already had the timing belt and water pump done at 90k and generally taken good care of the vehicle during the decade of ownership, so there wasn’t much that made sense to replace. I did have them replace the rear shocks after they told me they were leaking. The cost was very reasonable, and no charge for labor. This was the only additional work I had done (and paid for).

Made a quick appointment with my personal independent shop, who I’ve trusted implicitly for many years, afterward. Partially to give the once over to the frame replacement work done by the local dealer, and partly to do the other work I wanted completed subsequent to frame replacement – since I now plan (knock on wood) to hopefully keep the vehicle for another decade if I’m lucky. Got estimates from the local Toyota dealer on the additional parts/work I wanted done, but they couldn’t come close to the what it would cost me to have the work done by my mechanic and/or order the parts myself. I had all new front brakes installed (Posiquiet preloaded calipers and new high quality rotors on both sides), had the rear emergency brake pivot arms (a well-known sore spot for emergency brake lock up when they freeze) cleaned up nicely (and will be sure to exercise the emergency brake periodically to prevent any new freeze), rear drums tightened up, diff fluid checked and tranny fluid changed (diff fluid was nice and clean). Also had Nasta stainless step rails installed that I ordered myself prior from Mechanics-warehouse.com – great price, all stainless mounting hardware, and very nice looking rails. The mechanic liked them so much after the install (including quality of mounting hardware, mounting location, rubber cap to prevent rust from starting at the rail ends, etc.) that he decided to order a set himself for his Ram. I also had new headlight bulbs installed (the old ones had grown mighty dim).

The one thing the dealer didn’t mention to me that I wasn’t too thrilled about was a torn front CV boot that was bleeding grease. Not sure whether it happened during the frame replacement process or was a pre-existing issue, but either way it’s a bit odd that the dealer never mentioned it (and eventually would obviously have possibly jeopardized the joint and/or the axle). I’m surprised they didn’t give me the option to have them repair/replace it like they did with the front brakes and the shocks (Bilsteins, which I accepted). Anyway, that’s why I took it to my guys afterward, both for the follow-up peace of mind exam and the additional work to be executed.

Was waiting to post this update until I got the truck back from my mechanic after everything was completed. Just picked it up today and it is running like new all around. No rattles, suspension feels as good as I remember new, tranny smooth as silk, and engine purring. Will plan on taking the mechanic’s suggestion and having the underside coated with the 3M undercoating spray seal stuff in the spring after a good undercarriage wash.

Any questions let me know. I’m crossing fingers that you guys get helped out the same way that Toyota stood behind the Tundra for me. Overall, I’m very pleased with the way the factory and local dealer service dept. handled the situation. I still am not sold entirely on another Toyota purchase, however, until such time as they stand behind the other Tundra owners who have been unfortunate enough to end up with the same frame rust issue. Just because I was able to push the right buttons and be perceived as a priority customer of sorts this time around (maybe due to 3 consecutive new Toyota/Lexus vehicle purchases, proper button pushing, or otherwise) is no guarantee that it would necessarily happen that way again. Bottom line is that if Toyota stands behind the Tundra en-masse so that many other unlucky owners aren’t forced into having to junk their trucks then I’m likely to retain the Toyota brand at the top of my likely consideration list. The truck has been very good to me on the whole, and I don’t think it likely that any other make is more trustworthy in a electrical/mechanical sense (at least compared to my 2000 1st gen Limited). The frame rust issue was/is a major letdown, obviously, but Toyota making good on the gaffe goes a long way in my book. The only thing that will go the entirety of the way, in all honestly, however, is if other affected Tundra owners are treated the same…

Great update Marc. I am curious though if they just offered to replace your frame or did they also offer to buy it back.

I’m sold on Toyota. I will be buying one in the next month. The way they have the use it and return it policy is outstanding! I figured I will keep it for 7 years and take it back for atleast 110% of the retail value. That is a outstanding deal! I I’m debating on weather to perform the recommended maintenance or not. I could just say I did and that will be good enough from what I read about the oil sludge report. This company is apparently all about taking care of customers, they go well beyond what the warranty states.

BEFORE I MADE THE COMENT ON 1/19/ 2010 I CALLED HERB CHAMBERS WHERE I PUCHASED THE TRUCK IN 2002 AND THAY KNEW NOTHING OF A RECALL AND IF THEY DO I WOULD BE CONTACTED IF THEIR WAS ONE. I HAVE NOT HAD A CALLBACK AS OF THIS DATE 2/17/2010! I GESS I WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE BOTTOM OF THE TRUCK FALLS OUT. I BELIVED HERB CHAMBERS WAS MORE RESPONSIBLE THAN THIS TO HIS CUSTOMERS !

