Comments on: Toyota Tells NHTSA All First Generation Tundras Have Frame Rust Issues

By: Jason

Jason — Thu, 06 May 2010 18:12:40 +0000

The comments on this post are now closed – see this post if you have any questions about the Tundra frame rust issue: http://www.tundraheadquarters......t-program/

By: Admin (Jason)

Admin (Jason) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 19:00:39 +0000

Mike – I hear ya. Toyota isn’t doing the right thing on the older Tundras, and it could hurt them for a long time. Let’s hope that someone at Toyota steps up soon…

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 19:55:05 +0000

I have a 2000 Tundra – love the truck – but it’s dissolving bit by bit. Replaced tied rod ends, power steering tubes, ebrake pivots (twice), the entire steering rack rotted away and the frame is fairly brown with little coating left. Toyota recalled it and checked the spare tire crossover mount and declared it “OK” for now. Spent $1100 this year on “rust” issues so far. I was planning on upgrading to a newer Tundra, but now I’m hesitant. I’d be happy if they could just fix the rust because other than that, it is in great shape and runs fine. I don’t think spraying a little rust proofer on the the tire mount is going to help it much though. If I still have it in the spring, I may put it up on blocks and sandblast the bottom and spray it with Rust Bullet and hope for the best. I’m not optimistic that Toyota is going to fix this problem (like they did for the Tacomas by replacing the frames) or buy back the trucks. I’d like to buy another Tundra, but they’re not making it easy and the reports I say on the bouncing truck beds and cheap plastic interiors in the newer Tundras don’t fill me with confidence either. I think Toyota has lost it’s way. It’s about quality, not the biggest or strongest or prettiest; just the overall feeling that it’s a good solid truck.

By: Admin (Jason)

Admin (Jason) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 22:33:33 +0000

Justin – It’s not a good time for Toyota for sure. I think that it’s going to get worse before it gets better. They’re going to lose a lot of money until they figure out how to cut capacity or exchange rates improve, and that’s going to hurt their image.

By: Justin

Justin — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:39:31 +0000

Bobby: Like most here, I do agree with your point on this being partly an owner/maintenance issue. But on the other hand, how many vehicles made in the last 10-20yrs have shown this severe of rust over such a short period of time (6-9yrs)? I’ve seen much older vehicles, poorly maintained and left out in the elements with much less corrosion. Also, if Toyota and the NHTSA have found defects in the build quality/material, then they should be partly on the hook.
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Not looking good for Toyota right now. 1st the rust issues, then the sudden acceleration recall, now an investigation into vehicles stalling.
http://www.detroitnews.com/art.....ota-models

By: Mickey

Mickey — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 02:33:10 +0000

Bobby I guess I can draw a pic for the few who can’t get the picture. The deer thing was an example of keeping your cool and staying under control compared to the ones who had a so called runaway engine and can’t find neutral. You have liberal judges who will side with people who were hurt in accidents where a vehicle is over 10 to 20 years old. Case in point in South Carolina a lady and her daughter back in 2006 were in a 1985 Malibu stationwagon which was rearended and the wagon caught fire and the daughter got burned pretty bad. They didn’t sue who hit them they sued GM and won a 2 billion, I say again won a 2 billion law suit over a rusty 20 year old station wagon being hit from behind saying it was GM’s fault with a bad design.

By: Admin (Jason)

Admin (Jason) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 02:20:13 +0000

mainehunter – I wholeheartedly agree that Toyota is responsible in this case.

By: mainhunter

mainhunter — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:55:37 +0000

Well I can tell you I have washed the frame on my truck at least once a week in the winter, it just snowed today and I will be washing it off in my shop in the morning. To say that the frame rusting away is my fault is a bunch of crap.

By: Admin (Jason)

Admin (Jason) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:52:43 +0000

Bobby – I’m sorry you don’t like the way I moderate comments. I think there’s a difference in the comments here as opposed to the post about holiday gifts. To be honest, I probably should have closed comments on the holiday gift post. In any case, thanks for your feedback.
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As for your comments that people are crying over spilled milk, I have mixed feelings. Speaking in pure hyperbole, at what point does Toyota’s liability for rust end? 8 years? 10? 20? There has to be a point where people accept the problem for what it is. Have said that, I believe that in this instance the complaints are warranted. Bear in mind that some 2003 trucks are showing this level of rust, and Toyota is going to treat 04-06 Tundras. NHTSA and Toyota feel this is a defect going back to 2000, so I think that validates the idea that Toyota is responsible. Still, your point is well taken.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 19:08:19 +0000

He has a point. The Toyota sludge issue that resulted in a law suit is a good case in point. Attached is the story http://www.consumeraffairs.com.....ement.html . Oil sludge forms from not changing oil at correct interval. In the story you will see Toyota asked for the proof of having their oil changed. One couple said it was done at Walmart and they don’t have the proof (aka I didn’t do). I don’t know about you but I have proof of maintenance completed on my vehicle no matter who completed or when. The other said they bought a extended warranty for it, since when does a extended warranty cover oil sludge if you didn’t change your oil.. The point being is that if you don’t do the maintenance and have proof of it stop complaining. Toyota said some of the frame rust was due to lack of maintenance. Who’s fault is that, must be Toyota’s. We where just talking about this and it is a great reason to buy a Toyota, you don’t have to complete any maintenance and if something go wrong EVER just start crying and everything will be ok! Life must be good in never never land!! They should make a commercal showing a car in the middle of a hail storm every dented, window broken and Toyota fixes it because it must be their fault it hailed! That will sell cars!