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Toyota Tundra Problems

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Comments

  • twowheelertwowheeler Member Posts: 89
    Just got my Car and Driver mag in the mail yesterday and came across a 4x4 fullsize truck shootout with the Dodge Ram, Silverado, Tundra, and F150 - scored in that order. Well, what do they know? Their a car magazine, not a truck magazine. What's up with the Dodge winning - slowest in acceleration, braking, etc. Dodge must have paid off the editor! Tundra's are the best!
  • ndahi12ndahi12 Member Posts: 235
    could you please post the numbers, you know 0-60, 1/4 mile, braking, etc...These are more important than the subjective drivel that journalists spew.
  • f1julesf1jules Member Posts: 288
    To bad they don't rate them on trips to the dealership, time spent at the dealership, time/money/lost productivity because vehicle is out of service. Who gives a crap if one truck is 1/4 sec. faster 0-60mph if it spends half the time in the shop?

    Someone should produce a mag entitled "Everything the Auto Manfacturers don't want you to know about the vehicles they produce." It has kind of a ring to it doesn't it? Hehehe.
  • twowheelertwowheeler Member Posts: 89
    Here are the numbers (note that the tundra is the overall best in these performance measures):

    0-60: Tundra = 8.6/10.3*
    Silverado = 9.2/10.8*
    Ram = 10.1/11.7*
    F150 = 9.3/11.3*

    1/4: Tundra = 16.7@83/17.7@79*
    Silver = 16.8@82/17.6@78*
    Ram = 17.4@77/18.1@73*
    F150 = 16.7@81/17.9@76*

    Braking 70-0: Tundra = 189/200*
    Silver = 196/222*
    Ram = 203/205*
    F150 = 203/211*

    * with 1,000 lb payload

    All engines except for the F150 are the base V8. The F150 had a 5.4L. The Tundra was the lightest and the Ram weighed in the heaviest (quad cab style). The Ram is only rated to tow a 6,100 lb load!

    I've got to admit that I was quite taken aback to read that the Tundra was rated as low as it was. Quotes like "The Silverado's structure is more solid and rattle-free than the others" had me gasping as that is quite contradictory from what I've seemed to have read here. To be fair, they did slam the Tundra on rear cab space, but rated it slightly better than the F150. And they thought the TRD suspension was set too stiff. In the new Annual Consumer Reports Car Edition mag, they report that the Tundra is the recommended favorite of the trucks in the full size category. They also rated the reliability of the Tundra with a big red cherry vs the Silverado with a big black mark. I trust CR over C&D any day.
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    I trust CR over C&D any day.

    Many don't trust neither or trust both depending if it agrees with their opinion.
  • plutoniousplutonious Member Posts: 799
    I agree with you, obyone. Heck, I even know brand loyalists whose opinions don't change, even after owning bonafide lemons!
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    problems now do I? Talk about loyalist....doh!
  • twowheelertwowheeler Member Posts: 89
    I've been subscribing to CR for about the last 10 years, and while they are not exactly perfect, they have more hits than misses. CR is one of the sources of reference that I use to make decisions re: purchases of major $$ items cause they seem to report (in my opinion) objectively about products they evaluate. They claim not to take money from manufacturers or ad money and rely on donations and other self generated cash.

    What do you use to base your decision on a new car or truck or other major cost goodies? Intuition?
  • f1julesf1jules Member Posts: 288
    "What do you use to base your decision on a new car or truck or other major cost goodies? Intuition?"

    Nah, them commercials on the tele are what the chevy owners base their decisions on. Those "like a rock" ads keep em comin back, because we all know the ad execs at chevy wouldn't want to mislead anyone. ROTFLMAO!!!
  • dch0300dch0300 Member Posts: 472
    So who is right...Truck Trend or Car & Driver?


