Toyota Tacoma 2001 — Problemas reportados

Lower ball joint separated from knuckle and it says 0 recalls repaired i want it replaced because there oem they were never replaced when recalled

We purchased a 2001 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner from a used car lot in Omaha NE. We have had it for 3 months and recently had a mechanic look over the vehicle for repairs. The mechanic indicated the frame is rusted through and the truck is unsafe to drive. The mechanic indicated that there was a recall on the frames possibly, so we followed up with Toyota. Toyota told me that there is no frame recall, but instead they did a "Customer Support Program" in relation to the frame, but it had expired. Toyota told us there is nothing they can do for us. My concern is that Toyota has a known issue, a safety issue, concerning their vehicles but will not rectify it. I would like Toyota to be held liable for their substandard product, no matter how long it has been. A quick Google search about Toyota and recalls is that they are not good at reporting them to you, or their service centers are not good at making sure all recalls are taken care of, and I feel that this is something that needs to be investigated - and in my case, rectified.

My Toyota truck frame is rusted with big holes and could break in two at any time.

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced under recall for corrosion underneath the vehicle. The contact became aware that there was corrosion underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and rust protection was sprayed on the corrosion but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 100,000. The vehicle was taken back to Toyota for service, which was outside the extended warranty and the tech was shown the gaping holes in the frame that had rusted through and at that point the contact was told the extended warranty had expired so they couldn't do anything. The frame has now rusted so bad that Toyota has deemed it unsafe as of 2 months ago when the tech looked at it so the contact reached out to Toyota corporate recall department but they refused to do anything about it as well.

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the contact swerved to the left to avoid another vehicle and the steering had stiff. The contact stated that the front driver’s side wheel then collapsed inside the wheel well. The contact lost control of the vehicle and the vehicle skidded off the highway and onto the right shoulder. The contact stated that the seat belt warning light then illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V225000 (Suspension). The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Front part of fuel tank dropped apparently due to corrosion. Electrical and fluid connections to fuel tank were disconnected when the tank dropped. Negligible fuel spill. Vehicle was towed from the scene. Driving on dirt road at the time.

The complete chassis frame under the vehicle, contains a lot of rust and holes due to corrosion. Some years ago, a Toyota dealership asked me to bring the vehicle in to one of their dealerships, where an undercoating was painted on the frame surface. However, the coating is worn away and the rust is visible again and this time there are even more deterioration.

- 2001 Toyota Tacoma New Replacement Frame Rusted, it is available for inspection. - The frame is rusted to the point you can push your finger through it, failure concern while driving. -The local Toyota dealership and corporate office, states the vehicle is not covered in any way. - At this time the vehicle has not been inspected due to dealership stating there are no recalls on the second frame that was installed in the 2001 Toyota Tacoma for the original rusting problem. This vehicle likely will not pass state inspection. - There are no warning devices for this problem. The rust/corrosion was located during an oil change.

MY FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND ALL THE CAPOMINTES ARE ALSO. I CANT CHANGE ANYTHING PUT BECAUSE OF IT. MY LEAF SPRINGS ARE SHOT WHERE THEY ARE MOUNTED TO THE FRAME. IS WEAKING WHICH IS MOVING MY BACK AXLE OFF BALANCE. MY FRONT AILMENT IS COMPLETELY OFF. I AND DREAK ANYTHING LOSE TO FIX THE ISSUE'S. IT FEELS LIKE THEY COMPLETELY FORGOT TO SPRAY MY FRAME ON MY TRUCK

Excessive frame rust

I SEE THAT MY FRAME IS CRACKING. SO I LOOKED IT UP. AND FOUND MULTIPLE RECALLS ON THE TUCK. I NOTICED THAT I HAVE A VERY SLOPPY STEERING WHEEL. IT SAID THAT WAS A RECALL TOO. I'M DON'T NO IF PREVIOUS OWNER HAD ANYTHING RECALLED.

