Toyota announced yesterday that it is expanding its recall of 2000-2003 Tundra pickup trucks to include all of the trucks in the U.S. The original recall, launched last November, recalled about 110,000 trucks in 20 cold-weather states only. The recall was limited to cold-weather states only because the Tundras are especially vulnerable to corrosion caused by the salt commonly used to melt snow on roadways.

Exposure to road salt caused the frames of some Tundras to corrode in the rear section. Rusting and general corrosion of the rear crossmember could cause spare tires and gas tanks to separate from the frame and fall off of the vehicles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, not only can parts drop off the trucks and create a serious road hazard to other drivers, but rear brake lines and the proportioning valve could be affected as well, resulting in diminished braking capability.

Toyota representatives have not yet announced how many Tundras will be covered by the expanded recall. Owners of Tundras currently registered in the other 30 states will be contacted by Toyota beginning in the middle of March.

In its advice to owners of the Tundras included in the November 16 recall, Toyota recommended removing the spare tire from under the vehicle until a remedy could be found and implemented. Dealers in 20 states have been inspecting the rear crossmembers and the potentially affected components on the recalled Toyotas and replacing them when necessary. Any crossmembers that are not replaced are sprayed with a corrosion protection compound.

Repairs to a corroded frame could require multiple visits to the dealer and take as long as 7 hours.

Toyota hasn’t explained yet why it is now including all Tundras in the recall, but consumer complaints suggest that the problem persists in areas not included in the original recall.

Related posts:

1. Toyota adds more vehicles to unintended acceleration recall
2. NHTSA investigates rusting Toyota Tundra pickups
3. Toyota will expand latest recall to include European vehicles
4. Toyota to recall 3.8 million vehicles for dangerous floor mat defect
5. Toyota owners describe acceleration incidents after recall repairs