Toyota, a brand synonymous with reliability, is facing a significant challenge. Owners of the popular Toyota Tundra truck are reporting severe engine problems, leading to a major Toyota Engine Recall affecting tens of thousands of vehicles. This isn’t just a minor glitch; it’s a serious issue leaving Tundra owners stranded and deeply concerned about the future of their trucks and Toyota’s long-standing reputation for quality.
One Tundra owner, Damien, experienced this firsthand. Just two years after purchasing his 2022 Tundra, the engine failed completely. His truck, once a symbol of dependability, is now worth half its original value, a harsh reality for a vehicle meant to be a reliable family hauler. Damien’s story is not unique, and it highlights a widespread problem within Toyota’s latest Tundra models.
The issue centers around the V35A twin-turbo 3.4-liter V-6 engine, a powerhouse that was intended to enhance the Tundra’s performance. However, this engine is now at the heart of a massive Toyota engine recall. The automaker is tasked with replacing engines in over 100,000 – 2022 and 2023 Toyota Tundra pickups and Lexus LX SUVs. This monumental undertaking is more than just a logistical headache; it’s a blow to the trust that customers place in the Toyota brand.
The recall raises serious questions about Toyota’s quality control and the reliability of their flagship truck. For years, Toyota has been lauded for building vehicles that last. Now, with this widespread engine recall, that reputation is undeniably under scrutiny.
Damien’s experience vividly illustrates the potential dangers and frustrations faced by Tundra owners. Imagine driving down a busy highway with your family, relying on your Toyota Tundra to keep you safe, only to have the engine suddenly fail. This is precisely what happened to Damien.
Traveling at 55 miles per hour with his four-year-old daughter in the back seat, Damien’s Tundra engine abruptly lost power and died. He was forced to navigate a dangerous emergency stop in heavy traffic – a terrifying situation for any driver, especially with a child in the vehicle.
The immediate safety risk was paramount. Damien had to quickly pull over and manage the situation while cars sped past. Beyond the immediate danger, the breakdown caused significant stress and inconvenience. His daughter, sensing his distress, began to cry, amplifying the already tense situation. Calling his wife for assistance and arranging a tow truck added to the ordeal, turning a typical Friday afternoon drive into a major disruption.
For Damien, the engine failure wasn’t just an inconvenience; it was a breach of trust. He chose a Toyota Tundra specifically for its reputation as a safe and dependable vehicle for his family. The engine failure shattered that expectation and left him feeling deeply let down by a brand he had previously trusted.
“This is very concerning,” Damien recounted. “I own a 2022 Toyota Tundra. On Friday, I suddenly lost engine power while driving on a main street at a pretty good speed. My four-year-old daughter was sitting in the back seat. I immediately called the dealer, who strangely enough had called me just the week prior.”
His attempt to find a solution with the dealership only added to his frustration. Hoping to trade in his now unreliable truck, Damien was stunned by the dealership’s offer.
“The dealership’s offer was a mere $35,000 for my truck, which I had purchased two years ago for $60,000,” he explained.
This drastic depreciation, directly resulting from the known engine issues and Toyota engine recall, meant Damien was facing a loss of $25,000 in just two years of ownership. To add insult to injury, the dealership then offered him a used truck for the original price he paid for his problematic Tundra.
“Then they offered me a pre-owned truck also at $60,000,” Damien added, highlighting the unfair financial burden placed on Tundra owners affected by the recall.
Damien was left with three unappealing options: accept a massive financial loss by selling back his truck at half price, trade it in and still face a significant loss, or wait potentially months for the engine replacement under the Toyota engine recall, leaving him without a reliable vehicle in the meantime.
“My question is this,” Damien asks, “Why would I be stuck with the price tag if the dealership sold me a lemon? This was no fault of mine; it was Toyota’s mistake. I have been to the dealership countless times with this truck for various recalls and programming updates; I even had to replace the brake pad and disc in less than two years.”
