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Help me feel confident buying a new Tundra

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by BryanB, Apr 27, 2019.

  1. Apr 27, 2019 at 6:55 PM
    #1
    BryanB

    BryanB [OP] New Member

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    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!
     
    Mountun Goat likes this.
  2. Apr 27, 2019 at 7:08 PM
    #2
    Jim LE 1301

    Jim LE 1301 Camaro Lover, SSEM # 11,TTC#179

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    Jim
    Hudson Valley, New York
    Vehicle:
    2018 MGM Tundra TRD Sport Double Cab
    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.
     
  3. Apr 27, 2019 at 7:10 PM
    #3
    Ps3udonymous

    Ps3udonymous Who is the smart ass that changed the title?

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    At least your issue is one. Not like others who can't count on both hands how many they've had
     
    Notachickmagnet likes this.
  4. Apr 27, 2019 at 7:18 PM
    #4
    jtwags

    jtwags Concrete jungle

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    League City, TX
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tundra CM
    Undercover Elite LX, Xact Contour
    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.
     
  5. Apr 27, 2019 at 7:48 PM
    #5
    Jrfor0

    Jrfor0 New Member

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    Colorado
    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.
     
    Notachickmagnet, Black Wolf and rsgt like this.
  6. Apr 27, 2019 at 7:49 PM
    #6
    YotaMan

    YotaMan Silver Bullet

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    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
     
  7. Apr 27, 2019 at 8:01 PM
    #7
    bdpeelgren

    bdpeelgren New Member

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    Brian
    Round Rock, TX
    Vehicle:
    2014 Tundra CrewMax Super White
    Readylift 3/1, Rigid D-series fog lights, Supernova V.4, F/R Coverking covers.
    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.
     
    Darkness likes this.
  8. Apr 27, 2019 at 8:17 PM
    #8
    Mountun Goat

    Mountun Goat She baaaaaahd

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    EhBerta, Canadia
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    It’s a Goat.
    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. :hattip:
     
  9. Apr 27, 2019 at 11:17 PM
    #9
    ZappBrannigan

    ZappBrannigan The mind is willing but the flesh is weak

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    Canada, by way of Hawaii
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    NVS light bar
    This.
     
    503rbc and Mountun Goat like this.
  10. Apr 27, 2019 at 11:28 PM
    #10
    TXRailRoadBandit73

    TXRailRoadBandit73 YOTAS,RAILROADER,RÖKnRÖLLN',BEER,MAX/GEMMA

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    The 956, TEXAS
    None yet
    Welcome from Texas, buy the Tundra
     
    Mountun Goat and Y0TA PR0 like this.
  11. Apr 28, 2019 at 5:24 AM
    #11
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    2022 Nissan Frontier SV 4X4
    TuwaPro rack, Z1 Offroad stuff, NISMO suspension stuff, FlowmasterFX Extreme exhaust, AIS, OVS, J&L can, other goodies on the way
    Buy the Tundra...no more putting it off!
     
    503rbc likes this.
  12. Apr 28, 2019 at 5:36 AM
    #12
    Racingjohndeere55

    Racingjohndeere55 New Member

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

    20190425_144645.jpg
     
  13. Apr 28, 2019 at 5:38 AM
    #13
    Prostar 190

    Prostar 190 SSEM #9 I would rather be water skiing

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    OH
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    2010 CrewMax limited 4X4
    6" lift 35" Toyo M/T
    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.
     
  14. Apr 28, 2019 at 5:46 AM
    #14
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

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    Sean
    SoCal
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    White 2015 Tundra DC SR5 TRD 4x4 5.7L, White 2003 Sequoia 2WD
    TRD Pro suspension, +2 Coachbuilder shackles, 2015 TRD Pro headlights, 20% ceramic tinted windows, clear ceramic tinted front windshield, aFe drop in pro s dry air filter, TRD airflow accelerator, TRD oil fill cap, TRD 18 psi radiator cap, BDX Bullydog tuner, Weathertech floor mats front and rear, rear seat fold down mod, DNA hard trifold tonneau cover, Linex with uv protection, TRD rear swaybar, TRD center caps, TRD Pro grille insert with color matching surround and bulge, TRD PRO headlights, aluminum oil filter canister, Real truck tailgate seal, Pop-n-lock tailgate lock actuator, rear diff breather relocate, RCI front skid plate. 275/70 R18 BFG KO2s

     
  15. Apr 28, 2019 at 5:52 AM
    #15
    Notachickmagnet

    Notachickmagnet New Member

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  16. Apr 28, 2019 at 6:03 AM
    #16
    Bheid

    Bheid It's not a toy, it's a Toyota.

