Rear TailGate Issues and Replacement Needed

[4RTenn17]

Has anyone had to replace their rear tailgate? Mine is rusted all to hell at the top rubber seal lip of the back window. And its already eaten through the metal.

Took to Toyota and they wont do nothing.

140,000 miles

2004

*Toyota owned it before me and used it as a lease vehicle for when people had to bring theirs in for repairs and the vehicle history report shows they worked on the same area due to rust but they will do nothing for it now. Called Corp but Corp says take it up with the dealership and dealership say whatever.

So I need a new Tailgate, help please. Thank you

 

[Radial GT]

I have the same problem on my 05! Silver, and rusting through. I poked it today and if I wanted to I think I could push through through the rust. Pretty sad for a 05!

 

[4RTenn17]

I have the same problem on my 05! Silver, and rusting through. I poked it today and if I wanted to I think I could push through through the rust. Pretty sad for a 05!

Im in the same boat as you, mines a silver too. Ive heard alot of issues with the silver and rusting. We should all ban together on Toyota to fix this, I think its seriously a problem oviously.

Yeah mine punched straight through.

 

[Radial GT]

Isn't there some kind of corrosion protection that manufacturers' are supposed to stand behind? I really would like to have this repair covered, those rear tailgates are $$

 

[4RTenn17]

Isn't there some kind of corrosion protection that manufacturers' are supposed to stand behind? I really would like to have this repair covered, those rear tailgates are $$

You would think so, when I went to the dealership the body mechanic and auto mechanic said it was totally uncalled for - the rust that is and said it should be 100% backed and covered by Toyota. They told me to call Corp and I did and Corp said to contact the dealer who orginally did the work, well I did and they said they only cover body repairs for a year BUT still if you fixed something previously "same spot", "same rust" and everything - then oviously you didnt fix it because its still happening - *this would be different if it were in another location. *Now the dealer who fixed it orginally is in another state and like I said, they said no way. And like I said, the new dealership was the one to tell me to contact Corp in the first place so I contacted them back and they said without approval from Corp then they could do nothing - period. I contacted Toyota and they said it was out of their hands.

Should I take this to small claims court or what?

 

[DC runner]

No.

You don't have a suit. To sue you need to either 1. show breach of contract

You have no contract (warranty). I get that the dealer and Toyota proper are shifting blame, but the point is; unless you bought that truck with a specific warranty that covered rust for X miles or full anything protection (very rare and usually expensive, so no one gets it) then all you have are people trying not to piss you off.

The reality is this. When you buy a used car, that car usually is sold "as is" meaning, upon purchasing the car you assume total liability for it. Now, some states have various protections. For example, some states may give you a limited X day warranty, that if in the first 7 days of ownership something serious breaks then it must be fixed.

Your issue, rust, is almost never included as it is considered your responsibility to inspect a vehicle before purchase.
An AS IS used car sale isn't some phrase they throw around. It has a legal definition and it means that when you sign that line, you accept the vehicle "
AS IS" and that from that moment forward the dealer and toyota proper offer no assumption of care.


Now. If you did or were given a limited warranty, pull out the paper and see what it covers. They almost always cover major things like the drivetrain and ALMOST never body issues, like dents or scraps or body rust.

Hope that helps.

 

[4RTenn17]

Ok, now where do I find one online to buy? And prices?

 

[4RTenn17]

No one knows of any sites online that sale body parts and rear tailgates? Please, Thank you

Or have you bought one from the dealer or been quoted? If so please let me and everyone know, Thank you

 

[DC runner]

I am sure you can find a bare door shell. Several places sell them. Most are usually not OEM, but rather aftermarket models. Their precise fit can sometimes vary.

Here is the issue though. What are you looking to find? A complete rear door with everything in it? Think about all the bits in your rear door. The lock mechanism, the window and window mechanism. All the power cable running around for the lock and window.

You would have to pull that all in, yourself, and that would be a huge pain.

My suggestion? Take it to a body shop. A good BODY shop and have them give you a quote for rust repair. That is how they make their money.
Less work and likely cheaper.

 

[4RTenn17]

I am sure you can find a bare door shell. Several places sell them. Most are usually not OEM, but rather aftermarket models. Their precise fit can sometimes vary.

Here is the issue though. What are you looking to find? A complete rear door with everything in it? Think about all the bits in your rear door. The lock mechanism, the window and window mechanism. All the power cable running around for the lock and window.

You would have to pull that all in, yourself, and that would be a huge pain.

My suggestion? Take it to a body shop. A good BODY shop and have them give you a quote for rust repair. That is how they make their money.
Less work and likely cheaper.

The only thing about taking it to a body shop that worries me is - its rusted on two spots about the window and it runs a little behind the rubber window seal. Plus when I pulled the seal out a little bit I could see rust spots all up and down the edges underneath where the window slides up and down. Plus my lock on the rear door is rusted all to hell because of this.

Im just not sure if a body shop could fix this much rust, it would be alot of cutting.

All I am looking for is the shell, Im not worried about all the gear inside, I would just transfer it from what I have to the new shell - might be alot of work but worth it I guess.

So what are some sites with the shells? Thanks

 

[4RTenn17]

So nobody knows any online sites to buy a replacement tailgate?