Noticed last week the frame of my truck was rotting on my driveway! Upon further inspection I discover large holes completely through my box frame. After cleaning out almost 5lbs of rotted frame I can no longer put my family and friends in this vehicle. That would make me irresponsible and negligent like the manufacturer! I purchased this vehicle in jan 2015 when it only appeared to be a surface rust issue. Recieved notice of the limited service campaign the month after it was over so toyota refused to even inspect it. Now this year I have holes you can put your hand through and toyota still refuses the frame is bad. In the limited service campaign toyota says "the condition is unrelated to and separate from normal surface rust". How could this be s voluntary limited service campaign and not a mandatory safety recall?? Sounds like a loophole created by design!
2004 Toyota Tundra body complaints
Page 5 of 8: complaints 101 to 130 of 200, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Found 4 inch rust hole through frame on 2004 tundra with 80,000 miles that was treated with the coating in 2014. Toyota corporate said there is nothing they will do to fix it as the recall or whatever expired in 2015. How convenient. Frame rot is a safety issue! This is a family vehicle! If not repaired, the frame will fail.
Rusted rear differential. Rusted frame at front right sway bar. Can't pass inspection. Seems to be a common problem just like the 2003 model. I still have payments on this vehicle I can't drive.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota tundra. While the vehicle was undergoing routine maintenacne, the technician noticed that the frame was completely corroded and deemed it unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000. Updated 09/06/16
Frame recall- my 2004 tundra was recalled for the frame rusting out. Toyota deemed that a new frame was not needed and did the crc treatment which is absolute junk and only causes the frame to rust even worse. Rear differential is completely rusted and leaking fluid. Problem also with catalytic converters.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota tundra. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced per a the federal safety agency campaign related to the frame rusting; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,265. The VIN and the federal safety agency campaign number were not available.
My side running board broke away from the frame due to the screws rusting out. So I crawled underneath to fasten them back in place. While underneath the truck I noticed a very disturbing and scary sight (see images attached). My frame is almost missing in one section underneath. So I got online to look and see if this is normal, and what I find is that this is not normal and I'm not the only one with this issue. Toyota knows that they have sub standard frames under these and other vehicles. They put out a campaign to replace the frames on 2000-20003 trucks, and also included a limited campaign to check on the frames of vehicles 2004-2006. This campaign ended in july of 2015 I bought the truck in july of 2014, but was never maid aware of this issue. When I called toyota to see why they said not there problem. I spoke to three different people with the complaints department I spoke with one who I did not catch there name on 6/14/2016 from 9:18am-9:49am where I was merely told they don't care that there's an issue all they are legally obligated to do is check and honor there current recall programs. The next lady I talked too who's name was autumn on 6/15/2016 from 12:36-12:42 told me the exact same things. Finally the last one I will speak too because I'm falling on deaf ears is christine at 2:54pm 6/16/2016 who I was told was a supervisor in the complaints department. Told me the exact same things. When I asked why they are not doing anything with these frames when they know there is a serious issue. I was merely told it's a company wide decision that we will take no further action. I take this as toyota does not care about the quality of vehicle they put on the road as long as there are still profits being made. I know there are several maybe hundreds maybe thousands of owners of vehicles that fall within this complaint I hope something can be done to help us.
My 2004 tundra was parked in my driveway and I noticed on left side back and front when it rained big rust spots appeared on my cement.
