Help me feel confident buying a new Tundra

Hi everyone, new to the group and first post. In the market for a new truck and really want a Tundra, but this whole cam tower leak scares the crap out of me. Yeah I know it’s covered by warranty, but no way do I want to spend this kind of money only to have to deal with this major repair or worry about it. I’ve called a few local dealers, some never heard of it, others tell me entire the cab comes off to make this repair. Have others out there considered this in their selection? Thanks!

 

Welcome from NY.
Don't be afraid, buy the Tundra. I have been a GM guy my whole driving career and I will never go back to a GM truck.
You will not regret buying a Tundra and you will never look back.

Good luck with your decision.

 

At least your issue is one. Not like others who can't count on both hands how many they've had

 

I look at it this way. It is an oil leak that takes a little more technical labor to fix, which is way better than a mechanical issue. I ended up purchasing the extended warranty as a piece of mind for the cam tower and tss system for the next 10 years. Almost purchased f150 but I would rather gamble with an oil leak vs transmission/engine failure, at least for now.

 

Welcome from Colorado.
My 2015 is the second Tundra I have owned. I traded my first gen with 176.5k trouble free miles for the 2015.
About 1.5 years ago I discovered my driver's side cam shaft seal was leaking. The 2015 only had 58.5k miles. I took it to the dealership and they had one of their master mechanics take a quick look while I was still in the entry area and confirmed it was leaking. I went back a few days later after the required parts were in and they replace both sides for free. Also gave me a free rental vehicle in the meantime. I am now at 98.5k miles with no problems. I am very grateful because if it were not for this forum, I would have never known to look for the leak.
Regarding the repair, in the end I think it comes down to trust with the mechanic/dealership performing the repair. I am fortunate to have found a local dealership that does a good job and I trust. They have made some mistakes but always make it right.

 

I wouldn't be too worried, Ive had 2 tundras and the only thing that took the first one down was a hurricane! Coming from a ford prior, I can definitely say I'm invested in the Toyota brand of reliability...and also resale value

 

Don’t buy a tundra. They completely disassemble the truck when they have to repair the cam tower seal that oil pours out of. Then your tundra is worth next to nothing.

 

I’m on 470000 km (292000 miles). I have a cam tower weep I have a trans weep. Doesn’t burn a drop of oil. Truck runs strong as ever. I’ve replaced a starter and suspension after 10 years of towing a 8000 lbs camper. That’s pretty cheap to maintain sir.

 

This.

 

Welcome from Texas, buy the Tundra

 

Buy the Tundra...no more putting it off!

 

Moxie says.... she's a dog, she don't say anything.... She does like riding in the Tundra though

 

Welcome from Ohio. I have always been a GM guy and once I bought a Tundra I will never go back to a GM truck either.

 

Welcome

 

Get the Tundra. No vehicle from any manufacturer is 100% guaranteed free from any defect or issue.

Granted most people here are a little bias towards owning one, myself included, but chances are you'll love the Tundra and the worry will subside.

 

We boibou my youngest son a 2008 tundra when he turned 16 . And started driving .
So far I'll we've had to do if change the starter .
I owned two toyotas in the past 1982-1985 . They both were great 4x4 trucks .
Ive been driving a 2002 F-250 diesel for last 12 years .
I bought a new 2019 tundra in febuary .
So far I have no regrets not having the 3/4 ton truck .
I'm confident the tundra will do everything I need.
The fuel mileage is better. And ride quality is so much better it's beyond words. I've had 5 back surgery's and the f250 was horrible on my back beyond about a 50 mile drive .
I don't believe you could go wrong purchasing a tundra of any year model.

 

Low maintenence, low costs....my pal has one at 400k all he's had to do was change 1 spark plug....mines got 79k...so I'm happy.

 

Meh, cam tower leaks... Worth the gamble, a leak will not leave you stranded. Tundras rarely do.

 

It's true... I swear.........secret cam tower leak repair facility

 

A little oil leak wouldn't scare me away from buying a Tundra, and I had enough confidence in these trucks to buy a 2007 with 270k on it and no service records... I'll pass 285k this week and keep on trucking.

 

Ultimately buying vehicles and vehicle reliability is a numbers game. The odds are.... Your Tundra will be more reliable than Ford, dodge, GM. The cost to own is much more likely to be less than Ford, gm, dodge.

This isn't a guarantee, it's what the numbers say. If you were to bet on a vehicles reliability youd look at the repair statistics and ask yourself which company gives me the best odds of winning this bet. No guarantees, but you play the odds and the numbers are in your favor.

My grandpa (the cheapest ol German you'll ever meet) drove for IBM before the dot Com boom. Put multiple millions of miles on over 25 years. Documented every oil change, repair, fuel purchase, for every brand from Mercedes to Toyota to dodge to Ford. He came to the overwhelming conclusion that if reliability and low cost of ownership is what you're after, you buy Honda or Toyota. Surely a different time with different tech and different vehicle types... But he had the data to prove what I'm saying above.

 

Ya' spends yer money and ya' takes yer chances. That applies to every brand of vehicle out there. I wouldn't let the cam tower leak sway your decision. My '13 had it on both sides. Fixed at 57k under warranty. The dealer went above and beyond to make sure that I was taken care of. I'm now at 74k with no issues whatsoever (the job was done by a Toyota master tech who I spoke with prior to the work being done. The cab was not removed from my truck). My dads '14 with 165k, brothers '16 with 34k, uncles '12 with 105k and countless others that have come thru my shop show no signs of the leak. Is it disheartening? Absolutely. Is it the end of the world and certain and sudden death of the truck? Not at all. In most cases it's something that if you weren't specifically looking for it, you'd never know you had it. The reliability, longevity and resale value versus the big 3 should be your deciding factors, not the possibility of the leak.

 

First gens don't have cam leaks

 

Get a 2017!

 

Welcome to the party!!

 

Welcome! No, not in a new one. They fixed that cam sealing robot.

You buy a Tundra for reliability. Or you buy the others for a few more tricks and play reliability roulette.

 

....and my 07...

 

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. Stopped at the dealership today. They sure are awesome looking trucks!

 

Do the 2017s not have this issue?