Does Toyota Frame Replacement Affect Its Clean Title?

The Toyota Tacoma is one of the virtually practical, capable, and reliable mid-size trucks money can purchase. However, they practice have some problems, namely the notorious Tacoma frame rust.

We'll take a look at this Tacoma frame rust problem. From how it happens, what model years it affects, and what you can exercise to prevent it. If you're thinking of buying a secondhand Tacoma, be sure to read this until the end!

What & Why
What To Practice
Prevention
Alternatives
Conclusion

Tacoma Frame Rust: What Is It?

So, what is this whole Tacoma frame rust kerfuffle? Well, some model years of older Tacoma has frame rust bug, as the title suggests. While rust or corrosion will happen over time to any car that uses steel – or even aluminum – it'south appearing quite quickly in the Tacoma.

Specifically, to its frame or as well known as the chassis of the truck. While rust will eventually appear in any car with a steel frame, only accept a look at NHTSA'due south page for the Tacoma and you can see owners complaining about rust as early on equally three years afterwards buy.

Rust ordinarily takes about a decade to kickoff appearing in a machine, and will usually take around 15 – 20 years before it finally spreads and become a serious problem.

Is It A Large Deal?

Yep, information technology is a big deal. Corrosion to the body is bad, but corrosion to the frame or chassis tin exist fatal equally it compromises the structural integrity – and therefore safety – of the entire vehicle.

Additionally, it seems similar the rear part of the frame is particularly prone to rust. This has resulted in the foliage spring mounts deteriorating, and some owners have experienced the leafage springs falling out of place.

The foliage spring is a blazon of suspension spring, and as with whatever type of jump, it's at that place to absorb vibrations and make the auto comfortable, equally well every bit stable to bulldoze. They're non particularly modern nor comfy, but they're cheap and they do the job merely fine for pickup trucks.

Anyway, springs are an important office of the auto'south break assembly. As yous can imagine, if a leap breaks gratis from the car's chassis, y'all're not going to take a expert time. At all-time, the machine volition exist hard to control. At worst, information technology'll be completely undrivable and could put yous in an accident.

Rust appearing in a car before it'due south supposed to exist already bad enough. But for rust to announced on the frame and cause suspension bug? It'south downright dangerous.

Why Is This Happening?

Corrosion can happen to any metal that has atomic number 26 in it, including copper, aluminum alloy, and of course, steel which is the main textile for the Tacoma'southward frame. When steel corrodes, it forms rust.

Rust will announced when the iron (Fe) in steel oxidize, or in other words, comes into contact with oxygen and moisture. When steel comes into contact with water, the atomic number 26 particles will go through a chemic reaction and form Fe⁺⁺.

And so oxygen will crusade the electrons to form hydroxyl ions (OH). Afterward, this will come up into contact with Fe⁺⁺ and form hydrous iron oxide (FeOH), which is the scientific way of saying rust. In a nutshell, steel reacts desperately with oxygen and h2o, which volition form rust.

Rust is bad considering it essentially eats away the steel, compromising its structure and integrity. Hence why the leaf springs can break gratis since the frame loses its strength.

In most modern cars, it takes at least a decade for rust to finally beginning, thank you to anti-corrosion treatments that the cars go through before leaving the factory.

There are plenty of ways to prevent rust, or at least, filibuster it from spreading. I of the virtually common means is through a process chosen galvanization, which is a process that involves blanket the steel with a layer of zinc.

And so, did Toyota skip this process in the manufactory? Toyota doesn't explain exactly why, simply it seems that they outsourced the Tacoma's frame production at the time to a tertiary-party vendor to keep up with the demand.

This likely resulted in poor quality controls, and many believe that the Tacoma – along with some other cars – were non properly treated with anti-corrosion chemicals before leaving the factory.

Tacoma Frame Rust: Model Years Affected

And then, which Tacoma model years are experiencing this problem? This problem affects many Tacomas in the second generation, specifically ones from 2005 – 2010. The showtime-generation Tacoma also seems to have this problem, but information technology doesn't seem to exist quite every bit widespread.

