NHTSA launches probe into 2000-2001 Toyota Tundra frame rust claims
Coming hard on the heels of its largest U.S. recall in history is news suggesting that Toyota could again face the wrath of the National Highway Traffic Safety Association. That's because the government agency is finally turning its eyes on the frame rust problem for 2000-2001 Toyota Tundras, a problem that has lit up owner forums for years. Toyota is no stranger to frame rust issues, as it has also extended the rust warranty of 1995-2000 Tacoma trucks and has even offered to buy back the trucks in 20 cold weather states at 1.5 times their Kelley Blue Book values. 2001 to 2004 Tacomas are already eligible for supplemental corrosion protection and replacement frames if necessary, but Toyota will not buy the newer trucks back.
The latest probe by NHTSA involves 218,000 Tundras from the 2000 and 2001 model year, as the government safety organization has reportedly received 20 reports of frames that have rusted to the point where some serious problems occurred. Five of the reports were for brake lining ruptured on the driver's side "rear crossmember at upper shock mount." The other 15 reported incidences involved spare tires which separated from the rear crossmember as the result of excessive rust. Sean Kane, president of Safety Research & Strategies told The Detroit News that the frame rusting problem is so severe that the "bottom can collapse." We take that as meaning that the frame of the Tundra truck can collapse under its own weight due to advanced tinworm.
Toyota spokesman Brian Lyons told the DN that the company is aware of the issue and is conducting an investigation of its own. The Japanese automaker claims that the frames were built by the same supplier which built the potentially defective Tacoma models, so we're thinking a similar issue could be a real possibility. Since the investigation is ongoing, Toyota has yet to officially accept blame for the issue, nor has it offered to repair or replace any defective frames. If NHTSA's investigation determines that 2000 and 2001 Tundra frames are defective due to excessive corrosion, the world's largest automaker may not have a choice. Hat tips to Rene and Alex.
[Source: The Detroit News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
The Other Bob 10:46AM (10/08/2009)
My [insert domestic truck name here] is better than Toyota comments in 3, 2, 1...
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vespid82 10:51AM (10/08/2009)
Ha, at least you know how this place works. If it's a Toyota product, it's GOT to be crap. :rolleyes:
nrb 10:56AM (10/08/2009)
Actually, I was going to say that I've never had a car that didn't rust on the frame. Then again, I live where road salt is king. I suspect these Tundras are worse.
The "domestic better than Toyota" is a natural reaction. Domestic buyers have incorrectly been beat down for decades and told that Toyota is superior. The truth is that they all have their issues.
vespid82 11:03AM (10/08/2009)
I dunno about that nrb. I beg to differ. The Lexus in my garage agrees with me, lol. Toyota products, as a whole, have a higher quality level than most domestics. Why do you think domestic companies like Ford found it necessary to state in their commercials that their quality is now "comparable to Toyota"? Because they KNOW that Toyota is the quality leader.
Bloke 11:06AM (10/08/2009)
"Domestic buyers have incorrectly been beat down for decades and told that Toyota is superior."
As if they really cared! Given the sheer number of trucks on North American roads supplied by domestic manufacturers, I'm sure they're more interested in the product they've bought for their own pleasure. There are people who swear by Ford, others who swear by GM, others who swear by Toyota. All will say theirs is better than anyone else.
However, the sheer insecurity of American domestic car fanatics over the inroads Toyota has made into the US market - coupled with the trials of their own domestic industry caused by emphatic poor decision-making on the part of those within that industry - is more likely the issue with statements such as that quoted above.
thipps 11:07AM (10/08/2009)
yes every car rusts. but there is a difference in surface rust and penetrating (flaking)
has anyone ever had an old truck with a hitch that broke or bent when they put a heavy load on them? its because they use different steel then the OEM truck frame and they rapidly flake. Stepbars? Brushgard?
cheap steel wont cut it Toyota! so take your MOCHO commercials and non boxed frames and sit on it...
foobar222 11:18AM (10/08/2009)
There CAN'T be anything wrong with a Toyota, they're made out of unicorns and pixie dust and they are PERFECT!
Francis Sawyer 10:53AM (10/08/2009)
This is more than an issue of a little rust or corrosion. Cars and trucks in the 50's didn't deteriorate like this even.
This indicates something far, far worse for Toyota.
I leave it to others to say what it is.
