Toyota Faces NHTSA Investigations On Tundra Frame Corrosion Issue

Toyota is facing yet another serious recall if a newly established National Highway Traffic Safety investigation into possible Tundra frame corrosion deems it necessary. Around 218,000 Tundras are estimated to be affected by corrosive rust.

The NHTSA states that it has received 20 complaints regarding the corrosion on MY2000 and 2001 trucks. Fifteen of those complaints indicated that the underbody mounted spare tire separated from the rear cross member. Five complained of brake lines being damaged due to rear cross member corrosion.

NHTSA investigators will look further into the reports and later pursue an engineering analysis before a recall is issued.

Times are rough especially at Toyota as of late. The automaker is coming off of its largest ever recall of 3.8 million vehicles for malfunctioning floor mats and is facing a downward sales trend worldwide.

[Source: NHTSA]

Below is the official NHTSA investigation announcement:

NHTSA Action Number : PE09049 NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A Make / Models : Model/Build Years: TOYOTA / TUNDRA 2000-2001

Manufacturer : TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Component : SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE

Date Investigation Opened : October 6, 2009

Date Investigation Closed : Open

Summary:

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION HAS RECEIVED 20 REPORTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES THAT RELATE TO SPARE TIRE SEPARATION AND BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURES AS A RESULT OF SEVERE FRAME CORROSION. THERE HAVE BEEN 15 REPORTS ALLEGING THE UNDER BODY MOUNTED SPARE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE REAR CROSSMEMBER AND FIVE REPORTS ALLEGING BROKEN BRAKE LINES AT THE PROPORTIONING VALVE LOCATED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE REAR CROSSMEMBER AT THE UPPER SHOCK MOUNT.