2010nctaco

Subscribed. Let us know the outcome. I'm not having head gasket problems on my 3.0, but just recently took it to the dealer here in Concord to check the recall. It was still valid, but they wanted me to pay $1000 down in case something broke. I decided to wait until I have problems or decide for sure. It runs great now so I hate to take a chance.

MaK92-4RnR

I'm still waiting on a reply from Toyota via email. I assume they don't work on weekends, so today should be the day. Last they asked for was my Vin #

MaK92-4RnR

Finally got a reply from Toyota. And this is/was their response:

She also attached a document that was initially mailed to your house if you owned an 88-89 3vz 4Runner or 88 pick up. Apparently these trucks were not covered under the head gasket recall? but instead, they gave you a 8 year or 100k mile warranty that was added onto your existing warranty, or if you didn't have one, your truck was now equipped with one till 100k miles or 8 years old. The 'official" head gasket repair is only available for 90-95 4Runner, 89-95 pick ups, and 94-95 T100s. As in, If you own those vehicles, they would either A) replace your headgasket, or B) if the headgasket was blown, replace your entire motor with a long block.

Either way, 88-89 4Runners and 88 trucks with a 3vz were not covered under the head gasket recall, instead they were given an 8 year, 100k mile warranty. Which blows, lol Anyway, guess I continue with my head gasket repair.

Gamefreakgc

Just because a couple of users on here got lucky and had the recall done doesn't mean every dealership will honor it.

We are talking about a 20+ year old vehicle. Most manufacturers wouldn't even had put out the recall for the steering rod 11 years after production, but Toyota is a class act and did it anyway. But to ask for 20+ years on a recall is asking a lot. The guys over at the Roseville Toyota are nice and friendly in my experience but I highly doubt they will ever do it, it's just not cost effective at all for them. I had my bro call around when his H/G blew but the ones in Fresno wouldn't have it either.

Legally, maybe they are obligated to provide the service, maybe not. But don't expect them to honor it... it's not very realistic.

Edit: just saw your last post. Yeah... that's what I figured they would say. Blowing a HG 201k miles later isn't a recall worthy item, that's just wear and tear on a vehicle

scope103

As I read the quoted letter, Toyota is offering to complete the SSC #J01 recall campaign -- on a 26 year old vehicle! Now that's class.

The good news, of course, is that Toyota EXTENDED your warranty to 8 years (!), and your engine long, long outlived that. I'd be thankful (and impressed) for that.

MaK92-4RnR

Here's a bit more information:

I emailed them back yesterday and this is what I got. A good source of information, I would say. Apparently Toyota Recalls never expire. ( as long as they're apart of it, of course )

oldblue

the dealers don't want to do it because they don't have anyone capable of handling a job like that. dealers are staffed with green uti grads who can hardly fix a sandwich, much less a car. i have a late model acura in my shop now that a dealer gave up on that they could not fix (out of factory warranty). if there isn't a tsb telling those goobers what to replace, they are lost.

a recall is a recall reguardless of age, toyota should warranty that

scope103

Hmmm. Now might be a good time to discuss vocabulary.

While many of us casually toss around the term "headgasket recall," a recall refers to a very specific statutory event mandated by NHTSA. For instance, TOYOTA RECALL NO. SSC J01 (the Fuel line) or SSC 50N (the Relay Rod, in later years) is a safety-related recall required by US law. Toyota will "honor" that recall for the life of the vehicle, but once it has been completed, that's it. Don't expect Toyota to replace fuel lines or front-end parts for the next 26 years.

The headgasket repair is, so far as I can tell, a "SPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT FOR THE HEAD GASKETS," issued as Technical Service Bulletin #54015. Not a recall. http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchSafetyIssues Toyota is not required to issue TSBs, and if they do they can put in whatever limitations they see fit. So they can limit it to certain model years and engines, and they can limit it in time or mileage if they chose to do so. (I cannot access the entire text of the TSB, so I can't comment on any such limitations.)

Toyota (and other auto manufacturers) issue TSBs because, I expect, they are trying to do the best job they can for their customers. But that doesn't mean they plan to provide free headgasket replacements for 26 years. Someday someone might figure out how to build a truck that will last 26 years without repair, but I don't expect that to happen in my lifetime.

oldblue

you are correct, its not a nhtsa recall, i just checked to prove myself wrong. my truck has 4 recalls, the steering linkage recall and 3 others about headlights i think. i could not find any info on the gasket "recall" or campaign, whatever it may be.

Gamefreakgc

Yeah, you guys have it right.

Like I was saying a 26+ year old vehicles blowing a Head Gasket is hardly Toyota's fault. Actually, more like a testament to how well their vehicles last! You know, there's a lot of other vehicles such as Mitsubishis, Fords, and Dodges that blow headgaskets just as often or even more often then our engines with a whole lot less miles on them. Just sayin'.

EZV6

I have a 1993 Runner Toyota took in under the recall last week V06 as well as the Steering Relay rod recall

John