With more than two dozen corrosion claims on file with NHTSA, Toyota may have a familiar situation on its hands with 2000-01 Tundra pickup trucks. The 2000 model-year Tundra was the inaugural year for the Tundra, but despite being out of warranty, rust complaints for vehicles barely a decade old usually warrant a manufacturer response. Last year, similar frame rust issues for 1995-2004 Toyota Tacoma trucks led to Toyota extending rust warranties to 15 years from the original date of purchase. Other actions performed by Toyota included frame repair and replacement and vehicle buy-backs.
Currently, most rust-damaged Tundra trucks have been reported in cold-weather states, where a combination of severe cold, wet conditions and road salt can easily eat away at underprotected frame metal. Considering that the frame supplier for both the 2000-2001 Tundra and 1995-2004 Tacoma was the Dana Holding Corporation, the rust problem may be one and the same. Dana uses the same rust treatment procedure during manufacturing before sending the frames to Toyota's manufacturing plants.
Toyota is currently dealing with the rust claims on a case-by-case basis. In 2000, 100,455 Tundra trucks were sold, while 108,863 were sold in 2001. In the event that more Tundra trucks report frame rust problems, Toyota is likely to issue a similar blanket action as it did with the Tacoma.
Toyota Tundra owners who are experiencing frame rust problems should contact Toyota's Customer Experience Center at 800/331-4331.