Tundra Update

deerefan · Aug 8, 2018

houstonscott said:
Toyota’s are so reliable I don’t believe your buddy.... no way...

While I know you are being humorous, it has been the most reliable vehicle we have owned along with my wife’s 2013 Expedition. Both been to shop one time for minor issue. We bought the Expedition used early 2015, it tows well also, but not the peppiest vehicle.

TSO · Aug 9, 2018

The frame issues were mainly related to the Gen1 Tundras, 2006 & older. I had a 2004 Sequoia (SUV version of the Tundra) and it was reviewed by the dealer for potential frame rust. No severe rust was found but they applied an undercoating on their dime. If it would have shown signs of heavy frame rust, Toyota would have replaced the frame on their dime.

We've had several Toyotas, including 3 Tundras. (Currently have a 2011 with 102k miles). Awesome trucks. Use it to tow our 8500# camper, which it does very well. (Rear looks loaded down in the pic with the camper, that's just a dip in the driveway...). I really couldn't ask for more out of a 1/2 ton truck.

crazyal · Aug 9, 2018

I have a 2000 Tundra that I've worked hard and put up wet on a regular basis. I've towed at it's limits (weight distribution limits) countless times. The frame (made by Dana Corp) was replaced but that's the only non routine work it's needed. It's over 200k miles on it and doesn't burn a drop of oil and the transmission is as strong today as the day it came off the factory line. Every day I look at it I tell myself I should upgrade but I just can't justify it since it's been paid off for more than a decade and everything works as it should. I can't say how good newer trucks are but I've had a 94 Dodge with a 318 that blew the transmission pulling a small trailer with two dirt bikes on it. Was under warranty but after it was fixed I moved on to a used F150 but it just didn't grow on me. The transmission seam to like to shift between gears right at 50 mph so going down the highway it was always shifting up and down. Had a GMC before the Dodge which was a good truck but seam to always need small things. I probably would of bought another f150 after the Tundra but it's been so good I'd only buy another now.

swnoel · Aug 9, 2018

TSO said:
The frame issues were mainly related to the Gen1 Tundras, 2006 & older. I had a 2004 Sequoia (SUV version of the Tundra) and it was reviewed by the dealer for potential frame rust. No severe rust was found but they applied an undercoating on their dime. If it would have shown signs of heavy frame rust, Toyota would have replaced the frame on their dime.

We've had several Toyotas, including 3 Tundras. (Currently have a 2011 with 102k miles). Awesome trucks. Use it to tow our 8500# camper, which it does very well. (Rear looks loaded down in the pic with the camper, that's just a dip in the driveway...). I really couldn't ask for more out of a 1/2 ton truck.

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I had a 2004 Tundra and the frame had rusted badly enough I decided to trade it in. I don't believe it ever got a recall for the frame though.

TSO · Aug 9, 2018

swnoel said:
I had a 2004 Tundra and the frame had rusted badly enough I decided to trade it in. I don't believe it ever got a recall for the frame though.

You missed out... Could have received a new full frame/mounts/etc. There was a date range that you had to satisfy to have it inspected. I don't recall the date time frame at this point.

Tractorable · Aug 10, 2018

I’m a Toyota guy....have a 1980 FJ40 Land Crusier and a 2016 Avalon. The Tundras are good trucks but it seems like they’ve been building basically the same truck for a decade now. Time for Toyota to update it.

deerefan · Aug 10, 2018

Tractorable said:
I’m a Toyota guy....have a 1980 FJ40 Land Crusier and a 2016 Avalon. The Tundras are good trucks but it seems like they’ve been building basically the same truck for a decade now. Time for Toyota to update it.

I do agree, would like to see a more powerful drivetrain, diesel option too. On the other hand, why fix what’s working? Kind of torn here.

Cat_Driver · Aug 10, 2018

Not to rain on your parade but all manufacturers have great stories of reliability. Years ago I went to Disneyworld and sat behind the shuttle driver. I was nosey and looked at his odometer. It was reaing 850K. I said how the heck did you get 850K out of this thing (it was a chevy van). He said all his vans have 800K of more on them, Ford, Dodge, Chevy, Gmc. He said they all run 24hrs a day 7 days a week only shut off for fuel, and regular service. That trip taught me a lot.
I've been driving for 50 years and owned dozens of brands and have only had brand that I considered a problem and that was a Mercedes Sprinter. Otherwise all served me well with zero problems. One Ford prodcut I sued the dealership for a replacement because of body damage they hid from me on a new vehicle. I was confident I was going to win so I never spent a dime on service on the vehicle. The case drew out for three years and 60K miles before they settled by giving me a new replacement. I only changed teh oil once. I necer had a bit of problem with it. We just traded the wifes Jeep Commander after 10 years and 180K miles and only replaced battery, shocks,oil changes, tires, etc. other than that it ran like a new car when we traded it. Never let us down once. I did 300K on a GMC van I used for business and that vehicle was beat by everyone that ever drove it and sold it to an employee who is still driving it.

Lastly look around craigslist people are selling vehicles with 150K-300K miles all day long, all brands.

Yes Toyotas are good, but so are a lot of other brands

PHPaul · Aug 11, 2018

Another Toyota fan here. First was a 2003 Corolla. Bought it from my brother-in-law. It lived with Maine roads, winter salt and salt air from the ocean for 9 years and when I traded it in, it didn't have a speck of rust on it, including underneath and things like brake lines. Pretty darn impressive, especially after my 2006 GMC 2500HD had a bumper rust completely through in 5 years.

Traded the '03 on a '12 Corolla and the '06 GMC on a '13 Tundra.

The Tundra had the dreaded "cam tower oil leak" which Toyota fixed under warranty, upgraded me to a free Platinum service plan and provided me with a nice loaner while they fixed it. Otherwise, absolutely no issues whatever. Better fit and finish, much more comfortable interior, rides better, tows at least as well as bigger (3/4 and 1 ton) GM's I've owned.

Since I retired, I don't put a lot of miles on a vehicle (Tundra just turned over 40K after 5 years...) so I may never need a new truck. If I do, it'll be another Toyota.

houstonscott · Aug 11, 2018

Tractorable said:
IçŸ¥ a Toyota guy....have a 1980 FJ40 Land Crusier and a 2016 Avalon. The Tundras are good trucks but it seems like theyè‡´e been building basically the same truck for a decade now. Time for Toyota to update it.

No... no... that’s were problems crop up, improvements yes, but update for updates sake... no.... it’s being updated but places that need improvement to be more reliable..... not necessarily where you can see.... get it....

I drive the flagship. 200 series LC.