I own a 2001 Tacoma pickup. It has been condemned because of a rust rotted body. I was not allowed to drive it off the lot. Toyota is doing a buy back on 1995-2000 owners and giving them 150% of the kelly blue book value plus $1,000 incentive towards a new purchase. All of us, and there are many, 2001 owners are only being offered 100% of the kbb on our newer, less used vehicles with the same problems. We have received a letter from Toyota attorneys giving us 6 months to accept or reject their offer. If I reject it, I get nothing. I feel this is unfair as my truck was newer but am being given less than 2000 owners. Can you help? thank you.

- Salisbury, MA, USA

Truck frame rails are structurally unsound due to significant corrosion from exposure to road salt. Discovered a corroded through section on the left inner frame rail (3 to 4 inches width) aft of the transfer case cross member and forward of the rear suspension and gas tank. A complete and detailed inspection of the frame rails has not been completed currently.

- Paw Paw, MI, USA

2001 Toyota Tacoma frame rusted through and verified by local dealership. Toyota is buying back up to 2000 year models but 2001 models are excluded. When the frame is rusted through, regardless of the year, this is a serious safety issue that the national highway transportation safety administration needs to address with Toyota corporation. Arbitrarily selecting the years and last vehicle identification number Toyota will cover in the buy-back program is ridiculous as this rust issue is bigger than what Toyota has anticipated. We filed a claim with Toyota they said our vehicle did not qualify for the 150% buy back, however they would buy it back for the current retail value. Our truck was built in September 2000 (qualified there), but the VIN number was 4,096 past the cut-off (didn't qualify there). Toyota builds 3,500 Tacoma per week. What makes them think that there weren't some bad frames still in their inventory at the time our truck was built. Some 2001 Tacoma owners have reported that Toyota has taken their truck away from them (after inspection) and have held it for several months and won't give it back to the owners and are only offering retail for a settlement. 2001 Tacoma owners have no choice...accept the current retail price we have offered you because you won't get your truck back. 2000 Tacoma owners...here is 150% of the retail value and we'll take that rust bucket off your hands.

- Lebanon, IN, USA

2001 Toyota Tacoma has a rusted frame. Consumer states that the truck frame rusted and caused the truck to break in half when it was placed on a lift at the dealership.

- West Hurley, NY, USA

Continued from previous complaint- 10235644 -frame issues, 2001 Toyota Tacoma-.....attorney general of New York state and several lawyers. A letter was posted in the dealership that they are not allowed to refuse to look at a 2001 to 2004 Tacoma that someone brings in with frame concerns. It is an insult that a company that we loved, that prides it's self on quality service and customer happiness would do something so discriminatory to a Toyota owner. We are of the mind that we will never buy another Toyota due to this experience. We want everyone who owns a 2001 and up Tacoma to know that their trucks are possibly dangerous if they have been in states that use road salt in the winter months. We were driving a time bomb, and think that anyone who owns a Tacoma should join in a class-action suit against Toyota. They knew we were driving these trucks with our families in them. We were driving these trucks in places that could have killed someone else. Please help us to get back what is entitled to us and everyone else they are hiding it from. Thank you for your time.

- Hinsdale , NY, USA

No-one has been hurt, injured or killed to our knowledge, yet. The Toyota corporation is offering a buy back of 1995-2000 Tacoma due to frame "failure" and manufacturer issues with the frames on the trucks built in those years. We took our 2001 Toyota Tacoma that was manufactured in Oct. Of 2000, to a dealership and they refused to look at it because it was not in the buy back range. The frame was extremely rusty and because we had heard about the "buy back" we wanted it looked at solely because of the Oct. 2000 manufacture date. We contacted a lemon law lawyer and they said we have a case, and gave us Toyota's corporate number. We were told by Toyota that it would be sent through a claims process and they wanted us to make an appointment to have the frame looked at. At the appointment at the dealership, the tech looked at the frame and said that a Toyota field representative would need to be brought in due to the concerns he had. The field representative came in from California and looked at the frame. He tapped it with a hammer in a few places and it went through. They told us we could not have our Tacoma back as it would not pass inspection any more and arranged a rental. We were told that we would get 150% of the retail price for buy back by one of the Toyota employees. We were told at the dealership by the representatives to keep quiet and not tell anyone else about what was happening with our Tacoma, which we thought was odd. A month later, we receive a phone call from Toyota saying that they would give us only 12,000 dollars for a truck that by their own standards of 150% of retail, though it was the 2001 model year, was worth over $19,700. They told us that it was their final locked in number and that it was take it or leave it. We told Toyota that it was terrible that they would treat us this way and told them they would hear from a lawyer in some capacity. We have reported our experience to the attorney general of New York state... (continued).

