2003 tacoma frame recall

I have a 2003 tacoma. The original owner had the frame undercoated because it did not require replacement from the dealer in New York. I purchased the truck last year and I am noticing some rot on the frame.

From what I have read it seems like Toyota has closed this frame replacement program down. Am I correct?

 

Yes, I believe you're right, they have stopped offering it but I'm not entirely sure. How bad is the rot?

 

Its not too bad. About 2" long by 1/2" wide. I'll cut it out and weld in a new pc. Never hurts to ask if its still being offered. You'd never know the truck is 15 years old, it was definately well cared for.

 

If it's not too bad and it's only in one spot, I'd just cut it out and fill it up if you needed.

 

I think the warranty was for 15 years from in service date.My 02 extra cab TRD or was “in service” September 2001. April 2016 it developed a hole in the frame between the leaf spring hangers on both sides. The holes went from the size of a dime to the entire side of the frame in about a week. The truck had the frame painted by Toyota when the recall/ warenty came out. The paint was all that was holding it together..... they did the full frame replacement, it took till October 2016, so it was found before the 15 years, but fixed after...

 

This is correct.

 

Program was still running for the remaining '03's within the 15 years from in-service date, and '04's. Take it in to a dealer and get the frame inspected, don't do any welding (this voids the frame replacement program). Worst they can say is that it is outside the time. Most dealers in the Northeast are very willing to do these replacements (it's a money maker for them).

 

X2

 

03's and 04's still qualify for the frame replacement (this would be the last year for 03's) but you have to meet other requirements as well, namely the truck's frame had to have been inspected and undercoated by Toyota (not just anyone) prior to the 2011(?) deadline.

 

This place sells custom rust patches for many makes and models for you to install or they can weld it.
https://www.autorust.com/product-category/toyota-tacoma/

 

Thank you, I will give the dealer a call tomorrow.

 

Mine is an 03 ext cab trd. Found bad hole behind leaf spring. Called Toyota and I am covered until June 2018. Call now, my frame is getting replaced when the frame arrives. Been waiting about 6 weeks now, all other parts are in.

 

The clock is ticking. Get it to a dealer now, hopefully one familiar with frame replacements. They will check the service records and confirm your warranty status.

This extended warranty has conditions, and is often erroneously called a recall. Recalls do not expire, and are subject to regulation. This was a voluntary action taken by Toyota, subject to conditions they established about 7 years ago now. There have been official recalls on the 1st gen Tacomas, such as the spare tire hanger and LBJs (on certain model years), but none on the frame.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

 

Called Toyota Customer Experience Center today. They were able to look up and see that the dealer undercoated the frame. I was told that the program expired in 2014 and mine was not covered.

I'm going to try my local dealer and see what they say.

 

As an Toyota undercoated Tacoma, you would be covered for 15 years from the date of first use, which at the earliest would have been late 2002. If that were the case, your coverage would have expired in 2017. Check your manufacture date on the plate on the driver's door B pillar, or maybe its on the underside of the hood. It can't have been sold before that date, and it will give you a reference for when it may have been first sold. You can also register on the Toyota Owners website. There you should see all the service records and original dealer info and sale. Or, there's carfax.

That 2014 expiration date is really strange. As you can see from the member experiences here, the program is alive and well for qualifying vehicles.

 

Where are you located? You can add that info to your profile, and them other users will know your whereabouts.

Also, my '03 was manufactured in 8/03, first sold sometime in late '03, and my dealer has confirmed my coverage until that time. They have also done hundreds of frame replacements. I'm hoping mine is one of them before my warranty expires. My frame is bad, but no perforations yet.

 

I am located in Connecticut. I'll check my manufactured date this afternoon.

 

My manufactured date is 7/03.
Should I be covered under the program?

 

I'm pretty sure someone on here said they count back the 15 years to when it was first used vs manufacturing date.

 

It's from the "in-service date" of the vehicle, which I'm pretty sure means the day it was purchased and driven off the lot.