2004 Tundra Starter Problems

I have a 2004 Tundra 4.7 with 80,000 miles on it. At about 35,000 miles, the original starter failed. Because the truck was more than 3 years old, it was out of warranty. I had the starter replaced with a Bosch starter, same as what came in the truck new. That starter failed at 78,000 miles when the truck was 15 years old (2019). The replacement Bosch starter had a lifetime warranty, but the parts store that sold it to my mechanic sold out to a new store. The new store covered the starter, but did not carry Bosch, so whatever brand they sell was installed. Unfortunately the new starter only has a 2 year warranty.

I was very surprised when the first starter failed, and shocked when the second starter failed. It is an expensive repair because the starter is under the intake manifold.

Has anyone else had problems with their starter in this engine? Is there anything a person can do to prevent early failure? It seems strange that both starters failed with such low mileage. I live in North Dakota where winter temperatures get as low as -40F without windchill. I don't know if that is a factor or not.

This truck is a keeper, but I don't want to replace the starter every 35,000 miles. Even with all the salt they put on the roads in the winter, the body is rust free. Despite a heavy undercoating when it was new, there is a lot of rust on the frame, but nothing that I am worried about.

 

164k on the original starter (heavy duty starter/TRD package). Haven’t heard many others with starter problems unless they were 200k+ miles.

 

Your situation is definitely not normal. I was going to suggest you go with an OEM part next time but it sounds like you did(Bosch). I would honestly be more concerned about the frame rust you're describing than the starter going out. The frames in our trucks are really the biggest weakness. Even if you're not worried about it, I would at least spend some time up under there cleaning up the rust and protecting it with grease or fluid film.

I'm sorry I don't have better advice on the starter. I've never heard of anyone having to replace it 3 times.

I did not know this. Glad to hear this though.

Same here. I couldn't find a single video online the last time I looked. I don't think it's a common point of failure.

 

I replace my starter a couple of years ago my is a 2002. Same engine. I should of installed denso , too expensive. I replaced with rebuilt starter. So far so good. I live in Los Angeles ca, so the weather has something to do with it. Good luck on yours. Maybe get a good strong battery ? Hard to say why yours failed

 

Didn’t realize it had a heavy duty heater as well. $70!