MY FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND ALL THE CAPOMINTES ARE ALSO. I CANT CHANGE ANYTHING PUT BECAUSE OF IT. MY LEAF SPRINGS ARE SHOT WHERE THEY ARE MOUNTED TO THE FRAME. IS WEAKING WHICH IS MOVING MY BACK AXLE OFF BALANCE. MY FRONT AILMENT IS COMPLETELY OFF. I AND DREAK ANYTHING LOSE TO FIX THE ISSUE'S. IT FEELS LIKE THEY COMPLETELY FORGOT TO SPRAY MY FRAME ON MY TRUCK

I BROUGHT MY 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA FOR AN INSPECTION IN JANUARY 2020 AND DISCOVERED THE FRAME WAS ROTTED AND IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I CONTACTED EMPIRE TOYOTA SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CAMPAIGN TO FIX THIS ISSUE EXPIRED SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THIS FIXED. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS CAMPAIGN NOR WAS MY HUSBAND WHO WAS THE PREVIOUS OWNER. I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT MANY OTHER TACOMA OWNERS ARE IN THE SAME PREDICAMENT. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE FIX THAT I CANNOT AFFORD. TOYOTA NEEDS TO STEP UP AND MAKE THIS A RECALL TO BE FIXED REGARDLESS OF TIMEFRAME.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S SUBFRAME FELT LOOSE UNDERNEATH. THE CONTACT NOTICED RUST AND CORROSION UNDERNEATH THE WHEEL WELL AND ON THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE. RIVERHEAD TOYOTA (1655 ROUTE 58 (OLD COUNTRY ROAD), RIVERHEAD, NY 11901 (631) 727-7722) INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO BE DRIVEN AND THAT THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF A SPECIAL PROGRAM TO THE REPLACE THE SUBFRAME BACK IN 01/2016 WHICH EXPIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED THE NOTIFICATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH A CASE NUMBER AND PROMISED A CALLBACK. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNREPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

I'M WRITING YOU BECAUSE I HAD MY 2001 TACOMA INSPECTED FOR THE FRAME RUST RECALL IN 2010. AT THAT TIME I WAS TOLD THAT MY TRUCK WOULD BE SPRAYED WITH AN INHIBITOR TO PREVENT RUST. THE VEHICLE FRAME HAS SINCE RUSTED AND IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE SPRAY INHIBITOR OBVIOUSLY DID NOT WORK OR WAS APPLIED INCORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE STARTED SHOWING THESE SIGNS WHILE DRIVINH.

OUR 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA 4WD DOUBLE CAB (WITH 143,000 MILES AND EXCELLENT CONDITION) ABS CONTROL UNIT FAILED SOMETIMES IN EARLY JAN 2020. AFTER WE SEARCHED FOR REPLACEMENT PART ON TOYOTA DEALERS' WEBSITES, THEY SHOWED "THIS PRODUCT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE." OUR SHOP SEARCHED AND WAS TOLD BY TOYOTA DEALERS THE SAME THING. I CONTACTED DEALERS AND THEY SAID NOTHING THEY COULD DO BUT TO CONTACT TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA IN PLANO, TEXAS. WE ALONG WITH OUR SHOP SEARCHED FOR USED/RECYCLED PART ACROSS AMERICA. WE FOUND ONE FROM OREGON BUT IT DID NOT WORK AFTER INSTALLATION. MARCH 17, 2020, WE CONTACTED TOYOTA IN PLANO, TEXAS, WITH A LETTER TO CHRIS NIELSEN, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF PRODUCTS SUPPORT & CHIEF QUALITY OFFICER, ABOUT THIS ABS CONTROL UNIT WITH A "SAFETY ISSUE" AS MY FAMILY AND 10 OF THOUSANDS OF OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS WHO HAD STUCK OR HAVE BEEN STUCK WITH THIS "SAFETY ISSUE." TOYOTA RESPONDED MARCH 27, 30, 31, APRIL 6, 8, BUT REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE "SAFETY ISSUE." FINALLY, ON APRIL 9, TOYOTA SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. WHEN I ASKED IF WE, ALONG WITH THOUSAND OF OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS ARE STUCK WITH THIS "SAFETY ISSUE"? TOYOTA RESPONDED BY SAYING WE GOT THERE PHONE NUMBER AND ADDRESS IF WE HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS. MEANWHILE, ON APRIL 3, 2020, WE FOUND A SECOND UNIT, BUT IT AGAIN FAILED AFTER 2 MONTHS. THESE ARE EXPENSIVE UNITS EVEN A USED ONE AND IT WAS VERY EXPENSIVE TO INSTALL AND TO UNINSTALL. MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE AND THOUSAND OF OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS ACROSS AMERICA ARE STUCK WITH THIS "SAFETY ISSUE" BECAUSE NO PART WAS AVAILABLE ANYWHERE WITHIN US. IT IS NOT JUST 2001 AS OTHER YEARS USED THE SAME PART. TOYOTA KNEW LONG AGO AND DECIDED NOT TO PRODUCE THEM ANYMORE AND THAT IS WHY PEOPLE ACROSS AMERICA ARE STUCK WITH THIS, KNOWN OR UNKNOWN. I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF THERE HAVE BEEN FATALITIES INVOLVED THIS ABS CONTROL UNIT BUT NO ONE KNEW ABOUT IT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE SEVERELY RUSTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME RUSTED THROUGH AT THE SHOCK ABSORBERS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PRIME TOYOTA - BOSTON (1605 VFW PKWY, WEST ROXBURY, MA 02132), AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 175,000.*DT *BF *TR THE CONSUMER PROVIDED PHOTOS. *TR

TOOK TRUCK FOR INSPECTION, WOULDN'T PASS BECAUSE FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH AND RIGHT REAR SHOCK ABSORBER IS UNATTACHED BECAUSE OF FRAME. MECHANIC SAYS DRIVING IT IS UNSAFE. TOYOTA HAD RECALL I WAS UNAWARE OF FOR RUSTED FRAMES, WHEN CONTACTED THEM THEY SAID THEY COULD DO NOTHING. *TR

FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT

UNDER MODERATE ACCELERATION WHILE TURNING LEFT, THE VEHICLE SURGED AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UNINTENTIONALLY. FORCEFUL BRAKING WAS APPLIED TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT AND GRADUALLY SLOW THE VEHICLE.

I HAVE REPLACED THE LOWER BALL JOINTS FIVE TIMES IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS. THREE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND TWICE ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE. TWICE I WAS IN SOMEONE'S DRIVEWAY TWICE I WAS TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY AND ONCE I WAS TURNING A CORNER. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO HOWEVER I NEVER REAPONDED AT THE TIME. NOW WHEN I LOOK ON THIS WEBSITE IT SAYS THERE WAS NO RECALL SO I AM UNSURE HOW TO PROCEED.

FRAME OF THIS VEHICLE HAS RUSTED BEYOND BEING SAFE TO DRIVE. VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS VIRGINIA STATE INSPECTION. RUST IS DUE TO FACTORY MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT TOYOTA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED. I AM THE THIRD OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND HAD NO WAY OF KNOWING OF ANY TOYOTA REMEDIES TO THIS SITUATION. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA CORPORATE AND THEY REFUSE TO OFFER ANY HELP. THIS IS AN INHERIT FACTORY DEFECT AND AGE AND TIME SHOULD MAKE NO DIFFERENCE. THERE ARE MANY OF THESE VEHICLES STILL OPERATING ON THE HIGHWAYS WITH THIS DEFECT CREATING A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

I NOTICED MY 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA MAKING ODD NOISES WHILE DRIVING. I DECIDED TO HAVE MY MECHANIC TAKE A LOOK AT IT FROM THE BOTTOM OF TRUCK: HE SAW AND TOOK PICTURES OF THE OBSERVABLE EXTENSIVE RUSTED/CORROSION AND PERFORATED AREAS ON THE FRAME/CHASSIS OF THE TRUCK AND SAID IT WAS A GOOD IDEA TO TAKE IT TO DEALERSHIP SINCE THERE HAS BEEN A SETTLEMENT LAWSUIT FOR DEFECTS ON TOYOTA TACOMA'S THAT WHERE NOT TREATED WELL ENOUGH WITH THE RUST INHIBITOR SPRAY. I TOOK MY TACOMA TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT ORIGINALLY AND THEY SAID EXACTLY WHAT MY MECHANIC HAD ALREADY TOLD ME ABOUT THE RUSTED AND PERFORATED AREAS ON THE FRAME/CHASSIS AND STATED THAT THE CHASSIS/FRAME HAS AN ADVANCED CORROSION/ RUST DAMAGES TO THE POINT OF THE FRAME BEING FRACTURED OR BROKEN IN HALF IF THE PROBLEM CONTINUES, WHEREAS IT'S VERY DANGEROUS TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE TRUCK. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT ON THE RUSTY FRAMES AND NOW AM CONSIDERING FURTHER INTO HIRING AN ATTORNEY REGARDING MY 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD FOR ME AND MY LOVED ONES AND I BELEIVE IT'S INCONSIDERATE AND SHAMING ON TOYOTA TO NOT HAVE ONE SINGLE RECALL INFORMATION ON 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA'S. I HOPE I CAN GET ANSWERS SOON IN REGARDS TO THIS PROBLEM AND WILL DUE WHAT'S NECESSARY TO HAVE TOYOTA RESPOND TO MY ISSUE. I HAVE ALREADY CALLED THEM 4MONTHS AGO AND THEY STATED I HAD TO FIRST FILE THIS COMPLAINT ON THIS WEBSITE IN ORDER TO PROCEED TO THE NEXT STEPS.

