critical failure on Tacoma: assistance needed

[edgear]

So my truck is about to hit 80,000 miles and I have just encountered the first major failure. Up to this point, nothing on the truck has broken - aside from a few after-market suspension parts. And since the extended warranty expired at 75k miles, this won't be covered by Toyota. I have been very diligent in performing all of the recommended maintenance every five thousand miles. The failure occurred when I was stranded in the middle of Arizona. When this part first broke I thought for sure that the truck wouldn't start up! But I was able to do a field repair that got me back to safety, where hopefully I can get a replacement on this vital part. I don't know how expensive the replacement will be, but I'm hoping to find a skilled fabricators that might be able to help out. I should also check with Toyota to see if this crucial part has been included in any of their recalls. I haven't completely lost faith in my Tacoma, but I will definitely be very cautious before I head out to another remote area on my next overland trip.

 

[goodtimes]

That's terrible.

Fortunately, Chrysler thought it appropriate to use a thick bit of rubber molded over a steel bridge, eliminating the chance of such failures on my Wrangler.

106K, and my only failure has been a window zipper . . . but at least it failed in the closed position. :sombrero:

 

[7wt]

Mine did the same thing around year four. Must be something with the design, a recall is sure to follow. I switched over to the all metal key and haven't had a problem since but I am keeping a close eye on it.

 

[Layonnn]

Maybe they will buy back 1.5 times the keys worth from all the affected owners???
:wings:

 

[Christian P.]

Well I feel your pain. I also had my first break down on my 2001 4Runner when I came back from Africa.

I keep an envelop to put all my Toyota receipts and it was empty before...now there is one invoice in it.

 

[User_Name]

Is that a chipped key?

If it is you aren't gonna like the replacement cost from the dealer

 

[Cackalak Han]

Good thing mine's the TRD OffRoad all-metal unit.

 

[corax]

Is that a chipped key?

If it is you aren't gonna like the replacement cost from the dealer

cheap trick if it is? zip tie the chipped key next to the ignition switch (hidden behind the column cover of course) and get a "regular" key made. You'll save money, but it'll eliminate the anti-theft fuction of the chipped key

 

[ntsqd]

Wonder what the market would be for an O-1 Tool Steel blank that was case hardened 0.010" deep?

Or maybe a 6Al-4V Ti blank?

:sombrero:

FWIW years ago I was told to use only a key when off road. Saves on wear & tear of the ignition tumbler. So I have a key with only a light plastic, glow in the dark fob on it.
Looks like maybe it has been saving wear & tear on the key too!

 

[dustboy]

All you need is a plastic welder..No, really, they exist!

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=41592

I actually have one someone gave me, never used it, can't tell you if it works or not.

 

[SilverBullet]

wait, they make a part to fix that...

of course, design and color is up to you, but you get the idea. Next time, you need to make sure to have that checked before you pass the warrenty life. My FOB did the same thing.

 

[ywen]

My key just broke too! 74K miles on an 03.

Can we super glue it back?

It actually took two falls of the key to the ground away from my keyring for me to realize

 

[Mr. Leary]

I hope this doesn't ruin Toyota's reputation in you mind. Failures such as this test our resolve, but we must prevail.

P.S. I believe duct tape can fix that.... I mean, it can fix so many things! :victory:

P.P.S. I have a Gorilla glued key that has served me well for 3 years. Its good stuff.

 

[TangoBlue]

Whoa! :Wow1: That's all that happened to you? Boy, you were lucky; not all Toyota owners have been so fortunate.

Hopefully, our elected representatives will enact legislation to provide Federal oversight to keep this sort of shoddy workmanship from happening again.

 

[Mr. Leary]

Whoa! :Wow1: That's all that happened to you? Boy, you were lucky; not all Toyota owners have been so fortunate.

Hopefully, our elected representatives will enact legislation to provide Federal oversight to keep this sort of shoddy workmanship from happening again.

:coffeedrink: