Toyota to Expand Prior State-Specific Recall to all 2000-2003 Tundra Trucks

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http://www.trucktrend.com/features/news/2010/163_news100311_2000_2003_toyota_tundra_recall/index.html

Toyota is set to replace the rust-prone frames of all 2000-2003 Tundra trucks under a special repair campaign. After numerous complaints, the beleaguered automaker issued an initial recall in November for 110,000 Tundras registered in 20 cold-weather states plus the District of Columbia. Now, Toyota will expand its campaign to the rest of the Union to avoid another recall notice -- and accompanying headlines.

For those unfamiliar with the issue, the NHTSA originally ruled that winter road salts were causing “excessive corrosion” of the rear cross-member of the Tundra’s frame. If the rusted cross-member is compromised to the point of separation, potential damage includes loss of the rear brake lines, loss of the spare-tire carrier, and, in the worst case scenario, loss of the fuel tank. As one could imagine, losing the carrier or fuel tank at road speeds would be a huge hazard.

Affected owners can bring their Tundras to dealerships for assessment and repair. According to Toyota, a Tundra with serious rust problems could require more than seven hours of labor to repair.