Frame recall- my 2004 tundra was recalled for the frame rusting out. Toyota deemed that a new frame was not needed and did the crc treatment which is absolute junk and only causes the frame to rust even worse. I want a new frame installed by toyata and any other rusty part- all should be replaced free of charge
11/2014 I brought my vehicle to toyota dealership for the frame recall. It was inspected and returned to me with a summary that all was well and the frame was in very good condition. 6 months later I had it back into the dealership for some repairs to brakes and inspection sticker. Nothing was mentioned about the frame condition at that time. 1 week later, I was traveling with my family in the vehicle when the front gas tank strap snapped, while we were entering the highway. I was able to stop vehicle before any disaster occurred. I secured the tank and returned my truck home. I did not pursue any action at the time because of distress and anger over the incident. I brought truck to dealership that performed the recall on behalf of toyota corp. The dealership inspected the frame and immediately admitted to fact that the recall work was not performed correctly. The etchant was not properly removed and the frame was recoated. The gas tank straps were also compromised by the etchant. 6 months after the recall work was performed the tank strap snapped. I have opened a case # with toyota, but they informed me that it was not there fault and they were not going to help me. The dealership mentioned that they would re-strip and re-coat a second time, but I want compensation for the damage that occurred. The dealership is saying they will not do anything because its toyota that needs to deal with and toyota is saying its the dealership.
2004 toyota tundra has significant frame rust. Took to dealer they sprayed it with an under coating which within 1 year all fell off due to rust underneath the coating. The toyota dealer then re sprayed and now its falling off after the vehicle say in a garage without being driven. Also the rear axel housing rust straight through and now doesn't old any fluid. I filed a case with toyota and they said they completed there part of the recall. Which was apparently paint over the rust.
I took my 2004 toyota tundra to a toyota dealer in vermont due to the frame recall letter from toyota where the frame would be checked and either replaced or undercoated. The toyota dealer determined it only needed to be undercoated. The truck was undercoated on june 25th 2015. I just had my truck looked at by an independent garage due to a front end issue and they asked me to come look at the truck on the lift and they showed me where on the rear part of the frame it was separating. How can this be possible? That approximately 9 months after the frame was diagnosed by a toyota dealer to only need an undercoating that my truck frame is now separating and will likely not hold up for another year per the mechanic at the garage.
Hello, the frame on my 2004 toyota tundra has begun to rust. Toyota sent out a recall on my vehicle that I never received. When I took this to toyota they stated that my recall had expired one month prior in august 2015. This is unacceptable. They know they have issues with the frames on the trucks rusting. The toyota tacomas first now the tundras. This is my only vehicle and toyota is refusing to repair the frame.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota tundra. While performing an oil change on the vehicle, the technician diagnosed that there were blisters and corrosion on the frame. The failure occurred after the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be serviced for corrosion. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,203.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota tundra. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the spare tire detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the frame of the vehicle and the spare tire housing were corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 02/26/16*lj updated 03/01/16*lj the consumer stated due to the severity of corrosion, the frame can not be replaced. Updated 05/05/16.*jb
Frame rotted even after getting coated by dealership. I reported to toyota that the frame was falling apart. They told me that is normal wear & tear. The following week my spare tire completely rotted off causing me to lose control as I came off highway. Thank god I only ended up running off the road. I have a 2003 highlander with 180000 miles still in great shape. This is not normal wear & tear, it is dangerous & toyota should take care of this. They new 2 years ago there was a problem with the frames & told us that they would replace the frame if necessary but did not do what they promised.
Toyota dealer inspected frame stating: "vehicle needs frame replacement - declined for replacement from toyota- replacement has expired july 15, 2015" "vehicle is not safe to drive". Truck has 74,260 miles on it. I live in north carolina. Bought truck in march 2014 and was never informed of recall.