- Hinsdale , NY, USA

I have a 2001 Toyota Tacoma that appears well into the initial stages of frame problems. Appears to have excessive rust formation and some bubbling. Appears to be the same issue that 95-2000 Tacoma are being recalled for. Toyota though will not include newer Tacoma, with the same problem in their buyback program for the 95-2000's and are offering significantly less when the frames fail. This is both discriminatory and highly insulting to the newer Tacoma owners. We should be offered the same buyback options and conditions as the earlier models. Free inspections to determine if the problem exists should also be provided, as they are with the earlier models. The frame issue extends well beyond the previously mentioned years and Toyota needs to do what is right for all Tacoma customers. Under their present provisions a 97 Tacoma would be bought back by the company for more than my 2001, with the same issue and problem. This is a major safety issue that when identified, renders your vehicle useless and decreases its resale value to nothing. Toyota needs to be offer the same buyback option and incentives as with the 95-2000's. they also need to publicly admit that many Tacoma of all years are having the same failure. It could cost some unknowing individual their life, if the frame failed.

- Bellaire, OH, USA

We took our 2001 Toyota Tacoma truck to a mechanic for routine service and he told us the frame is so rusted, he could break it with his hand. He told us it was unsafe to drive and to look into contacting Toyota, which we did. The dealer told us they couldn't do anything because only the 95-2000 models were being recalled. We contacted customer service at Toyota and they told us we would hear from someone within 30 days regarding our complaint.

- Mason, OH, USA

2001 Toyota Tacoma. Frame corrosion. Toyota motor company has done a voluntary recall from model years 1995-2000. This recall does not include models after 2000. I own a 2001 vehicle with extensive frame corrosion but I'm not eligible for the voluntary recall.

- Hudson, MA, USA

2001 Toyota Tacoma frame rot.

- Manchester , NH, USA

My 2001 Toyota Tacoma double cab frame is rusted through. Toyota is buying back older ones but the frame is the same or worse on my 2001 with no holes to let water and salt out. This is a potentially dangerous situation and since they bought the older ones back in this area it must be serious.

- Acme, PA, USA

2001 Toyota Tacoma diagnosed with frame rot back on 4/2/08. Numerous huge holes in right rear frame rail. Told by Toyota not to drive vehicle as it is unsafe. I have no other vehicle still driving this truck. My vehicle was manufactured 01/01. Not part of current buy-back program 1995-2000. I am caught between the current buyback program and the original warranty. The Toyota Tacoma owners with the same issue are being offered a deal of 150% to return the truck. My truck has the same exact defect as 1995-2000 model why is my offer not the same. I would like my case reviewed. This program should include my 2001. My safety and Toyota's reputation are both on the line.

- Monson, MA, USA

I have a 2001 Tacoma that failed frame inspection that was performed by Toyota I have had the vehicle for 1 year and basically they are now telling me it is worthless and I believe a danger not only to me but to others on the highway I have softball sized holes in my frame I bought the vehicle for approx. 15,000 that's with taxes and a warranty I purchased at the time now they offered my 10,000 to buy it back while at the same time they are offering 1995 to 2000 owners 150% above full retail" I feel this is unfair it was produced with the same faulty steel that my truck was but they are cutting me off now I am not sure what to do?? also there was a carfax reporting frame damage the dealership told me there ase tech's checked it and it was fine now I wonder??"

