Thinking of joining the 3rd Gen team

Hey everyone,

I've been lurkering on this page for the past few months, but decided to join as I'm really contemplating getting a 3rd Gen Tundra.

I'm currently running a 22 F350 Tremor with the 6.7 powerstroke with the complete a Carli suspension pkg. Recently completed my build, but after some discussions with the wife, I decided we dont need such a big truck for our needs. Kinda disappointing as this was my dream build since I sold my 2020 F350 Tremor and Gen 1 Raptor for this truck.. but between it being a covid build, and not buying a holiday trailer.. it doesn’t make sense.

I've owned nearly all the domestic trucks and their models, from half ton & diesel GMs to V8/3.5TT Raptors and Super Duty's, but never a Tundra... hence why I've come here lol.

I've been looking at some TRD Pro's mostly, but also Limited hybrids and non hybrid Limiteds since mostly know non hybrid owners.

Really I have a few questions for you.. since this is uncharted waters for me.

1.curious what you guys think about going hybrid vs non hybrid.

2. Should I worry about the main bearing issue?.. or is it really just a small minority being extremely vocal?

Appreciate all the advice in advance!
Here is a picture of my current Tremor.

 

Welcome from NY.

What year 3rd gen were you thinking about? If you go with a 2025 or 2026, I think you will be fine because I believe they finally got all the issues resolved.

 

I've mainly looked at new. Originally I thought I'd order a Wave Maker Blue TRD Pro, but the shop I work with have 2 non hybrid Tundra shop trucks and that got me thinking.. if I plan to build another truck, why use a Pro as a starting point? Probably best to go with a hybrid limited or non hybrid like they did.

 

If you get a 2026 you should be fine. The PRO has the better suspension/shocks and wheels. If you plan on changing/removing those I wouldn't get the PRO. Good luck with your decision.

 

Toyota still has major issues for 2025 and it's doubtful they will be solved for 2026.

1,000+ lb/ft of TQ?? Keep that! I bet that diesel just purrs. You'd really hate going to a V6 in a big truck.

 

What is your source of this information? Any actual data? What are the top 5 issues that would stop a '25 or '26 purchase decision?

 

Multiple major engine problems, poor build quality, electrical issues, gas mileage ratings not quite at EPA ratings, squeaks and rattles everywhere for starters.

 

I say, what color so you want and go from there.

 

Multiple major engine problems, poor build quality, electrical issues, gas mileage ratings not quite at EPA ratings, squeaks and rattles everywhere for starters.
Add ALL of these together and you still get around 1 % with problems in total. Just speculation on your part.

 

ok, how about some specifics? I see statements that can apply to any vehicle.
- What are the top engine problems that impact 25 and 26 model years? Please show data.
- Examples of poor build quality / electrical issues / common squeaks and rattle locations?

Fuel is not a issue, too many variables on drive style.

Do you or have you owned a gen 3?

 

Beautiful tremor! My dad has one, set up very similarly, and it’s stupid fun to drive off-road. Driving it in the city isn’t as fun as my tundra, though.

My advice on your questions: if you don’t feel the need for the mcmega tremor, you probably don’t need the extra torque of the hybrid. I love having all the under seat storage in my non hybrid, but if you’re going to do a shell on the tundra, that might not be a huge deal. I’ve driven the hybrid a decent bit and, as fun as it is, I never feel as though my non-hybrid is lacking. About the engine: buy it if you like the way it drives, get an extended warranty, and don’t borrow trouble by worrying about something that could happen to any engine.

 

I did exactly what you are thinking of. I had the most beautiful 2019 F250 Diesel. I had planned on keeping it a very long time, but, 12 outstanding recalls, oil leaks, death wobble, previous recalls not correctly fixed, then EGR issues at only 30K babied miles. I was done with Ford & never looked back. Traded it even for my new 24 Tundra Limited. Never thought I would, but I did. Tundra is a nice truck, although I can't expect it to do what that diesel could do, its all I really need. Its not quite as comfortable as the SuperDuty, but that was expected as well. Maybe if I had gotten one with leather it would be different.
If you plan on a build of lots of mods, a Limited would be your best buy, but its all just according to what you want in a truck & what you want to mod.
I did get the Toyota extended warranty on mine from a guy mentioned on this forum for half the price of what my dealer wanted just for piece of mind. Its a big difference in trucks, but try one out & see for yourself. I'm totally happy with mine. Good luck!

 

Thanks! I had never ordered a truck before and thought I might as well.. turned out to be a great decision since Ford discontinued 2 tone paint on the Lariat after MY22. With the Carli setup this truck is an absolute animal, if anyone has watched the CJC or Carli videos they'd understand.. this truck hustles at 65mph off road and is so composed, even with just the Signature shocks.

With not getting a trailer anymore the Tremor is excessive, especially with all of the driving we do in centeral British Columbia where the roads are twisty, single lane highways and side roads along the lakes. And that's where I think the Tundra would shine, better for those tighter highways, yet still capable off road (especially how I plan to build it). I've only driven a non hybrid truck, so I'd like to drive a hybrid to see what the fuss is about, but it just seems like an additional cost for something I don't think is needed in a truck? again, maybe I'm just missing something and will get a better appreciation after driving it.

That's exactly where I'm at! this truck is a 100% covid build. Quality issues from the get go, constant CDF vibrations, bent driveshaft, leaks, CCV failures, etc etc.. it's been a pain in my ass.. but I absolutely love the truck. And yeah, I'm done with Ford, but also domestics in general. I've owned 2 Raptors and other F150s too.. I have no interest in going back to that platform, been there, done that. Plus the prices.. they're crazy.

Thanks! i'll probably head to the dealer I like tomorrow and see if they still have a non hybrid Terra Limited for sale and drive it.

 

Yeah, those Carli systems are badass. I’ve hit whoops going 45-50 and the truck felt like it was floating. That video of a Carli F250 hitting jumps at 50 mph is insane for how big of a truck it is. That being said though, the drive out to my desert has a windy mountain pass and I’d pick my truck, over the F250, 12 times out of 10. I absolutely love driving my tundra through mountain roads.

 

My 23 is 2.5 YO and the only problem I have is the headlight system malfunction and that's it,none of the other BS ppl have gone through I plan on holding onto it till 27 or 28 and getting a replacement and same trim.

This is my first Toyota ever and I'm loving it each and every day,I'm more than satisfied with the power & handling it has,the looks are sexy and all of the electronic witchery stole my hart.

I get compliments and and questions and the looks at traffic lights, crosswalks or when getting into or locking it up.

When my wife and I are at a traffic light, she'll see a guy looking at the truck up and down and she'll say to me got another one getting a hard on over your truck

So OP if I was you I'd wait,if you can.

 

The Engine issues on the 3rd gen are few and far between. But if you get one then it is a big deal. I have a 2023 Limited TRD (49K miles) and a 2024 Platinum TRD (12K miles) both bought used. Both have been flawless so far. The 2026 if you were to order new (or dealer lot) would be a safe bet. As safe as any new truck these days.

As for which model, here are my thoughts:

• TRD Pro - Only comes in Hybrid. To me not worth the up charge for the grill and rims.
• Limited - Comes in both I believe. The TRD package gives you some crawl control and slightly better stock suspension.
• Platinum - I was searching for a Platinum with TRD AND factory 3" lift but could not find one. Bought the Limited as a stop gap. I think the Platinum is the sweet spot between the SR5/Limited and the top of the line Capstone and 1794. You get leather, heads up display, LED headlights, premium dash materials, ambient lighting, etc. You can get those added to the Limited as well.

The Hybrid vs Non has been debated to death here. If you tow something big get the hybrid. If not get the non-hybrid. The under seat storage in the back with the non is nice to have.

Good luck . . .

 

We should trade, I have a silver 24 platinum with a 6.5 bed and Icon Stage 4. I want a bigger truck and need the load capacity of the super duty.

