“You Hear That?” Michael Says Over the Sound Of a Rattling Engine, “That’s Another Dead 2024 Toyota Tundra, Owners Are Selling Before the Warranty Expires”

Toyota, we have a problem. 

That’s what Tundra owners are saying. If you own a Toyota Tundra pickup or are considering buying one, Toyota has issues with the truck's 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine. How serious is the problem? 

Toyota has initiated a massive recall for the 2022 and 2023 Tundra, with plans to replace nearly 100,000 Tundra engines. This recall, estimated to cost between $300 and $500 million, is a significant undertaking. Read my report here for more details. However, there may be problems with the 2024 model year as well. 

What are truck owners saying?

Micheal Bordenaro, a truck expert, shared a warning on his TikTok channel (@curmudge.inn.alask) about the 2024 Toyota Tundra pickup. 

Micheal says this is surprising but increasingly common problem as more 2024 Tundra owners come forward with engine issues. In his video, he says there are more Toyota Tundra engine failures, and owners are selling their trucks before the warranty expires.

"You hear that?" he says over the sound of a rattling Tundra engine. "That's another dead Tundra, 2024."

Toyota recalls 2022 and 2023 Tundra trucks, but Michael says he sees more 2024 Tundras with the same problem. 

He says, "I can't believe I'm making another video on more 2024 Tundras with cooked engines. That's right. The spun main bearings are just like this one here that was heard." 

Tundras are depreciating fast.

Third-gen Tundras (produced since 2022) are depreciating faster than they should. This alarming trend is leading owners to sell their new Tundras before they're out of warranty, potentially affecting their resale value.

He says, "Third-gen Tundras depreciate faster than EVs after an EMP pulse. Yeah, let that sink in. People are dumping these new Tundras before they're out of warranty."  

What are Tundra owners saying?

Michael says the latest cooked Tundra was a 2024 Tundra TRD. The owner says. "2024 Tundra is knocking badly. Did it happen to anyone else?"

Here is a comment from a Tundra owner named Chris.  

He says, "Well, my blown engine nightmare continues. The (Toyota) dealership rebuilt my engine in 20 days, and when I went to pick it up, every piece on the front end of the truck had some scratch on it. Obviously dragged on the shop floor."

The Toyota dealer agreed to fix it, and Chris had to have his truck in the body shop to replace the grille. After he got the truck back, he noticed they broke the volume knob off. "So, back in the shop for another 3-4 days. And I'm supposed to trust these people to rebuild my engine?" he says.

Chris says, "The service manager at the dealership said that Toyota has him 'under the gun' and under "strict timeline' to get the truck back to me. So it sounds like Toyota was rushing the truck back to me to avoid having it in the shop for 30 days to avoid a buyback." My state law says it's a lemon if it's in the shop for 30 days for the same issue."

Michael tells Toyota, "If you want this problem to disappear, take care of your customers. Do the right thing. You built an inferior product for $60,000 to $80,000, fix it … or give him a new truck. You eat the cost."

Toyota is eating the cost.

A report from Automotive News says that Toyota would not say how much each engine replacement costs. However, based on what Toyota budgeted for the safety recall (announced in July), the cost per vehicle is expected to be about $3,000 to $5,000. 

Toyota estimates the Tundra engine replacement recall will cost them between $300 and $500 million. 

What is the problem with the Tundra engine failure?

In the 2022 and 2023 Tundra pickup and Lexus LX SUV models with the V35A twin-turbo 3.4-liter V-6 engine, internal passages in either block or cylinder heads were improperly cleaned. Small chips of metal, called "swarf," a result of the machining process, remained inside the engine after assembly. 

The presence of these metal chips poses a serious risk. If they break loose, they can contaminate the engine's oil, leading to severe internal damage and potentially causing the engine to seize. This is a safety concern, especially if the vehicle stalls in traffic. Nearly 1,000 engines made in two Toyota plants have already failed due to this issue.

It appears now that the 2024 Tundra has the same issue. It's important to note that Toyota has not issued a recall for the 2024 Tundra. 

2022-2023 Tundra owners will get their trucks fixed first, but they'll have a long wait.

Toyota has to replace the defective engines with new ones. Each engine replacement will require between 13 to 21 hours to complete. With 100,000 engines being replaced, many customers will be waiting to get the work done. 

Toyota says it will supply nearly complete engine assemblies, including turbochargers, pulleys, tensioners, and other components, to its dealers to save technicians time in the Tundra engine replacement process.

What should Tundra customers do now?

Tundra owners are concerned because it could affect the trucks' resale value before they get the engine replacement. Michael says some Tundra owners are selling their trucks before the warranty expires. However, Tundra owners need to know, they will get their trucks fixed because Toyota has to replace the Tundra engine under the new recall. 

Tundra owners can check the NHTSA website here for recall information. 

What's next for Tundra owners?

Toyota plans to notify customers in either late November or early December so that they can begin scheduling engine replacements. The recall will be launched officially in December. 

Will Tundra customers get loaner vehicles while their truck is in the shop? 

Toyota says they are paying for loaner trucks for customers. However, some stores may have a shortage. Steve Gates, owner of Gates Auto Family, a 13-store group with three Toyota dealerships, says he does not keep pickups in his store's loaner fleet but said he'll move some from his new vehicle inventory to give customers what they need while their vehicles are in the shop.

It's Your Turn.

Do you own a 2022, 2023, or 2024 Toyota Tundra pickup? Have you experienced any engine problems? If so, click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Anderson Toyota