Is Toyota bracing for a major recall on its new 5.7-liter V-8 Tundra pickups? The Detroit News thinks it’s a distinct possibility.
The company is aware of 20 engine failures in the new trucks, due to faulty camshafts. Officials indicate that they became aware of the defect back in February, and reacted to correct the problem at that time. But it remains unclear as to how many of the 30,000 5.7-liter Tundras are at risk for camshaft failure, so Toyota has launched an internal investigation into the problem. The supplier responsible for the camshaft part has not been named.
Toyota had hoped to shift 200,000 Tundras this year, but the model’s launch has been plagued by fits and starts, as well as slow consumer response out of the gate. Will they reach their goal? Have your say in ‘Comments.’
Oooooooooh. Not a good way to start. Especially after having record recalls the last couple of years. If this is happening already, that goal will be tough to meet if consumers get a sour taste in their mouth this early.
If a companies future was sealed by massive recalls and some teething problems on new models the “big 3″ would have gone the way of the Do-Do long ago.
The constant nitpicking against this car seems to be a tactic Detroit is employing, largely out of fear, to try and hold on to the only significant segment of the market it had left.
The King is dead, long live the King.
Unless it says CUMMINS on your valve cover(s), your results may vary!
this segment is dominated by the big 3 (well, mainly ford and GM). Toyota has tryed with the last gen tundra and couldn’t pass (nor get near) the big 3’s sales. with such problems, they can keep on dreaming on passing GM or Ford big trucks sales. Toyota did not think of the fact Nissan produced a full size pick-up (the titan) which, as well, is not popular. this means that americans prefer american trucks as they proved their rigidity over the years. now with GM applying the new platform and completely renewing their full size pick-ups, toyota has a lesser chance in having successful sales (especially that the new Silverado has been awarded by many magazines).
Mo,
Being an ex-owner of quite a few American pickups, I can see you never owned one or you would know that Ford and GM both have had recalls on all of their pickups and it didn’t affect sales not one bit. Toyota won’t have a problem selling these. The new Tundra is a real competitor now with GM and Ford. The old Tundra was a half hearted effort at best. One of my neighbors is a staunch Ford truck advocate and she is now convinced (by NO efforts on my part) that the new Tundra is a good truck and even would consider buying one in the future as a replacement for their present truck. Personally, although I have an 04 Tundra presently, unless Toyota develops a diesel version of their new truck, I will be moving to GM for my replacement truck.
Poor Toyota. They built their quality reputation on the back of a small handful of platforms, engines, and transmissions from the 1970’s and 1980’s. Now that they have become full line manufacturer they find it hard to maintain quality on the multitude of platforms, engines, and transmissions they now have. The out of date perception of Toyota quality continues to crumble.
“The out of date perception of Toyota quality continues to crumble.”
Only for the Ford/GM/Chrysler fanboys. For us regular folks, their reputation hasn’t diminished at all. But I guess Toyota being number one in sales over Ford, GM, and etc doesn’t count, huh?
Notwithstanding the current camshaft issues, I would be hesitant to buy the vehicle knowing its valve train is belt driven. What is Toyota’s recommended belt replacement interval for the 5.7, and at what cost?
I have owned 9 Toyota’s since 1992 (Rav4, SC400, SC400, SC430, RX300, RX330, Tacoma, Echo, Yaris). Not a single one ever went into the shop for more than scheduled maintenance.
Mark: I don’t know what you think happened to Toyota’s “Quality Reputation”, but in my mind it is still fully intact.
Perception and reputation are not always the same as reality.
Toyota recalled more cars in the US last year than they sold. From stalling Camrys to faulty gas tanks in the Sienna to Avalons where the steering shaft was not welded properly, Toyota has been having more than its share of recalls lately.
Many of us perceive Toyota as better. The facts show that superiority is more imagined than real. The Chevrolet brand has scored higher in quality rankings the past few years. It is a proven fact that Toyota began decontenting its products beginning in the late nineties to allow for more profits (for example, cheaper materials in the interior, drastically reduced number of parts on Camry). It was the same calculation made by GM in the late 50’s, Mercedes in the 90’s also. Trim here and there where the customer won’t notice, but as these recalls show, the cut corners really do affect the product.