    Here is the link to a Truck Trend test of a Silverado 1500 LT and a Tundra SR5

    http://www.trucktrend.com/editorial/article_popup.jsp?id=30189&sidebar=1

    Notice the numbers for the same tests differ from what Car &Driver got. Some of the tests favor the Silverado and some favor the Tundra.

    Guess the outcome depends on who does the test.

  • bamatundrabamatundra Member Posts: 1,583
    I have an assignment for you:

    1. Count the number of car ads in the next Car and Driver.

    2. Count the number of car ads in CR.

    Report the result and then tell me again which magazine you think is likely to be less biased.
  • plutoniousplutonious Member Posts: 799
    "it has a ways to go to match the Ford F-150 and Toyota Tundra when it comes to the quality of the materials and assembly. Brand loyalty drives plenty of sales in this segment..."

    Hmmm, sounds like like obyone could relate to that...quality of materials and assembly of his truck (bonafide lemon) and brand loyalty.

    obyone, since you are a chevy fanatic, are you trying to tell me with all your ramblings about side-impact ratings that in 1998 I should have bought a Chevy S-10? I don't think you want to go there...
  • quadrunner500quadrunner500 Member Posts: 2,721
    No joy unless a magazine tells you how good you've got it!

    The excitement wore off quickly, because Tundra is basically boring, as would be anything mistakenly marketed in the full size class that prides on being compact and car like.

    You wouldn't be debating yourselves if they had written what you wanted to read.
  • geodanversgeodanvers Member Posts: 5
    Toyta Tundra Does not offer Limited slip or a locking rea axle. How can Consumer Reports rate this truck High? 90% of the time you will get out of trouble with a limited rear end .Consumer says the Tundra is currently our top-ranked full sized pick .Not in my book 4 wheel is all 4 wheels working
    George
  • john111john111 Member Posts: 17
    I bought my 2000 ext cab 2/w drive in 7/21/99 soon after they were shown. I tried one out at one of the local dealers. That was the quietest truck I had ever ridden in, and I tried to buy one from
    one of the local dealers. While I couldn't in any ways talk up a deall or get a price, I located one
    on the internet close to $30,000 about 200 miles from my hometown. (Prices suggested at that
    time were $30,000 to in some cases $35000. I drove out of the dealership a little after closing
    time, and beleive it or not started having problems before I got out of town. - - a bumping noise
    as if you had run over something in the road, then 'open door' light came on and the doors would unlock, and interior lights came on. Back and forth to dealers adjusting door latches,
    brought on wind and road noises, so the radio was of no use over 40MPH. Finally the open
    door light problem was solved, (as with the security system), but not the road noises. Finally
    after arbitration, the Toyota rep decided that the road noise was normal, and said he couldn't
    hear any, however every one that rode in it could hear it. Of course every one knows how you
    come out in arbitration . Now recently we have noticed exhaust fumes that we assume comes
    in under the two right hand doors where all the road noise comes in. I am well pleased with the
    performance, and gas mileage, and all round handling of this vehicle, and I want either a new
    Lexus, or Toyota Avalon with luxury equipment, but at this point since Toyota cannot fix this
    vehicle, and fix it so it will stay fixed, I am afraid to invest any thing else in Toyota. Has any one
    else had problems with their Tundras similar to this? This is my first Toyota after owning 45
    other makes.
    jhsbhs@aol.com
    John
  • twowheelertwowheeler Member Posts: 89
    I could BARELY read the test from Truck Trend throught the link you provided. HOWEVER take note! As I mentioned in my previous post regarding the numbers from C&D, ALL ENGINES EXCEPT FOR THE F150 WERE THE BASE V8. Truck trend compares the Chevy 5.3 to Tundra's 4.7

    And you're right. It does depend on who does the test - and with what! {:=]
  • twowheelertwowheeler Member Posts: 89
    "Did you know that CR had a high recommendation for Packard Bell computers?"

