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NHTSA to investigate corrosion issue affecting 218,000 Toyota Tundras

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Toyota can’t catch a break. In the last few weeks, positive announcements from the automaker have been overshadowed by reports of serious quality defects or recall notifications, and the tune doesn’t appear to be changing.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Assn. (NHTSA) is launching an investigation into a dangerous corrosion problem for 218,000 2000-01 Toyota Tundras after receiving 20 separate reports of brake system failures and spare tire separation due to critical rusting of the vehicle’s frame.

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It is not the first corrosion problem Toyota has had with its pickup trucks.

Just last year, a similar issue emerged with 1995-2000 Tacomas. Because of the problem, Toyota has offered 1.5 times the Kelley Blue Book value for any truck located in 20 cold weather states whose frame had severely rusted. For 2001-04 Tacomas, Toyota is making available supplemental corrosion treatment and replacement frames if necessary, but not offering to buy back any vehicles.

There have been no reports of injuries as a result of the defect currently in question, but Toyota has admitted the 2000-01 Tundras under investigation have a similar frame design and were built by the same supplier as the affected Tacomas.

This news comes right on the heels of the biggest U.S. recall in the company’s history. 3.8 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles are being recalled because the driver’s side floor mats can potentially get caught in the pedals and cause a serious accident.
-- Alison Lakin

Alison Lakin is a staff writer at DriverSide.com.

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