general problems of the 2001 Toyota Tacoma

Emergency brake failure, the emergency brake on my 2001 Toyota Tacoma has seized for a second time. With the emergency brake seized it is not possible to operate the emergency brake. The design of the emergency braking system allows the system to seize due to corrosion at the location where the actuating lever meets the mounting block. I have previously had this repaired by the Toyota dealer at a cost of $350 (2 mounting blocks@ $90. 00 each and 1 hour labor per side to remove and replace mounting blocks and actuating lever(s). The protective rubber boot which should protect the joint between the lever and mounting block is located approx 1/8" from the joint, which provides no meaningful protection from water and salt I. E. Corrosion. Once a small amount of corrosion occurs the joint seizes and renders the emergency brake unusable.

My 2001 Toyota Tacoma has dealer verified frame rust perforation. When the first letter from Toyota came to my door in early 2009 I went directly to my local dealer who did not know anything about this issue and stated to me that they would get back to me with more information as it became available to them. Several months later, I was told by the dealer that wisconsin was asking Toyota to provide more data on the propose solutions to this issue and had not approved Toyota to make any repairs. I was also told that they would contact me when I could get my truck inspected. Many more months passed and finally I had enough and called Toyota direct. I was assigned a case manager and she said she would help me get my truck inspected. This finally happened on April 27, 2010. Now they tell my only option is a replacement frame, which to me is not acceptable. Then lucky 2001 owners who were able to get quick inspections were offered the buy back option. In various forums the ones with the replacement frames are seeing issues with leaking gas tanks, and up charges for incidental items.