Looking for some help as I'm possibly going to pick up a 91 V6 truck with a bad head gasket (what a surprise), but I wanted to check the dealership first to see if the recall had been done. When I called the dealership they kept saying the VIN is invalid and cannot be found. I've called two dealerships now and checked the Toyota Recall site with no luck. It comes up through CarFax, but not Toyota. Am I missing something or do I need a special input method? I've never experienced this before and unfortunately I can't bring the truck or registration in because it's not mine yet. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Are you reading the VIN straight off the doorjam on the driver's side?

If yes, it's not invalid. They either are putting it in wrong (maybe "V" sounds like "T" to them or something) or their computers don't go all the way back to 91.

 

Happens all the time to me with older trucks.

Just one of those things.

Just what are you trying to figure out??

 

So I just did a ton of digging and apparently it was first bought in Hawaii, which Toyota doesn't support. They are supported by Servco and only they can access the VIN and information. I was looking for the Head Gasket Recall, but it was completed in 2002. Thanks for the help and hopefully this helps some others out as well.

Servco Help Line: 1-888-272-5515

 

Make sure you don't get your letter O's and zeros mixed up. I think VIN numbers only have zeros, but I could be wrong. In any case, before you buy, call the DMV in the state the truck is registered in and ask them to do a title search for the VIN number. This will let you know if the guy selling the truck is actually the owner and the title is genuine. Anyone with a color printer and Photoshop nowadays can make a fake title and sell you a stolen truck.

 

there are multiple vin numbers stickers all over the truck body... see if they match.

also, did that recall for the gasket expire? https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...honored-95792/