Skip to main content

7,000 Miles In, My Brand New 2024 Toyota Tundra Turns Into a Warranty Battleground (Seeking Advice!)

The frustrated new Toyota Tundra owner says his 2024 Tundra has a blown engine at 7,000 miles and asks if he should fight for a replacement of the truck vs the replacement of the engine.
2024 Toyota Tundra truck with blown engine

Imagine this: you just bought a brand new 2024 Toyota Tundra truck, and are excited to enjoy it for years to come. Then, at a mere 7,000 miles, the engine lets out a spectacular cough and dies. That's the gut-wrenching scenario facing one truck driver, who posted his story and the accompanying image on 2022+ Toyota Tundra Owners Facebook group seeking advice from fellow Tundra owners.

This owner and the local Toyota dealership are now navigating the world of warranties, repairs, and the agonizing question: will my car ever be the same? Join the conversation as we explore this owner's experience, offering advice and support for anyone who's ever faced a major car malfunction. What do you think he should do?

Thought I was safe buying a 2024 but I was not. Pretty certain the engine blew at a little over 7,000 miles. Had it towed to the dealership who said they will be pulling/disassembling the engine over the next few days to determine what happened. They said it should be under warranty (it better) but they will need to open a case with Toyota and have them approve it.

Has anyone attempted to have Toyota replace a truck with a blown engine? (Not the engine, but give you a brand new truck). I was planning on having this truck for 10-15 years. Have a feeling the truck will never be the same after they completely replace the engine. Trying to decide if I want to immediately push the idea that I need a new truck or see how the repair plays out.

That's what C.W. posted in a group, asking for advice. The conversation has already generated 282 comments by the time of this writing. What would you tell him?

 

I believe in order to replace a brand new vehicle you have to see if it qualifies for the Lemon law. So, I would say check your state's lemon laws. Car manufacturers are generally hesitant to do any sort of buybacks unless lemon law requirements are met which can be very difficult to meet depending on the state you are in.

C.W. says, he checked the Lemon laws of his state and it’s 30 days in the shop for the same issue in the first two years or an unsuccessful attempt to repair the same issue 3 times. "I think it’ll be tough for them to replace it in 30 days, so there may be a chance there."

On the other hand, as one commenter notes it we are not sure why it wouldn't be a warranty issue. "Technically the first oil change isn't due until 10k. So it's not going to be a maintenance issue. Engine or transmission replacement or brake failure typically are covered under Lemon laws. I am on my 4th Tundra but in my opinion you need to pursue the lemon law. You should have received a paper when you bought the truck. The truck won't retain its value when someone reads engine replacement on a carfax," writes a user, named Sam Haley.

Another option would be to sell the truck back to Toyota. These types of engine failures are rare, but they do happen. 

A group member who claims to be an engine expert thinks Toyota isn't going to give a new truck in this case. "The idea that the truck will never be the same is an inaccurate one. We do engine jobs all the time and the customers keep the vehicles near forever after that due to the investment. We actually put a used engine in a 4Runner years ago for a customer, then bought the 4Runner after it was totaled, then pulled that engine, supercharged it, and put it in a 4Runner owned by a family member of our owner. That engine is in its 3rd 4Runner in its life, and tows a boat every weekend while being force fed," he wrote.

Speaking of the new 4Runner, you may want to see our ranking of 2024 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro Terra vs Tundra, Tacoma and Sequoia.

Ryan Johnson writes, "I talked to an engineer for Honda today. He’s been an engineer in the automotive industry for 30 years. He said this is literally happening in every single auto manufacturer out there, including Honda."

There are many avenues that can be pursued in this case, but besides looking at the lemon laws and possibly selling the truck back to Toyota, I think I would request Toyota to install a crate engine, with all new components, not try and reuse the heads, turbos, and all of the things they don’t normally replace.

What do you think in this case? What advice would you give to this Tundra owner? Please, click on the red link below to add your comment and join the discussion.

 

By the way, these are some of the most popular mods 2024 Toyota Tundra owners do. Have you done any with your truck?

Also, don't miss Torque News former Toyota reporter Jeff Teague's "Surprising Off-Road 2024 Tundra TRD Pro Driving Impressions."

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.

Automotive News
Pickup Trucks
Toyota

Comments

Walter Bylon (not verified)    April 25, 2024 - 10:29AM

Permalink

I do believe the easiest route of under warranty is everything new replacement if the lemon law does not apply. I am wondering if there may have been recall or there is more than one truck with same issues. I built engines for GM on the line many years and things like this are not usually isolated to one truck, what ever failed on this truck can be traced to time of build, part and who installed it on the line. Most engines at GM with problems like this were pulled from assembly rectified, that’s when things can go wrong.

Armen Hareyan    April 25, 2024 - 10:30AM

Permalink

While a full replacement under warranty might seem like the easiest solution, it's definitely worth exploring the possibility of a wider issue. Your experience building engines is valuable here. It's true that a major failure at such low mileage could indicate a problem with a batch of parts or even a manufacturing error during assembly. If this is the case, there might be other trucks out there experiencing similar issues. Hopefully, the dealership will investigate thoroughly to see if a recall is necessary or if there are any documented instances of the same problem with other 2024 models.

Tim (not verified)    April 26, 2024 - 9:53PM

Permalink

I bought a new 2023 Tundra Limited, it the worst decision I have ever made. I have had nothing but problems, with this vehicle from the brakes to the engine. This Toyota is poorly built and it shows

James Vincent (not verified)    April 28, 2024 - 8:15AM

Permalink

Toyato isn't what it use to I have a 2021 was so excited to get when it was brand new .only to deal with worse Maintenance department and mechanics I ever seen they left my skid plate for my transfer case just in back my truck bolts in cup holder and this was supposed be a simple oil change.lmao can't even bring to auto butler department with them leaving windows down soaking whole backseat wait 3 more hours to still have my truck retured wwe.simple things they cant handle

Randy Lacopi (not verified)    April 25, 2024 - 12:19PM

Permalink

You will be happy if they fix the engine. Your not getting a new truck.
You can get a attorney's and claim the lemon law but they have the right to fix it before you can go to court. Only if they can't fix it is it a lemon.

Peter Ricci (not verified)    April 25, 2024 - 12:22PM

Permalink

When I see these posts its so disappointing that Toyota has dropped the ball on these new models and let down its loyal customers and every time I consider looking at a new tundra these posts reappear and remind to stop complaining about my few repairs on my 2010 with high miles.

Lance Aubin (not verified)    April 25, 2024 - 1:24PM

Permalink

Why would you need a completely new truck if just the engine is bad? Literally makes no sense.

Lance Aubin (not verified)    April 25, 2024 - 5:03PM

Permalink

You guys have clearly never worked in automotive. You all are speaking based off of your own feelings. I worked for Honda for several years. We had a bunch of premature failed engines. Wanna know how many new vehicles were swapped under warranty the very first time? NONE. Every single one of them got a new engine. The owners moaned and groaned, bitched and whined but none got new vehicles. I can Counter your statements as well. You could replace an airfilter and crack the air box on the top half where dirty air particles are entering the engine. Just went from a tiny part replacement to needing a new engine over time. If the tech breaks something while replacing guess what happens? More often than not it's caught right then and fixed.

Jose Massa (not verified)    April 26, 2024 - 1:41PM

Permalink

Hello, I have a Toyota tundra 1794 edition 2023 and I have had three warranty visits, now it is in intention for engine problems, I don't know what it has, but with your notice and your problem I will consider a trade if the problems continue.

Mellodye (not verified)    April 26, 2024 - 2:42PM

Permalink

Check your state for lemon law to get your money back and then go buy whatever you want. If you go this route, get an attorney. Most states pay for the attorney to protect the consumer.