2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO VEHICLE HAVING A RUST AND CORROSION PROBLEM ON THE FRAME. *AS *JS

I'M WRITING YOU BECAUSE I HAD MY 2001 TACOMA INSPECTED FOR THE FRAME RUST RECALL IN 2010. AT THAT TIME I WAS TOLD THAT MY TRUCK WOULD BE SPRAYED WITH AN INHIBITOR TO PREVENT RUST. THE VEHICLE FRAME HAS SINCE RUSTED AND IS MOST LIKELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE SPRAY INHIBITOR OBVIOUSLY DID NOT WORK OR WAS APPLIED INCORRECTLY. THE SHOCK MOUNT HAS RUSTED FROM THE FRAME WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2019 [XXX] [XXX] RE: [XXX] 2001 TOYOTA TOYOTA MOTOR SALES, U.S.A., INC. P.O. BOX 259001 PLANO, TX 75025-9001 TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: MY DAUGHTER [XXX] PURCHASED THE ABOVE TOYOTA TACOMA IN 2014. AMBER WAS NEVER NOTIFIED THERE WAS AN ISSUE FOR A RUST PROBLEM AND FRAME WITH CORROSION. PLEASE SEE PICTURE BELOW. AFTER A LENGTHY WAIT ON THE PHONE, THE PROBLEM WAS ADDRESSED BY THIS INFORMATION: THE FRAME ISSUES DO NOT HAPPEN OVERNIGHT. THIS TOYOTA EMPLOYEE STATED, SHE WAS SURPRISED THAT NO ONE THAT EVER WORKED ON THE TOYOTA TRUCK SAID THERE WAS AN ISSUE. I FIND THIS VERY IRONIC SINCE TOYOTA KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND DID NOT CONTACT THE OWNERS OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRAME IS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH TO THE POINT THAT IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IS MY DAUGHTER SUPPOSED TO REPLACE A BAD FRAME THAT YOU PUT UNDER THERE? NO WAY. THE CASE WORKER THAT SHE SPOKE TO WAS NOT HELPFUL WITH NO REGARD WHATSOEVER TO THE MONEY MY DAUGHTER HAD LOST ON THEIR WORTHLESS PRODUCT MUCH LESS HER SAFETY THAT WAS PUT AT RISK DRIVING THEIR PRODUCT WITH THE FAULTY FRAME THAT THEY USED. MY FAMILY/FRIENDS WILL NEVER BUY A TOYOTA PRODUCT AGAIN. BOTTOM LINE: MY DAUGHTER HAS BEEN DRIVING IN A VEHICLE THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF HER AND MY LOVED ONES. TOYOTA KNOWS THAT THE FRAMES OF THEIR 1994-2004 VEHICLES (800,000 OF THEM) ARE DEFECTIVE. YET, TOYOTA HAS NEVER RECALLED THESE VEHICLES. THEY SHOULD BE REPAIRED, BOUGHT BACK, OR REPLACED BY TOYOTA. HOW MANY INDIVIDUALS WILL HAVE TO BE INJURED OR DIE BECAUSE THIS PROBLEM IS NOT ADDRESSED? VERY SAD SITUATION. SINCERELY [XXX] C.C. WWW.NHTSA.GOV NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION 1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, SE WASHINGTON, DC 20590 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT *TR

