I recently had my 2003 Toyota Tundra inspected by my local garage in southeastern PA. The garage owner told me that this was the last time the vehicle would pass, and I would need to stop driving the vehicle by the end of the summer because it was becoming unsafe due to frame rust. In particular the brakes could no longer be adjusted, the spring braces are splitting, the rear backer plates are rusted and the differential is leaking.

I called Toyota after the inspection and had taken the vehicle in for recall in 2010, but they said that I had no recourse from the company. I have owned the truck since it was new and have used it for personal use only. It has been very well maintained and I was planning on keeping it for a few more years. The body is in excellent shape and the interior is like new. Even though it has 171,000 mi. it is fine for me as a retiree who uses it for for negotiating snowy roads and hauling things, lawn mowers and furniture, etc., to my mountain cabin. I now have to replace it at a substantial cost to myself and my wife. Any suggestions from anyone?

PLEASE HELP!!!!

I just purchased this 2003 Toyota Tundra truck, the body for as old as it is, is in very good shape. The engine drive train all work great. The previous owner told me he thought the truck had been undercoated. So I thought the truck was good to go. When I took it to get inspection my garage would not give a new inspection sticker because of frame rot.

I took it to several other garages to try and get it fixed by welding but no one will touch it. I took it to the original dealer that sold the truck to submit a claim for safety recall. They denied the claim with a weak excuse that the "perforations were not in the right spots to qualify for the recall". I have to find a remedy to this problem as I do not have the money to buy another truck. I would appreciate any suggestions from anyone!

Bought the truck in 2012. Nice truck looks good I have had it to Toyota to fix airbag and spare tire recalls never mentioned anything of the rusted frame. They have settled some issues with Tacomas rusting and some issues with the Tundras rusting. I have never received a recall on the frame of my truck. Took it to the dealer for frame inspection last week 10/7/2020 where they said it was unsafe to drive, handed me the keys, and away I went. They did not care about my safety, my life, or anyone else.

It was there in 2015 for the recall of the spare tire which they replaced a cross member and sprayed for rust. Said everything was fine. How does frame rust out in 5 years' time? I have called corporate give me no solutions. They have had a recall on the 2000 - 2003 tundras. They said the time has expired how does a recall expire. Rust does not expire. Got a 2005 Avalon no rust anywhere on this car. Now I am stuck with a good looking truck that is rusting from the frame. Really disappointed in Toyota. You know I have taken care of this truck, received compliments on it and people have wanted to buy it. I can't sell it knowing that the frame is so bad.

A few years ago I bought a used Toyota Tundra with 70k miles on it thinking I was getting a reliable vehicle with lots of life left on it. What I got was the most unreliable expensive piece of crap I have ever owned. It even nearly ruined our honeymoon. We took the truck on a road trip to see the southwest and kick off our marriage. It was very exciting thanks to Toyota.

At the Grand Canyon we had the pleasure of hunting down the last overpriced bottle of power steering fluid. Rather than relaxing at the south rim I had to figure out how to limp the truck to the nearest shop. That was over $1200 out of our budget. The next obstacle was even more exciting. We discovered the back tires where ready to fall off and the front wheels had developed some issue also. So we limped the truck to Elk City Oklahoma in the midst of tornado warnings. We even got to spend the night in a run down Motel 6. I think they rented rooms by the hour. That was another $1400 over our budget for a two day stay in scenic Elk City. At least we got a free loaner from the folks at Smith Family Nissan. It's more than Toyota has done for us. I had to drive up to Keene to just get pushed right out the door politely. They could have at least saved me the trip by simply returning my email. We got the same treatment from Toyota Corp.

And for a souvenir we are left with a very expensive piece of scrap metal in the driveway. It appears as though Toyota cheeped out on the steel for the frame. Cheap Chinese steel. The solution was to spray some cheap crap on the frame and cover up the problem. It won't be long before it breaks in half just sitting in the driveway. Thanks Toyota for all the help and the great customer service. You sure know how to take care of customers.