    LOL. That was a POS computer, wasn't it. Glad I didn't get one. I actually remember reading that article. Like I said, CR's not perfect but more hits than misses. And your right, there are sources of information out there other than CR for auto purchases such as Edmunds, KBB, Tundrasolutions, etc. (all of which I reviewed plus some, thank you very much). But you know what? CR provides objective, unbiased (as unbiased as you can get) information for products they evaluate. Happens they recommend the Tundra and not the Silverado cause of reliability records. But they think the Silverado performs well, just not reliably.

    And yeah, I've used CR's recommendation to purchase my washer and dryer about 6 years ago. They haven't broken yet. Maybe Chevy should learn some manufacturing tricks from Kenmore's supplier.
  • twowheelertwowheeler Member Posts: 89
    "Toyta Tundra Does not offer Limited slip or a locking rea axle"

    Dude, What are you smoking??? Must be pretty good one-hit stuff! You might want to check elsewhere on this site under NEW and TOYOTA TUNDRA and OPTIONS. If you did that you might just discover that limited slip IS offered on the tundra...or maybe you won't discover it.

    "TOM, take me out with a bong hit"
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    Kenmore over Maytag? What is this world coming too?
  • f1julesf1jules Member Posts: 288
    You might try on www.tundrasolutions.com for an answer to your questions. Only people in here are a bunch of chevy owners who can't seem to think of anything better to do while their trucks are in the shop for repairs.
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    What was meant to be said is that there are no knowledgeable Tundra owners here so the link may help:


     http://www.tundrasolutions.com


    Good luck!!

  • twowheelertwowheeler Member Posts: 89
    Oby Secret thoughts: 'I just keep getting burned by buying all the wrong things. First the POS Packard Bell computer, next the Chev-Lem or is it Lem-Chev? I don't know and I don't care, all I want is my truck back from the shop so I can sell it as soon as possible to buy a "Tundramendous". Those guys that bought the Tundra - they're sooo smart, I look up to them. But until i rid myself of this black-marked, hunk of rejected, low quality iron, I will continue to argue the point that my Lemonado er, I mean Silverado, is the best because I can't lose face'
  • dch0300dch0300 Member Posts: 472
    When you go to that Truck Trend link that I posted earlier, there are two places on that page (one for each table) that say "Click to enlarge photo". Click on them and a larger more readable table will appear.
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    Obviously your intent is not to help Tundra owners is it? Too obvious dude.
  • bamatundrabamatundra Member Posts: 1,583
    I have been posting to this group for over two years. When I have a helpful suggestion, I post it. I am a Tundra owner.

    You and Quad are unfortunate lemon Chev owners. You obviously know nothing about Tundras. I am wondering why Lemon Chev owners would post to a Tundra topic - maybe sour grapes?
  • losangelesemtlosangelesemt Member Posts: 279
    The Hatfields and McCoys are back lol, missed you guys.

    Hey Twowheeler ... " are ya ready, ok here ya go ( chirp chirp chirp .... bubble bubble bubble ) "
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    Looking over your last 10 posts, you don't have any suggestions or solutions now do you?

    That goes back to what I originally said about knowledgeable Tundra owners.
  • twowheelertwowheeler Member Posts: 89
    I had to think about your post for a second before I figured out what you were referring to. You forgot the part were the dude coughs out the billow of smoke he just toked. LANKIS 101 RULES!

    Have you gotten your ride yet?
  • losangelesemtlosangelesemt Member Posts: 279
    Hey the day I went down to sign papers on truck, work called and told me not to worry about coming back lol. I was out sick for a week and they decided that made me AWOL and therefore they resigned me. Its in the hands of the Teamsters for the last few months. I happen to work for a very crooked ambulance company, and I'm far from a crooked person.

