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What years 2.5 Gen are more dependable/reliable?

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by Silverhorse, May 26, 2025 at 9:06 PM.

  1. May 26, 2025 at 9:06 PM
    #1
    Silverhorse

    Silverhorse [OP] New Member

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    So, long story short..I want to sell my 2013 landcruiser due to electronic issues.. mainly head unit , radio ,DVD failures.. I had a 2016 Sequoia with more simple setup..less electronics..my radio and AC Controls were seperate..
    On the LANDCRUISER everything is in the head unit..
    I would like to get the same setup as the 16' Sequoia
    .my question is what years tundras have that seperate radio, hvac controls?
    TY!
     
  2. May 26, 2025 at 10:38 PM
    #2
    bigmace

    bigmace New Member

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    In 2014 they redid the interior and it will be completely different than the 2nd gen Sequoia. But all the HVAC controls have knobs and physical buttons. I believe in 2017 they add Toyota safe sense which is added safety but more tech to break. 2020 and 2021 got even more tech upgrades like car play / android auto, smart key with push button start to name a few. As far as powertrain reliability I don’t think any years standout above the rest for 2014 to 2021.
     
    Silverhorse[OP] likes this.
  3. May 26, 2025 at 10:49 PM
    #3
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA New Member

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    2007-2021 Tundras will all have HVAC separate from the head unit. Hell, the 2022+ are separate.
     
  4. May 27, 2025 at 4:45 AM
    #4
    Corndog123

    Corndog123 New Member

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    Rough Country suspension, 305s, ARB bumper, light bar, Smittybuilt 10k winch. XD Buck 25 rims
    Well, for what it's worth my 2014 has been solid as a rock. No issues whatsoever. It has about 160,000 on the clock. Need to do the new timing chain and tensioner but that's just scheduled maintenance. It runs fine and as I've said no issues.
     
    Silverhorse[OP] likes this.
  5. May 27, 2025 at 5:03 AM
    #5
    SoTexTundra

    SoTexTundra New Member

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    It all depends on what you want. 2018 was the start of the tss and the last year of the trans cooler if I'm not mistaken. In my personal opinion I believe the 2017 model would be the best year to find due to no tss but still have a trans cooler and the bigger fuel tank on certain models. Now this is very debatable obviously as I have a 2019 and its been fine as well.
     
  6. May 27, 2025 at 9:23 AM
    #6
    yakeng

    yakeng 3URFE Apologist

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    Timing chain and tensioner? That is not normal scheduled maintenance, especially at only 160K. These are lifetime items on the 3URFE. Unless you have chain/tensioner slap, you should leave it alone.
     
  7. May 27, 2025 at 10:12 AM
    #7
    Corndog123

    Corndog123 New Member

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    Rough Country suspension, 305s, ARB bumper, light bar, Smittybuilt 10k winch. XD Buck 25 rims
    Nope, I just thought it was supposed to be changed 60k miles ago. No problems.
     
  8. May 27, 2025 at 1:32 PM
    #8
    yakeng

    yakeng 3URFE Apologist

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    The serpentine belt should probably be replaced at that interval though.
     
    Corndog123 likes this.
  9. May 27, 2025 at 1:57 PM
    #9
    IEsurfer

    IEsurfer New Member

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    If you don’t like tech I would say 2016 and 2017 those two years have the bigger 38 gallon fuel tanks and no tss 2018 they came out with tss (the radar cruise control) also 2018 was the last year of the external transmission cooler so if you get a 2019 thru 21 you’ll have to add one yourself

    2015 and newer have the newer updated head gasket 2014 and older are prone to leak around cylinder 7 and 8 and the earlier second gens had fuel pump issues
     
    Silverhorse[OP] likes this.
  10. May 27, 2025 at 2:08 PM
    #10
    NWPirate

    NWPirate Give me overtime or give me death

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    Another vote for a '17.
    I sought mine out in 2019 specifically after finding out about the early TSS issues and lack of trans cooler. Towing when I had my '15 was painful with the smaller gas tank too.

    Having said that; if my '17 were to get totaled today, I would be shopping for a low mileage '21 without hesitation.
     
  11. May 27, 2025 at 2:55 PM
    #11
    Corndog123

    Corndog123 New Member

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    Rough Country suspension, 305s, ARB bumper, light bar, Smittybuilt 10k winch. XD Buck 25 rims
    Sounds good to me. Thank you!
     
  12. May 27, 2025 at 6:44 PM
    #12
    Adamace1

    Adamace1 New Member

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    None....
    I'm going to say 2021 are the most reliable year for the 2.5 Gen. Then 2020 would be the second most reliable year and so on...
     
    MadMaxCanon likes this.
  13. May 27, 2025 at 7:46 PM
    #13
    yakeng

    yakeng 3URFE Apologist

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    I get the logic, but my 2020 Covid built truck has had a lot of minor issues.
     
  14. May 27, 2025 at 7:48 PM
    #14
    IEsurfer

    IEsurfer New Member

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    My 2021 did as well in fact it had so many bugs I dumped it fortunately my 2016 has fared a lot better
     
  15. May 27, 2025 at 8:01 PM
    #15
    Silverhorse

    Silverhorse [OP] New Member

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    I was unaware of the head gasket issue!
     
  16. May 27, 2025 at 8:05 PM
    #16
    IEsurfer

    IEsurfer New Member

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    my 2021 had a lot of issues definitely a covid build, door frame mouldings were coming off headliner was dropping and had a bad rear main seal leak all at 12k miles. I had such horrible experiences with retards at dealers I didn’t even want to mess with them trying to fix it under warranty I just had no faith in the truck so I dumped it. Have a 2016 now that I got used with 75k miles and the build quality on that is night and day noticeable
     
  17. May 27, 2025 at 8:21 PM
    #17
    SAGE63

    SAGE63 Wannabe Go Fast Overlander Small Rock Crawler

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    My 2021 delivered Oct 2020 has had zero issues. well, no non-self inflicted issues that is.

    knock on wood
     
    Last edited: May 27, 2025 at 8:48 PM
    OHwendTrd likes this.

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