In dec. 2014 I had my toyota inspect the frame on my tundra. Under there program if there is no holes they would undercoat it. They said there was no holes. In october 2015 I tried to gat it inspected and it failed for the frame. I was told the truck was in great shape except the frame. It only has 76k miles on it. They sprayed over the holes. Now the books are closed and toyota won't replace the frame.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota tundra. While the vehicle was being serviced, the independent mechanic discovered that the rear subframe separated due to rust and corrosion and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 128,389.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota tundra. The contact stated that while attempting to have the vehicle inspected, the vehicle failed due to frame corrosion. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,000. Updated 12/03/15
Toyota recalled my tundra for a rusted frame. Dealer took possession of the vehicle in april. They provided a rental car, but no other update or contact until a week ago when the frame arrived. Now nearly complete, they want to charge me $8000 for additional parts not covered by the recall which they claim is necessary to make the vehicle pass inspection and roadworthy yet many of these parts were unaffected prior to the recall. At no time did toyota ever inform us of additional costs not covered by the recall. Two of the items are critical to the value and drivability of the car. They include the rear axle and differential which I believe failed due to the same rusted issues as the frame. The additional parts affected were the brakes. The front brakes seized from 6 months of non use and maintenance by the dealer, the rear brakes were failed by fluid leak from rear axle while in possession of the dealer for 6 months. In short, after getting a new frame, the dealer was holding trying to charge $8000 in extra repairs or they would return me a truck that had a new frame but was still inoperable in the condition under which it was stored by the dealer. The dealer and toyota were responsible for maintaining the vehicle and returning it in as good or better condition than they received it, but instead it lost 1005 of its value. I cant drive it, I cant sell it. It has a new frame but now has no differential or brakes it has lost all marketable value, where it could have been traded in or sold prior to the "frame replacement" that was supposed to right all the wrongs" of toyota's doing. I have full service records showing responsible ownership of the truck for the last 10 years. Needs to make it right and fix my truck so I can drive again, or buy me out, or offer me a trade allowance that is fair and equitable. This toyota case number is 1504140934.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota tundra. While having routine maintenance performed on the vehicle, the contact was informed by the technician that the frame was rusted and corroding. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.
Frame rusted through unsafe to drive. Received very first letter in july about a recall. It is september 21, 2015 and the recall ended august 31, 2015.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota tundra. After the vehicle was inspected, the technician stated that the frame of the vehicle was rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 138,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota tundra. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag cover on the dashboard was sticky and unable to be cleaned. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.
Was driving with 2 family members in truck.had back window down which was a good thing,when sunroof exploded it inbedded glass in the topper that was on the truck.glass was all over us ,luckily we were not cut and I dont know how we wasn't I stopped immediately and got away from the truck because I thought we had been shot at with a shotgun.I called toyota to report it and they said they had no other calls like this.my insurance company paid the whole bill which was a lot.I do not open the sunroof at all now because I have a fear of it happening again. I keep the cover slid over it.
Anytime it rains water leaks in behind the dashboard on the passenger side, leaking water through the electrical wiring and into the floorboard of the truck there are lots of wires and a blower motor in this area where fire could cause any number of unsafe conditions. The cause has been narrowed down to one or both of two things. The first is a crack that originates in the seam behind the dash board of these vehicles due to production error. The second is rotting grommet plugs under the windshield wiper cowl. The first being much more severe as it could also cause structural integrity.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota tundra. The contact stated that the vehicle's frame was rusted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for inspection. The technician stated that there were no holes in the frame and painted the frame with crc paint. The contact stated that the remedy failed to repair the failure and the rust returned. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000. Updated 09/09/15*lj updated 12/06/2017
6/13/13 vehicle did not pass inspection major frame perforation toyota performed limited frame replacement at their cost after much discussion . Not all severely rusted parts were replaced only the major assembly mounting piece items that were disassembled and couldn't be reused were replaced. No sub pieces of the major assembly were replaced. If the were rusted they were reinstalled. 8/4/14 vehicle did not pass inspection major rust failure deformation and leaking of steering rack housing that was severely rusted and not replaced when frame was replaced. Rack was replaced by owner at owners expense. 4/15/15 rear differential housing rust thru and housing failure. Housing was severely corroded when frame was replaced. Owner was informed it was not part of the frame replacement . Toyota does not have any recall bulletin issued despite the numerous complaints found on the internet. Replacement will be at owners expense. Brake backing plates and axle mounting hardware that were severely corroded when frame was replaced are not salvageable and will require replacement as well in order to replace the rear axle housing.
My son borrowed my 2004 tundra to help a friend move. When he arrived, he walked to rear of truck and the spare tire fell to the ground. Upon checking I found that the winch mechanism that holds the spare tire was rotted. This is definitely a safety hazard. I have read horror stories about tires falling off while in traffic and serious injuries incurred. There should be a recall on this.
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