Rusty 03 frame

I love my 2003 Tundra. It has about a hundred and thirty-five thousand miles and runs great. the body has almost zero rust but underneath is a different story. The last thing that happened was the steering rack rusted and leaked. While looking at that I noticed some bad rust (big enough to get my hand in)on the frame where the sway arm this supposed to be attached. How do I find out if there is anyting Toyota will do?

 

Call dealer with full VIN

 

I took my 2002 Tundra in to the Toyota dealer last month . They condemned my frame on the spot. I am having it replaced at no cost. Look for and take it to a dealers with a lot of experience replacing frames since they are the ones making money on the 3.4 billion, class action suite! Go for it . And don't take NO for an answer! Buy parts which aren't covered and the dealer should not charge you labor.

 

Part my trouble is now I can't even drive it because the steering rack is bad but I don't want to repair that. It is due for the airbag recall also

 

Call ahead to the dealer to make sure your VIN qualifies for the recall. Then have it towed to the dealer.

 

I have read about the build years with bad frames and thought the no cost repairs would be from the beginning to end of each affected year, and not any months in between.

 

I would assume so. But I'd want to know ahead of time that the truck qualified for the recall/repair, and that the dealer was willing to do the job. Otherwise, I could end up paying to have to have it towed twice.

 

You sound like a good candidate for a new frame...

https://news.pickuptrucks.com/2009/...ndra-pickups-for-frame-corrosion-problem.html

VIN range page 5

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2009/RCMN-09V444-6996.pdf

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2009/RCRIT-09V444-9080.pdf

https://www.toyota.com/recall

Either way, I'd find a dealer where they are familiar with the process (somebody on some thread said he saw a dealer with 40 new frames stacked up) and sees it as a money making opportunity and will work with you to try and get Toyota to replace it...good luck!

 

My VIN is between the range but it says only the 20 states. I don't think my rust is that bad but the truck is from Idaho and amazed that it didn't make the cold list but Kentucky and West Virginia did.

Do they still pay attention to the state or just the condition of vehicle and VIN range?

 

It says sold and/or registered in...and although they say cold, what they really mean are states that use alot of of salt....many cold Western States don't use alot of salt....while all the NE and rust belt states do What is most important is the condition as to whether they will do something or not.

 

type your VIN into www.toyota.com/recall and see if the frame recall comes up. if id does, and you have rust perforations in the required areas, they are on the hook for replacing your frame.


I should really just make a frame replacement FAQ thread. That would be so much easier.

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/early-1st-gen-2000-2003-tundra-frame-replacement-faq.54331/