Carrier/rack problems of the 2002 Toyota Tundra

The spare tire carrier/hoist rusted causing the spare tire to fall off the truck while driving down the road.

Vehicle frame has rusted through in places and has deteriorated by flaking in other locations on the frame. Also power steering rack has rusted through. The truck has less than 61000 miles on the odometer. I filed a complaint with Toyota in late October, 2016. After speaking with a Toyota representative, they said that they would not do anything to remedy the problem as their recall on the frame was good only until 12-31-2012.

I recently found out about a problem with the frames of certain Toyota Tundras from a coworker. I found that my truck fell into the category, however I was never notified of any recalls or safety actions. I brought my truck into the dealership and was told that the spare tire carrier will be replaced as well as the fuel tank straps and a coating can be applied to the rear part of the frame. I asked how the rest of the frame was and was told there was major rot in the front section. I called Toyota and was told there was nothing they would do about it as the recall or safety action expired on 31 March 2016. I expressed to them that I was never notified of anything about the frames and was basically told there was nothing they would do. I am now stuck with a truck with a rotted out frame that Toyota is not willing to stand by, even though I only missed the deadline by a month and a half, due to them.

Vehicle has 121,000 miles on it. The frame has now cracked due to rust perforation and makes the vehicle unsafe to operate. Toyota is aware of the rust issues on their Tundra models years 2000-2003 and has commenced at least 3 different campaigns to address this issue. The truck was brought in for all 3 recalls the last one in 2012. Toyota's solution was to spray them with rust inhibitor and send the customer on their way. This is nothing more than putting a band aid on a hemorrhaging wound. Most of the frames had already experienced frame corrosion. When I spoke to Toyota's customer service center on 4/15/15 they issued me a case number and said I would receive a call back. Toyota called back today 4/16/15 and said they would do nothing for me as the rust corrosion campaign ended in December 2013. I think the government needs to step in and force Toyota to fix or replace these trucks. I am sure many owners have no idea they are driving around with perforated frames that are unsafe. My damaged frame was discovered during a routine oil change.

When driving over unequal pavement on road, felt and heard noise at rear of vehicle. Saw wheel tumbling down road behind vehicle. Stopped vehicle and noticed that it was spare tire from vehicle. Placed spare tire in bed of truck and when I got home, noticed that the bracket/plate that was securing the spare tire to the underside of the bed had separated from the cable that was holding it in place. The bracket/plate was so corroded/rusted that when the truck hit the bump, the weight of the spare wheel caused it to collapse and allowed the spare tire to fall onto the road.

Toyota Tundra continue to have corrison and rust on frame,last inspection on 1/1/12 in a Toyota dealship they check for corrision and did not find any,which is not accurate because as of 9/1/14 rust and a actual hole and crack was found by a certified frame technican. . He said this should have been caught in year of 2012 because metal does not rust that quickly. It takes more that a couple years to actually cause a hole and cracks. Toyota just did a visual and did not look thoughly , they did not want to go to the expense of taking care of the problem leaving a unsafe vehicles on the roads and risking people lives.