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For decades, Toyota trucks have carried a reputation for being virtually indestructible, with many owners proudly driving their Tacomas and Tundras well past the 200,000-mile mark. That reputation is one reason people are willing to spend big money on a brand-new Tundra. But when problems surface earlier than anyone would expect, the disappointment cuts deep. I recently came across a story that shows just how much trust can be shaken. In the “2022+ Toyota Tundra Owners” group on Facebook, Dakoda Eads shared his experience with a 2024 Tundra that suddenly lost oil pressure at just 54,000 miles and began knocking badly before being hauled to the dealership. He was told it could take over a month and a half for technicians to tear the engine apart, get approval from Toyota, and attempt a rebuild. This is all something he’s uneasy about given past poor service experiences and unresolved warranty issues with his truck’s cracked bed.
Here’s him describing the frustration: “My 2024 Tundra lost oil pressure and started knocking really bad. It has 54,xxx miles and I got it hauled to the Toyota dealership. They called me today and said it could be over a month and a half because they have to tear it apart and see what’s wrong, then contact the Toyota service rep to get approval and rebuild the engine. I’d prefer a new crate motor instead of getting one rebuilt by techs that have never rebuilt one. I’ve witnessed first hand the lack of care that they had with simple oil changes and filter changes (oil all over the interior multiple times and plastic parts for the cabin filter laying on the floor, airbox not snapped back together, scratches all over the fenders from their zippers). The bed started cracking down both sides a few months after we bought it to the point now where the bed panel is starting to separate. I’ve waited 9 months and still haven’t been contacted for warranty work on that so it makes me wonder how this engine warranty will go. Any advice or insight is appreciated. The quality of Toyota is seriously disappointing.”
It’s not hard to understand his frustration. A modern engine shouldn’t be failing at just over 50,000 miles, plus being told to wait more than a month for a possible rebuild adding insult to the injury.
A Pattern of Problems With New Tundras
This isn’t the first time new-generation Tundra owners have raised red flags. We’ve already covered situations where a 2023 Toyota Tundra’s engine failed outside of any recall campaign. In another case, a driver discovered metal flakes in the oil of a 2024 Toyota Tundra Platinum at just 17,000 miles, so we know that these aren’t isolated reports. And while Toyota has addressed recalls on certain engines, concerns remain about long-term durability for the newest Tundras.
From a technical standpoint, oil pressure loss followed by knocking usually points to serious internal damage. It likely means worn bearings, an oil pump issue, or even internal block damage. Once an engine reaches this point, repairs are rarely simple. Many owners, like Dakoda, prefer the option of a factory crate motor, which ensures the engine was assembled in controlled conditions. A dealership rebuild, especially one performed by technicians who may lack experience with that specific engine, doesn’t always inspire confidence.
Dakoda’s experience is also compounded by another issue: his Tundra’s bed panels started cracking just months after purchase, and despite waiting nine months, he hasn’t been contacted about warranty repairs. That lack of responsiveness highlights a deeper problem many owners face. Toyota’s reputation for quality is as much about customer service as it is about engineering, and when both slip, owners start to feel left behind.
What the Community Has to Say
Community members chimed in with their own perspectives. Joshua Reedy offered some blunt advice: “Dude, find a new dealer. I hate your situation but they continually do all these things and you keep going back. Why? First time I would’ve had oil on my interior, I would’ve cost them a new interior on whatever it touched. But on that note, my Toyota dealer’s good and I’ve dealt with this from mostly shops and other brand dealers, namely Ford, Mitsubishi, and Nissan throughout the years. Now, I go over everything every single time. It’s a good habit to have regardless though.”
Joshua’s comment highlights a reality that not all dealers are equal. Some Toyota service centers uphold the brand’s reputation, while others damage it. His suggestion that owners thoroughly check their trucks after each service visit is a practical takeaway. It speaks to the broader lesson that trust in the brand often comes down to local dealer experiences.
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Another commenter, Dan Yingst, added his own frustration: “It’s got to suck. I’ve been waiting two months for the damned side seat plastic part. I think they are stonewalling me until the warranty drops next month.”
Dan’s point sheds light on another angle of parts availability and warranty timing. Whether intentional or not, long delays in fulfilling warranty work leave owners feeling suspicious, especially when deadlines for warranty coverage are near. His story pairs with Dakoda’s in showing how a slow or unresponsive warranty process erodes confidence.
Mixed Ownership Experiences
It’s worth noting that not every new Tundra story is negative. Some owners have praised the 2024 Toyota Tundra, where the only real complaint was about payload capacity. But others have had rougher starts, like the driver whose Toyota Tundra broke down after just nine days of ownership. These stories collectively paint a picture of a truck that hasn’t escaped growing pains in its latest generation, despite being advanced and powerful.
It’s why stories like Dakoda’s raise a bigger question about how much weight we can still put into Toyota’s old reputation. While older Tundras were seen as nearly bulletproof, the newest generation seems to be struggling with quality control and service follow-through. My perspective is that buyers today need to judge vehicles less by legacy reputation and more by current real-world owner experiences. This doesn’t mean Toyota has lost its edge entirely, but it does mean consumers should be more cautious and proactive when it comes to warranties, maintenance, and dealer accountability.
Key Takeaways
- Modern Tundra reliability questions: Failures like oil pressure loss at 54,000 miles raise serious concerns about long-term durability.
- Dealer quality matters: Owner confidence often depends more on dealer service than on Toyota as a corporation.
- Warranty delays erode trust: Long waits for parts or repairs can leave owners feeling abandoned.
- Mixed ownership experiences: While some owners praise their Tundras, others face major issues early in ownership.
- Buyers must stay proactive: Thoroughly inspecting service work and staying on top of warranty claims are essential.
Is Toyota Falling Behind?
Have you or someone you know ever had a dealership delay warranty work on a Toyota or another truck?
And do you still believe Toyota’s reputation for long-lasting reliability holds true for the newest generation cars?
I’d love to hear about your perspective in our comments below.
Aram Krajekian is a young automotive journalist bringing a fresh perspective to his coverage of the evolving automotive landscape. Follow Aram on X and LinkedIn for daily news coverage about cars.
Image Sources: Toyota’s gallery.
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Source: torquenews.com
