2014 Tundra on fire after rocker arms dislodge.

Kind of a bad way to introduce myself on a new forum. I don't modify my truck and rarely have problems so I don't frequent Forums. I'm hoping no one else has had problems like this but it would be nice to get some information if they have.

At 64,000 miles my 2014 Toyota Tundra caught fire as I was driving to work. After 2 months of Toyota claims investigation they told me that 2 rocker arms became dislodged from cylinder 7, got wedged between the cam and valve cover cracking the valve cover. This caused oil to spray all over the manifold and catch fire. After investigation was complete Toyota tells me that they are unable to honor my claim. The Toyota dealership is telling me that with the damage incurred they would need to replace the engine to the tune of $10,000 +. I do my own maintenance and have changed the oil religiously with Mobil 1 Synthetic Oil and the new shitty filter they use on the 5.7. I've built cars and trucks from the ground up including engine rebuilds so I know how to maintain my vehicles. I'm assuming they are denying my claim because I do my own service and because it's 4,000 miles out of warranty.

 

Out of warranty claims are tough. I know there’s different levels of warranty management. Maybe some kind of appeal? Rocker arms shouldn’t just “dislodge”

 

But having your truck catch on fire as you're driving to work is something that Toyota should be covering. Something failed in that valve train and nobodies been in there since Toyota put it together.

 

No, Having your truck catch fire as your driving to work is something your insurance should be covering. Those guys got lawyers and the power to go after Toyota if it it their belief that Toyota is to blame. Sorry to hear about your truck.

 

Yes, my insurance is on it. Hopefully they'll help out. Generally insurance doesn't cover mechanical failures like this though. My experience with insurance (and I've had a lot of it) generally ends up with me paying in the long run. I've never seen insurance spend any effort going after the person or company that is at fault. It's not cost effective, they are better off just jacking up my rates and that's what they do. I appreciate your thoughts, Thanks.

 

I agree with you. Years ago I had a Honda motorcycle that had transmission problems 1 month out of warranty. Claim was denied by the local Honda management but I complained directly to Honda and got a regional manager to approve the repair. That’s why I wondered if there was a higher level manager you could appeal to.

 

I believe damage due to fire would only be covered by "comprehensive" coverage. Liability insurance is required by government, collision and comprehensive insurance is required by the lender. Comprehensive is the same insurance that covers broken glass, storm damage, theft, etc. Once the loan is paid off, most insured choose a large comprehensive deductible, if they have that coverage at all .