Feds probe Toyota Tundras (frame corrosion)

[DainBramaged]

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Tuesday opened a preliminary investigation into corrosion on 218,000 Toyota Tundra pickups -- the latest safety issue to dog the Japanese automaker.

In a notice on its Web site, NHTSA said its Office of Defects Investigation had opened a preliminary probe into corrosion linked to spare tires and brake lines on 2000 and 2001 model year Tundras.

The government said it has "received 20 reports on the subject vehicles that relate to spare tire separation and brake system failures as a result of severe frame corrosion."

NHTSA said 15 reports allege the underbody-mounted spare tire "separated from the rear crossmember" and five reports alleged brake lines broke on the driver's side of the "rear crossmember at upper shock mount."

Toyota spokesman Brian Lyons said the company is aware of the NHTSA investigation, and was conducting its own evaluation of the issue.

"We're at the preliminary evaluation stage," he said, adding that the company hasn't communicated with its dealers about the issue.

NHTSA said it had not identified any accidents or injuries as a result of the complaints.

This isn't the first trouble Toyota has had with corrosion on pickups.

Last year, Toyota offered to buy back 1995-2000 model year Tacoma pickups whose frames were rusted beyond repair. The buyback -- 1.5 times the Kelley Blue Book price -- applied to pickups in 20 cold weather states.


http://www.detnews.com/article/20091007/AUTO01/910070318/1148/Feds-probe-Toyota-Tundras#

[Romulox]

1. Pics from a 2003 Toyota Tundra's undercarriage (62k miles)

http://www.zimbio.com/Toyota+cars/articles/TBzrYe7Fw7e/62k+mile+2003+Toyota+Tundra+Shows+Frame+Rust

[DainBramaged]

2. That muffler will fail SOON too.

GM went to stainless steel systems years ago. You just don't see that kind of corrosion anymore on the exhaust systems from GM.

[LisaM]

3. But....but.....isn't Toyota the BEST CAR COMPANY EVER?

How can this be?

:sarcasm:

[Sinistrous]

7. This is obviously just a witch hunt.

We all know that Toyotas are a product of that exquisite Japanese engineering, quality control, and innovative manufacturing techniques. It is ridiculous to think that there could be any problems with products with such an august heritage.

:sarcasm: , of course.

[Romulox]

4. If he's lucky that's what will fail first. There are reports of the frames buckling...

From the News: "The government said it has 'received 20 reports on the subject vehicles that relate to spare tire separation and brake system failures as a result of severe frame corrosion.'"

[DainBramaged]

6. I think it's MUCH worse than they are reporting

It started out as just another hidden recall, but it is spreading. One of the problems is using recycled steel in the frames and NOT galvanizing them properly. Look under an 8 year old Ford or GM truck, there isn't anywhere NEAR the amount of rust.

[ingac70]

9. I've got a '66 Ford F-100...

that looks like a junkyard hauler and it doesn't look like that underneath!

And people say nasty shit about American vehicles.

[ingac70]

11. That is horrid. n/t

[Romulox]

5. Add tailgate failures to the list (also rust related)

http://www.bodyshopzone.com/editorial/about_Toyota/Tundra_quality_problem.html

[madrchsod]

8. OH NO !!!!!!

i thought toyota can do no wrong!

remember the toyota trucks in the 70`s and 80`s? they did`t rust- they melted away...

[ingac70]

10. kicking.

[LisaM]

12. Kicking again

:kick:

[DainBramaged]

13. And a kick for Rust-Oleum............

[anonymous171]

14. BUT I THOUGHT TOYATA WAS A GOOD COMPANY, LIKE APPLE!

BUYING THEIR PRODUCTS MADE ME FEEL WARM AND SPECIAL INSIDE, UNLIKE THOSE EVIL AMERIKKKAN PRODUCTS.

[DainBramaged]

15. They are a good company, they aren't Cargill, Dow Chemical, Exxon-Mobil

plundering without thought for the future, it's simply that they have a great propaganda department. My friends who run the Toyota dealership service department, they write over 2000 repair orders a month. Over 2000. 24 working days in a month, over 2000 repair orders. 18 bays, 9 technicians, 3 writers. Over 2000 repair orders a month. Those aren't for just oil changes and brake jobs. They open from 7AM till 7PM. And the lowest paid tech (level 2) made over $60,000 last year. That's not the electronics department (electrical system repairs and installations of audio and video equipment) which is separate and does about 400 repair orders a month by themselves.


Over 80 a day every work day, over 2000 a month every month. Think about that.

[LostInAnomie]

16. All made here in my home town.

:patriot: