2000 TOYOTA TUNDRA

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH and hauling a boat, the subframe nearby the transmission cross member detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact was able to inspect the vehicle and became aware of severe rust on the subframe with several areas where the subframe had rusted through and had holes. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.

SUSPENSION

This complaint is to document severe frame damage due to corrosion my 2000 Toyota Tundra. The rusted frames of the 2000-2003 Tundra’s are a well-documented problem that the Toyota Corporation has tried, unsuccessfully, to remedy in the past but continues to be a safety hazard to passengers and other innocent people when the frame finally fails. Some owners have been fortunate enough to have their frame replaced while others, like myself, have been told there is nothing available to remedy the problem. As seen in the attached pictures, I have significant corrosion along the frame walls where two pieces of steel were sandwiched together to reinforce the frame from where the gas tank is located to the rise where the bed attaches. These areas are crucial as the cross members of the frame attach to one another to form a solid body. Failure of this area would cause the truck cab to separate from the bed in the event of a crash, or even a deep pothole. It would also likely drop the gas tank out of the frame and impact the pavement with disastrous consequences for anyone around. I have reached out to my local Toyota dealer who stated “your vehicle is part of a class-action lawsuit and we cannot do anything without the Toyota Corporation’s approval.” They gave me the phone number of Toyota Customer Relations who kept repeating to me that “the truck is out of warranty and are no recalls available for my VIN number”. I have researched my VIN [XXX] ) and it does indeed appear to be included in a frame replacement program. When pressed about the inclusion of my truck in the program, they once again reference the warranty expiration and VIN exclusion. There were an estimated 110,000 trucks impacted by the faulty metallurgy process of the frames and Toyota was awarded a settlement from the Dana Corporation that manufactured the frames but not all owners have been recipients of the award. Please advise. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)