Toyota has received isolated reports regarding a small number of 1995 through 2000 model year Tacoma vehicles exhibiting excessive rust corrosion to the frame causing perforation of the metal. Toyota has investigated these reports and determined that the vehicle frames in some vehicles may not have adequate corrosion-resistant protection. This combined with prolonged exposure to road salts and other environmental factors may contribute to the development of excessive rust corrosion in the frames of some vehicles. This is unrelated to and separate from normal surface rust which is commonly found on metallic surfaces after some years of usage and/or exposure to the environment.
Although the vehicle’s frame is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customer’s overall experience and confidence in their vehicle. To assure our customers that we stand behind the product, we are providing an extension of the warranty coverage on certain 1995 through 2000 model year Tacoma vehicles for perforation of the vehicle’s frame caused by rust corrosion. This warranty extension will be offered for a period of 15 years with no mileage limitation from the vehicle’s in-service date, for this specific condition.
The owner notification will commence in mid-March 2008.
Below are the vehicle inspection and warranty policy files Toyota has been distributing to their dealers:
