Is Your Tundra Part of Toyota’s Billion+ Dollar Potential Headache?

[AbleGuy]

Here is an interesting take by one mechanic about his opinion regarding the turbo engine problems some of the newer Tundras and other Toyota SUVs seem to be at risk of having.​

More than 200,000 Toyota vehicles running the V35A twin‑turbo V6 have been the subject of a massive recall.

At this point, that is old news. But a recent article is reporting a contrary opinion as to the possible source of the problem.

Perhaps most interesting point made in this article is the idea that, even with a costly full engine replacement from the factory, a lingering and nagging insecurity may remain with Tundra owners whose vehicles have been recalled regarding the durability and reliability of their trucks’ engines.

In any event, the potential total cost of replacing thousands and thousands of vehicle engines would be an incredibly enormous burden for a Toyota to bear. But what other choice does this traditionally reputable company have to try to maintain its status of building some of the best, most reliable vehicles in the world?

If you have a Tundra or one of the SUVs that are potentially subject to this recall, what are your thoughts about all of this?

Will you still remain a loyal Toyota customer in the future? How confident are you in thinking that a replaced engine will be reliable in the long-term?

Toyota's Billion-Dollar Recall Excuse Is Falling Apart, One Torn-Down Engine At A Time

Toyota’s reputation for reliability has taken a hit in recent months as the company faces multiple recalls of its new twin‑turbo V6 engine, used in the Tundra

guessingheadlights.com

“Toyota’s Billion-Dollar Recall Excuse Is Falling Apart, One Torn-Down Engine At A Time”​

“Toyota’s reputation for reliability has taken a hit in recent months as the company faces multiple recalls of its new twin‑turbo V6 engine, used in the Tundra pickup and several SUVs. Officially, Toyota has blamed manufacturing debris left in oil passages for the failures.

But a recent teardown by independent mechanic and YouTube creator Eric Berg, known for his “I Do Cars” channel, (seems to raise) serious questions about whether debris is really the culprit.”

If you’re interested in his contrary analysis, click on the above link to read more …

 

[Gravelette]

This is a real dilemma for potential Tundra buyers. Discouraging that engines built after the alleged culprit was identified are still failing.

 

[rruff]

But a recent teardown by independent mechanic and YouTube creator Eric Berg, known for his “I Do Cars” channel, (seems to raise) serious questions about whether debris is really the culprit.”

There are many such reasons to suspect the debris theory. Newer engines are suffering the same fate, though it's hard to get a good estimate of the numbers.

Refining the old 5.7L (or maybe just leaving it alone?) and adding the 10 spd and new frame, would have been a far better move.

https://www.autoblog.com/news/engine-teardown-exposes-whats-really-wrong-with-toyotas-problematic-v6

 

[ThundahBeagle]

The 5.7, Toyota, GM, or even Ram, seems to have been a magical time

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

There are many such reasons to suspect the debris theory. Newer engines are suffering the same fate, though it's hard to get a good estimate of the numbers.

Refining the old 5.7L (or maybe just leaving it alone?) and adding the 10 spd and new frame, would have been a far better move.

https://www.autoblog.com/news/engine-teardown-exposes-whats-really-wrong-with-toyotas-problematic-v6

I just watched the teardown video the other night, it was pretty interesting. It looks like they either can't hold the tolerances for the crank or miscalculated something. In theory it should be a pretty straightforward fix. Figuring out crankshaft tolerances is not really a super complex thing for an automaker now that we have several hundred years of doing so.

The 5.7, Toyota, GM, or even Ram, seems to have been a magical time

The 5.7 hemi was/is no saint either. They were eating camshafts before GM thought it was cool.

 

[rruff]

The 5.7 hemi was/is no saint either. They were eating camshafts before GM thought it was cool.

I think a lot of this is just the push for more and more power and mpg simultaneously. The engines get overly sophisticated, and they push the envelope for reasonable tolerances.

I'd be happy with a simple engine making 250 hp. Shouldn't be too tough to make that reliable and get decent MPG, with modern but not extreme tech... but it's a tough sell when the other guys are making 450 hp V8s or turbo 6s, and diesels with 1,000 ft-lbs of torque.

 

[2025 deleted member]

I just watched the teardown video the other night, it was pretty interesting. It looks like they either can't hold the tolerances for the crank or miscalculated something. In theory it should be a pretty straightforward fix. Figuring out crankshaft tolerances is not really a super complex thing for an automaker now that we have several hundred years of doing so.



The 5.7 hemi was/is no saint either. They were eating camshafts before GM thought it was cool.