However, the Tacoma isn't the only one experiencing this problem. Its larger brothers the Tundra (2007 – 2008) and the Sequoia (2005 – 2008) as well seem to have frame rust problems. But the good news is that it doesn't seem to be every bit widespread as the Tacoma.

Does It Affect The New Tacoma?

As far as we can tell, it doesn't. The third-generation Tacoma (which was introduced in 2015) doesn't seem to have any frame rust issues. So, if yous have a third-generation Tacoma or planning to buy 1, you can rest easy.

How About The 4Runner?

As some of y'all might know, the 4Runner is the Tacoma's SUV sibling. While they don't share the same platform, they're often seen as siblings since they're in the same class of size.

Despite using different platforms, frame rust likewise seems to touch on the 4Runner. Specifically, the 2005 – 2011 4Runner. So, be wary of this if you're thinking of ownership a secondhand 4Runner.

Tacoma Frame Rust: What Do I Do?

So, what do you do? Should you simply scrap your plans on ownership a second-generation Tacoma? Well, y'all can look at the second-generation models from 2011 to 2015, as they seem to have fewer corrosion bug.

Still, if yous already own a 2005 – 2010 Tacoma, or yous have your heart set on one, hither's what you can do:

Tacoma Frame Rust Extended Warranty

While it took a $3-billion class-action lawsuit, Toyota finally agreed to provide a solution for the frame rust problem for Tacoma, Tundra, and Sequoia owners.

They extended the warranty coverage, and owners can take in their cars to take a complimentary inspection and supplant parts if necessary. In some cases, Toyota may replace the frame of the car entirely if demand be.

Notwithstanding the time limit for this coverage is running out, and for some model years, it has run out. Here's the detail:

fifteen years for 1995 – 2000 model years.
12 or xv years for 2005 – 2010 model years.
12 years for 2011 – 2017 model years.

Unfortunately, the extended warranty has run out for 2000 model years and before, every bit well as for some 2005 – 2010 models. Nevertheless, some may still be eligible, and the 2011 – 2017 models are still eligible for a checkup.

If you own a Tacoma from those years, we recommend contacting your nearest Toyota dealership to go your car checked. Meanwhile, for potential buyers, we recommend checking the car's history to meet if the previous possessor has taken the motorcar in for the remember.

What Do They Practice In The Call back?

Equally mentioned, Toyota will cheque your Tacoma'south frame for rust for free. If it turns out the rust has perforated past 10mm or more on the frame, they will likely phone call a representative from Toyota's headquarters to assess the options.

From here, in that location are 2 possibilities: either they will buy back your Tacoma at 150% of the "excellent condition" Blue Book retail value. Or they will replace the frame of your Tacoma entirely.

This is a long and difficult procedure, and so your Tacoma volition be out of commission for a while. Be sure to make other arrangements for commuting if this turns out to be necessary.

Tacoma Frame Rust

If the rust hasn't penetrated more than 10mm, Toyota dealerships will utilise corrosion-resistant compounds to your Tacoma to help slow down the corrosion. According to some owners, this procedure may also take a few days to end.

Which Bargain Should I Insist On?

It'southward hard to say whether you should insist on a buyback or a frame replacement. A buyback means you lot'll get a huge clamper of cash, merely so you'll have to decide on a replacement.

Meanwhile, a frame replacement sounds like a good idea. You get to continue your honey Tacoma, and you lot get a new frame that'south more rust-resistant. All the same, a significant repair task like this is often idea of every bit not a good practise.

And so, take whichever one you feel more comfortable with. Either manner, it's amend than paying out of pocket for a complete frame replacement since information technology will cost $15,000. The frame itself costs about $five,000 with labor costing another $x,000. Might as well buy a new auto with that sort of money.

How About The 4Runner?

Unfortunately, Toyota hasn't provided a solution for 4Runner owners. While the 4Runner'southward rust trouble doesn't seem to be as widespread as the Tacoma's, owners are experiencing this problem likewise. Most notably Gary Weinreich, who filed a lawsuit against Toyota in December of 2018.

The lawsuit is yet ongoing, so keep your center on that if you lot have a 4Runner or planning to buy i. If y'all're wondering how much it will toll to replace a 4Runner frame, it'southward also effectually $15,000.

Tacoma Frame Rust: Prevention Measures

The best rust prevention is for the manufacturer to treat their car with anti-corrosion compounds before the car leaves the factory. Without that, yous're not going to accept a proficient time with rust.

However, there are some things that you can do to foreclose rust in your machine. Or at to the lowest degree, delaying their appearance. Here are our tips to prevent rust:

1. Wash Your Car

It'southward so uncomplicated all the same and then understated. Washing your machine doesn't merely make it await dainty and shiny, but it can help to forbid rust. This is because washing your car will get rid of debris and clay that can cause corrosion.

To prevent rust on the frame, be certain to get nether your car and clean every nook and cranny possible. Use high-quality car shampoo, and recall to dry out the machine properly. Leaving your car to dry in the open won't completely go rid of the dirt, and tin even cause corrosion.

2. Avoid Driving In Snowfall

Driving in snowfall is often unsafe, and many experts will tell you to avert it unless absolutely necessary. Additionally, driving in snowfall can speed up corrosion, peculiarly if you live in salt chugalug states.

Salt chugalug states refer to the states where they deploy saltwater onto the road during the wintertime. Table salt affects the freezing point of h2o, which when deployed to ice, will melt them down much quicker.

While this makes the road safer, salt can speed upwardly the process of corrosion. Needless to say, this will speed upward the appearance and spread of rust in your motorcar.

Driving In Snow Can Cause Rust

And so, unless absolutely necessary, avert driving in the snow particularly if you lot live in salt belt states. At that place are 21 salt chugalug states, including Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Bailiwick of jersey, and more than. Check out the full list here.

Needless to say, if yous absolutely must drive in the snow, clean your car immediately subsequently driving to go rid of any salt route residue.

iii. Wax Or Detail And Glaze Your Motorcar

Waxing will make your machine look new and shiny, and it volition also give your automobile a protective layer. This won't forestall frame rust, but it will prevent rust on the body of the auto.

Waxing is essentially covering your automobile's torso and paint task with that wax chemical compound. This protective layer reduces the amount of dirt, oxygen, and h2o your machine comes into contact with and therefore slows down corrosion. You should wax your car at least twice a year.

If you don't feel like waxing one time every six months, the long-term solution is detailing and blanket your automobile. You can learn to do this by yourself, but it normally takes anywhere between an entire day to two days to do this properly. If you don't experience like it, there are plenty of detailing services for y'all to choose from.

Wax to Prevent Frame Rust

The procedure involves washing, polishing, and finally waxing the car. If you lot want, there are as well packages where the detailer will do a paint correction to go rid of deep scratches.

Car detailers likewise offer a coating service. This will coat your car in a protective layer just like waxing, just it volition last longer. The 2 most mutual coatings are automotive sealant and ceramic coating.

Sealants typically last anywhere between six months to a year, and they price somewhere around $50 – $200 depending on the car size. Excluding the detailing service, by the way.

Meanwhile, ceramic coating can last anywhere betwixt two to five years depending on the quality. It will cost between $1,000 to $3,000, but this unremarkably already includes the detailing cost, as well as the cost of future maintenance.

The cardinal matter here is that information technology'southward important to give your car a protective layer to help prevent corrosion. There's a solution for every budget.

4. Don't Ignore Rust Spots

It's important that the moment yous run into rust on your car, you immediately become onto it. They're like cancer: hard to care for, but you can dull the spread and sometimes go rid of them.

Now, frame rust may be a bit more hard to spot and treat. But body rust is oft visible, and if you spot information technology early, information technology'southward treatable. The process will involve some sandpaper, an adhesive body patch, some paint, and a bunch more chemicals and tools. This is quite a long procedure, so nosotros'll ChrisFix prove y'all how to do it instead:

If you don't feel like doing it yourself, many decent car body repair shops can do it for you lot. They will get rid of the rust, and so spray your car with anti-rust sprays afterward. Rust repair costs will vary depending on the severity. It ordinarily starts at effectually $500, but minor jobs will cost less than that.

5. Go on Your Interior Dry

Whether it's spilled coffee or coolant from a leaky heater cadre, you lot want to clean that as presently every bit possible. Water can soak into your carpets and eventually get to your car'south floor underneath the carpet. And as mentioned, steel actually doesn't like moisture.

If your carpet is damp, accept them out and allow them dry. Clean off any water or moisture that may be left backside to make sure it's dry.

Rust, much similar taxes, is unavoidable. Your motorcar will eventually have them, but by post-obit the tips to a higher place, it will take longer for them to develop.

Tacoma Frame Rust: Alternatives To The Toyota Tacoma

If this whole Tacoma frame rust kerfuffle is putting you off the Tacoma, don't worry, plenty of other carmakers also make decent mid-size pickup trucks. Hither are the secondhand pickup trucks from effectually 2005 – 2010 to consider:

1. GMC Canyon/Chevrolet Colorado/Isuzu i-Series

Yeah, these three cars are related. Specifically, the first generation which began selling in 2003. They share the same platform, the engines are similar, and even the same interior. At that place are pocket-sized differences hither and there, but for the nigh part, they're the same truck.

Engine choices vary from turbo four-cylinders making 116 horsepower, to large 5.3L V8s making up to 300 horsepower. Nonetheless, they only began selling the V8 in 2009, and the most pop engine pick seems to be the 175 horsepower two.8L four-cylinder engine.

Regardless, this is a truck you should definitely consider. The reliability rating is expert, in fact, RepairPal gives the 2003 GMC Coulee a reliability rating of four out of 5. What's the signal of a good truck if it isn't reliable?

Information technology has a decent towing capability, anywhere between 3,500 to vii,700lbs depending on engine specs, and is decent to drive. The Isuzu is a bit more difficult to find, only they're quite cheap at around $4,000 – $7,000.

Meanwhile, the GMC Canyon and Chevy Colorado variants are anywhere between $half-dozen,500 to $14,000 depending on trim, engine spec, and model year.

ii. Honda Ridgeline

Honda entered the pickup truck marketplace dorsum in 2006 with the Ridgeline. It doesn't quite accept the same reputation or post-obit the Tacoma does, but it's withal a truck yous should consider.

The styling of the beginning-generation is somewhat, let's be kind, odd. And information technology but has one engine pick, which is a iii.5L V6 making 255 horsepower. This means the towing capacity tops out at 5,000lbs, and it's not exactly the nigh capable off-roader you will find.

However, it's comfortable, tranquility, and piece of cake to drive. Many reviewers note the truck as existence very auto-like to drive. This means that although it's non groovy offroad, it'south one of the all-time trucks to bulldoze on the route.

Of course, equally it is a Honda, the Ridgeline is very reliable with a reliability of 4 out of five for the 2006 model yr. It's also quite cheap to maintain, with an boilerplate almanac repair cost of around $428.

The Ridgeline costs as low as $6,400 in the secondhand market. But if y'all want ones with mileage under 100,000 miles or younger model years, they tin can price anywhere between $12,000 – $nineteen,000.

3. Ford Ranger

The Ford Ranger is a decent truck, only it'southward plagued with reliability bug. Ane of the worst ones is transmission problems in the automated version. Many owners report clunking noises from their transmission and shifting delays.

However, they are still decent trucks. Only don't expect to tow much with the Ranger, as the third-generation Ranger (1998 – 2011) tin can simply tow betwixt ane,600 to iii,100lbs depending on the powertrain.

You tin can pick one up for anywhere between $10,000 to $15,000. And we recommend choosing the 2009 model year or newer, as they seem to accept fewer reliability problems. Our guide to the best Ranger model year may assist y'all decide.

Tacoma Frame Rust: Wrap Upwards

If y'all however have your eyes assail a Tacoma, be sure that the vehicle has gone in for an inspection at a Toyota dealership. Check the vehicle history, and run across if information technology has had either a frame replacement or at least treated with anti-corrosion compounds.

Tacoma Frame Rust

Needless to say, earlier you purchase a secondhand Tacoma, check the frame. If there's rust on it, y'all may want to walk abroad and find another truck instead. As always, we recommend you lot do a full pre-purchase inspection before making a decision.

If you lot own a Tacoma, accept your truck to a Toyota dealership and have information technology inspected earlier the extended warranty runs out. This will assist to get more life out of your beloved Tacoma.