FRAME RAILS ARE RUSTED THROUGH, FRAME WAS REPLACED AT 48K. IT HAS 81K AND THE RAILS ARE ACCORDING TO PARKER TOYOTA UNSAFE TO DRIVE. TOPYOTA SAYS PROGRAM IS ENDED ON THIS PROBLEM

FRAME HAS EXTENSIVE RUST/CORROSION ISSUES, RUST HAS PERFORATED ENTIRELY THROUGH SEVERAL AREAS. I ALSO OWN A '04 TACOMA THAT I JUST HAD THE FRAME REPLACED ON A COUPLE MONTHS AGO AND WAS COVERED BY TOYOTA UNDER THEIR RECALL NOTICE, . THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. TOYOTA IS WELL AWARE THAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND COULD VERY WELL BE A SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE BEEN A LIFE LONG TOYOTA CUSTOMER AND UP UNTIL NOW HAVE HAD TOTAL CONFIDENCE IN THE COMPANY. I'M QUITE DISGUSTED WITH THE WHOLE THING AND A BIT DISAPPOINTED THAT TOYOTA HAS NOT BEEN MORE PROACTIVE IN REMANDING THE PROBLEM. I WAS UNDER THE TRUCK CHANGING THE OIL AND WAS HORRIFIED TO SEE THAT THE CORROSION PROBLEM WAS AS BAD AS MY '04 TACOMA. I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL TACOMA'S, WITH MANY MORE MILES ON THEM AND OLDER IN AGE AND HAVE NEVER SEEN CORROSION THIS EXTENSIVE.

CHASSIS MAIN FRAME IS CORRODED IN MANY AREAS. REFER TO PICTURES. A FRIEND TOLD ME THIS HAPPENS TO SOME TOYOTAS WHICH IS WHY I CRAWLED UNDER AND LOOKED FOR IT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE. THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INFORMED THE REAR FRAME WAS CRACKED. THE FAILURE APPEARED TO BE RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V542000 (TIRES). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 236,000.

THE TRUCK WAS BROKEN BY THE HALF WHERE THE LOADING PART BEGINS.

TL* THE CONTACT WAS TEST DRIVING A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING ON THE CAR LOT, THE CHASSIS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE BELONGED TO THE SM VALENTINO MOTORS LLC DEALER, LOCATED AT 603 W FRONT ST, PLAINFIELD, NJ 07060, (908) 222-0777. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,836.

WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL FROM STRAIGHT AHEAD TO LEFT OR RIGHT, I EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY TURNING THE WHEEL ABOUT HALF WAY THROUGH THE TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT RETURN TO CENTER WITHOUT EFFORT. THIS HAPPENS WHEN MOVING OR STANDING STILL AND SEEMS TO VARY IN INTENSITY. ONLINE RESEARCH INDICATES A DEFECTIVE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT.

THE FRAME IS TOTALLY ROTTED OUT. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK USED AND AFTER HAVEN'T IT SEVERAL MONTHS I WAS CHANGING THE OIL AND TO MY SUPRISE WHEN I WAS UNDER IT I COULD NOT BELIEVE WHAT I WAS SEEING. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE

FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH IN MANY PLACES. UNSAFE TO DRIVE