- Finleyville, PA, USA

We have a 2001 Toyota Tacoma with complete frame rot. Toyota has taken it and given us a free rental. It has been over a month and they say they can't tell us anything however did say that we would probably only get 100% kbb. This 2001 is not within the years of their buy back program. My husband filed a complaint at the beginning of this process sometime in the middle of May. There is a blog on edmunds.com that people write into everyday. More and more 2001 owners are writing saying that they have rot and are turning in their trucks. Someone should put pressure on Toyota to give owners of newer vehicles the same deal as the older ones in the buy back program. I have heard of 2002 and 2004 trucks failing inspection. People have little information and no recourse available to them. There was one guy saying that kbb of his truck was 7000 and he still owes 15000 on it. Toyota has a big problem. The consumer needs help here making them step up. It's way more than just 1995 to 2000 Tacoma. All the 2001S I have been hearing about on the blog and older years cannot just be a coincidence. There was a 2002 at the dealership that failed the day we were there for an inspection.

- Shirley, MA, USA

2001 Toyota Tacoma frame rot - Toyota is only including 1995-2000 in their "silent recall" for frame rot. Mine failed their 2 inspections (May 01, 2008 and May 20, 2008) my truck was taken from me. I was told it is "unsafe to drive". evidently Toyota is paying owners for newer trucks much less money than 1995-2000 Tacoma owners. They have a much bigger problem with their production than is being acknowledged and reported. Please investigate later model years that exhibit serious frame rot issues before someone in the later model years is seriously injured or killed. I am happy to supply pictures of my specific, completely rusted, frame that has holes in many locations. This truck was well maintained, washed, waxed, garage-kept. The truck body is in fantastic shape. The only problem is the rusted, rotted frame with large holes in it.

- Holden, MA, USA

Rusting frame.

- Medford, MA, USA

2001 Toyota truck - when an auto company finds a product defect, a recall is ordered & the defect fixed at company cost. No one blames the salesman, repairman, dealership, etc if the auto company doesn't address the defect, it loses its reputation & its business goes away. However there is a terrible prejudice when my vehicle has the exact same defect and I am being treated differently than other owners. I purchased a 2001 truck it has been garage kept, detailed and hand waxed twice a year and only has 87K miles. Your safety defect of a bad box frame resulted in a recall. The 2000 truck owners with the same issue are being offered a deal of 150% to return the truck. I am not being offered the same deal ' however my truck has the same safety defect. I would like my case reviewed, resulting in the same offer as the 2000 owners. The program should include my 2001 truck it has a safety defect (rusted box frame).

- Claysville, PA, USA

Our 2001 Toyota Tacoma was in for muffler repair when the tech noticed rust on the frame. He said that it was over a 2ft section on one side he could put both hands through and a small section on the other side. Since Toyota extended their warranty for the same problem on veh yrs 95-2000, I think they have acknowledged enough of a prob that they should include other years if newer trucks than that are exhibiting problems. One tech that looked at our truck said that it prob could not be fixed/ welded. We are still getting other estimates and will prob have to have a Toyota tech look at it just to have it on the record.

- Shirley, MA, USA

I, own a 2001 Toyota Tacoma pick up truck. I bought it new in Jan. 2001. I put 93000 miles on it.last June I went to my repair shop to have my leaf springs replaced. Much to my surprise the mechanic told me that my frame was rusted so bad that it could not be repaired. I went to the dealer and presented the problem to them. They told me that the road salt was to blame not Toyota! now there is a recall on 1995 to 2000 trucks for the same problem. Since the rust problem I have not driven my truck it is still registered and insured. The people at Toyota should look into this problem before one gets in an accident and somebody gets hurt. There are alot of these trucks on the road. Thank you hpl.

- Brimfield , MA, USA

The frame is completely rusted out.... only 60,000 miles.

- Orr's Island, ME, USA