Alabama Injury Lawyer Blog

From time to time I hear of potentially life threatening situations created by faulty or poorly designed automobile parts and components. Recently, Toyota recalled 110,000 2000-2003 model year Tundra pickup trucks because of a dangerous rust problem that could affect the mounting hardware holding the spare tire to the frame.

As a Birmingham personal injury lawyer, I understand how a seemingly minor mechanical or structural problem on a passenger car can easily lead to injury or even death. My job is to help those victims and their families who have been injured or suffered as a result of someone else’s negligence.

The defect mentioned in a recent news article could cause the Tundra’s spare tire to become detached from the vehicle’s frame and fall onto the roadway in front of other cars and trucks, which could cause those drivers to lose control and possibly crash. At highway speeds, this could result in multi-vehicle accidents. I’m glad that Toyota has taken the steps to recall these defective trucks so that they don’t become potential hazards on the road.

Apparently the federal government has urged owners of these vehicles to take preventative action by advising them to remove the spare tire from the frame before a dangerous situation occurs.

According to reports, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation into excessive rust on Tundra frames this past October after receiving 20 complaints of what the agency refers to as severe frame corrosion. The NHTSA also said that it received 15 reports of the spare tire (carried under the pickup bed) allegedly separating from the frame. Five other complaints alleged that the vehicle’s brake lines were broken or damaged because of the rusty condition of the frame.

Although the recently announced recall involves Tundras registered in 20 "cold weather" states, the NHTSA said owners of 2000-2003 Tundras registered elsewhere will also be notified to have their vehicles inspected and repaired if the owners desire. If you own an affected model that was purchased from a rust belt state, you may want to be especially cautious.

Tundra owners will soon be contacted by Toyota to take their trucks to a Toyota dealer for an inspection of the rear crossmember. If the inspection shows that it can no longer safely support the spare tire, the crossmember assembly will be replaced, according to Toyota. If no significant rust is found, a corrosion-resistant compound will be applied to the frame. Toyota said the inspections and repairs will be done at no charge to owners.

Toyota to recall 110,000 Tundras over rust, MSNBC.com, November 24, 2009