Toyota has announced a recall on 110,000 2000-2003 model year Tundra pickups due to excessive corrosion from high road salt use. The corrosion could cause the rear cross-member frame to fail and could lead to the spare tire falling out. The corrosion could also cause damage to the rear brakes and possibly lead to brake failure.
The recall affects Tundras registered in states that use a high amount of road salt in winter weather conditions. The states include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.
Until the vehicle can be fixed, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is recommending that owners first remove the spare tire. Toyota will send notification to customers to bring the vehicle into a dealer to inspect and repair the problem. Depending on the extent of the issue either a corrosion-resistant compound will be applied or the frame will be replaced. For owners with extensive corrosion that cannot be fixed, Toyota will develop a remedy. For more information, owners can call Toyota at 800-331-4331.
For more on car safety, see our
safety section. Also, see our
Toyota Tundra model overview.
—
Liza Barth
