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Worried about purchasing a new Tundra

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by Beavis, Mar 26, 2018.

  1. Mar 26, 2018 at 6:22 PM
    #1
    Beavis

    Beavis [OP] New Member

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    I am very close to buying a 2018 Tundra TRD Offroad Doublecab in cement. I have been researching like crazy and the Tundra forums are worrying the crap out of me. Some posts that scare me are

    2018 collision avoidance recalls
    the creases that appear on the sides of the bed after flexing the body a little
    cam tower gasket leaks
    just to name a few.

    I know most forums are filled with people who post about their problems, not how happy they are.
    Can you ease my fears? I called the dealer today and said the deal was off but I may change my mind.
    thanks
     
    Last edited: Mar 27, 2018
    kse67t and Coolhardy like this.
  2. Mar 26, 2018 at 6:26 PM
    #2
    Wolverine

    Wolverine New Member

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    Go on the Ford F-150 site if you want to be nervous about a purchase. The numbers don’t lie, Toyota Tundra is the most reliable Truck on the road with the best re sale.
     
  3. Mar 26, 2018 at 6:27 PM
    #3
    Marty McFly

    Marty McFly Nobody calls me chicken!! Except when off roading

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    It's a tundra bro. You have nothing to worry about. Hang around this site long enough and you'll see it's all jokes and having fun :thumbsup:. We ain't worried about truck problems around here:fistbump:
     
  4. Mar 26, 2018 at 6:27 PM
    #4
    ninjajay

    ninjajay Posting from the toilet

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    Spoolston, TX
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    Toytec/Radflo Lift, Ambit RS02 18x9+0, Bridgestone Revo 3 295/70/18
    I recently bought a 2018 and I haven't seen a single issue with my TSS-P stuff in ~2 months and 2000 miles, so I'm guessing that was an early batch with the problems.

    It replaced a 2008 that I bought new, which had the 5.7 and never developed a cam tower leak (it did get a valve cover gasket leak at around 100k, but that's small potatoes). Have never heard of the bed creasing. I only replaced the 2008 because I needed more cab space (went from DC to CM) and after cross shopping an F150 I stuck with Toyota.

    I'm still on my local dealer's Raptor waitlist though so all bets are off if I get called.
     
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  5. Mar 26, 2018 at 6:29 PM
    #5
    831Tun

    831Tun heartless Bastrd

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    Welcome from NorCal.
    That's the first I've ever heard about creases in the bed and there are some guys here that get crazy offroad with their trucks. 5 tundras since 2001 and I've never had a problem except a water pump failed early while still under warranty. I've never had a cam tower leak.
    There have been some issues with the TSS but I think Toyota has sorted that out?
     
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  6. Mar 26, 2018 at 6:30 PM
    #6
    louscrw

    louscrw all jacked up on Mt. Dew

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    Pretty certain you just named the only bad things you’ll find with Tundras, and those 3 things aren’t happening across the board. Tundras are by far the most dependable problem-free ½ ton on the market. Period. Oops, forgot two, factory halogen headlights suck and so does the factory stereo
     
  7. Mar 26, 2018 at 6:32 PM
    #7
    GeoJoe

    GeoJoe 2018 Tundra SR 4x4 5.7L Looooooooong Bed

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    I tried to buy used... resale values are so strong. Went new after all. No regerts. :rofl:
     
  8. Mar 26, 2018 at 6:32 PM
    #8
    831Tun

    831Tun heartless Bastrd

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    So, you've heard of bed creasing?
     
  9. Mar 26, 2018 at 6:37 PM
    #9
    Casper3

    Casper3 New Member

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    The only thing to be scared about is spending all your money on mods from being on this site.:p :spending:
     
    Last edited: Mar 26, 2018
  10. Mar 26, 2018 at 6:42 PM
    #10
    Stumpjumper

    Stumpjumper New Member

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    Go with one of the big 3 and you will be sorry. I am having an ongoing discussion with folks on the Texas Fishing Forum about quality issues. A Tundra owner was thinking about getting a Tahoe or Expedition after his Tundra was totalled. One GM fan even posted a pic of his buddies empty tranny bay after I mentioned known torque converter issues. Next post will be about all of the converts on here that came from F150s. The Ford homeboys give me the most crap. They all know that I am a major Ford hater after owning F150s for 30 years.
     
