Tundra engine recall - interesting news

What context would you like?

 

Nope.

 

Exactly.

You've got nothing.

 

Ryan would know. But he wouldn’t share either….

 

That's known as a zero-sum game...pointless and time wasting.

 

If we all knew already, we wouldn’t have anything to postulate about here.

 

Unfortunately "nope" doesn't qualify as "postulating".

 

its not meant to be. It’s meant to perpetuate the postulation. When no information exists, disinformation can propagate.

 

A postulation, much like a theorem, is based on facts and a degree of conjecture, trying to arrive at a truth.

"Nope" is neither.

 

I just spoke to 3 service techs of the largest Toyota Dealerships in TX and got very consistent answers from all 3 and one had one more rumor to add.

1. Are trucks in the motor recall eligible for any repair or services today? No, there is no repair available today. The "remedy" for the recall has not been issued by Toyota.

2. When will those under the recall know what the remedy is or when it will be available? They do not know.

3. The last letter mentioned a "replacement engine assembly". What does that mean? Will the remedy will be an engine rebuild, a new complete engine will all accessories or something in between? They don't know has Toyota is still preparing a remedy stating what specially will happen. A "replacement engine assembly" is not a defined term to them they can go look up in their service system. It's not part # or documented service process. They have no way of knowing what a "replacement engine assembly" is either.

4. What happens if my motor fails today and I'm part of the recall, wouldn't I get a new engine under the recall since the letter said "replacement engine assembly"? Not that they were aware of. In short nothing has changed for that scenario since the first 3rd gen was sold. A truck with a failed motor even if part of the recall would be evaluated just like any other warranty claim on a case by case basis. As the remedy for the recall has not been issued, it has no bearing on what does and does not get replaced. They would investigate the motor to make a determination on what is broken and start replacing parts from their. Just like a failed alternator or turbo. They are not getting whole new motors from Toyota, they are just ordering parts based on what they find.


In summary, one explained it like this. This is just like a windshield wiper motor that maybe fails once in a awhile. Toyota has acknowledged that its failing too often and they are working on designing a fix for it. That fix could be one part of the motor or a brand new motor. However, I can't tell you what that that part is or sell it you as Toyota doesn't know either and has only told me they are still working on it. So if your windshield wiper motor stops working today I can't go in the back and grab you the improved part I know it needs. I need to to start taking things apart to find out what is broken and replace withe the same parts. Does that fix the problem, that caused it to fail in the first place? Yes hopefully, but I didn't design it so I can't tell you for sure.


Lastly, one technician said he was told they may start asking folks to come in for an "ECU reprogram" to reduce stress on the bearings as "interim fix" while Toyota continues to work on the final remedy. I asked him if this meant reduced power or torque, he said he he didn't know for sure, but might be the case.

 

And there you go. Conjecture raises it's head.

 

I know this part is just a rumor but how would that help if there are failures in the already de-tuned Tundra SR's?

 

They may or may not technically detune the engine itself, rather modify shift points in transmission to reduce "lugging" of the engine which can be hard on crank bearings (in any engine), similar to sport mode vs normal or eco modes...? To me, it sometimes feels like it is really lugging (high load, low RPM) in normal or eco modes. Main intent of over gearing it is for fuel economy or CAFE ratings.

 

Awesome.

Someone needs to start a 100k mile club thread and spread the success stories to offset all the doom & gloom.

 

I am at 75k + no issues.

 

I am at 7,550 km (kilometres) or 4,688 miles. She purrs like a kitten!

I probably wouldn't even notice a new engine since mine is not broken in yet

Although, I will probably have more issues after the new engine due to the loose clamps and leaky hoses that get overlooked.

 

This thread cooled off but is starting to regain it's former glory.

Continue, plz.

 

Did that recently--->
https://www.tundras.com/threads/gen3-100k-mile-club.144846/

 

Rumor is the exact term he used In reference to the interim fix being an ECU reprogram. However, he did not say they would detune the motor, That was my speculative question him. He said he didn’t know but maybe.

 

The one technician Admitted the ECU reprogram was just a rumor. However, I would say the rest of it would not be conjecture in any form, Just direct matching information From three different service departments.

Those folks saying don’t worry, they are certain pallets of crate motors are going to be released momentarily are the ones conjecturing.

 

As the fuel line recall remedy been finalized Or is there still just a temporary repair?

 

Is this the #4 most posted thread on all of 3rd Gen?

 

Final fix. Had mine done yesterday.

 

I thought you announced your departure...a couple of times.

 

Toyota buyback?

I called Toyota about two weeks ago stating my concerns about getting my engine replaced. And my frustration about having my truck at the dealership since early June. I was given a case number and assigned a case manager. They called me back yesterday and I was surprised when I asked her what my options were she stated, “it’s Toyota’s obligation to make all the repairs to you vehicle and give you a rental free of charge, if you wanted to try to trade it in, you would have to do that at the dealership level, (most surprising part coming up) If you were interested in a buyback we would get you to the Toyota legal department which can file a buyback free of charge depending on your states’ parameters.” I asked what is the possibility that I do not qualify for a buyback as I have not seen anything online regarding a lemon law for a truck with an active recall on an engine. She said, “I can’t give you details and you would have to inform yourself on your rights as a consumer as it pertains to your state laws. If you wish to persue a buyback I can start the process today and send you over to legal.”

I balked. I told her I would like to inform myself a bit more before going in with both feet. I do feel I’m at the end of my rope though. I am strongly considering buyback, if eligible. I don’t feel comfortable having an entire engine replaced at the dealership level. Considered trading in for a newer model as I did love my truck, but I’m hearing similar issues regarding 23-24 tundras. My truck has been sitting in the Texas heat since early June and surely has not been driven regularly. Not sure what to expect once I get my car back.

has anyone gone through the buyback program with Toyota? Anyone in Texas familiar with our state laws know what the parameters for eligibility are?

 

I wrote a bunch about how lemons laws work but the thread was deleted as there was too much non-productive stuff in it.
Here's a link for Texas. https://www.txdmv.gov/motorists/consumer-protection/lemon-law
Being a tough guy with a lawyer doesn't scare Toyota or anyone else. The process is usually contracted out to a 3rd party.
If it was me, I would start the process and see what the valuation is. It does not supersede Toyota fixing your truck. It will take a minimum of a couple of weeks to get a buyout number and then you can determine which path you want to go down.

 

thanks for the info!

 

3 people I know that got buy backs on 2017-2020 Tacoma's were ignored by Toyota for months until their attorney sent a demand letter. Then they got checks in a couple of weeks. Customer talking to a 1-800 phone guy making minimum wage is cheap. The second you go legal they have to roll in their attorneys as well; that is real money for them.

Universal facts: attorneys and plumbers are expensive regardless if you are a person or a Fortune company

 

I unsubscribed a long time ago, but I still check back once in a while in case the "interesting" part ever appears. Still waiting... I really know better, but I guess I am a glutton for punishment. ;-)

 

Have you personally succeeded with a lemon law buyback in the past year?