NHTSA Complaint #10313761 — 2004 TOYOTA TUNDRA

MY 2004 TOYOTA TUNDRA DOUBLE CAB HAS AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF RUST ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE. BECAUSE OF THIS RUST, THE CAMBER BOLTS CANNOT BE REMOVED TO PROPERLY ALIGN THE VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THEY WILL HAVE TO USE HEAT TO REMOVE THEM, ALONG WITH A LOT OF FORCE, AND IN TURN MAY DO FRAME DAMAGE IN THE PROCESS. I HAVE BEEN QUOTED BY MY DEALER $5,200 TO FIX THE PROBLEM WHICH INITIALLY STARTED WITH A SMALL SHIMMY IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH GREW INTO A BIG SHIMMY ESPECIALLY WHILE TOWING. THAT QUOTE DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY POSSIBLE CHARGED FROM THE BODY SHOP IF DAMAGE TO THE FRAME SHOULD OCCUR. I DO NOT HAVE $5,200 SO I ENDED UP WITH A NEW SET OF TIRES AND HALF OF AN ALIGNMENT BECAUSE THE CAMBER BOLTS WERE NOT ABLE TO BE REMOVED. HERE I AM MONTHS LATER AND MY NEW TIRES ARE SO BALD ON THE FRONT THAT I AM ACTUALLY SEEING THE TREAD SHOWING THROUGH. I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED MY TUNDRA, BUT ALL OF THIS RUST ON THE FRAME AND UNDERCARRIAGE IS VERY CONCERNING REGARDING THE LONGEVITY OF MY VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD THAT TOYOTAS LAST FOREVER. AT THIS POINT I FEEL THAT MY TRUCK IS DANGEROUS TO EVEN DRIVE BUT IT IS MY ONLY VEHICLE. I HAVE OWNED AND MAINTAINED MANY VEHICLES AND NEVER HAD RUST ISSUES LIKE THIS, NOR HAVE I EVER BEEN FACED WITH SUCH A COSTLY REPAIR ON A NOT SO OLD VEHICLE. I AM STUCK IN A BAD PLACE AND JUST DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO OR WHAT TO DO. I DESPERATELY NEED MY TRUCK. WITHOUT IT I LOSE MY SOURCE OF TRANSPORTATION AS WELL AS MY ABILITY TO EARN A LIVING. I JUST SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD... MEANING I JUST DO NOT HAVE THIS KIND OF MONEY TO BRING MY TRUCK BACK TO HEALTH. ALL OF THIS STRESS AND FRUSTRATION IS A RESULT OF THIS EXCESSIVE RUST. INCLUDED IN THE ESTIMATE IS REMOVE AND REPLACE CAMBER BOLTS $1,957 --- STEERING RACK BOOTS 400.00 ALIGNMENT 90.00---- DRIVESHAFT ASSEMBLY $2,003---- REAR U-JOINT $433.00---- DIFFERENTIAL FLUID $330.00 IT DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO THE FRAME/BODY IN THEIR ATTEMPT TO REMOVE THE CAMBER BOLTS OR ANOTHER BRAND NEW SET OF TIRES. *TR