 

if you're planning to build it I'd start with a Limited Hydrid and just from there with mods.... I was debating trading my Pro before I start my build and found I could get a Limited with pretty much everything I nated for specs for about 60-62 fully loaded, as a 2024 leftover... and then planned a suspension, front bumper for deer and such... a decked setup for the rear and bed rack will give a ton of storage for things ....

and the Hybrid to me adds a really nice bit of TQ.... add to that you might be able to get a Stealership to add the TRD perf kit into the deal for a nit of extra pep....the dealer I was working with in Houston could.

 

Never mind the troll doomsaysayer.

risk is very small, but still should be considered.

my 2025 limited non hybrid has none of the issues the troll claims.

12k miles and almost 4 months. Still very new and I would be very disappointed if these problems creeped in on me.

just don’t spend too much time lingering in the engine threads. You’ll hear everything bad that is possible.

 

I have a 2024 limited with the TRD performance package non hybrid and it’s plenty of power, I drove a hybrid and I personally wouldn’t do it for the money, I really can’t get past the engine shutting off mainly. I’d get a mid cycle 2026 and you’ll be fine, my 2024 is a year old and has 22k miles without any issues and I ring it out daily with the performance package and it hasn’t had any engine issues. Personally if I was gonna buy again, I’d get a platinum with the TRD off-road package and the performance package non hybrid.

 

Failure rate seems exceptionally low mid-2024 onward. EVERY truck since the beginning of trucks has some rate of failure. I see no evidence that tundra is any more failure prone than anything else (new), if anything, it may be a bit better.

Excellent thread demonstrating general resolution of issues: https://www.tundras.com/threads/tundra-engine-failure-analysis.161753/

 

Sorry don't have heart to post what I wanted too. Just say enjoy if you get a Tundra.

 

Coming up on two years and 20k miles with 0 issues.

Terra is being discontinued on 2026 model year fyi.

 

Agree with @Bulldog6 and this has been my experience with my '24 Limited non-hybrid as well. 16K miles.
No squeaks, no rattles, no wind noise, no loose or broken plastics, none of it. One thing: I replaced a broken radio volume knob with aftermarket.

For my money, the Hybrid decision comes down to how much and how often you tow. I tow a 6K# travel trailer maybe 5 times a year.
Not enough for me to justify the extra weight, extra complexity and extra initial expense of the Hybrid.
The non-hybrid has plenty of power/torque for towing.

 

If I was buying a new one I would ask to talk to the service department. How many have they sold? How many failures? How many replacements? Average time to repair a failed motor? How many in process? If they will not answer or you don't like the answer, don't buy the truck.
If you think Toyota is lying about everything I wouldn't buy it either.

 

yeah, that's one of the reasons I joined to get some feedback and pull the trigger asap since new Terra trucks are getting hard to find.. especially with 26's rolling out.

 

haha fair.

I we just did another trip out to the Alberta/BC rockies and going there I drove my wife's 20 4R TRD Pro and my truck to some locations for biking and fishing. This solidified I'm done with my F350... it's just so painful to drive anywhere in the mountains.

 

Some very good advice has been given here. The true problems are quite far in between. We all know how loud we can become when a problem occurs, and the trolls sling that bait all over looking for bites. Your gut has you seriously thinking about getting into a gen 3 and there is a very good reason. Toyota has always made a great truck. There are many who didn't want this change into a V6 and will never accept that is the age we live in. Technology and the pure fact that forced induction from scavenging exhaust, gives us a more economical motor and the torque power when we need it. I jumped into a used 22 Limited with some nice options when looking to buy a gen 2.5. After a test drive, I was sold. The upgrades Toyota made was phenomenal to me. Have I had any problems? Yes, my overhead console had an intermittent SOS failure. It was a pain because the dealer had to experience it. As suggested, buy an extended warranty. It's nothing but an insurance plan. With all the electronics in vehicles today, it pays for itself in security alone IMHO.

Best wishes in your decision and keep us posted on your decision.

Mike

 

If you’re going to build it, then save money by not getting the Pro and just get whatever level of options (SR5, Limited, Platinum, 1794) you want with the TRD OR package. That way you can get a rear locker and the MTS stuff (crawl control, terrain settings, etc) and put that money towards your tires, lift, shocks etc.