No one is nit-picking the Tundra: it is a very competitive product. But it is in no way superior to American brand offerings. For example, it does not have a fully boxed frame. The engine is more complex than many US engines, which is a drawback if you have to fix one out on a ranch in Montana. It is quite expensive as well. Toyota can get away with alot that the US companies cannot, becasue of the huge, built up reputation they enjoy. The media and many politicians (e.g. Trent Lott) are in their corner. Fair is fair: don’t criticize American companies while giving Toyota a free pass. I’m afraid, as Lee Iacocca warned, many Americans still have an inferiority complex about American cars.
Jeremy,
Where do you guys get this stuff? Fixing a truck on a ranch in Montana? LMAO! Do you know what the property values are like in Montana? Those guys aren’t fixing anything themselves. And how does the Tundra become more complex to fix? Because it has 4 overhead camshafts instead of one? Last I checked Ford’s truck V8 has overhead camshafts too. How is that a simpler design? How is that easier to fix? You know absolutely nothing about what engines are in said pickup trucks not mention that you know nothing about engine design but yet you comment like you do know. I’m not giving Toyota free pass but I WILL give credit where credit is due. Toyota is number one without having to take over the truck market. Toyota makes proven quality products and now GM is STARTING to make quality products. Ford and Chrysler have a ways to go as they still have their collective heads in the sand.
Mena…what do you do? Ignore Toyota’s recalls and quality problems and pretend like it’s still 1985?
I am not quite as sure about the quality of Toyota products as I once was. My uncle bought a Lexus and has had the front wheel bearings and the steering changed before 50,000 miles. The simple explanation from the Dealer is that Lexus don’t do that.
“Mena…what do you do? Ignore Toyota’s recalls and quality problems and pretend like it’s still 1985?”
Every carmaker has had recalls. But I don’t act like it’s the end of the world just because Toyota has them. Check out the recalls on the various Ford Explorers: http://tinyurl.com/2zjdht. Where’s the outrage at Ford? How about some Chevy Silverado recalls? http://tinyurl.com/yrjgcn. That’s just plain outrageous. A car company having recalls is unacceptable!
The domestic V-8 engines most certainly are simpler. Toyota has more cams, more valves than even the Fords or 4.7 liter, overhead cam Dodges use (which have one cam per bank versus two in the Toyota). The valvetrain is more complex in the Toyota: No similar domestic engine has 32 valves.
Dodge and GM use one cam, two valves per cylinder on V-8’s comparable to the Toyota 5.7. With all due respect, some people still do work on their own trucks. Dodge had considered using a multicam design before settling on the current pushrod 5.7 Hemi. One reason Dodge went with its design was that it is simpler and easier to work on. Dodge carefully studied who would use their trucks, including ranchers and other customers in remote locations. Toyota also uses a more expensive, aluminum block, Dodge is still cast iron, so are some GM blocks. I believe the Fords are iron blocks as well. Aluminum blocks are less resistant to damage upon severe overheating.
Toyota is “number one” just barely, and just for this past quarter. We’ll see if they maintain that sales level.
Toyota has made and continues to make good vehicles. the Tundra is a good truck. But they are cutting corners and that is showing in the recalls. They do not have a corner on quality by any means: GM has made quality vehicles for a long time: look at the Buick LeSabre quality ratings from the late 80’s on. Buick and Cadillac currently score very high, higher than Toyota in some instances. Ford just beat Camry in quality rankings for the Fusion. Chrysler has the highest quality minivan in intial quality: higher than Sienna.
The great thing about America is that we are all free to choose what we want and like what we want. The information on quality, and engine design for that matter, is all out there for anyone to investigate.
I hope people will make informed decisions and not automatically assume that Toyota is “the best.” In many categories, in my opinion, buyers have better choices tahn what Toyota offers, whether that be Fusion or Sonota or Town & Country or Silverado or the 08 Malibu.
