The Ultimate Reason for Toyota Tundra Recall

 

 

 

Sometimes even the leading auto manufacturers get into trouble, and Toyota is no exception. Toyota offers a wide range of automobiles, from passenger cars to pickup trucks. This Japanese auto manufacturing brand is a world leader with vehicles that are indeed a class apart. However, the only problem this brand seems to be struggling with is rust.

The company had to recall thousands of Toyota Tundra models of 2000-2003 sold in the US because of frame rust. Toyota Tundra was the second full-size pickup truck built by a Japanese manufacturer and the first full-size pickup to be built in North America from a Japanese manufacturer. Moreover, it was also nominated for the ‘Truck of the Year’ award in North America.

 

Despite the popularity and performance of Tundra, the brand had to recall them because of the unexpected frame rust. The Japanese auto manufacturer blamed one of its suppliers to have provided them with inferior steel for the Truck’s frames.

 

Understanding the Consequences of Frame Rust

 

The company decided to recall Toyota Tundra because frame rust is extremely dangerous for drivers. Here’s how:

 

Excessive rust on the cross member of the frame located at the rear can result in the separation of the spare tire that is usually deployed under the Truck bed. Thus, it can present a severe road hazard resulting in accidents and injuries. Moreover, rust of the rear frame can also affect the rear brake lines and the proportioning valve, which can further lower the vehicle’s braking capability. Needless to say, corrosion of the frame rust could increase the risk of accidents and put the lives of drivers, passengers, and those sharing the road with them at serious risk.

 

Remedies by Toyota

 

To minimize risk and resolve the issue, Toyota came up with some quick solutions. These include the following:

 

• Toyota advised Tundra owners to remove the spare tire located under the Truck’s bed for safety purposes.
• Next, they approved dealers to inspect the rear cross member and brake lines of Tundra truck owners and replace them if needed. Plus, Toyota advised them to spray a corrosion protection compound to prevent rust. All this was offered free of cost. However, it required Tundra owners to visit the dealer multiple times.

If you also own Tundra first-generation and want to prevent frame rust, then it is advisable to invest in rustproofing. Rustproof your vehicle with NH Oil Undercoating. This powerful formulation provides an extra layer of protection to vehicles from corrosion and rust, thereby extending your vehicle’s life. Also, it is self-healing, thereby prevents rust from spreading and further damaging the vehicle. For more information or to order, contact us today.

 

Toyota Tundra pickups with dangerous frame corrosion

 

 

 

Daily commutes can be stressful for all of us, but some Toyota owners have the added worry that their trucks could rust out from under them – literally. Toyota has recalled some of its Tundra pickups for dangerous frame corrosion. Left uncorrected, this problem could eventually cause the frame to break apart, potentially causing serious accidents, but in any case, making the trucks unusable. Stories abound about a Tacoma frame recall, as well. The Tundra recall affects the model years 2000-2003, sold in or registered in states where corrosive road salt is an issue. The official government recall website, Safercar.gov, explains the problem this way:

 

Toyota Tundra Recalled  Frame Rust

 

EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF THE REAR CROSS MEMBER MAY CAUSE THE SEPARATION OF THE SPARE TIRE STOWED UNDER THE TRUCK BED WHICH WOULD PRESENT A ROAD HAZARD THAT COULD CAUSE A CRASH. ALSO, CORROSION OF THE REAR CROSS MEMBER COULD AFFECT THE REAR BRAKE LINES AND THE PROPORTIONING VALVE RESULTING IN DIMINISHED BRAKING CAPABILITY.

 

Toyota frame rust-CONSEQUENCE:

SEPARATION OF THE SPARE TIRE AND DIMINISHED BRAKE CAPACITY COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Toyota frame rust-REMEDY:

 

TOYOTA IS ASKING OWNERS OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES TO REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE UNTIL A (Toyota frame rust ) REMEDY CAN BE OBTAINED. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR CROSS MEMBER AND RELATED COMPONENTS, INCLUDING THE BRAKE LINES, AND REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY. IF THE CROSS MEMBER DOES NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED, IT WILL BE SPRAYED WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION COMPOUND. THESE SERVICES WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE, HOWEVER MULTIPLE VISITS TO THE DEALER MAY BE REQUIRED.

 

But according to the consumer site Tundraheadquarters.com, many Tundra owners feel the recall does not go far enough:

 

Unfortunately, this Toyota frame rust recall will not satisfy many owners of 1st generation Tundras with rusting frames. While it’s important to replace the rear cross member, many owners have related stories to us of Tundras that can not be aligned, broken suspension mounts, and a myriad of minor problems that are symptomatic of a rusted frame. Stated simply, this is only the first step in taking care of this problem. Toyota still needs to recover the faith of their owners by either:

 

1. Offering to replace ALL portions of the frame with significant rust.
2. Offering to buy-back vehicles with significant frame rust.

 

In a story called “Why Toyota Tacoma Owners Should Not Fear the Frame Recall,” John Goreham writes in TorqueNews.com about an owner named Pete whose 2007 Tacoma was affected by a frame recall:

 

His 2007 was inspected, and it was determined that indeed, he did need a frame replacement. Pete is very handy, and he knew this would be a serious bit of work. When he was told by the dealership it would take three to five weeks he was not surprised, but certainly not thrilled. The frame finally came in after about three weeks and Pete’s Tacoma was repaired. Repaired is really not the right word. Replacing a frame on a pickup means it has to come completely apart. Pete and I looked over the paperwork together (see the bonus photo gallery for a copy) that showed the parts list and much more than just the frame is replaced with new parts. The brake lines, exhaust connectors, rear leaf springs and many other parts were also replaced.

 

A search of the government’s official recall website, SaferCar.gov, does not turn up any frame recalls for the 2007 Tacoma. However, there is a recall on leaf springs. Whether the Tacoma is covered or not, one thing remains clear: if these trucks had gotten their annual rustproofing treatments, it’s unlikely this dangerous Toyota frame rust situation ever would have occurred.

 

Don’t let this happen to you. Fight back with NH Oil Undercoating® The official Oil-based rustproofing maintenance protection program!

 

The fact is, a new vehicle is subjected to thousands of spot welds and numerous bends and folds during production.
This process damages the pre-coated metal, allowing exposure to the corrosion process. Besides cosmetic damage, corrosion also weakens a

the vehicle’s structural integrity and can affect steering and suspension components.

 

NH Oil Undercoating is designed to create a barrier that can’t be broken, chipped, or cracked. By staying fluid, our petroleum-based rust protection heals back over after any abrasions providing lasting protection, even in extreme conditions. 

 

 

N