6 week old tundra, serious front end issues

I believe I've started WWIII with my dealer.

I bought my 2015 Tundra TRD about 6 weeks ago with 17 miles on it. I've never been happier with any other investment, until yesterday.

It was about 77ºF outside, not a cloud in the sky. My truck had an empty stomach, so I pulled into 7-11 to get some gas. As I'm making a left turn into the parking lot, I wait for a truck to pass and start to turn. Then I realize there's a Cadillac doing about double the speed limit and got the hell out of dodge. Less than half way through the turn, I floored it! About half way through the turn, I heard a BANG, POP (2 different sounds) and immediately let off the gas. As I straightened the wheel coming out of the turn, I heard another POP. I got it out of the way and proceeded to fill up. I walked around the truck, knowing nothing was in the road, but puzzled at the noises I just heard. Upon closer inspection, it appeared that the tire had popped the bead, and the rim hit the pavement head-on. Tore a hole in the tire, and bent the rim (pics attached). I have extra Toyota coverage for the rim and tire, so although I was pissed, I didn't give it much other thought than "Time to make an appointment!"

I left the gas station, and as I'm going down the road, I instantly noticed the truck was pulling to the right, HARD. I had to hold a firm grip on the steering wheel about 1/8 turn to the left to keep the truck straight. I only lived about a half a mile from the gas station, so I drove it home as slow as I could. Once I got in the door, I had the truck towed to service.

Service called me this morning and said "What the hell did you hit?!" I said, "Nothing! There was nothing there!" I showed them the pictures I took of the intersection after the incident and they just couldn't believe it.

So now, they advised that I need to call my insurance company immediately and get a claim started... "For what??" They said that "Whatever you hit, whether a pothole, or an object in the road, it impacted so hard that it shifted the entire control arm so far that it flattened the camber tabs on the chassis." "Look, I just made a left turn. It was from a dead stop and I had to get the hell out of the way to keep from getting hit by someone that wasn't paying attention. So you mean to tell me, I can't make left turns that fast anymore?" She said she couldn't comment on how I can or cannot drive. But she was adamant about trying to get me to admit to hitting something.

I called the insurance company and got them involved. They said they're most likely not going to be able to do anything because that camber shouldn't have moved in the first place. If the truck stuck a pothole or curb or something, it would make sense, but it takes some serious force to move a properly tightened control arm.

I called the Service Dept. back and let them know I was calling Toyota.

I explained the entire incident to the rep at Toyota. I thought she would also feed me a line about 'well, you hit something' and try to pawn me off, but she said that the way I explained it to her made complete sense. She started a case and they're looking into it now.

So when I bought the truck 6 weeks ago, it had some aftermarket mods right off the line. A 3" lift and the tires seem to be great contributors to the incident. What I think happened is, because the truck is lifted, the center of gravity is now a little higher. When I took that sharp left turn, it was too much for the tire, which pushed it off the bead just enough to expose the rim. When the rim hit the pavement, it put even more stress on the control arm, which caused the camber bolt to slide/dislodge like it did. That second POP I heard was the tire reseating the bead. I mean, that control arm DESTROYED those tabs. They were so flat, I'm not sure they'll be able to get anything under them to bend them back.

So with this truck being BRAND NEW with 3100 miles on it, it's on its way to a first front end alignment and I haven't even had fun with it yet.

But this is a huge concern for me. The main reason why I got a new truck is so I could pull the boat. That's a good 2.5 tons on the trailer. The last thing I need is for an incident like this to happen while towing or getting off the highway, especially with having my 4 year old daughter in the truck. I felt reassured getting the TRD since its made for offroad, but does that mean I can't take it onroad?

I am so confused and don't know what to do. Someone please tell me they've had something similar happen! I feel like I just ate $50k by buying this truck. I'm hoping Big Toyota's going to fix the problem and realize that it's an issue (I know these tabs are a problem). But this whole incident doesn't make any sense. And I'm not accepting responsibility for hitting something that wasn't there. At least I have insurance and ToyCorp on my side. Hopefully they can convince the dealer.

 

Yeah, that's what I figured. My intent was to let Toyota and the insurance company figure it out. I took the pictures after the incident occurred, but it doesn't seem to be enough. Not sure what else I can do to prove it.

All the aftermarket mods to the suspension and wheels were done prior to me even looking at the truck. So I guess it's somewhat authorized by Toyota or the dealership. I haven't changed anything except the radio since I got it. I'm not sure if UCAs were installed. I'd have to look.

 

I had the Wheel and Tire protection also and it pretty much shouldn't matter what or if anything you hit, if it was or wasn't in the road, "whatever" is the hazard and that's what the protection is for! Not really sure then what they think they're debating...

https://www.sc.toyotafinancial.com/web/tfs/pub/contents/14-104 TFS TW Platinum_final.pdf

 

They said they'll cover the tire. But they won't cover the bent rim because "it holds air". Complete BS. An attorney will run that one into the ground.

The issue is the extensive damage that was done to the front end. They don't know who's gonna pay for that.

 

That warranty is supposed to cover cosmetic damage to wheels also. If they can't repair wheel, then they should replace it. If they want to argue it holds air, well then maybe you'll just have to wait till it leaks? They created the aftermarket installed products, so if they fail, they should be responsible, just as we should be when we add aftermarket products. I hope this ends well for you without too much fight. I know this can get frustrating, especially when we have spent so much on a product that has a good reputation.

 

I can make it leak lol. That's a show I'd like to watch!

I completely agree though. There shouldn't be any issue with getting this fixed. I don't know why the dealer has a wild hair up their ass to not cover this. But I don't think they realize that I'm the type of person who'd take them to Court even if I won't get anything out of it. If it helps someone else out in the future, then it's money well spent.

 

I've never seen anything of the sort of damage you had without hitting anything, and I don't see anything that can explain that sort of damage. The only thing I could think of as a reasonable explanation is that you hit something (without realizing it). That would be my thought if I were a 3rd party person trying to determine the cause of the damage. That's probably why Toyota wants the insurance company involved.

Flipside of it is that it would be difficult for the insurance company to deny that you hit something. Hence they will have to cover it. I am not sure suing will serve any purpose. The picture does not prove anything to the court. You can't prove to the court that the picture was taken immediately afterwards, or that this was the exact location where the event happened. Nor does it show that the street has no defect from the angle you took the picture. I believe what you say as a fellow member of this forum. But the court will not be as trusting of your claim. And as far as I could see, the court just has to take your word for it.

I am sorry about what happened to your truck. But I will be surprised if Toyota covered it. But then again, Toyota has covered many items before.

 

That sucks. Sounds like the tires weren't beaded properly to the wheels or as you stated the lift already was affecting the camber in a negative way. When I looked at my truck the dealer had one in the showroom that had a dealer installed lift. It was basically a block lift without any additions of proper UCA's, rear leafs, shocks or a carrier bearing drop to compensate the pinion angle. It LOOKED good but would be a suspension nightmare in 30k miles and would only cause abnormal wear. If they installed the lift prior to your purchase, I'd also be asking to see the alignment sheet the tech did after they installed the lift and tires as well.

 

2x agreed

 

Stopped by the dealer today for more info.

 

I got to thinking. They had to of done an alignment, right? What if they didn't torque the camber bolt to spec? At this point, insurance is pointing at workmanship. I have an appointment with an attorney next week. I'll keep you guys posted.

 

If there were serious issues with leveling kit and/or alignment, shouldn't the OP have been able to feel something odd about how the truck drove before the incident?

 

Not necessarily. The op is use to the way to truck drive with the lift already done so you have no baseline to go off of.

 

Sorry about the troubles. This sounds like it is going to be a nightmare.

 

I would seriously consider the installation as the culprit. Either items not torqued to spec, out of alignment or tires not beaded properly. You should be able to abuse a properly lifted truck with sharp turns, hard hits, etc. and not have any issues. It's on them. If it were me I'd tell them that I don't want the same lift they did before but instead go for a Camburg with Fox and rear leaf's. Ask for the world, the least they can say is no.

 

I guess its one of two things.
1. Improperly installed lift/tires by the dealership. or
2. There was a small object in the road that you hit and didn't know it.

The problem is no one can prove anything. I dont think its Toyota's fault though. I wouldn't expect anything from them. I can see everyone's point of view. Shitty situation. I hope it ends well brother! Keep us updated.

 

The dealership should be able to handle this. Its still under warranty. If it was the dealership who sold you the vehicle in the first place its possible that they did the lift. If they did not modify the vehicle, the fact is that they sold you the vehicle with a warranty. Insist them to fix it. Many dealerships would say this and that and not uphold their part of the warranty for extra costs that the dealership will endure. Under law (depending on which state you live in), the dealership should be able to fix the issue with new Toyota parts. If not, then its a legal issue between the owner of the vehicle and the dealership because of the warranty contract. Believe me, when you threaten to get your lawyer involved, they will fix it. Good luck.

 

UPDATE

I went out to the dealership last week and spoke with the Shop Foreman. He described how all the parts work in the front end and I just stood there feeling like a 16 year old who took his dad's truck without asking and wrecked it. I listened and didn't say anything, giving the impression that I didn't know anything about cars at all. When he was done explaining things, I asked whether it could be plausible that this happened during a hard turn. I couldn't even get the question out without him cutting me off saying there was something in the road that hit the front end and I most likely didn't see it. Then, I asked, "Why would I lie about this?" Without hesitation, he says "I don't know!" and spoke about how we all make our own decisions and have to live with them -- essentially calling me a liar to my face. Little did he know, I'd been recording every conversation in person and over the phone since the beginning of the incident. I'm sure I can't use it in Court, but the media would love it. And my attorney can do some planning with it as well.

After Toyota was notified of my experience, they immediately escalated the case to a region rep.

So Toyota called this morning and said they were out Tuesday (5/12) to assess the damage. They, too, said something was hit and won't help. Nothing else was discussed in regards to the damage or the Shop Forman's comment.

I have an appointment with an attorney on Wednesday, and I have gotten a hold of the local news station. Still waiting to hear back from them.

As I've explained to everyone so far -- which they can't seem to understand -- it's not an issue of money. I want them to assess what happened to the truck because it's a SAFETY issue. For whatever reason, everyone goes back to who's going to pay for it.

After learning that the frame is bent AND cracked, and will likely need a new chassis, I will never feel safe in this truck again. It's unfortunate, but I'm going to have to sell it unless Toyota or the dealership is willing to settle.

I'm waiting on phone calls from my insurance company and news station, and a meeting with my attorney.

I'll keep you guys posted.

 

Damn... What a mess.

 

i look at that scuff on your rim and its just like the one i have on mine. mine was front drivers side. when i noticed it. i cant figure out what caused it. the only thing i can think of is going through the car wash when it goes on that track and pulls the car through. i hope i dont have the same thing going on with mine. i have no scuffs on tires or anywhere else. just the edge of the rim is scraped just like that. i have lift kit that i installed myself and had people look at it after completion. they all say it looks fine. i just have a lot of squeaking going on at turns. i hear squeeking from the leaf springs and on turns.

 

Sure its not your shackles or bushing out of grease?

 

If you look closely at mine, you can see the grain of the scratch where the wheel slid sideways on pavement. You can't scrape like this no matter how many road hazards you hit. It's a clear indication that the tire rolled.



But one thing Toyota is going to have a hard time covering up is why that tire still holds air, and that aluminum rim didn't crack, but the steel chassis is both bent and cracked.

My last physics class was 3 years ago, but I don't think it's changed that much.

I learned my insurance company is on board as well. Calling it a "mechanical failure".

Is there anyone in the Virginia Beach area who knows a reputable off road shop? I think at this point, I want a shop to have a peek.

 

Etaoffroad.com, there pretty reputable and have been around a while. There in Norfolk, Va off of va beach blvd, which is a main road there. (757) 461-2600.
Hope this helps freqsounds, and good luck with everything