NHTSA Complaint #10407106 — 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, HE WOULD HEAR A LOUD DRAGGING NOISE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE FRAME WAS FRACTURED AND REFERRED HIM TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE FRAME AT THEIR EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 114,000. UPDATED 07/20/11*LJ THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE FRAME WAS CRACKED AT THE MOTOR MOUNT. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED TOYOTA WAS OFFERING A GOODWILL ASSIST WITH A NEW FRAME, BUT THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PAY LABOR FOR TRANSFERRING ALL PARTS AND INCIDENTALS WHICH WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $3,000-$4,000. THEY ALSO OFFERED TO HAVE IT WELDED AND IT WOULD COST $400.00-$500.00. THE CONSUMER REFUSED BOTH OFFERED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRAME IS THE VERY FOUNDATION OF THE VEHICLE AND SHOULD NEVER BREAK OR CRACK UNDER NORMAL USE. IT WAS ALSO UNREASONABLE TO PAY $3,000-$4,000 FOR A DEFECT THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE EXISTED IF PROPERLY ENGINEERED IN THE BEGINNING. UPDATED 08/17/11