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    Doug
    Indiana
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    Fab Fours Black Steel Elite front bumper Rhino Lined Bed Century Truck Cap Bridgestone KO2 tires K Source tow mirrors Blackvue Dashcam
    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.
     
    Ostrich and Mountun Goat like this.
  17. Apr 28, 2019 at 6:32 AM
    #17
    Tigwelder

    Tigwelder New Member

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    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.
     
    503rbc and Mountun Goat like this.
  18. Apr 28, 2019 at 8:20 AM
    #18
    503rbc

    503rbc New Member

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    Air bags lift rear.front end lift..canopy.. 1.5 life front..1 inch lift rear. 20 inch rims...33x12.5 mt
    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.
     
  19. Apr 28, 2019 at 8:25 AM
    #19
    Trooper2

    Trooper2 Premium Lone Star Member / SSEM #13

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    JR
    Houston, TX (Suburban South)
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    2007 Tundra 5.7 L Double Cab TRD 2WD
    TSS 20's with Cooper ATP ll's, N Fab 3 Step Nerf Bars,, Pioneer AVIC-8100NEX, Masters Tailgate Replacement Latch with Camera, 1" Maxtrac Shackles, LED Interiors/Brake/Reverse/Cargo/Fog Bulbs, Fumoto Drain Valve, Toyota Aluminium Oil Filter Housing, TRD Shift Knob, Courtesy Door Projector LEDs with Toyota Emblem, Console Tray and Lower Divider.
    Meh, cam tower leaks... Worth the gamble, a leak will not leave you stranded. Tundras rarely do.
     
    TacoWuzzaTurd and Black Wolf like this.
  20. Apr 28, 2019 at 8:26 AM
    #20
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    TuwaPro rack, Z1 Offroad stuff, NISMO suspension stuff, FlowmasterFX Extreme exhaust, AIS, OVS, J&L can, other goodies on the way
    It's true... I swear......upload_2019-4-28_9-26-11.jpg...secret cam tower leak repair facility
     
    Last edited: Apr 28, 2019
  21. Apr 28, 2019 at 8:34 AM
    #21
    Rex Kramer

    Rex Kramer Vinyl Spinner

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    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.
     
    Ostrich, 15whtrd and Dorf13 like this.
  22. Apr 28, 2019 at 8:36 AM
    #22
    Brocksw

    Brocksw New Member

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    Elka 2.5 reservoir front(+3") and rear, JBA UCAs, toytec +1.5" shackle, Falken Wildpeak 285/75r18.
    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.
     
    Last edited: Apr 28, 2019
    hudrock, Ostrich and Rex Kramer like this.
  23. Apr 28, 2019 at 8:37 AM
    #23
    duece292

    duece292 Appalachian American

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    Green Bay, WI
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    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.
     
    Ostrich and Rex Kramer like this.
  24. Apr 28, 2019 at 8:39 AM
    #24
    Darkness

    Darkness Allergic to white

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    It's really dark

    First gens don't have cam leaks o_O
     
  25. Apr 28, 2019 at 8:41 AM
    #25
    Blueknights75

    Blueknights75 040 IS THE FASTEST

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    Get a 2017!
     
  26. Apr 28, 2019 at 9:28 AM
    #26
    Larmand

    Larmand SSEM #6

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    Fort Worth, TX
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    Welcome to the party!!
     
  27. Apr 28, 2019 at 9:31 AM
    #27
    JoshuaA

    JoshuaA Canuck Member

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    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.
     
  28. Apr 28, 2019 at 10:12 AM
    #28
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    ....and my 07...
     
    Darkness[QUOTED] likes this.
  29. Apr 28, 2019 at 12:37 PM
    #29
    BryanB

    BryanB [OP] New Member

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    Thanks everyone for your thoughts. Stopped at the dealership today. They sure are awesome looking trucks!
     
    15whtrd and Black Wolf like this.
  30. Apr 29, 2019 at 11:10 AM
    #30
    Heff

    Heff New Member

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    Do the 2017s not have this issue?
     

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