Component: STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
Potential Number of Units Affected: 110000
Summary: TOYOTA IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2000-2003 TUNDRA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING COLD CLIMATE STATES WITH HIGH ROAD SALT USAGE ARE AFFECTED: 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. FOR VEHICLES OPERATED IN THE COLD CLIMATE REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES WHERE ROAD SALTS ARE FREQUENTLY USED, EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF THE REAR CROSS MEMBER MAY CAUSE THE SEPARATION OF THE SPARE TIRE STOWED UNDER THE TRUCK BED. EVENTUALLY, EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF THE REAR CROSS MEMBER MAY ALSO AFFECT THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE REAR BRAKE LINE AT THE PROPORTIONING VALVE.
Consequence: SEPARATION OF THE SPARE TIRE AND REAR BRAKE FAILURE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: TOYOTA IS ASKING OWNERS OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES TO REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE BEFORE DRIVING. TOYOTA WILL INSPECT THE REAR CROSS MEMBER INCLUDING THE SURROUNDING COMPONENTS SUCH AS, THE BRAKE LINE AT THE PROPORTIONING VALVE (WHICH IS MOUNTED ON THE REAR CROSS MEMBER ASSEMBLY) WILL BE ALSO INSPECTED AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 15, 2009. OWNER MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Notes: OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .
