NHTSA Complaint #11291468 — 2000 TOYOTA TACOMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS GETTING THE TIRES CHANGED, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A BODY SHOP AND WAS INFORMED OF AN UNKNOWN RECALL REGARDING THE RUST ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED MIKE JOHNSON'S HICKORY TOYOTA (LOCATED AT 435 US HIGHWAY 70 SE, HICKORY, NC 28602, 828-330-9538) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR WAS ONCE COVERED UNDER A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM THAT ADVISED DEALERS TO COAT THE FRAME WITH A RUST COATING TO PREVENT RUST FROM FORMING. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED WHAT THE DEALER STATED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. *LN*JB