INITIAL PROBLEM 12/08/2009: IN DECEMBER OF 2009, I DROPPED MY TOYOTA TACOMA OFF AT MY LOCAL DEALER (LEXINGTON TOYOTA, (MA) FOR A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. LEXINGTON TOYOTA CALLED ME AND STATED THAT MY 2001 TACOMA HAD A SERIOUS FRAME RUST PERFORATION PROBLEM. THEY STATED THAT THE SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM WAS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FRAME AT NO COST TO ME AND THEY ASSIGNED A CASE NUMBER. THE TOTAL COST TO ME WHEN THE JOB WAS COMPLETED WAS $1,717.77 (SEE-ATTACHED INVOICE [XXX].) THE FRAME REPAIR INVOICE WAS DATED 12/22/2009. FAST FORWARD TO 12/10/2018: ON 12/10/2018, I BROUGHT MY 2001 TACOMA INTO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF LEXINGTON TOYOTA FOR SOME BRAKE WORK. LATER THAT DAY THEY CALLED AND SAID THAT MY FRAME HAD SELECTED ROT AND WOULD NOT PASS THE NEXT STATE INSPECTION. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THEY HAD REVIEWED THE SITUATION WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO FOR ME. I EXPLAINED THAT THE FRAME HAD BEEN REPLACED IN DECEMBER OF 2009 AND THAT THE SERVICE ADVISOR ([XXX]) HAD STATED TO ME THAT THE NEW FRAME WAS WARRANTIED FOR FIFTEEN YEARS. I JOKING REPLIED THAT IT WOULD PROBABLY LAST LONGER THAN I WOULD. I GUESS I WAS WRONG. I HAVE ALL OF MY REPAIR WORK AND YEARLY STATE INSPECTION WORK DONE AT LEXINGTON (MA) TOYOTA. I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT THIS SITUATION WAS NOT IDENTIFIED EARLIER WHEN IT COULD HAVE BEEN DEALT WITH BEFORE GETTING TO ITS CURRENT STATE. I BELEIVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THIS COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF THE FRAME FAILS WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. IF THIS HAPPENED TO ME, HOW MANY TACOMA?S AND OTHER TOYOTAS ARE OUT THERE THAT HAD FRAME REPLACEMENTS THAT ARE NOW DEFECTIVE. IT LOOKS TO ME LIKE TOYOTA USED THE SAME SUBSTANDARD FRAMES FOR THEIR REPLACEMENT PROGRAM. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I SPOKE WITH [XXX], CUSTOMER SERVICE REP. ON 01/09/19 [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT

THE TRUCK WAS IN A FRONT END TO REAR END COLLISION AT OR AROUND 40 MPH THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE TRUCK. THE ACCIDENT REPORT. & WITNESS OF THE VEHICLE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME HAD EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION TO THE POINT THAT IT COULD FRACTURE. IN ADDITION, BATTLEFIELD TOYOTA (11013 JAMES MONROE HWY, CULPEPER, VA 22701, (540) 317-7800) WAS NOTIFIED AND A SHOCK ABSORBER WAS ORDERED BECAUSE IT WAS ALSO RUSTED. THE PART WAS REPLACED. THE FRAME RUST AND CORROSION WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO VERIFY IF THE DEALER PLACED A COATING ON THE VEHICLE YEARS AGO DUE TO AN UNKNOWN RECALL REGARDING THE STRUCTURE, BUT FAILED TO REPLACE THE FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

THE FRAME HAS ROTTED OUT CAUSING THE LEAF SPRINGS TO MOVE AND RESULTING INTO DRY SHAFT DROPPING OUT OF PLACE. THIS IN TURN, MAKES THE TRUCK UNDRIVEABLE. THIS HAPPEN WHEN TRYING TO DRIVE AROUND TOWN. IT BEGIN IN OCTOBER OF 2018. WE HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT SINCE THAT TIME.

2001 TACOMA. THE 15 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY IS NOT ENOUGH; IT SHOULD BE A MANDATORY RECALL/INSPECTION WITH NO TIME LIMITATIONS. FRAMES ARE VISIBLY RUSTING THROUGH AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES, BUT THE FRAMES ARE DEFECTIVE PRIOR TO THAT AND OWNERS DON'T REALIZE IT BECAUSE NO RECALL WAS EVER ISSUED AND ANY VISIBLE INSPECTION DOESN'T REVEAL THE PROBLEM. I KNOW NOW THAT MY FRAME WAS DEFECTIVE DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD BUT IT DIDN'T BECOME 'VISIBLE' UNTIL AFTER 16 YEARS. TOYOTA HAS TRIED TO SWEEP THIS UNDER THE RUG BY DOING AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE TO EASE THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM. HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE DRIVING ON LIFE-THREATENING FRAMES THAT DON'T EVEN REALIZE IT BECAUSE THE FRAME IS SOMETHING AN AVERAGE PERSON DOESN'T TEND TO CHECK? AN OFFICIAL 'RECALL' NOTICE WOULD GET THOSE TRUCKS IN THE SHOP FOR INSPECTION.