    See even the ambulance companies in L.A. are screwed up. Not really worth going back, after all its a 7-8 dollar/hour job. I might be back on fire engine soon, so will get truck then. Still chompin at the bit to get rid of this Ford.
  • quadrunner500quadrunner500 Member Posts: 2,721
    I agree it's not just the ambulance companies. Your whole state is whacked-out, can't/won't produce it's own electricity, banned off shore drilling, fixed the energy prices, signed long term contracts, cried foul to the Repulicans you voted against, for an energy bailout because you don't have electricity! Your socialist politicians Barbara Boxer, Diane Feinstein, Gray Davis, or corrupt Gary Condit helped get you banned from you're own federal lands. The gun grabbers have made ownership by citizens impossible for lawful uses, but not the movie props in Hollywood, polluting the minds of our children with graphic gun violence and indulgent pornography. California is supposed to be a role model for the rest of the country? ROFLMAO!!

    I really hope your state gets its act together, so Colorado doesn't get another influx of refugees from your utopia like we had in the '80s.
  • tomh12tomh12 Member Posts: 240
    You nailed it! 'course, I'm sure you just started the mother of all flame wars. LOL
    You weren't kidding when you said you got your angst from listening to right wing talk radio, were you?!!!!!!
    I'm sure this is all caused by problems with Tundra brake rotors, right?
    Tom
  • losangelesemtlosangelesemt Member Posts: 279
    Funny you mention Colorado cause thats where im headed lol. Hey what can I say, Southern Cal. is out of control and the majority of people are selfish, superficial, and usually not honest. Theres a few good people left, so they say. Not much else I can say that you haven't already nailed on head. Hope the folks in Colorado are a little more well rounded.

    Lol Tom ... so I guess Quad won't be interested in my house when I leave.
  • twowheelertwowheeler Member Posts: 89
    relocating from So Cal to Colorado too! Man, but I'll have to sell my Tundra and get a Chev so I can blend in. That's important you know, blending in, that is. Because if I drive around in the Tundra, they may find out that I'm a liberalistic/Socialistic, porn-loving, gun grabbing, pro-Enron, off shore drilling banning, fix the energy pricing, foul cryin, save the whales campaining, left wing wacko.

    All kidding aside in my opinion, LA does suck the big one and had it not been for that attractive high-dollar job offer right out of college, I'd probably be livin somewhere else...and driving a Chevy. Well, maybe not that.
  • losangelesemtlosangelesemt Member Posts: 279
    Hey I'd drive this Ranger to Colorado if it would make it, but i think i'd be pressin my luck. Figured if i bought a new truck I'd be able to pull a few L.A. to Co. round trips to visit fire stations. Gee maybe i should get a Chev so as to not be laughed at ... nahhh wouldnt solve anything.
  • PF_FlyerPF_Flyer Member Posts: 9,372
    Let's keep an ey on the topics OK? There are plenty of places online to discuss the other things that have come up here...


    Stick to the trucks!


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    Just a reminder that the Town Hall chat is on for Wednesday evening (5-7pm Pacific/8-10 pm Eastern). Hope you can join in on this week's topic: Stump the Technicians. Will they be able to handle the pressure??? Come to the chat and find out! :)


    http://www.edmunds.com/townhall/chat/newsviews.html




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  • f1julesf1jules Member Posts: 288
    Oh boy, I can see this topic moving on to the top ten list very soon.

    I'm a republican gun tottin' Boxer/SiFi hatin' San Diegan myself but unless you get some decent surf in Colorado I don't see myself moving there anytime soon.

    Who are you really? Quad Limbaugh? ROTFLMAO!!!
  • quadrunner500quadrunner500 Member Posts: 2,721
    Thanks to everyone for a good sense of humor! I'm Sean Hannity on the right....Alan Combs on the left. Good night!
  • xman1035xman1035 Member Posts: 52
    My brother owns a 2000 Tundra V8 SR5/XCAB with about 53,000 thousand miles when the transmission went out on him. It was repaired under warranty and the mechanic had told him that there was a defect in the trannies for that year of vehicle.

    They fixed his Tundra without any problems. His Tundra is now fine but he is thinking of selling it and getting the new Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab.

