Toyota to Recall 110, 000 Tundras Over Rust

[al76slc]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Toyota Motor Corp. will recall 110,000 Tundra trucks from the 2000-2003 model years to address excessive rust on the vehicle's frame. The government urged owners to remove the spare tire from the frame, concerned it could fall onto the road and create a hazard for other vehicles.

The recall announced Tuesday involves 2000-2003 model year Tundras registered in 20 ''cold weather'' states and the District of Columbia. The states are: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation into excessive rust on Tundra frames in October after receiving 20 complaints of ''severe frame corrosion.'' NHTSA said then it had received 15 reports alleging the spare tire, stowed under the truck bed, separated from the frame. Five other reports alleged broken brake lines because of the rust.

Toyota said Tuesday it was recalling the trucks in the cold weather states because road salts and chemical deicers are typically used to treat roads during the winter and could cause additional corrosion in the trucks.

Beginning in December, Toyota said it will notify owners and ask them to take their trucks to a Toyota dealer for an inspection of the frame's rear cross-member. Toyota said if the inspection finds that it can no longer safely support the spare tire, the cross-member assembly will be replaced.

If replacement parts aren't available, the dealer will find a temporary solution, such as removing the spare tire and securing it to the truck bed.

Toyota said if no significant rust is found, owners will have a corrosion-resistant compound applied to the frame. Toyota said the inspections and repairs will be done at no charge to owners.

NHTSA said owners of 2000-2003 Tundras registered outside the cold weather states will also be notified and have their vehicles inspected and repaired if the owners desire.

Toyota said owners could ''minimize the risk of the spare tire separating from the rear cross-member by removing it. If you choose to do so, please be sure not to be under the rear cross-member or spare tire carrier during the lowering process.'' The automaker also urged owners to secure the spare tire in the truck bed or other areas of the vehicle.

For more information, owners may call the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 800-331-4331.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/11/24/us/politics/AP-US-Toyota-Recall.html

[Bill Wood]

I just saw that. I hope my 2005 Tundra doesn't have the same issue!

Toyota has worked long and hard to take the #1 spot. They may find that it's tougher to stay there. VW and Hyundai are both gunning for them.

[86560SEL]

Well, I had a 2000 Tundra back in 2007-2008, but I sold it. It was a southern (Tennessee) truck and the undercarriage was spotless.

[Hatterasguy]

The underside of my Chevy is spotless, take that yota.

[compu_85]

Ya, but you don't drive in the great barren salt flats of Michigan's wintertime...

-Jason

[barry123400]

We must have had more serious rusty issues in my area. I will not go into details but toyota did a lot more than just replace a rotten cross member here.

This all occured about a year or so ago. Ask toyota for an exchange new truck if the frame rust is widespread. Sounds like they are going to cheap out if possible now.

[pawoSD]

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

The underside of my Chevy is spotless, take that yota.

Your truck is not even 4 years old.....

[Hatterasguy]

Almost 5 from the in service date. She will be 5 in march, spent the first 4 years in Ohio.

Already thinking about trading her in on a new 2500 in a few years.

[strelnik]

Originally Posted by compu_85

Ya, but you don't drive in the great barren salt flats of Michigan's wintertime...

-Jason

True. Think it would be worth it to buy a Toyota rust bucket, get it fixed at the dealer and resell?

[86560SEL]

Should have learned their lesson from the 1979-1983 models. They were bad for frame rust up north... in moist areas too.

The 1984-88s werent that bad (I had a 1984 Toyota 4wd and it was spotless, but again, a southern truck, but its wet here), nor were the 1989-1995 models. Then when the 1995 1/2 Tacoma came out, it was dejavu all over again.

[75Sv1]

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Almost 5 from the in service date. She will be 5 in march, spent the first 4 years in Ohio.

Already thinking about trading her in on a new 2500 in a few years.

It depends on where in Ohio it was used. I'd say around the Great Lakes, then it has seem its share of salt or other stuff.
Tom

[Hatterasguy]

Michigan! It was some sort of fleet truck before I got it.

Underside is clean as a wistle.

[okyoureabeast]

This just in!

MBusa is recalling all w115s,w123,w124, and w126 for excessive rust and it going to fund all of the body and rust work at its dealerships!

[Fulcrum525]

Originally Posted by okyoureabeast

This just in!

MBusa is recalling all w115s,w123,w124, and w126 for excessive rust and it going to fund all of the body and rust work at its dealerships!

Yeah we wish

[snookwhaler]

When it rains... It pours...

They were talking about this again on NPR yesterday. It sounds like a pretty serious problem. Their solution for the spare tire is to put it in the bed? That is absurd... So, if you are in construction or use your bed often, they expect you to move this tire around or put it on top of the load in the bed? Give me a break...

I got an old 96 ECSB Chevy Z71 with 180,000 on the clock and it lives ocean side. I have never had any problems with rust on the frame or anywhere else.

It sounds to me like they either have a problem with their steel or the frames were not finished properly. It is a shame. I have had several Toyota trucks back in the 80's and 90's. They were all very reliable and comfortable. But, they were a little "utilitarian" and sparse.