The bad news just doesn't seem to end for the new Toyota Tundra. Latest word from AN (via PickupTruck.com) is that there have been 20 reports of the new 5.7L engine with camshaft failures. The problem appears to have been a metallurgical defect in the casting according to a Toyota spokesman. More important is that it has been corrected...
Now 20 bad engines out of 30,000 or so doesn't seem like much (.067%), but add that to the recent so-so safety ratings, and you could say that we have trouble right here in River City. We know of 20 engines that are affected, but how many more might also be affected? This could easily mushroom into a public relations nightmare for Toyota—and you can bet the anti-Tundra folks will milk this for all it's worth.
Full story here at PickupTruck.com and here at the TheTorqueReport.com.
Full story here at PickupTruck.com and here at the TheTorqueReport.com.
carlisimo says:
09:36 AM, 05/29/07
20/30,000 = 0.00067 = 0.067%
Watch the decimals!
rsholland says:
09:41 AM, 05/29/07
Fixed. Thanks.
kurtamaxxxguy says:
11:14 AM, 05/29/07
A first year car/truck.... no surprise there are problems. Fortunately Toyota seems to be rectifying the problem and making engines available (rather than just patch the broken ones).
Perhaps Toyota should have told their dealers to __wait__, rather than rush that 5.7 engine out?
hondacura4 says:
12:51 PM, 05/29/07
I believe it was a supplier issue that has already been corrected. On another note, can Toyota figure out another way to ruin the launch of this truck? First it was the recall of the previous Tundra RIGHT before the launch of the current, then it was the pricing issue on the base truck, now its the glorious 5.7 breaking apart. Someone head should roll.
estreka says:
04:30 PM, 05/29/07
You know, I don't know why Toyota is suddenly having all these issues. Their aptitude for production and testing is without equal. There is a reason Toyota is where it is now. I've always been a supporter of Toyota, but even I'm beginning to wonder about them now. These are mistakes they just don't make.
joela says:
04:56 PM, 05/29/07
"You know, I don't know why Toyota is suddenly having all these issues."
A lot of analysts speculate its the automaker's growth (i.e., too fast, too soon, too much). Toyota has had to delegate much of the work and inspection to third-parties and thus affecting quality.
billt9 says:
10:48 PM, 05/29/07
But Toyota also has also built a reputation for remedying these problems for free, as soon as possible for their customers, along with an apology, and a free extended warranty.
So... non-Toyota buyers may stay away because of these news, but Toyota buyers are relaxed and worry-free.
As the link says, Toyota is dropping in brand new, complete 5.7L engines into the broken trucks.
fleetwoodbrghm says:
05:59 AM, 05/30/07
Sludge problems, delayed launches, poor quality ratings, numerous recalls, and now another engine problem, but on their new Tundra! I am glad that people are finally starting to write about these quality problems. It is long overdue.
ateixeira says:
11:22 AM, 05/30/07
Growing pains, for sure.
desmolicious says:
02:50 PM, 05/30/07
Their current vehicles aren't a patch on the old stuff. Compare the build and fit/finish of the latest Camry against those older generations.
Seems to me they are cost cutting and relying on their (previously well deserved) reputation.
hondacura4 says:
05:30 PM, 05/30/07
Desmolicious, I agree with you to a point. My grandmother has a mint 1995 Camry LE V6 and she has not had 1 problem with it in the 13 years she has owned it. I believe it has 79,XXX miles on it.
The Camry is a better car in almost every way but build quality seems a bit sketchy. I will give Toyota props on customer service as they usually take care of issues very quickly.
Ive personally owned 2 Toyota products and probably wouldnt hesistate to buy another. We used to have a 2000 Lexus GS400 and a 1996 Lexus ES300. The GS was flawless in the 3 years we owned it as all we had to do to the car was get a new set of tires. The ES had a few issues mainly with rubber gaskets/seals, and I had to replace the steering rack but with 274,XXX miles thats to be expected. That car is still on the road today. It cleans up well still and you can even hear it when its running.
tirthankar_b says:
12:24 PM, 05/31/07
Finally, some good news for GM.
bbcrud says:
06:27 AM, 06/12/07
The camshafts were a vendor issue and Toyota has offered to OVERNIGHT an engine to your dealer even if you bought a 5.7 with a production date inside the two-week window and are NOT having an issue. I call that stepping up, as usual, on Toyota's part.
As for crash test ratings.... Funny how the government's tests seem to differ from the Insurance Institute tests, where the Tundra was rated equal Ford, Dodge and Nissan and ahead of Chevy. Since the INSURANCE industry is writing the check if I have an accident, I think I'll differ to them for safety ratings.
The best thing about Toyota's impact on the market is the pressure they've brought to Detroit to REALLY commit to quality and then put up or shut up. Ford's recent success with 5 segment wins for quality and Saturn putting a Camry and Accord on their showroom floors for customer's to compare the Aura to will got a long way for GM and Ford so long as the cars actually stand up.