    I have read some posts here with other owners having transmission problems too. Prior to the Tundra he owned a 1986 Toyota pickup with a manual transmission that never gave him any problems even with 287,000 miles on it. That pickup was sold to a cousin and it is still going strong.

    Have you guys heard of a defect with the transmission in the Tundras? I do see some posts complaining about transmission problems.

    I am thinking of buying a Tundra or a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab. The Tundra did great in the offset crash test and are considered reliable. The new Dodge looks good, lots of interior room, nice ride, decent speed and comes with a 7 year/100,000 mile warranty on engine/transmission plus a $1500 rebate if you buy on or before March 31,2002.

    I like both pickups but the problems with my brother's Tundra makes me think twice.

    Suggestions?
  • ndahi12ndahi12 Member Posts: 235
    You are only the second person I heard from complain about a tranny failure. There was another post that complained about losing overdrive and the tranny was replaced under warranty. I have looked at all the complaint posts on the NHTSA board and found one tranny failure mentioned on a 2000. Nothing was mentioned on the 2001 and 2002.

    There is the half shaft binding thump that seems to happen in the Tundra as well as other trucks when you come to na abrupt stop. Otherwise, I have not heard of tranny failures. yours is only the second one I have read about.

    I would not buy a first year production model of any truck. The 2002 ram is getting good reviews, but it is a first year model. I waited until 2002 and thn got my Tundra and I was rewarded. No brake problems, an LSD and I am very satisfied with it.
  • losangelesemtlosangelesemt Member Posts: 279
    This is also only 2nd trans. complaint I've heard of as well. This includes internet threads as well as countless people I work with and in the town. What I do see is a few Tundra/Tacoma owners who have a relatively minor problem or so, lose all faith in truck and then decide the answer lies in Ford, GM, or Dodge. Then when they get to the other side of fence, most are astounded to find out the problems are even worse and more abundant. I can't say this is true in every case, cause it's not. From what I've seen, its more often than not.

    I dont wanna put down the new Ram, but I tend to agree with Ndahi. I'd be a little leary to dive into a first year model. I give a thumbs up to Dodge for stepping to plate with a great standard warranty. I personally dont think you will find a more reliable make than Toyota, regardless of competitors warranties etc. .

    Also if you look at a lot of the Tundra complaints, they mainly stem from the 2000 models. This was first year of production and it was to be somewhat expected that there were going to be glitches to work out. The 01/02s seem to have faired a little better. Perhaps this is due to fact that they have less mileage, and/or fact of Toyota ironing out a few wrinkles. Either truck should be a winner when compared to whats out there.
  • twowheelertwowheeler Member Posts: 89
    Did your bro notice any warning signs before the tranny went caput?
  • xman1035xman1035 Member Posts: 52
    He said that it had stalled on him a couple of times but thought nothing about it and a few thousand miles later it went out. Toyota did good and replaced it with a new one without any problems. He is a carpenter and works in construction and drives all his trucks hard. I was just surprised that auto trans went out so fast.

    My boss just bought a 2002 V6 Tundra X Cab and the power steering unit went out on him after 2500 miles. He had it replaced under warranty. He still loves his Tundra though.

    I am leaning towards the Toyota over the Dodge.
  • bamatundrabamatundra Member Posts: 1,583
    I can tell you that the power steering unit problem is the first one I have heard of in two years of reading both this group and Tundra Solutions. It must be a very rare occurrence.

    The transmission problem is also very rare, in over 40,000 posts on Tundra Solutions, I have only read of one other transmission failure. The owner apparently submerged his truck in mud and caused the tranny to fail. I think that Toyota still warrantied it.

