Tundra Engine Failure Analysis

***

 

Could you share the source for this "2025 Tundra World Spreadsheet" with which you made the graphs?

 

It was accumulated and verified by NotRyan™













@Breathing Borla

 

In the event your decision making flow chart lands on “sell it” what would you replace it with given the current state of the 1/2 ton truck market?

Genuinely curious because I still contemplate a replacement for my 2nd Gen, it’s showing its age now, and a few road trips in our new Land Cruiser have been spoiling me with all the modern conveniences like being able to play music off of my phone.

 

You can get a new fancy head unit for about $1k and save $69k...

 

The old Tundra needs a lot more than a new head unit to freshen it up.

 

The package works so well, when it works, that there's no going back for me.
The truck I like the best is an F150 but I got smoked on one of those so no more.
I priced Denali with the 3.0 Duramax and that's what I'd do. Still, that's got a rear suspension straight off a sedan de Ville. Saggy AF and I do load the bed.
I love the AVS on the Tundra.
As I wake up this morning I'm 50/50.

 

I really like that GMC Denali in that great blue color and the 3.0 minimax is pretty compelling. But IDK. I have had my fair share of GM over the years and not sure I can do it again. One thing that is a little puzzling is that GM doesn't offer MSRC (magnetic selective ride control), their version of AVS which they have been using for decades in other vehicles like Corvette, in their top trim trucks.

 

That’s exactly the combo I priced out last night. I hear you on the GM hangover too.
What id really like is for the Tundra to settle down. Love the power and transmission.

 

One problem I found is that the GMC build tool does not have any way to add Super Cruise to a Denali with the 6.5' bed. You need to get the short bed. Not that I am really looking seriously, but that would be a deal breaker for me. And I totally agree about Tundra. The powertrain is fantastic... as long as the engine keeps running.

 

On the engine failure analysis, I wonder if there is a detonation problem with running 87 octane gas on this turbo engine. With direct injection, detonation is less prone but our system is a mix of port and direct injection. I wonder if there is a record of failures with detonation information.

 

Take a look
2025 Tundra Engine is down! | Toyota Tundra Forum

 

Lower octane fuel definitely doesn't help, LSPI is a real thing with DI.

 

The tundra assist features are last in class. If super cruise is important it seems like a Tundra wouldn’t even make the list?

Lately, the past 5 years, I’ve had much better luck with the high end stuff being more reliable with good service. It seems like the high volume stuff like pick ups would be better sorted.

 

although it may help Ryan’s tundra failed running exclusively 93 according to NotRyan

 

Super cruise would be nice to have and if I am spending Denali kind of $ already I would get it. But not sure that is enough to counter this truck being a GM product. Yup, Tundra is last in class for assist features, which is something I didn't know or expect when I bought it. My bad. LOL. And that lame TSS 2.5 is one thing besides the engine situation that is keeping me from upgrading to a higher trim 2026 Tundra now. Although I don't really need a lot of new features, I just want a rock solid lane keep/centering assist for road trips. Tundra's lane centering works OK in rare ideal conditions but other times will weave enough to get you pulled over for DUI or even run you right off the road.

 

dude, I’m right by you now for trademark infringement payments !!

but I see you added tm , close call!

 

LOL... by now you should be getting rich off these payments... or maybe just drunk? ;-)

 

Good graphs of the information, as long as the inputs are correct or close to accurate.

My 22 is about to pass 50k mark, I was thinking I was getting out of the woods, but according to the graph I'm in the middle of spooky forest. I really wish Toyota would have done something to help out the i-Force Max trucks.

 

Great analogy. Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!

 

After careful thought I’ve decided to get front brakes fixed and keep the Tundra 1 more year.

3 reasons:
1. I was at the Mercedes dealer today and 2 people were cooking off because they couldn’t get problems fixed. To your GM comment, that’s a long way from being a sure thing. Easy to get a stinker with a company more indifferent than Toyota.
2. I’ve got the Tundra dialed in. The correct window tint, ceramic coat, bed cover and all those things.air bags. It would be a hassle to do over.
3. The truck at 30k and 26 months shows as new.
Wish me luck.

 

Yeah, that's another thing that makes trading for a new Tundra a PITA, I'd have to take out my amp, subwoofer, dashcam, and rear seat delete setup. And depending on the trim of the new one I might have to pull the Amp powersteps and transfer them to the new truck. All this is a fair amount of work.

Good luck, you'll be fine with new brakes.

 

why would you trade it in anyways? it looks new

maybe I missed it, certainly not just for brakes, lol.

 

Thanks. I keep it detailed and stored inside when not in use.

As you know I've been a cheerleader for G3. I've just cooled. I dislike the dealer and think they are only a bit better than ford or chevy. Other niggles and I'm now on round 2 with the brakes. The dealer says it's my fault. F him.
That said, I love AVS, the mileage, power, quiet and range.
I like the base Denali but I'd have to rebuild the seats to make them work for my wife's lumbar.
Every pick up is a trade off right now.

 

for sure, pros and cons to everything, I liked the Ford and GMC as well when I shopped, but liked the tundra the best, it isnt perfect though, nothing is.

but damn those GMC seats, ugh, phuck me...

 

Something is not right with Toyota in North America.

TMC Announces April Through June 2025 Financial Results - Toyota USA Newsroom https://share.google/R1qye2a37R2pvQ5tv

 

such as?

 

LOL... You haven't missed the engine issues! That problem underlies and amplifies everything else. Otherwise why on earth would any of us even consider trading our almost new trucks? My problem is I have a lot of road trips... a vacation in a few weeks, then more trips to FL to deal with a family estate and house for which I need my truck. Meanwhile my 2 1/2 year old Tundra ODO reading is just getting into the fat part of the engine failure curve based on the data we have. And failure under remote circumstances in the middle of nowhere Alabama (unless maybe I can fail near TMMAL, but not on my route) would be diastrous.

And, meanwhile, Toyota keeps dragging their feet and delaying the engine recall work with my phase still TBD... And we have not Ryan implying that they may have finally decided there was an engine design problem or other manufacturing problem beyond the "debris" and that there is a "fix" in the works. Unless I trade mine on a new one I'll be whistling past the graveyard for the forseeable future. And then even the new ones might not be much better. Who knows?

 

Sales in the US are strong. Europe and Asia are soft given growth in other theaters.

What are you seeing that I’m not?

 

I’m an outlier but I don’t think about the engine failing more than I do other issues. I was in the upper peninsula last week. Nowheresville. I worry a lot more about animals, drunks and damn fools. Based on talking to the dealers, I still think failure rates are low. Others things are ahead of it on my worry list.

I travel with extra cash in the event it’s needed and don’t worry.