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2018 Tundra AC issues

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by IFM, Feb 1, 2019.

  1. Feb 1, 2019 at 5:13 PM
    #1
    IFM

    IFM [OP] New Member

    Joined:
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    Vehicle:
    2018 Tundra SR5 4x4 TRD Off Road
    My apologies for this long post but I need help from the Tundra community. Traded in my 2007 Crewmax and got a brand new 2018 Crewmax 4x4 SR5 back in June. Driving home for 3 hours in the middle of June in North Florida found it to be a little warmer than my last truck. After 10 days it was terrible so went to my local dealer. Freon was low, they stated couldn’t find a leak so probably shorted at Factory. Worked a little better for not even 2 weeks, no cool air on a 100 degree day. Took it back and after 4 days they found a leak in evaporator coil. 5 more days of them fixing it then I get my truck back.

    Still doesn’t work as good as my old truck and always have it set on max just to keep it somewhat cool. AC is also very noisy and sounds like it is constantly building pressure every 45 seconds to a minute. By this time I have Toyota corporate with a case manager involved and they suggest take it back and they will get their master tech involved. 9 days at the dealer they find it’s the pressure relief valve which is what I told them when I dropped it off is wrong and I get my truck back. Guess what it still doesn’t work that well and makes the same noise of building pressure. Still drive around with the AC cranking just to keep comfortable and its now into the fall/winter with temperatures outside dropping.

    I decide to buy a meat probe thermometer from Harbor Freight and stick it in a vent and watch it and see if I can work it out cause I’m tired of always feeling hot. My temperatures fluctuates anywhere from 42 up to 52 while driving around. It never stays constant and I think this is what the issue is and why it never cools. I test drove another 2018 and its temperature stayed at 40-41 the entire drive. I had the tech from my dealer with me on the test drive and he saw it. He then ran 5 hours of tests on my truck, asked for it back for another 1 hours last week. Sent all the results to the Master Tech for the Southeast, still waiting to hear what the results are. As usual I have to chase them up as they always like to make me feel this is my fault.

    My question to any fellow 2018 SR5 drivers who do not have the automated AC system and have a temp probe can you tell me if your temp fluctuates. Little hard clearly being that its winter but as Toyota clearly can’t work it out I am just trying to see if anyone else has this issue.

    I like my new truck but hate driving it if it’s hot out. Shouldn’t have that problem with a brand new 50k truck. As this is their 4th attempt of fixing it and they have had it for over 20 days I am looking at the Lemon Law and getting a replacement. Unfortunately it doesn’t seem like Toyota are ever that keen on doing it and will continually try and fix it.

    Any help would be much appreciated.
     
  2. Feb 1, 2019 at 5:19 PM
    #2
    Marty McFly

    Marty McFly Nobody calls me chicken!! Except when off roading

    Joined:
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    First Name:
    Morty McBoonJug
    McBoonJug = McDonald’s and Moonshine in a Jug
    Vehicle:
    2016 StormTrooper Tundra CrewMax TRD PRO
    Move to the mid west, it’s freezing out there :laughing:
    Just joking, in all seriousness, I’d fight to get a new truck. Seems to be an isolated problem. I’d be pretty pissed too. Good luck, and I hope you get it fixed :pray:
     
  3. Feb 1, 2019 at 5:19 PM
    #3
    nakota

    nakota New Member

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    I believe it is state law dependent, but I once had a lemon in AZ. I hired a lawyer and the law required the car manufacturer to pay all legal fees. I was sick of dealing with corporate and case managers and the lawyer got it resolved quickly.
     
    OR18TRD and Marty McFly like this.
  4. Feb 1, 2019 at 5:30 PM
    #4
    escuzi_me

    escuzi_me Shut up baby, I know it!

    Joined:
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    William
    Nashville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2019 Super White TRD Pro
    Bro. BRO! Lemon is how I got out of my Tacoma and into the Tundra game. It’s a long process that started back in September for me.

    • Document everything. Don’t talk on the phone. Email or text. Save them. And reply all. Always. Try to keep it in one long email chain. Make sure it easier.
    • Be firm but keep emotions in check, and be civilized.
    • Specify and refer back to the occurances and dates. Be specific that you’re trying to work this out directly with them.
    • Research lemon law in your state of residence and registration of different.
    • Figure out what your end game is. For me I did not want to go back into that truck regardless them telling me it was repaired. My family safety was not something I was risking.
    • Tell them what you want. Truck repaired? Replaced? Repurchases back? All depends on your law.
    • Start gathering ALL your paperwork related to your truck. OEM parts purchased, aftermarket (although good luck), all service records, financing paid etc.
    • I’d suggest not mentioning lawyers until you’re absolutely ready to play that card. Once you do, your conversations with them are over and their counsel steps in.
    Good luck. PM me if you want to chat further.
     
    Ely010606, Scuba and OR18TRD like this.
  5. Sep 21, 2019 at 1:00 AM
    #5
    Scuba

    Scuba Sober member

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    Austin, Tx.
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    2012 Texas Edition CM.
    I know you asked for 2018 owners but my 2012 (which has been on the road for 8 years now) ac system cools down to 40+/- 1 or 2 and stays there when cranked all the way up. I have a probe in the vent to the left of the steering wheel. No way a brand new truck should be operating worse than an 8 year old truck.
     
  6. Sep 21, 2019 at 4:54 AM
    #6
    knoxville36

    knoxville36 New Member

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    Mike
    Knoxville, TN
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    2024 GMC Sierra 1500 Elevation w/3.0 Duramax
    Well the ac unit on your 18 should be the same as my 19 Platinum for the most part. It will freeze you out to be honest.

    With that being said, I hope it gets fixed and fixed right. Sounds like it might be a dealer issue.

    Maybe try another dealer if it is not fixed this time?
     
  7. May 23, 2022 at 8:46 AM
    #7
    Beef

    Beef New Member

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    Did we ever get this situation rectified? I'm having a similar issue on my 2020. same thing with a meat probe and dang near the same temp fluctuations
     

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