Damien’s frustration is palpable. He emphasizes that loyal Toyota customers should not bear the financial brunt of Toyota’s manufacturing defects. He argues that Toyota should take responsibility and provide fair solutions for owners impacted by the engine recall, rather than expecting customers to absorb the losses.
The Toyota engine recall process itself is lengthy and inconvenient. Replacing the defective V35A twin-turbo 3.4-liter V-6 engine is not a quick fix. Each engine replacement is estimated to take between 13 to 21 hours of labor. With over 100,000 vehicles affected by the Toyota engine recall, service centers will be facing significant backlogs, leaving Tundra owners waiting for extended periods to get their trucks repaired.
The engine failures and the subsequent Toyota engine recall are also impacting the resale value of Tundra trucks. Even before the engine replacements are scheduled, the mere knowledge of the engine issues is driving down the market value of these vehicles, as Damien discovered with the low trade-in offer.
Damien is not alone in his experience. Other Toyota Tundra owners have shared similar stories of engine failures and frustrations related to the Toyota engine recall.
Chris R., owner of a 2023 Tundra TRD Pro Hybrid, reported two engine failures within a short period:
Chris R. – Owned a 23 Tundra TRD Pro Hybrid. The first motor failed at 19,500 miles. The dealer had the vehicle for 2.5 months and replaced the short block. I got the truck back 3 weeks, and 500 miles later, 2nd motor failed. I got rid of it last weekend. I would not accept anything short of a completely brand-new crate motor. You’ve been warned.
Mike H., a 2022 Tundra SR5 Crewmax owner, described a sudden engine issue and ongoing concerns:
Mike H. – I have a 2022 Tundra SR5 Crewmax that experienced an engine issue back in early July. I usually drive in “sport mode,” and as I went to pull out into traffic, and as you’ll know, the throttle responds quickly, the rpm went to 5-6,000rpm, and instantly, my check engine light came on, and I lost power. Fortunately for me, no one was driving towards me, so I managed to steer my truck to the left onto a side road. I shut the truck off, waited for about 5 minutes, and then fired it back up. A warning came across the infotainment screen telling me to contact the dealer. Ever since that incident, I’ve noticed what I refer to as hiccups or a slight knock. I hope Toyota will send me the recall papers soon. I have been driving it to and from work because I have no other option. I also hope Toyota does what is right: Get your reputation back on track—crack down on quality control. Learn your lesson, and don’t repeat it.
Walter Sysun, a 2022 Toyota Tundra Platinum owner, highlighted the extensive downtime and lack of communication from Toyota:
Walter Sysun – Great article! I own a 2022 Toyota Tundra Platinum, which is part of the engine recall. Between the engine and fuel line recalls, I’ve been without using my truck for almost 8 months! Based on your article, It could be approaching a year without my truck. Toyota won’t do a buyback, and they indicated that this recall doesn’t fall under the Massachusetts Lemon Law. I do have a loaner, but not to the level of my truck. Toyota will not provide an exact date for the engine replacement! It’s unacceptable to pay for a truck that I can’t use and basically be kept in the dark by Toyota.
These testimonials paint a clear picture of the significant challenges Tundra owners are facing due to the engine problems and the Toyota engine recall. They are not only dealing with unreliable vehicles but also with financial losses, lengthy repair times, and a perceived lack of adequate support from Toyota.
Conclusion
The Toyota engine recall is a major crisis for the automaker and a significant headache for Tundra owners. Loyal customers like Damien are left in a difficult position, facing diminished vehicle value and prolonged inconvenience. This situation raises serious questions about Toyota’s commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. Is this Toyota engine recall a sign that the brand’s legendary reliability is truly declining? For many concerned owners, the answer is becoming increasingly clear. Toyota needs to take decisive action to address these issues, restore customer trust, and reaffirm its commitment to building dependable vehicles. The handling of this Toyota engine recall will be crucial in determining whether Toyota can maintain its hard-earned reputation in the competitive truck market.
Have you experienced engine problems with your 2022 or 2023 Toyota Tundra? Share your story in the comments below.