    Toyota has the most bulletproof powertrain of any 1/2 ton pickup. They have 40% more powertrain warranty than anyone else. If your buddy had a GM or Ford tranny fail at 59,000 miles (a much more likely occurence) then they would be paying out of their own pocket.
  • rsmall4rsmall4 Member Posts: 6
    Thanks to Arkie 6 who posted the "Tundra Drive Line Thump", #632, on 2-26-02. I got the truck back today after warranty work at the second dealership I dealt with. I copied your remedy for the dealership and gave it to them. They told me they did everything that was listed on the post. We'll see?? Only drove it home tonight (about three miles) and did not get the thump. Was wondering if Arkie 6 is a Toyota mechanic? How did you ever figure this to be a remedy? Just curious. Will report later if "thump" is fixed. I certainly hope so. Anyone else out there with a brake vibration after taking off from a dead stop?? Why didn't Toyota light all the dials and buttons on the insdie of the doors for night time driving? Thank you for your help.
  • xman1035xman1035 Member Posts: 52
    I am sure that the problems I posted are rare but do happen. I spoke to three fellow workers who own Tundras and all three had ZERO problems and each of them have over 40,000 miles on their Tundras.

    I'll be buying either a Tundra or the new Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab this month. Both are rated high in safety.
  • ndahi12ndahi12 Member Posts: 235
    take my advice and wait a year before buying the ram. By that time reliability ratings will be out and you can judge the truck better. The new Ram truck did rate good in the IIHS recent crash test. That is good news indeed.
  • xman1035xman1035 Member Posts: 52
    I have done a lot of reaserch on the Dodge Ram Quad Cab and the Toyota Tundra XCab. I decided that even though the Tundra is somewhat smaller than the Ram QC the reliability and quality factor of the Toyota is superior to the Dodge. I do like the styling of the new Dodge, it passed the IIHS safety tests and has received many positive reviews.

    When I compared both vehicles from my research on the internet. The Tundra was the best value overall. It has the quality and reliability reputation, excellent resale value and scored consistently well in reviews.

    I also spoke to several mechanics I know and they all favored the Tundra over all other makes.

    I will hopefully be buying this month a red Tundra SR5 V8 access cab 4X4 with ABS, slip differential, fog lights and other options.

    Do you think it is worth getting the TRD OffRoad package?

    Appreciate any advice from Tundra owners.
  • losangelesemtlosangelesemt Member Posts: 279
    I dont own a Tundra yet, but I wanna say I think its a good decision. I can't speak as an owner, but from a mechanics point, I've always been impressed with the condition of Toyotas engines whether they had 100 miles, 100K, or 200K. I can't tell you how many Toy engines our shop rebuilt, and it always amazed me just how smooth the heads/cylinders looked, and almost all of the moving parts (valvetrain etc.) were quite clean.

    I've yet to see an engine that will run as quiet and smooth as a Toys. You can expect reliability that is superior to Dodge and many others for that matter. Truck has been rated well in crash tests, and as a firefighter/emt for last 10 years or so, I must say, the Tacomas/Tundras I've seen in wrecks have held their ground and fared well for most part. Best of luck to ya my friend.
  • ndahi12ndahi12 Member Posts: 235
    I think you made a wise choice. I have heard good things about the New Dodge, but it is too new to judge. So far people are not complaining about it, but it has too few miles. The Tundra is a couple of years old and a lot of the early model gremlins have been worked out.

    As for the TRD package, I did not get it on my 4X2. Here in CA it was very hard to find the TRD with the limited slip. So I got the limited slip w/o the TRD and then got the HD Bilestin TRD shocks and installed them myslef. These shocks are even stiffer than the OEM TRD package sold to the public. I really HATED the stock shocks. They were too soft for my taste. Some people like a soft ride, but I do not. I prefer a stiff controlled ride, but not jarring. I love the way my truck rides and handles with the aftermarket TRD Bilestin shocks.

    I did not care about the TRD sticker and the fender flares. The fender flares made the rims/tires look too small and tucked in under the truck. The TRD fender flares makes the truck look wierd.
  • twowheelertwowheeler Member Posts: 89
    Have you checked out www.tundrasolutions.com ? Its got anything and everything you wanted to know about Tundra's on that website. And if it doesn't, just start a new thread.
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