Alloy Wheel Bubbling/corrosion On E12! Anyone Else Had This?

[Chris81]

Can I just make the point though that its great to have someone on the forum who works at Toyota. It provides an extra and sometimes different persepective on things and can only be helpful - whether one agrees with it or not

I couldn't agree more! And he owns a Sierra Sapphire Cosworth too, I'm guessing in moonstone blue. You gotta respect the old fast fords.

Back on topic though, I know most alloy wheels rust in time - just this week I've seen Nissan, BMW and Mazda wheels all with their fair share of bubbling, but they've been at least 4 years old. Toyota ones seem to go after a year, but only certain ones seem to be affected. I'm sure mart can identify the worst offenders - seems to me to be the yaris t-sport ones and the last shape mr2 ones. My t-sport ones began corroding round the spokes after just 4K - particularly the front ones. The mechanic said that the sharp inside line of each spoke doesn't get much lacquer and so the brake dust soon eats through it. But as you say, it also bubbles under the paint so extra lacquering seems a waste of time. Once I've got a new set on I plan to go for a good alloy wheel polish which might help keep the corrosion round the spokes at bay for a while!

[geoffb]

Just an update on the alloys replacement which was booked in for tomorrow.

Just had a call fom Mr T. Apparently, the alloys are now on 'back order' with Toyota and are not expected until at least 10 May! I guess the dealer waited until the last possible minute re spares deliveries before calling which is fair enough and I'm certainly not quibbling with that but it's disappointing though.

Maybe this is a bigger general problem than I thought :(

Watch this space .....

[geoffb]

Just an update for anyone interested in this issue.

Finally had the two offside alloys replaced under warranty yesterday by Mr T - so a long wait. Maybe there is a high demand (and so a big problem).

Will keep an eye on the nearside wheels for the remaining 16 months or so of the warranty! Suspect tiny signs of bubbling may already be appearing on one of them

Given that it seems from the forum that many Yaris owners have had the same problem it is mind boggling that a company like Toyota, apparently known for its quality, has allowed this to happen.

So my message to E12 owners is to keep an eye on those alloys - especially if you still have some warranty left!

[Paul E]

Can only agree with above comments, recently had all 4 alloys on my 2005 D4D replaced (without quibble) by my local Mr T under warranty. And don't talk to me about Celica alloys....and Celica discs....and especially don't talk to me about Yaris MMT units (whole family has Toyotas). But even at that, still better than most other manufacturers.

Paul

[T600]

Meh, Toyota alloys must be the worst evAR, and they don't seem to be improving any. I had a Y plate Celica that had its first set replaced under warranty after 18 months, then again just before it was three years old. Each time, they tell you that the problem is now solved, and they won't go again, but they do.

The Lexus IS200 ones don't seem any better either - I think my 03 Lexus has now had three sets @ 18 months old, 36 months old and 48 months old. The last set are the interesting ones - having had the set just before the 3 year warranty ran out, I thought that would be it, but when it went in for its 4 year service I complained about them having lasted less than a year, and all four were replaced under warranty, despite the car being just one day under 4 years old.

It seems there's a chance that so long as I get them replaced every year I'll be OK, because each new set comes with its own 1 year warranty. But if Toyota manage to make a set that last a year and a day I'll have to have to start paying for the replacements. Not much chance of that then :D

[Jock Fran]

Seems quite common with Japanese cars.

I know someone who's 350Z has the problem, but Nissan aren't playing ball with replacements.

At least Toyota will change them without fuss. Thankfully the wheels on mine are fine so it must just be some designs.

My mum needs 1 changing on her 2 year old Lexus RX though!

Would it actually be covered on the anti-corrosion warranty rather than the regular 3 year mechanical warranty?

[Ed_Shek]

I'm sure if the wheels were treated by an Alloy Wheel Specialist they would be fine. I've noticed a slight bubbling on one of my wheels but the car is 5 years old (an 02 plate) so I doubt I would be able get Toyota to replace them.

[geoffb]

I'm sure if the wheels were treated by an Alloy Wheel Specialist they would be fine. I've noticed a slight bubbling on one of my wheels but the car is 5 years old (an 02 plate) so I doubt I would be able get Toyota to replace them.

I'm not convinced that treatment would make much difference. I wonder whether the bubbling is caused through poor manufacture - it does appear to be quite common. To be honest, I would not expect to have to take my car to an alloy wheel specialist to avoid this sort of problem - the car should be able to withstand everyday wear and tear without this sort of issue arising.

By way of update on my car, the rear nearside alloy is now beginning to bubble nicely around the centre hub area and I shall be back to Mr T again shortly!