- Toyota expands a recall of the 2000-'03 Tundra to cover all trucks in the U.S.
- The recall is to fix a corrosion problem with the Tundra's frame.
- Initially, only 20 cold-weather states were included in the recall.
DETROIT — Toyota is expanding a recall of the 2000-'03 Tundra to cover all vehicles in the U.S., the automaker said on Wednesday. The recall is to fix part of the truck's frame that could corrode.
Excessive corrosion of the rear crossmember could cause spare tires or the gas tank to drop off the vehicle. The original recall was announced last November and covered 110,000 trucks sold in 20 cold-weather states. Toyota initially said exposure to road salt could cause the corrosion.
"Now a special service campaign will be launched covering all 2000-'03 model-year Tundra vehicles that were originally sold in and currently registered in the remaining 30 states," wrote Curt McAllister, a Toyota spokesman, in an e-mailed message to Inside Line. "Owner notification will commence in mid-March."
McAllister was not able to say how many more Tundras will be added to the original recall in this case.
Word of the expanded Toyota recall comes during a hectic week for Toyota as it struggles to cope with the fallout from massive recalls of its vehicles and the ensuing blow to its reputation.
In its original description of the Tundra corrosion recall, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that "excessive corrosion of the rear crossmember may cause the separation of the spare tire stowed under the truck bed, which would present a road hazard that could cause a crash. Also, corrosion of the rear crossmember could affect the rear brake lines and the proportioning valve, resulting in diminished braking capability."
As of November 16, 2009, Toyota was advising owners of the affected Tundras to remove the spare tire from under the vehicle "until a remedy can be obtained. Dealers will inspect the rear crossmember and related components, including the brake lines, and replace them if necessary," according to NHTSA's recalls summary of the problem. "If the crossmember does not need to be replaced, it will be sprayed with a corrosion protection compound." It noted that "multiple visits to the dealer may be required."
Although Toyota did not explain why it is expanding the Tundra recall, a check of NHTSA's complaint database shows that consumers are still griping about the truck months after the original recall — including one who lives in Florida for part of the year.
"I own a 2003 Toyota Tundra that has severe frame rust," wrote one consumer. "Big pieces of metal are flaking off. Sooner or later, some component attachment point will fail. The rest of the underneath, and truck as a whole, is rust free. I religiously wash the underside of the truck. There is a defect with these frames."
Tundra owners with questions can contact Toyota at (800) 331-4331.
Inside Line says: If you own one of the aforementioned Tundra trucks, be aware of the expanded recall. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
Add A Comment »
louvy23 says:
03:41 PM, 12/25/2010
I have a 2010 4.6 Tundra double cab and the transmission is jerking when I let off the brake at a dead stop. It almost feels at times like the caliper is sticking but I got that checked out. A popping noise sometimes occurs during the takeoffs. I will be bringing it in for service on Monday of this upcoming week. Very concerned. Also oil pressure light is on and the needle jumps back and forth. Oil is clean and dip stick is full. Has anyone else experience similar problems?
debbaranko says:
08:46 PM, 03/11/2010
So racerx1320 let me see if I can get this straight;
Toyota floor mat problem; Standard
Toyota engine sludge cover up; Standard
Toyota gas pedal sticking; Standard
Toyota rusted frames; Standard
Toyota electrical problems; Standard
Honda airbag recall; Standard
Honda transmission problems; Standard
Japanese manufacturers send profits out of this country back to Japan: Standard
Is that what you're talking about?
dg0472 says:
11:07 AM, 03/11/2010
"Toyota initially said exposure to road salt could cause the corrosion."
Well good God. Why in the world didn't someone tell Toyota that road salt is used in this country?
racerx1320 says:
09:58 AM, 03/11/2010
Toyota <---Rust on frame = Optional
Ford <---Rust on frame = Standard
Chevrolet<--- Rust on frame = Standard
Dodge <---Rust on frame = Standard
See, the big three give you more features standard! The new marketing campaigns ARE working.
kudzu62 says:
06:15 AM, 03/11/2010
They must have finally realized peoples bottoms were dragging the ground through holes in these rustbuckets. I have a friend that owns a new Trunda, he is sick of that thing. He owned one of the older Tundra's and said he loved it, not this one. He gets 12 miles per gallon and a drum he was carrying, rolled across the bed and bent completely through the body to the outside. This thing is nothing more than a big tin can.
tbone85 says:
05:09 AM, 03/11/2010
Uhhh, Toyota directly employs 35k workers in the U.S., GM alone employs 80k. Unless you believe that Toyota is selling 3 times the cars GM is, then the dealership employment does not close that gap. Don't let pesky things like facts get in the way of a good internet comment, though. Whether the trucks were made in Osaka, Texas, or Timbuktu is completely irrelevent to the fact the trucks were recalled. All the car companies have had recalls in significant numbers. Making excuses for them would simply result in more low quality cars.
fbo says:
04:43 AM, 03/11/2010
debbaranko.... Dont forget that the Tundra is built in TX. Most of the GM and Ford trucks and RAm are built in Mexico, Toyota provides more jobs for Americans then the BIG 3.
debbaranko says:
12:11 AM, 03/11/2010
110,000 Toyota Tundras recalled? That must be every Tundra sold in the last 10 YEARS! Toyota shold just end production of this TURD. Like Nissan, every scribe said it was the end for Detroits dominance in the pick up field. Toyota's truck plant has had how many weeks of downtime? How many recalls has the Tundra had? Broken camshafts, warped rotors, broken u joints, sticking gas pedals, & bad electronics. HELLO Toyota! You have failed. As for the Nissan Titan, I haven't seen any on the road in years.
beachboy18 says:
05:04 PM, 03/10/2010
I complained a year after I owned my 2003 tundra, and toyota told me it was my problem
luvmyelement says:
04:43 PM, 03/10/2010
I guess it just goes to show that all great empires must fall. I've never been a fan of Toyota (because they have always been a little too conservative for my tastes), but these continuing recalls certainly makes me question as to whether or not I will ever purchase a Toyota. It's going to be interesting watching Toyota try to reclaim their territory.