4Runner probably needs this recall too.

[DC Dude]

Toyota to recall 600,000 Sienna minivans - Yahoo! News

Esp...with a full size spare.

 

[jca21]

Toyota to recall 600,000 Sienna minivans - Yahoo! News

Esp...with a full size spare.

mine came with a coated chain instead of the standard cable.

a friend of mine has a 2003 and when we pulled the spare there was no rust on the cable at all.

 

[Scoobs]

No disrespect intended guys, but you should be pulling that spare down at least 2X a year to check the condition of the tire, the condition of the wheel, and to grease the cable. It's called regular maintenance.

 

[DC Dude]

It's not just the cable itself, but could also be the winch mechanism or the clamp that forms the loop on the cable.

It's all steel that can rust, and I'd venture to guess that Toyota doesn't have multiple designs for their under car spare tire restraining concept.

:lookout:

 

[Scoobs]

When you drop the spare you can see not only the cable but the winch mechanism and check them. I doubt any of these Sienna owners ever dropped their spare for maintenance, most of them probably couldn't find the engine under the hood:whipping2

I agree that Toyota probably uses one design for all their vehicles with a full sized spare.

 

[DC Dude]

When you drop the spare you can see not only the cable but the winch mechanism and check them. I doubt any of these Sienna owners ever dropped their spare for maintenance, most of them probably couldn't find the engine under the hood:whipping2

I agree that Toyota probably uses one design for all their vehicles with a full sized spare.

What's interesting is that this recall affects Siennas from '98-'10. That's a long stretch.

I've been under my 4Runner and no only can the winch mechanism rust, but also that cable loop clamp that holds the bracket that secures the wheel onto winch mechanism.

 

[SkylineGTRracer]

I took that whole thing off so no worries. I wouldn't worry that much on the 4runner system.

 

[Uneek]

2000-03 Tundras also had a recall for rust.

From Toyota extends Tundra rust recall to include 2000-03 models, totalling 110,000 trucks — Autoblog

Certain 2000 through 2003 model year Tundra vehicles operated in cold climate areas with high road salt use, may exhibit excessive corrosion on the frame rear cross-member....
... In addition to the District of Columbia, the involved cold climate states with high road salt usage are: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, and West Virginia.

From the Sienna recall link in the first post:

Toyota said its latest recall covered the 1998-2010 model year Siennas with two-wheel-drive that have been sold or registered in 20 cold-climate states and the District of Columbia. Toyota said rust from road salt could cause the carrier cable that holds the spare tire to rust and break, allowing the tire to tumble into the road. The problem could threaten the safety of other drivers...
...The recall involves Siennas in the District of Columbia and the following states: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin and West Virginia

Under body/carriage rust seems to be a synonymous with Toyotas. Toyota's excuse is it only affects the Northeast region vehicles where salt is used to de-ice roads. :bs: My '05 Tacoma hasn't seen ANY snow and the bottom looks worst than my 15 yr old Mazda. IMO, the problem is the paint or whatever it is on the underbody that is even cheaper and more inferior than the cheapest rattle can paint at the hardware store.

 

[techno]

My spare fell off last year. Granted, I was rear ended at the time and the spare was hit hard enough to snap the cable, but at least I can rest assured that my new winch assembly will not be rusting through any time soon.

I've noticed a good amount of surface rust on my undercarriage parts, but I see the domestics, especially trucks, rusting right through in the wheel arches even on 5 year old models.

 

[Thai]

When you drop the spare you can see not only the cable but the winch mechanism and check them. I doubt any of these Sienna owners ever dropped their spare for maintenance, most of them probably couldn't find the engine under the hood:whipping2

It is true...i have not checked my spare since we bought it in 11/07. It is underneath the middle of the car!! And unlike SUV, it is low to the ground. So, it is not as easy to check.

And yes, i think that i know where the engine is.... :lol:

 

[DC Dude]

My spare fell off last year. Granted, I was rear ended at the time and the spare was hit hard enough to snap the cable, but at least I can rest assured that my new winch assembly will not be rusting through any time soon.

I've noticed a good amount of surface rust on my undercarriage parts, but I see the domestics, especially trucks, rusting right through in the wheel arches even on 5 year old models.

Before this past winter, I got under my T4R and sanded off as much rust as I could and sprayed with rust inhibitor and paint.

The sad thing is if you check out the bottom of a Honda Pilot, you can tell that Honda goes the extra mile to make sure their vehicles have good paint and are protected.