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  11. Mar 26, 2018 at 6:48 PM
    #11
    Ac91

    Ac91 New Member

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    I can tell you from experience I had a ram before my tundra and that thing was a absolute piece of shit numerous electrical issues hell the damn Headunit completely went out and had to be replaced with 10-15k miles I was in the dealer 5-10 times over the course of owning it now I purchased a brand new 2018 tundra I have had 0 issues with the collision system but I will admit I had to have the cam towers done around 600-700 miles but Toyota absolutely took care of me and I felt reassured that this was gonna be the only issue I would face hopefully.
     
    driverdog likes this.
  12. Mar 26, 2018 at 6:49 PM
    #12
    Krezz

    Krezz Doesn't want to be new member

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    I sell these things and in all honestly, I've never heard of this bed creasing you speak of... You make me nervous.
    Please cite sources to back your research.
     
  13. Mar 26, 2018 at 7:36 PM
    #13
    louscrw

    louscrw all jacked up on Mt. Dew

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    No, but I was giving the OP the benefit of the doubt that I had only read about 99% of all things Tundra.
     
    831Tun[QUOTED] likes this.
  14. Mar 26, 2018 at 7:52 PM
    #14
    nowayout

    nowayout New Member

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    Someone recently posted on the recall thread the amount of recalls on the 18 Ford F150 it was something like 9 recalls so far. Tundra has 1.

    Go with the Tundra and you will definitely not regret it. If you need a reminder after you buy it just check out one of the big 3 forums.
     
  15. Mar 26, 2018 at 8:01 PM
    #15
    Y0TA PR0

    Y0TA PR0 Dirt biking & fishing

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    Welcome
     
  16. Mar 26, 2018 at 8:05 PM
    #16
    BIGUGLY

    BIGUGLY I the SheepDog. I have the capacity for Violence.

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    4000 miles on my 18 that was bought in September of 2017. No safety sense issues before or after recall fix.
     
  17. Mar 26, 2018 at 8:09 PM
    #17
    Samoan Thor

    Samoan Thor God is technically an alien

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    I’ll insert some truth bombs, although I’m a proud tundra owner and I love Toyota, it doesn’t mean their products are flawless. Our trucks and the brand has less issues than most, still reliable, I’ll have to say I’m glad I don’t have the pre collision bullshit technology though.
     
  18. Mar 27, 2018 at 12:40 AM
    #18
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    I have never heard of the bed creasing as well, and we have some pretty hard core wheelers in here.

    In the event you do get a cam tower leak, get it fixed under warranty. I would also recommend a platinum warranty if you can afford it. Toyota does take care of their customers pretty good. Only other place better than Toyota has been Lexus, and Toyota is tied with GM.

    I no longer own a Tundra, and had to move up to a bigger truck. I would recommend a Tundra every day of the week ending in Y. Rock solid trucks that can actually work...and hard.
     
  19. Mar 27, 2018 at 1:48 AM
    #19
    Diverguy

    Diverguy Breathes under water

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    I got my '18 in September....I have had zero problems with safety sense. My only complaint is that the sound system is under-powered
     
  20. Mar 27, 2018 at 3:21 AM
    #20
    Stulloh

    Stulloh New Member

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    I’ve had mine 5 months....2 software recalls....love it ....
     
  21. Mar 27, 2018 at 4:03 AM
    #21
    71_340

    71_340 The German

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    Had my 2018 since November and have over 7K miles on it, during the 5k service my dealer did the recall reflash. I never once had an issue with my Tundra which is the first new Toyota for me, prior to that I mostly drove F-150s which were at the dealer on a regular basis for recalls, TSBs or warranty work.
    Somebody mentioned that headlights are no good.....get the upgraded OEM LEDs (I think SR5 and up) and, yes the stereo needs a little help.
     
  22. Mar 27, 2018 at 4:22 AM
    #22
    Beavis

    Beavis [OP] New Member

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    Thanks for the replies. I have owned 5 or 6 F150's, a 2005 Ram, a 2010 Tundra Rock Warrior, and most recently a 2015 F250. I traded the F250 for a 2017 Jeep Wrangler and cant stand it. I have been lucky with most of them probably because I don't keep them very long. I don't have time to run to the dealership to get warranty/recall items fixed. I work long hours and it would cost me overtime. You guys helped me a little with making a decision, its gonna be a long day trying to figure this out.
     
