After in late September the manufacturer announced what may very well the largest recall it was ever forced to do (3.8 million vehicles) due to a "conflict" between the vehicles' floormats and the acceleration pedal, the carmaker is now facing a recall of an estimated 218,000 Tundra models.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Tundra models built in 2000 and 2001 may be affected by frame corrosion. The body, together with Toyota, is currently looking into the matter, but has not decided on the recall yet.
The inquiry is being made after NHTSA received some 20 complaints about the Tundra's with some 15 of them saying that as a result of the corrosion, the underbody-mounted spare tire separated from the car. The others say brake lines became damaged on the driver's side.
“We've been investigating this for a little bit of time,” Brian Lyons, Toyota Motor Sales was quoted as saying by Autonews. “We know there are some complaints out there. We have repurchased some vehicles to aid in our investigation.”
Corrosion is not a new problem for Toyota. Last year, the manufacturer was forced to recall some three quarters of a million Tacoma pickups, eventually ending up with buying them back at 150 percent their Kelly Blue Book value.
"The two trucks [Tacoma and Tundra] did not share the same frame, but there were similarities,” Lyons added. “But it's our responsibility, not the supplier's responsibility.” The spokesman did not say when a final conclusion will be reached.
The Tundra corrosion problem has been under investigation by the US media for the better part of the year. One of the early, tell-tale Tundra-related investigation (including video), carried out by the Boston Channel, can be found here.
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