No one is trying to blow Toyota’s problems out of proportion. But they should be noted. Serious quality glitches, like what happened with the current generation Avalon, should be noted. Buick’s similar Lucerne was launched at the same time without a hitch.
The media is quick to point out problems with domestic cars, but Toyota does indeed get a free pass–the network and cable news report on problems with US cars, and the health of the “Big Three” in general, with glee, yet they barely cover Toyota recalls. I guess it does not fit in with what they want to report. Perhaps hearing about Toyota quality problems does not fit in with what millions of Americans have been taught to think for close to thirty years.
There will always be some recalls. New designs, new products aren’t always going to be “perfect” from the get go. The auto industry is enormously competitive, so carmakers are going try to cut costs where they can. In a perfect world it would not be so….but we do not live in a perfect world. Most of the time carmakers voluntarily let people know about the problems and come out with the fixes. That’s what is supposed to happen.
By the end of the horsepower-mad 1960s, US cars got too big, heavy, complicated and expensive. The poor quality and reliability left the door open for Japanese carmakers when the oil price popped in 1974.
In this horsepower-mad era, Japanese cars have gotten too big, heavy, complicated and expensive. Oil prices are popping, and the Koreans seemed to have copied the Japanese trick of thirty years ago. I guess it’s only fair.
You can turn a blind eye to Toyota if you want, but the fact is their quality has been slipping. That and all their products are boring. Some Americans just won’t give the domestic car industry any credit, even if their products are better. In the case of pick-up trucks, the GM and Ford offerings are just better. I have not read one review that rates the Tundra better. I’ve had at least a dozen new pickups, all Fords and GMs, never a serious problem. Why take a chance
I’ve have all the big 3 vehicles and also imports. All have had their share of maintenance, pros, cons and breakdowns. BUT I’m not sorry to say out of all of them that the import industry is doing a better job at supply, demand and innovation and in some cases better support for replacement (when required), longevity, durability and mileage. To many people put to much trust in if its American made it must be the best. Well I got news for you we lost that market some time back and either have to accept it or out do them, cause trying to match them won’t cut it. As for recalls all have them. The point is to reduce the amount of recalls by better testing before selling and stop pushing the product to market because the sells dept whats a jump on the competitors. Trying to justify one over the other regardless who makes s pointless. Look to how many and the type of recalls to justify what is safer and better tested and not just pushed to market. IMO
Toyota building cars and trucks in the US probably led to the less than quality work.
I’ve had my share of Dodge, Plymouths and Fords, and in one way, I can’t say that I feel sorry for the US owned companies. Years of planned obsolescence went beyond just shooting themselves in their own foot.
toyota might be #1 overall, but havent the domestic trucks already broken 100,000 in sales this year (maybe not the ram)?
and, the sludge issues with the 3.0 v6 in my moms lexus doesnt help my perception or toyta quality…
Understand that most American cars parts are not made in the US so its on the manufacturer to keep the quality up. If one of the sub-manufacturers create a defective part and it is placed into the vehicle then the manufacturer of that said vehicle gets to take the heat for that defective part. So that being said, manufacturers need to keep a closer eye on how their parts are being fabbed and stop allowing for such crappy parts causing them a bad rep. This goes for all vehicle fabricators.
Also those with sludge learn to change your dam oil at 3K and not 10-15k. And stop using Pennzoil wax concentrates. LOL 
It’s funny to hear the Toyota fan boys make excuses for Toyota’s recent problems in recalls. They probably don’t like to see JD Powers data where Toyota branded vehicles are no longer tops in quality and have not been for years.
My suggestion is that they go back to reading Consumer Reports where they tell you what you want to hear and you tell them what they want to hear in their hopelessly biased surveys.
“Report: Toyota Tundra Recall In The Cards?” ROFLMAO!!!!
Rushing another attempt at a fullsize pick-up, Toyota screws up again. To quote a fellow American “Now that’s funny right there, I don’t care who you are.”
Bottom line: People will buy what they want regardless of what company makes it. When somebody else pays for my vehicles then someone else can dictate what I will buy. Personally I prefer the Chevrolet brand. My wifes ‘03 Monte Carlo SS has been trouble free for almost 70k miles now, and my ‘05 Silverado has been trouble free for 32k+ miles now.
I work in the US auto industry, and will continue to buy the products from them in an effort to keep them alive. They help put food on my dinner table by giving my business work to do. If you really don’t care to support the American industries, then keep buying the Foreign stuff, any of it. As more American business’ fail, more people are out of work.
Mena:
I’m just pointing out that Toyota is suddenly, well, ordinary.
Well I don’t buy any first versions of ANYTHING! Most if not all 1st versions of products have bugs and problems. Working in the engineering industry in design of hardware and software has taught me this. So those of you who like to be the guinea pig, by all means go ahead. So that you can waste your money and time test proving it for me. Oh by the way …. Thanx for testing it for me. 
LOL
32K & 70k miles and you seem proud that they’re trouble free? WTF? If any road vehicle isn’t doing 150K trouble free miles then there’s a problem.
Even Harley Davidson uses foreign parts. Everyone does. Someone should try to find out who actually uses the most US built parts.
Toyota amd Lexus vehicles are world-wide renouned for thier reliability, dependability and durability. I have owned several Toyota’s over the years and have nothing but sterling service from them. I best describe a typical Toyota as vitually bulletproof.
All and i mean ALL auto manufactuers have thier problems but some have more then others and others more again. Personally, i consider Ford and GM alone have produced some of the worst cars ever to grace our roads.
A recent report from CNN MONEY.COM revealed the 47 most reliable vehicles. Of that 47 - Toyota and Honda secured a very hefty 32 positions alone. FIGURES ARE FACTS NOT PERCEPTION or words from the mouths of nervous GM and Ford fanatics.
When I reach 150k with them, if I keep them that long, I’ll let you know. My last long term truck (long term meaning I owned it for more than 5 years was a Chevy S-10 P/U. My Parents bought it new in ‘83, I got it in ‘85, and drove it until ‘91. 175,000 miles, and the guy I sold it to is still driving it. I think it has 300k plus by now (and it’s the same motor and trans). My neighbors ‘97 F250 just turned over 604k miles and it’s a gas engine. His previous ‘89 had 540k miles and he gave it to his nephew who drove it 300 miles back to his home. It’s still running. If vehicles are maintained then high miles are not a problem regardless who makes it.
Well I am currently a sales person of 10 months for Toyota. I previously worked at a GMC, Buick, Pontiac and Hummer Dealership for 2 years. I will say this before hand. GMC has done an incredible job increasing the quality of their vehicles. I actually drive a 2007 Grand Prix. Nice car but honestly I could have a Camry for what I spent. I read above somewhere someone talking about toyota being skimpy about their features. The 2007 Camry has Anti-Lock Brakes and 7 air bags. The Pontiac has 2 air bags and no ABS. The reliability of the engines are great. They did have some problems with the 6 speed transmission at first. But heck the domestic still cant perfect their 4 speeds. But in the end all I can say is spend a couple days at a domestic service center and then go to a “import”. As a salesman I learned to stay away from the service center when I worked at the GMC dealership. Hearing about the problems sure didn’t inspire me to sell the product. On the flip side I have customers in service that just want to find someone/anyone to brag about their vehicles. The proof is in the pudding folks.
One more off topic comment. When is America going to start getting the idea of a Global Market? It’s a shame that it is becoming ever more difficult to find a domestic vehicle that is built in the US. The F series and Silverado’s are built in Mexico and Canada. But hey at least their is some fat cat CEO that is American making all that dough! The sad truth is that the imports are more eager to invest in our county than our domestic companies. That means manufacturing jobs that can provide a good income and stability for thousands of your country men.
Maybe I’ll come back and school you all little bit about the new Tundra (that is built in the USA). I saw a claim some where above that the 5.7 was belt driven. That is incorrect it is chain driven.