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  23. Mar 27, 2018 at 4:39 AM
    #23
    Alloutdrs1

    Alloutdrs1 New Member

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    I love my Tundra, comfortable and works hard. I am one of the unlucky ones and had a cam tower leak at 21k, only other thing I had go wrong was my fuel cap broke. All fixed under warranty, cam tower seems like its luck of the draw. No TSS stuff here since I'm a 17' so I cannot report on that,, thankfully as I don't like those systems. I also have never heard of the bed creasing as well.
     
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  24. Mar 27, 2018 at 4:53 AM
    #24
    BTBAKER

    BTBAKER DIFFERENT NAME. SAME JUNK.

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    Get together with Butthead and just make the best decision you can. :anonymous:
    Welcome BTW from CO.
     
  25. Mar 27, 2018 at 5:26 AM
    #25
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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  26. Mar 27, 2018 at 5:47 AM
    #26
    71_340

    71_340 The German

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    Only thing I ever heard or read about the Tundra bed is the "bed bounce". I watched mine in the rear view mirror while going over speed bumps and those rumble strips areas before railroad crossings; sure, it moves but no more then it did on my F-150s or Ram trucks.
     
    Last edited: Mar 27, 2018
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  27. Mar 27, 2018 at 7:11 AM
    #27
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Since you have already owned a Tundra, they haven’t changed at all in the drivetrain department. If your worried about the safety sense, buy a low mileage 17’ CPO truck. You get a better warranty. My Tundra was a Certified PreOwned with 4004 miles on it. New enough for me.
     
  28. Mar 27, 2018 at 9:33 AM
    #28
    folly87

    folly87 New Member

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    I had a buddy who opted for an F150, a 2014 Lariat with the 5.0. In the 2 years he had the truck, he had 7 total warranty issues. 3 separate times for the 4WD hub, once for a new screen/radio, once for a moonroof issue, and a couple other smaller ones I can't recall. He got rid of it, and took a huge loss on the sale because residual blows on most Fords. I have had 3 Tundras and 6 Toyotas in my life; not one of them ever had a major issue. Even the small things were fixed quickly and effectively under warranty.

    Even the couple of points of concern you mention, like the cam tower leak, have all been addressed and handled by Toyota. You can look at most of the conversations- they don't include the majority of people, and I don't think you can find anyone who hasn't had work (within reason) covered significantly (if not completely). They are WAYY in the minority, but the fact that we can count "major issues" on one hand, and see a microscopic rate of occurrence, should give you confidence.

    Every company has some lemons, but buy a Tundra and you will be satisfied far more than with any other brand for a 1/2 ton IMO. We don't have the best mileage or new tech stuff, but we have a badass truck and an even better group of owners on this forum to support you.
     
  29. Mar 27, 2018 at 9:40 AM
    #29
    Vector W8

    Vector W8 Old guy with a lot of expensive habits.

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    I have worked for the past 30 years at either the OEM or Tier 1 level in automotive in Detroit. There is a reason I drive a Tundra. 5 domestics purchased back under lemon law. I am pretty happy with my Tundra. It does what it is supposed to do. Technology in the truck is a little behind in my 2015, and I dont know if the 18's have changed much. Things like heated steering wheels are in a lot of vehicles, my Platinum didnt get that lucky. The JBL stereo can be tuned with an RTA to sound pretty good. Most people will upgrade the stereo. Storage sucks in the Tundra. Those are my only gripes.

    Buy the Tundra and your biggest problem will be your wallet. You wont be able to stop personalizing it to make it exactly what you want it to be.

    Mine is 550hp of fun factor.
     
  30. Mar 27, 2018 at 9:42 AM
    #30
    Atomic City Tundra

    Atomic City Tundra Cam Tower Leak Addict

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    Every forum will scare you - it is where some people tend to turn to when they have problems.

    My Tundra has had more issues than I think a Toyota normally has. I have had two 4Runners with absolutely no problems, which is why I went with the Tundra. To be honest, I was seriously on the verge of selling the Tundra because of the number of issues it has had. But, I decided to push on with it for now. It has been problem free for the last 10K. I am still considering selling it because I think that I am going to move up to a 3/4 ton.

    All that said, I still think that the Tundra is the best 1/2 ton truck that you can get. But, as others have stated - all companies have problems. Toyota has taken care of me with the issues that I have had, even going above and beyond and giving me a free platinum 100K warranty after my cam tower leak.
     
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