NHTSA Complaint #10956813 — 2006 TOYOTA TACOMA

I WENT TO MY MECHANIC FOR A SMALL REPAIR RECENTLY AND HE INFORMED ME (AND SHOWED ME) EXTENSIVE RUST ON THE FRAME AND A MAJOR SPLIT IN THE FRAME FROM THE EXTENSIVE RUST. HE HAS TOLD ME THAT PERFORATIONS ARE IMMINENT IN THE FRAME AND THAT THE FRAME WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. HE ALSO FOUND RUST DAMAGE TO MY BRAKES, ROTORS, PAINT (CHIPPING WITH RUST), WHEEL CAPS, AND TAILGATE. HE INFORMED ME THAT I CANNOT SAFELY DRIVE THIS TRUCK ON DIRT ROADS OR HAUL ANYTHING. 75% OF THE ROADS WHERE I RESIDE ARE DIRT ROADS. COST OF FRAME REPLACEMENT WOULD EXCEED WHAT I PAID FOR THE TRUCK; I HAVE OWNED THIS TRUCK FOR 6 MONTHS. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR ASSISTANCE, BUT HAVE YET TO HEAR BACK FROM EITHER. I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT THAT WAS SETTLED IN 2016 FOR THIS VERY ISSUE. TOYOTA NEEDS TO REPLACE THE FRAME OF MY TRUCK AND REPAIR OR REPLACE ALL OF THE AFFECTED PARTS OF THE TRUCK DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE RUST DAMAGE. I USE MY TRUCK TO TRAVEL LONG DISTANCES IN ORDER TO TAKE CARE OF MY MOM WHO LIVES 600+ MILES FROM ME; MY MECHANIC HAS INFORMED ME THAT IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THIS TRUCK FOR LONG DISTANCES. THIS HAS A SUBSTANTIAL IMPACT ON MY DAILY LIFE AND MY ABILITY TO TAKE CARE OF MY MOM. I DO NOT BELIEVE I SHOULD HAVE TO BARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY OF THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY DEFICIENT PARTS USED IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. TOYOTA SHOULD BE MADE LIABLE FOR THESE DAMAGES. PLEASE ADVISE. I WILL BE CONTACTING MY LAWYER.