NHTSA Complaint #11342581 — 2005 TOYOTA TUNDRA

I TOOK THIS TRUCK INTO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER ON JULY 09, 2015 AS PART OF A RECALL FOR A FRAME INSPECTION. THE MILEAGE AT THAT TIME WAS 295,801. THE DEALER SAID THE FRAME WAS IN GOOD SHAPE AND APPLIED A CORROSION INHIBITOR AS PART OF THE PROGRAM. IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR, (2020) I DECIDED TO INSTALL NEW BREAK PADS. WHEN I REMOVED THE WHEEL ON THE DRIVER SIDE, I FOUND A SIGNIFICANT HOLE IN THE FRAME AND CRACKING ALL AROUND THE AREA. IN APPROXIMATELY 5 YEARS AND 17,000 MILES, THIS DEVELOPED. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE TRUCK IN THE WINTER FOR ABOUT 8 YEARS AS THIS BECAME A SECONDARY VEHICLE ONLY FOR SUMMER PROJECT USE AROUND THE HOME. I CONTACTED TOYOTA CORPORATE AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WEREN'T ANY PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THE SITUATION AND I WAS BASICALLY OUT OF LUCK. I RECENTLY TOOK THE TRUNK TO A FRAME & BODY SHOP AND WAS SHOWN MUCH MORE EXTENSIVE FAILURE IN THE FRAME ON BOTH SIDES. HE DETERMINED THE FRAME IS UNREPAIRABLE BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF ROT AND THE TRUCK WILL NEED A COMPLETE NEW FRAME. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT IN 5 YEARS DRIVING, AVERAGING 3,400 MILES A YEAR THAT THE FRAME WENT FROM GOOD (AS THE DEALER DESCRIBED IT) TO BEING UNDRIVEABLE. TOYOTA NEW THE STEEL WAS BAD IN MANY OF THEIR TRUCKS AND SUV;S BUT HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR ALL THAT WERE AFFECTED BY THE BAD STEEL AND LACK OF PROTECTION APPLIED DURING MANUFACTURING. I HAVE HAD TO PULL THE TRUCK OFF THE ROAD AS IT HAS BECOME UNSTABLE AND HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE.