Toyota Extends Warranties On 813,000 Tacomas Due To Rust

Rust, as they say, never sleeps. It certainly never sleeps in the states where road salt is in heavy use, and we’ve recently become aware of additional evidence of that fact.

We’ve received reports that on a small number of model-year 1995 to 2000 Tacomas, excessive corrosion of the frame has caused perforation of the metal. The reason for this, it appears, is that the frames of some of the 813,000 vehicles built during this time-frame may not have adequate corrosion protection.

As a result, when they’re exposed to severe environmental conditions, especially in states where salt is used for the de-icing of roads, these frames may develop corrosion that goes beyond the normal surface rust that’s commonly found on metal after years of exposure – and in this case, these trucks are from eight to 13 years old.

Because of our oft-stated commitment to standing behind our products, we’re extending the rust-perforation warranty covering these trucks for a period of 15 years from each vehicle’s original date of purchase, with no mileage limitation, for corrosion damage that results in perforation of the vehicle’s frame material. Owners of these Tacomas need not be the original owners. Even if you bought your Tacoma second- or third-hand, it’s covered by this extended warranty.

Here’s how this will work: Starting in the middle of March and continuing over a period of time, owners of 1995-2000 Tacomas will be sent letters informing them about this issue. If you find rust perforation on your vehicle's frame, have your truck inspected by a Toyota dealer.

If frame corrosion damage is confirmed by an inspection at a Toyota dealership, at Toyota's option, we will either repair the vehicle or repurchase it. No matter the vehicle’s actual condition, it will be valued as a vehicle in excellent condition. If the inspection reveals no rust perforation, the 15-year warranty will remain in force.

This is worth underscoring: This is not a recall. Rather, it’s an example of our commitment to the durability of our products and to our owners. These are older trucks and rust is a fact of life, especially where road salt is used, but that’s not what’s important. What’s important is that we take care of our owners. We just thought you should know that.

- Mike Michels, Corporate Communications

theoptimisticpessimist - 3/10/2008 4:30:30 PM

0 Boost

DOH!

EnnNorak - 3/10/2008 6:39:36 PM

+7 Boost

We used to say "on a really quiet night you can hear a Ford rust" -- I guess that has to be corrected to read "...a Toyota rust". I'm not surprised as I once attended a steel company presentation when the whole industry was moving toward cutting electro-galvanization from 100 grams per square metre down to about 75 grams and the Japanese were inquiring as to whether they could get away with 45 grams per square metre. It never pays to be penny wise and pound foolish.

Having said that, however, Toyota did the right thing to correct the warranty. I would be willing to pay a few hundred dollars extra to have the frame and all hydraulic lines made of stainless steel in the first place. It does not have to be real expensive SS -- a few rust spots are ok. BTW, I had a 1992 Grand MArquis whose frame rusted clean through. The unibody was holding up the frame. Yes, this vehicle had unique construction in that it was a rattle-free unibody rubber-mounted on a separate frame to isolate road noise.

Airliner - 3/10/2008 4:46:03 PM

+4 Boost

So, Toyota not only builds cars in America, they too oficially make Rust Buckets!!

Agent009 - 3/10/2008 4:58:09 PM

+4 Boost

I do like the fact they are extending the warranty.

However to say the following is concerning:

This is not a recall. Rather, it’s an example of our commitment to the durability of our products and to our owners.

If the rust is a safety issue this would be a safety recall. This is the exact same tactic used for the 500,000 minivan doors that mounting brackets cracked.

Expect to see less recalls and more "customer centric" extension of warranties by everyone.

This plays far better to the press, but is essentially the same thing. The owner is notified and it is left to them to decide to repair it.

LexSucks - 3/10/2008 7:03:30 PM

+3 Boost

Extending the warranty isn't going to prevent them from rusting. In the end they are just selling rust-buckets with extended warranties. Still not a good situation imo. How about actually creating better vehicles?

Toyota has gone to crap lately. Which makes the fanboys look even more retarded.

ghosthunter - 3/10/2008 11:18:42 PM

+2 Boost

LexSucks
no offence. but when was the last time any company (not just car company, any company) stand behind their product after 15 years? okay, maybe our parents.

i don't know what do you do for living, but surly you are not a designer or engineer. it is impossible to engineer a perfect thing right from the beginning. not to mention making a perfect product that can last 15 years.

jt716 - 3/10/2008 5:13:14 PM

+2 Boost

LOL!:D

EL34 - 3/10/2008 6:10:19 PM

0 Boost

Oh what a tangled web the Tacoma weaved, When first Toyota practised to deceive!

:-(

ZBL1414 - 3/10/2008 7:41:00 PM

-1 Boost

The thing is, the ONLY reason to buy a Toyota is because they are supposed to be reliable. If that is gone, what's left? It would be like BMW having recalls (I mean "commitment to durability" press releases) because the 3 series could no longer go around a corner. Toyota should be very nervous any time they have reliability issues... it matters more for them than any other manufacturer.

Homer008 - 3/10/2008 10:02:00 PM

-1 Boost

Toyota Does care about it's customers big time. Others seems don't care as much obviously. Not much of surprise here.

toolatetorace - 3/10/2008 11:02:56 PM

+4 Boost

First off , Toyota is facing some liabal issues here and thats why thet are facing the problem .If the frame is corroded to the point that structural rigidty is being sacrificed , the vehicle will fair poorly in an accident. Cars produced or imported in this country must be able to survive a crash the same way if it is one year old or ten years old . If rust is weakening the the vehicle they,( automakers ) are on the hook for bodily injuries . Seeing that they are calling these vehicles in for repair or or a buy back will lessen this. Some of the that you mentioned are not putting the occupants of the vehicle risk

jeeka715 - 3/10/2008 8:00:20 PM

+1 Boost

Hey,
Even more reason to get one. If a company extends it's warranty on an already purchased product, then that is the ultimate mea culpa. Of course, if they never introduced the design/production flaw in the first place, that would be ideal....

farabira1 - 3/10/2008 8:28:31 PM

-2 Boost

It shows that Toyota cares about it's customers.

