He Has Another Dead Hybrid Tundra And Brings It To Forum, Facing Rage vs Dealership Dash

"My 23 Tundra hybrid died again today. Last time it needed a hybrid inverter. This time who knows? I was driving and got a “hybrid malfunction” then a 12v charging malfunction, and a parking brake malfunction and it seemed to be driving fine. Then when I was slowing down it seemed to shift into hybrid mode and died completely. Now I can’t start it. It’s hard not to start complaining about this truck," wrote a Tundra owner in a Toyota Tundra Enthusiasts forum.

The title of his post was "Another Dead Tundra." I think this could stick because lately, we hear more frequently about new Tundra engine failure problems like this 2024 Tundra at 7,000 miles or this 2022 Tundra going back to a dealership for the 3rd motor at 49,000 miles.

Someone wrote in the forum why this man vents in the forum instead of taking his Tundra to the nearby Toyota dealership's service center and asking them to take a look at his truck. 

"Most people would take the truck to the shop and get it looked over and fixed (if possible). Work with the dealership. Social media allows us to go on to a keyboard and tell stories that should sometimes be kept on a personal shelf. If this is an issue that would affect many, then I understand the post. This entire 3rd generation Toyota Tundra thread has turned into a let me see what is wrong today. My radio is too loud in the truck, the engine smells funny today, and the backup camera looked a little fuzzy." wrote another Tundra owner.

However, you know, there are a couple of reasons why people might vent online about car problems instead of just going straight to the dealership:

• Frustration: As the Tundra owner mentioned, dealing with a brand-new truck breaking down multiple times can be very frustrating. Posting online can be a way to vent that frustration and feel some sense of validation.
• Information gathering: Online forums can be a valuable resource for car owners. People can share their experiences, ask questions, and learn from each other. The Tundra owner might be hoping to see if others have had similar problems and find out what the cause might be.
• Holding dealerships accountable: Sometimes, posting online can be a way to put pressure on a dealership to take a problem seriously. If the owner feels like the dealership isn't doing enough to help, they might hope that by sharing their experience online, they can get some traction and get their issue resolved faster.

However, there is a point here. Not all online complaints are created equal. Some, like the radio being too loud, might be better addressed directly with the dealership. On the other hand, if someone is having a major issue that's significantly impacting their life, like the Tundra owner who can't use their truck for weeks, then venting online can be more understandable.

And the thing is that the original poster addressed it saying he is taking his truck to the dealer and explained why he still posted in the forum. It's for the benefit of the others.

"I’m obviously bringing it to the dealer. It’s hard not to vent when your $65k truck has died twice in a year and you need to get it towed on a flatbed. Especially, When you buy a Toyota for reliability. It should be embarrassing to an organization. I love my truck (when it works) and I don’t complain about the little things. But again, when your brand-new truck dies multiple times a year, and you have to wait hours for a tow through Toyota, go weeks without a vehicle, and fight to get a Kia Forte rental it’s an issue. Not having a truck for weeks will affect my life. I’m currently doing landscaping at my house which will now be on hold. My family camping weekend plans will have to be canceled. It’s not really a minor inconvenience like my radio knob fell off (which it did, lol). If you have a 2024 Tundra Limited it’s easy to sit back and criticize people that are frustrated with their subpar product," retorted the original poster.

The good thing is that the second guy replied in a nice manner and said he understood the original poster's pain and that his issue was with the title. "I really feel for you Brother. I hope everything works out for you. I understand the meaning of the post. The meaning of the post is good-spirited. I have to take issue with the heading. The 'Another Dead Tundra.' It is mixed into the bag of 'See, we have another issue, so let's all pile on!' The post will have 500 hits before the end of the day, just because of the name. Individuals that drive everything but a 3rd generation. Most of the posts will not be about the issue, but about how can I pile on to build my self-confidence or decision not to buy. So the issue is overlooked. The ability to vent will multiply exponentially," he wrote.

While online forums can be a great place to vent frustrations and find support, it's important to remember that they can also be breeding grounds for negativity and unhelpful information. I think when faced with a car problem, especially a major one, it's crucial to strike a balance. Venting online can be a temporary pressure release, but it shouldn't replace taking concrete steps to get your vehicle fixed. In this case, take your Toyota Tundra to a shop. Clearly communicate the issue to your dealership and work with them to find a solution. Online forums can still be a valuable resource but focus on finding users with similar experiences or proven solutions rather than getting caught up in negativity. Remember, a calm and clear approach will likely lead to a quicker resolution and get you back on the road faster.

When you have an issue with your car do you take it to the dealership or vent online in social media? Please, click on the red link to write your comment and join the discussion. But also see this interesting article, which I wrote yesterday about a man who after owning 37 trucks and a trucking company for 35 years recommends changing the Toyota Tundra's oil at these specific mileages.

Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.