Robert – That dealership sounds awful. Anyone answering the phone at a Toyota service department anywhere in the northeast should know about this issue – there’s no excuse for a Boston-area dealership to say they’ve never heard of this recall.

Update from my first comment from Feb. 8th 2000 tundra.
My truck has a “case #”, dealer took pictures of the frame holes and we also found more areas when pictures were taken. The cross member has a 4″ hole near the brake line block. All pictures were submitted to regional rep and within 1 week I was called back to dealer, for more pictures of the outside and inside of the truck? Local dealer has been very good to deal with and supportive. I called yesterday for follow up, but dealer has not heard anything yet? With all the current bad press I really don’t know what the odds are for fix or buy out? Local dealer thinks they will replace frame?? I’m lucky to a point that it is not bad enough to drive and I still have 2 months before state inspection. More to follow????

Recieved a call today from Toyota. Informed me that the safety recall is for the rear cross memeber only and that frame damage due to rust has yet to be addressed. He indicated that Toyota is handling trucks like mine on a case by case basis. By the end of the conversation I had the feeling that Toyota may not stand behind the failed frame……………..

I posted a comment back in early October about my Tundra. I was one of the original complaints to NTSB about my spare falling off while driving and additional severe frame rust. Filed with Toyota at the same time. Have been waiting for the recall notice but got nothing. Called dealer last week and have an appointment next week to “evaluate” the frame rust. The truck failed instpection in September and has been sitting in my driveway since. I fire it up once a week. I think among other things there is a problem with the steering linkage so I am having it towed to dealer. It seems that Toyota is helping some owners and not others. I suppose the sqeaky wheels are getting the greece.

Renny – Michael is right – the dealer is almost certainly holding up the progress of your case.
##
To no one in particular: The key to getting Toyota to review your case is to…
- Call your dealer
- Call Toyota’s customer service number
- Rinse, wash, repeat. Call, call again, and then call some more.
##
The calls should ALWAYS be cordial (yelling and screaming won’t help), but the calls should be frequent. That’s the only way to get the dealers to act (they contact Toyota, who then authorizes either a fix or a buy-back). The dealership service manager is the key.

Marc – Having worked in dealerships for years, I can tell you that your insights are spot on. Some dealership service managers know how to work the system and grease the rails to get approval for this type of thing, and some are just punching a clock. Either way, they WILL respond with the right amount of persistence. Working both the dealer and Toyota’s customer service line can be effective, but it also helps a great deal to involve the dealership’s general manager (GM) if and/or when you feel your case isn’t being taken seriously. The average GM at a Toyota dealership is a highly qualified business person…they will take care of customers so long as they’re reasonable. Considering Toyota has a recall on these frames, it’s reasonable to ask for a replacement or a buy-back if your frame is deemed unsafe.

My truck was inspected on Tuesday March 9th by the regional service manager for Toyota. I was ask a boatload of questions as well. Like did I tow a boat or heavy trailer? Did I store my truck under roof or outside? etc., etc.
I called Toyota today March 12th, and they informed me that they are sending letters to truck owners concerning frame failure beyond the rear cross member. It seems that they are still going to address each frame claim on its own merits, BUT they do agree that there is a bigger issue at hand. My conversations with Toyota lead me to think that they are going to fix some and buy some back. At any rate, It is very important to get a case number from Toyota and work with your dealer. Said many times, but it is true. You need to work all the angles on this. And I fully agree with Jason that yelling and screaming does not get you anything but high blood pressure and less cooperation from the local dealer.

Well I truly hope that the letters are coming I have been in a loaner for over 30 days and the last conversation I had with any one from toyota both at the corporate level as well as dealership level was don’t call us we will call you. I have always been overly nice to these folks and I just hope it pays off.

Anyone seeing the conflicting news? I saw a couple reports that Toyota was expanding the Tundra cross member recall to all states. Yesterday (the 16th) I saw an article out of Canada that stated Toyota retracted the earlier statement. Very confusing……

Jason,

I read the article on the CBC website which is the National Public Radio station for Canada.

http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/sto.....ml?ref=rss

My 2002 Tundra is @ a dealership as of yesterday. the dealership is telling me that my rear cross member is fine. However the rest of my truck is severely corroded/rusted out. There telling me that my truck needs about $4500 in repairs. The Point, my Tundra passed their inspection. So I laughed and said, would you put money into this truck if the rest of frame/ under body is going to be junk in a year? The dealership manager said no. I want every Tundra owner to know that this rust problem is much bigger than a cross member recall. It’s the entire under body. I’m in the process of meeting a Toyota rep next week in person to go over my truck. I also did the NHTSA form online, and I will be contacting the Federal Trade commission( 877-382-4357)which is for complaining / discussed with the dealership It self.