They still are. Pentastars, GM truck motors 5.3-6.2 etc. I personally know of 3 coyote truck motors that laid down before 100k

 

[2025 deleted member]

I think a lot of this is just the push for more and more power and mpg simultaneously. The engines get overly sophisticated, and they push the envelope for reasonable tolerances.

I'd be happy with a simple engine making 250 hp. Shouldn't be too tough to make that reliable and get decent MPG, with modern but not extreme tech... but it's a tough sell when the other guys are making 450 hp V8s or turbo 6s, and diesels with 1,000 ft-lbs of torque.

The 4.7 v8 hits the spot. It’s the most underwhelming inefficient motor ever- but it works

 

[2025 deleted member]

My brother new tundra blew up at around 25k miles I think. He babies it, excellent maintenance, etc. it was quite the ordeal. Toyota didn’t strap his truck down good on the rollback wrecker- it slid forward and crunched the front end on the way to the dealer- they said “not their problem”…. He had to pay extra to get the front body replaced with factory parts instead of aftermarket junk.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I think a lot of this is just the push for more and more power and mpg simultaneously. The engines get overly sophisticated, and they push the envelope for reasonable tolerances.

I'd be happy with a simple engine making 250 hp. Shouldn't be too tough to make that reliable and get decent MPG, with modern but not extreme tech... but it's a tough sell when the other guys are making 450 hp V8s or turbo 6s, and diesels with 1,000 ft-lbs of torque.

I think a lot of the issue is the water like oil they are going to in an attempt try to improve mpg ratings. Making that work requires tight tolerances so the oil actually does what it needs to do without running away. If things are not exactly right running tight tolerances is very extremely unforgiving.

Some engines you can see what is speced for oil in the US and what is speced for the same engine overseas and they can vary wildly... just for fuel mileage ratings.

That engine they tore down, they might be chasing a lot of hp with it but it wasn't a burned valve, scored sleeve or warped head from chasing too much hp that did it in. It was a spinny thing spinning in a non spinny thing. It was a simple bearing fit and/or lube issue and that can kill a 5hp briggs just the same.

Your 250hp dream engine with that same bottom end and oil would do no better.

They still are. Pentastars, GM truck motors 5.3-6.2 etc. I personally know of 3 coyote truck motors that laid down before 100k

The 4.7 v8 hits the spot. It’s the most underwhelming inefficient motor ever- but it works

I didn't think they would change much when they revived the hemi. All this Mopar talk and you throw the 4.7 out, pretty much nail the Mopar 4.7 "features" but then end it with "it works" almost caught me. Then I remembered we are in the Toyota section lol.

 

[dstefan]

I’ve had 5 Toyota’s and have been a fan. I’m really happy to have a ’21 Tundra and a ’18 4Runner right now, but I can’t even imagine buying a new Toyota at this point if I needed a different rig.

I believe they’ve strayed too far from their high quality/reliability/functionality roots in chasing “gee-whiz” features and making some really bad design decisions (eg, long hoods you can’t see over??).

I think this sort of shows that they’ve fallen far down the rabbit hole . . .

Toyota Went There, Says New Century Brand Will Take on Bentley, Rolls-Royce

If there’s any car company that can do it, it’s Toyota.

www.motortrend.com

 

[rruff]

I believe they’ve strayed too far from their high quality/reliability/functionality roots in chasing “gee-whiz” features and making some really bad design decisions (eg, long hoods you can’t see over??).

Like all of them... well, all are tall, but some are shorter than others. I guess I should be glad my generation of Tundra is short in front of the axle.

 

[ThundahBeagle]

I just watched the teardown video the other night, it was pretty interesting. It looks like they either can't hold the tolerances for the crank or miscalculated something. In theory it should be a pretty straightforward fix. Figuring out crankshaft tolerances is not really a super complex thing for an automaker now that we have several hundred years of doing so.



The 5.7 hemi was/is no saint either. They were eating camshafts before GM thought it was cool.

I did not know this. Well, I've got 240k on my GMC knock on wood and I'll try and keep it going long as I can

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I did not know this. Well, I've got 240k on my GMC knock on wood and I'll try and keep it going long as I can

Like the Hemi their issues seem to stem from the variable engine displacement system. GM engines old enough to not have that system never really seem to have an issue... much like manual transmission Hemis that also do not have that system.

 

[rruff]

Some engines you can see what is speced for oil in the US and what is speced for the same engine overseas and they can vary wildly... just for fuel mileage ratings.

I wonder if those overseas engines are identical... or if maybe the tolerances are different...?