Chaz (not verified)    April 26, 2024 - 5:50PM

Permalink

There was a video on YT by a guy named Trigger Happy. He posted that Toyota is buying his Tundra back under the lemon law. You should look for his video and if you can try and reach out about his experience.

Cheryl (not verified)    April 26, 2024 - 6:22PM

Permalink

In 2015 we bought a brand new sienna van. We hadn’t had it but a few weeks and I went to go somewhere and it wouldn’t start, acted like a defective battery. I took it to the dealer that I had purchased it from and it started right up for them. They checked it out several times said they couldn’t find anything wrong. After it happened a couple more times I had it with the dealer and I emailed Toyota Motor Corporation told them what happened and how I was treated by the dealership. I heard back from them almost immediately, they assigned a number to my case gave me the name of the person who was handling my case and they acted on it. Evidently Toyota contacted the dealership where we purchased the van had me take it back there and it turned out to be a defective battery like we thought. The dealership took care of the problem like they should have to begin with. Toyota continued to stay in contact with me until we were completely satisfied. Once we let them know we were completely satisfied they closed the case. My experience with Toyota was a very good one and I certainly wouldn’t hesitate to contact them again if I had a problem with a new car with a warranty.

Steven M Whitsitt (not verified)    April 27, 2024 - 12:13AM

Permalink

The purchase of the amount you had to pay is like a house purchase to me with today's prices. I have a 2008 Tundra SR5 new best vehicle I've ever bought. I would hate the thought of owning a brand new vehicle in your situation because I would be concerned it's not original. No Factory install not me. Go for a new Tacoma you deserve it.

DaveChapel (not verified)    April 27, 2024 - 3:41AM

Permalink

Be glad your car is a Toyota. Had this been a Honda they would have fought you till the end of time over the replacement of the engine. I personally bought a brand new Honda, and after 6 mo, my engine blew, and after years of fighting and going through all the different legal avenues after being denied till I was blue in the face at Honda, I had to fork over $20k in legal costs and repairs. My lawyer tells me that with Honda putting up 5 lawyers against my one lawyer, he believes the bill for their high-powered attorneys was probably over 5 times what my overall costs were. The fight completely changed my family and my life. We will forever shy away from EVER buying a new car. Honda also killed that vehicle and stopped producing it indefinitely. My family learned our lesson, and so did Honda... well, not really, they still sell new cars, their engines still blow, and they still deny warranties. They hurt my family and we will never forget it.

Moral of the story... be glad Toyota is so quick to put in a new Engine.

J Dub (not verified)    April 27, 2024 - 7:18AM

Permalink

Hi,
My thought is, that if you want to boost your case for pursuing lemon law see what the Dealer will give you for your vehicle. If it’s a total lowball offer….them there’s some additional proof about lost value.
Sorry this happened.
J Dub

Chris Walters (not verified)    April 27, 2024 - 7:21AM

Permalink

The customer might be hard pressed to get a new truck for a repair that is only a fraction of the cost . Replacement would not be good buisness as everyone who had an issue would seek the same resolution. Just my opinion

BigBird 57 (not verified)    April 27, 2024 - 7:50AM

Permalink

Toyota dropped the ball by offering only a V6. It's a Lexas engine designed for a car.
The 5.7 V8 should have remained an option. Two ideas: install a 5.7 V8 or replace the truck. They will take the entire cab off the truck to replace the engine.
What else could go wrong?
Besides, Toyota could have increased the v8 hp to 420 and 8 speed transmission

Edwin Acevedo (not verified)    April 27, 2024 - 7:54AM

Permalink

Verify and Let them put a new crate engine in it .
It will have the same warranty as new. And just enjoy your new truck. I don't think a factory replacement engine will hurt the value of your truck.
After a few years, just trade it in if your still not happy at the same dealership if possible.