95-00 Tacoma recall/buyback Options

[HaRv3sTeR]

Anyone heard about that recall thing where Toyota is actually buying back every 95-00 Tacoma sold for 1.5X their retail value?

This is Toyota's statement about the extension of the warranty:

Rust, as they say, never sleeps. It certainly never sleeps in the states where road salt is in heavy use, and we’ve recently become aware of additional evidence of that fact.

We’ve received reports that on a small number of model-year 1995 to 2000 Tacomas, excessive corrosion of the frame has caused perforation of the metal. The reason for this, it appears, is that the frames of some of the 813,000 vehicles built during this time-frame may not have adequate corrosion protection.

As a result, when they’re exposed to severe environmental conditions, especially in states where salt is used for the de-icing of roads, these frames may develop corrosion that goes beyond the normal surface rust that’s commonly found on metal after years of exposure – and in this case, these trucks are from eight to 13 years old.

Because of our oft-stated commitment to standing behind our products, we’re extending the rust-perforation warranty covering these trucks for a period of 15 years from each vehicle’s original date of purchase, with no mileage limitation, for corrosion damage that results in perforation of the vehicle’s frame material. Owners of these Tacomas need not be the original owners. Even if you bought your Tacoma second- or third-hand, it’s covered by this extended warranty.

Here’s how this will work: Starting in the middle of March and continuing over a period of time, owners of 1995-2000 Tacomas will be sent letters informing them about this issue. If you find rust perforation on your vehicle's frame, have your truck inspected by a Toyota dealer.

If frame corrosion damage is confirmed by an inspection at a Toyota dealership, at Toyota's option, we will either repair the vehicle or repurchase it. No matter the vehicle’s actual condition, it will be valued as a vehicle in excellent condition. If the inspection reveals no rust perforation, the 15-year warranty will remain in force.

This is worth underscoring: This is not a recall. Rather, it’s an example of our commitment to the durability of our products and to our owners. These are older trucks and rust is a fact of life, especially where road salt is used, but that’s not what’s important. What’s important is that we take care of our owners. We just thought you should know that.

I wonder if there is money to make by buying those trucks (that are for sales) and reselling back to toyota...what do you think?

This post has been edited by HaRv3sTeR: Aug 23, 2008 - 7:11 PM

[6gcSTVT]

My dad has a scheduled appt. in september to have his truck looked at. Its a awesome deal for people who live in the new england area and places that get salted because the frames and such will have rust no matter what so they will be bought back.... my dads 96 will be bought back if they find rust for 11-12k....and he bought it 6 years ago for 3600 slightly damaged.

I did hear however that unless you owned the truck before the recall, you can't get the deal right now because of people going around offering cash for tacomas in peoples driveways so they can catch people who don't know theres a re-call and make money.