Toyota Safety Recall Notice: Certain 2005-2011 Tacomas Rear Leaf Spring

[OrangeAgain]

September 29, 2014 - TORRANCE, Calif., Sept. 29, 2014 Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., today announced that it has advised the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of plans to conduct a voluntary safety recall of approximately 690,000 Model Year 2005-2011 Tacoma 4x4 and Tacoma Pre-Runner pickup trucks


I'm posting this to alert anyone who might have a Toyota 2005-2011 Tacoma or Pre-Runner to address the issue sooner rather than later.

Yesterday I took my Tacoma for an oil change and Vermont inspection (due 10/2015) to an auto dealer. The truck failed inspection due to a broken leaf in the rear springs. Although Toyota announced the "recall" September 2014, they still don't have a fix. I called the Burlington, VT dealership where I bought the truck and they said I would have to leave the truck with them for eight hours allowing them to confirm a leaf is broken and then order in a replacement set which could take 2-3 weeks. Leaving the truck at the dealership twice (once to get it confirmed that it has a broken leaf and again a few weeks later to get it replaced) is incredibly inconvenient since we are living 2 hours away from the dealership now. I was also very concerned that this dealership would not have the replacement parts in time to get them installed and the truck inspected by the end of October. I was not happy!

I connected with a Toyota dealership in St. Albans, VT and the parts are being ordered today for an expected 7-10 day arrival and just a two hour wait for replacement PLUS no charge. A huge improvement in customer service!

 

[schmism]

The involved vehicles’ rear suspension system contains leaf springs that are constructed of either three or four leaves. There is a possibility that a leaf could fracture due to stress and corrosion. If this occurs and the vehicle continues to be operated, the broken leaf could move out of position and contact surrounding components, including the fuel tank. If the broken leaf contacts the fuel tank repeatedly, it could puncture the tank and cause a fuel leak.

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