EL34 - 3/10/2008 11:24:05 PM

+4 Boost

Consumer Reports are not gonna be happy :-(

american_made - 3/11/2008 12:23:33 AM

+6 Boost

Funny how if this were an American car people would be bashing the brand all day long and since this is good Ol' Toyota everyone is like, Good for Toyota, they care about their customers, regardless Toyota is an arrogant car company who’s complacency is starting to show in the quality of their vehicles, welcome to the game Toyota, I hope you rot in he!!.

vdiv - 3/11/2008 1:47:32 AM

+2 Boost

This truck is the reason I will never ever buy another Toyota. Mine was a '99 Prerunner and there were so many things wrong with it, it was a real shame. Not surprised about the rust. I just feel sorry for all the hapless owners who like me were attracted to this and have suffered all along. No amount of crummy warranty will fix this, may as well trade it for another truck while it is still there.

truckmen - 3/11/2008 5:37:34 AM

+3 Boost

My 1993 4 Runner has no rust at all and I live on the coast! I would consider this rust a major safety issue! I would never buy a 1995 to 2000 Toyota! Quality is definatly falling!

kpaxx - 3/11/2008 9:04:25 AM

+1 Boost

IN the northeast we notice that the majority of cars from asia tend to be rust buckets! I don't know if it is the metal or what but american cars tend to have less rust as do european cars.

I had a honda accord that had the shock springs snap more than once. The mechanic told me that this is common on hondas as the metal used to make the springs is prone to rusting. It is not uncommon to see civics on the side of the road with one of the front wheels folded underneath the car because the whole suspension gave way! I see at least one every year.

As for my friends 4 Runner he never had a problem with rust because it never left the garage as he continually had headgasket problems.

truckmen - 3/12/2008 2:43:40 PM

+1 Boost

I live on the west coast with 460,000.km on my 1993 4 runner with no rust! I did have the head gasket done under warrante at 80,000.km and that was the last of that luckily.

M35MT - 3/11/2008 9:07:32 AM

0 Boost

As a result, when they’re exposed to SEVERE environmental conditions, ESPECIALLY in states where salt is used for the de-icing of roads, these frames MAY develop corrosion that goes beyond the normal surface rust that’s COMMONLY FOUND on metal after years of exposure – and in this case, these trucks are from EIGHT to 13 years old.

I see a company standing behind its product. Fact of the matter is, the truck could be 30 years old with the frame cracked in half and the 300,000 mile engine will still purr like a kitten.

Nice try 009.

kpaxx - 3/11/2008 9:24:46 AM

0 Boost

My friend has an 81 dodge pickup he uses as a plow truck the frame has surface rust but it is rock solid. The engine still works great 300K+ and the only major problem he has had is the tranny - but it is a plow truck.

Why can't toyota build a truck of equivalent quality to the dodge?

M35MT - 3/11/2008 9:44:06 AM

+1 Boost

My father had 1997 Dodge Ram and it had 3 transmissions, only 130,000 miles. No towing, no plowing, just 4WD in the snow - and the differential also had issues. Otherwise a good truck.

I'm not Toyota advocate. I just hate when propaganda is spread such as this, against any company.

It's just 009 once again substituting his version of fanboy reality. ;)

toolatetorace - 3/11/2008 9:44:32 AM

-1 Boost

Good one , m35 t . Another reason that you see one make rust more than others is due to the steel preperation while it is in a molten state . The iron has to be "fluxed" , similar the way it is used with a soldering gun . If this process is not done poorly, impureties stay in the metal while it is being forged, porured , or stamped . Rust is nothing more than oxidation where metal wants to return to it's natural state . The poorer the the molten process is the poorer then finished product will be .

getsomemorrison - 3/25/2008 6:39:52 AM

+1 Boost

Did you know that Tacomas are built Union in the USA. I think that says alot for a foreign car maker. Toyota might have this big rust issue but there still very good quality vehicles. I worked in automotive industry for 10yrs and sold far more chevy, ford, and dodge parts than toyota. Plus Ive been driving a tacoma for the past 5yrs and havent had to diddly squat except for putting tires on it. Now lets all tacoma owners pray for serious rust damage so we can all cash in and get a new truck.

mattz88 - 5/13/2008 9:45:05 PM

+1 Boost

Hello

For anyone that is getting a hard time from Toyota in terms of the Toyota Tacoma Frames rusting out please try this website The Center for Auto Safety It has alot of valuable information on it and you can file a complaint if you wish. Another website is Home | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA) | U.S. Department of Transportation file a complaint and they will start investigating your complaint. Hopefully this can help alot get many of these defective vehicles off the road and correct corporate irresponsibility.
Thanks
http://www.allworldauto.com/comments/TOYOTA_TACOMA_comments_and_complaints_202-2- 109-4.html
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/slideshow/news/15876993/detail.html
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/investigative/15879699/detail.html
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/15877183/detail.html
http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/07/toyota-offers-to-buy-back-rusty-tacom- as
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/investigative/16192222/detail.html