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0scar 11:14AM (10/08/2009)
Totally agree. I live in Germany where road salt is dumped liberally throughout the winter months....I've see NOTHING like this over here from any contempory auto mfgr, regardless of country of origin. Toyota has a real problem on their hands....and so do the owners of Tundras...obviously.
Judy Zik 1:34PM (10/08/2009)
Vehicles haven't been doing this since the development of e-coatings in the 1980's-90's. There is no excuse for this kind of rust on a modern vehicle (though personally I still get mine aftermarket rust treated and checked). Rustproofing is so advanced these days that vehicles generally have a long rust through warranty. I find it hard to believe that Toyota would not be e-coating. What I would suspect though is that the frame holes and various other connections were not getting proper coverage. It is also possible that the frames developed stress cracks allowing rust to get in. That wouldn't be that suprising since Toyota's trucks really aren't built to handle some of the punishment people in North America typically put their trucks through.
None of this has anything to do with a Toyota or Lexus car. There is a world of difference between building a car and building a truck for the North American market. People in North America use their trucks to haul heavy loads, drive on salty roads, off roading, etc. These vehicles get punishment no Camry would ever see. Just as Ford had to take a few lessons from Toyota and learn how to build a real car Toyota is going to need to take a few lessons from Ford if they are serious about building trucks and selling them here.
thipps 10:58AM (10/08/2009)
vespid82,
for the most part i dont think Toyota is the most popular brand on this site because they build cookie cutter cars without personalities for people who think driving is a hassle. and tell me when you look at your toyotas interior and see how big all of the buttons are you dont feel alit bit special. -yes special in that way.
and if you think that Toyota can and or will make a truck as well as GM, Ford, they have been in that business for far to long. they have spent to many billions developing these trucks to be beat at this game.
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sw 11:15AM (10/08/2009)
The buttons are big so you can operate them with gloves on. Up here in Canada I HATE cars in which to turn the defroster on I have to take my gloves off.
thipps 11:34AM (10/08/2009)
i understand that one for sure. i live in michigan. but when i sit in a toyota i take it kinda offensive and or downgrading in a way (sorry its hard to explain it) when i look around and see that every button is huge and i mean huge like some are 2 1/2 inches wide it makes me feel like im special.
im sure i cant be the only one who has noticed this.....? small buttons "can" give the feeling of precision.
daleam 12:48PM (10/08/2009)
"for the most part i dont think Toyota is the most popular brand on this site because they build cookie cutter cars without personalities for people who think driving is a hassle."
Cookie cutter cars sell. And I really do believe that most people view driving as at least a daily chore if not a hassle. Most Americans are not interested in "fun to drive". They just want cars that look decent and are comfortable and reliable. Toyota didn't get to be "the world's largest automaker" by building "fun to drive" or exciting cars. And they won't hang on to that position buy building sludged up engines, rust prone frames and deadly accelerator/floormat combinations.
thipps 3:20PM (10/08/2009)
@daleam
if you read my post is stays "most popular brand on this site" i understand that most people out there in the world dont care about performance, steering/brake feedback or anything else like that, what i was saying is that i believe most people on this site are car enthusiasts and we love cars. we love emotion in our cars because we take pride in our own.
people on this site are more likely to like corvetts, or sti's over any toyota because we are car people. not just some consumer who needs transportation.
daleam 3:20AM (10/09/2009)
That's fair. Thanks for clarifying that as I failed to see it.
alex 10:58AM (10/08/2009)
Toyota doesn't build the frames for their pickup trucks? Seriously? Is that common in the industry? I find it really surprising.
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Steve 11:38AM (10/08/2009)
Yes, very common. Suppliers like Dana build the frames for many (if not all) of the OEM body-on-frame vehicles.
Francis Sawyer 10:59AM (10/08/2009)
It doesn't "got " to be crap, because it IS crap.
This isn't just a case of a few trucks that rusted out a little prematurely. The evidence of corrosion this severe indicates things far worse - bad steel - lack of PPaPing the steel source - engineering cluelessness, you name it.
You didn't see cars in the 50's this bad, especially from a company that touts quality.
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alex 11:03AM (10/08/2009)
oh step off it. as if there aren't plenty of import lovers on here who bash the domestics every chance they get. I'm sure we'll see some "at least toyota is stepping up and taking care of the problem... unlike government motors who won't recall the chevette cuz my brother's co-worker's daughter had one that had a bad transmission!"
the idiots who think their brand is perfect and every other brand is $#!T goes both ways... if you can't see that, then you must be one of them.
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