I also saw some rubbish about the boxed frame deal. Ask the GM dealers what they use on their 3/4 ton and 1 ton. The Tundra use’s the best of all worlds. The Engine compartment sits on a fully boxed frame. It’s heavy and strong which aid’s in the safety ratings also. The mid section of the frame is a rolled c rail. This is lighter than the fully boxed frame aiding in the weight to power ratio. It also absorbs vibrations and gives the Tundra a nice ride in the passenger cabin. The bed rides on a c rail frame. This is light weight and handles weight very efficiently. It also has the ability to transfer weight aiding in traction.
But I need to stop this lol. I will say this the NEW Vortec Max is a sharp truck inside and out. It is the closest competitor to the Tundra in my opinion I have had the luxury of being able to spend a considerable amount of time with the competitors vehicles. It is truly leaps and bounds ahead of the competition.
I love my new 5.7 liter Tundra Doublecab. 4000 miles and not a single complaint, except the oil filter. What a crock! Read an article in a magazine after I bought the truck stating how Toyota hired a number of engineers away from DOdGe and Ford to design the new Tundra. Must have been a DOdGe engineer assigned to the oil filter. Owned a 2000 Ram before my new Tundra. What a POS. A/C evaporator, rear spring, ball joints, intake manifold plenum gasket x 2, stereo, brake rotors, and water pump in 90,000 miles. Absolutely the worst truck I have ever owned and I have owned all the big 3. Tundra cost more than a Ford or Chevy? I tried to buy a new Silverado first but the dealer was in love with his truck. No one offers all the standard equipment of the Doublecab (SR5) and no one offers the towing capacity (unless you order the HD model on the Ford or Chevy and then you might as well get a 3/4 ton as no one stocks them and they cost as much as a 3/4 ton.) Also, no one offers a six-speed tranny in a 1/2 ton, standard auto-limited slip, traction control, or all the other goodies the Tundra comes with. BTW, Toyota is coming with 3/4 and 1-ton versions of the Tundra. So, expect a diesel real soon. Will the Tundra be better than a DOdGe? The DOdGe is not even in the same league (if you doubt me read Motor Trend’s recent test of HD diesel trucks where the Cummins crapped out 5 times and they never did figure out what the problem was.) Will the new Tundra be better than a Chevy or Ford? I’ll let you know in 5 years.
I have a new 5.7 Tundra with 7000 miles. I had a Dodge Ram 2500 before that which I had 110K when I traded it. Vehicles are like bromes. They all work fine at first but the true test is over the long haul. I was very happy with the Dodge until 30K miles. Things started to fail everytime I used it. By the time I traded it I had replaced everything from the hood latch on the front to the tailgate straps on the back. The final straw came when the dealer noticed that the oil pan was almost rusted through at 98K. I said fix it now because it has a 100K warranty. He said they can’t do that until it actually leaks. At a 101K it did just that, all over the road. I had it dragged back to the dealer for replacement and was told it was out of warranty now. The bill was over $1700 to get that oil pan on that Cummins. Owning a vehicle is a lot like a mariage. You take care of them and they take care of you. If you feel you got shafted don’t wine just move on. Dodge will never get another dime out of me. I have two other Toyotas that have had some issues that were taken care of. My wife drives both of them. She said I was an idiot for sticking with the domestic vehicles. I would like to say she is wrong but I won’t know for another 100K miles.
I may have to say “yes dear” on this one. This truck runs great and pulls as good as the 2500 did.
See ya in 100K
Geno
I bought a 2007 Tundra DC last month. I cant forget the defective crankshafts in the 1993 Suburbans, thousands of them. That GM refused to warranty, the defective radiators on it that GM would not warranty, the rearend that failed again after the warranty work did not address the issue properly. $700 plus out of pocket for rearend. About $1600 for a long block, (went with a long block for the bad crankshaft because of the habit of eating 3 radiators)
The 1993 Suburban had problem with the computer that made the AC blow HOT air. They told me it would cost about $300 to fix. Guess what? The 2000 Yukon we bought has the same problem. Seven years and they couldn’t correct it?
The Tundra has got to be better, if not maybe they will be willing to warranty it.
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