2023 Toyota Tundra Owner Says, “While Driving On the Freeway, I Suddenly and Without Warning Get a Low Oil Pressure Alert and the Engine Shuts Down. It Was a Terrifying Experience"

Toyota Tundra truck owners are fuming because of the pickup's engine problems. 

Charlie, a 2023 Toyota Tundra owner, had his truck's engine die on the highway. He's not the only one. Here is Charlie's remarkable story he posted on the Tundra Owners Facebook page, a shared experience among Tundra owners, and comments from others who have faced similar issues. 

He says, "While driving my 2023 1794 Toyota Tundra on a freeway yesterday, I suddenly and without any warning got a low oil pressure alert and then the engine shut down! Luckily, I was able to coast to the right shoulder. I had it towed to the Toyota dealership and await the verdict on Monday. It was a terrifying experience!"

Imagine the panic when Charlie's Tundra, cruising at freeway speeds, suddenly alerts him of low oil pressure. He's in the fast lane, unable to pull over. The engine dies, and he's left stranded in the center lane, with traffic whizzing by at 70 miles per hour.

You can't get over because traffic is flying by you in the right lane, and your truck slows because the engine has died. Now, you must stop in the center lane with traffic flying by you at 70 miles per hour. 

You jump on your phone and call the Toyota dealer. They tell you they can't do anything until they can have a technician check out your truck. They ask you to have it towed in. 

Charlie is left stranded, sitting in the middle of a busy highway. He's worried about the speeding traffic and the possibility of a rear-end collision. Fortunately, a police vehicle arrives and provides some relief, staying with him until the tow truck finally arrives.

So, now you are sitting on the road, and it's a race track. Now you are worried that someone may not be paying attention and could rear-end you. Luckily, you see a police vehicle behind you with its lights on. He checks on you and stays there until the tow truck arrives. 

Now the fun begins at the Toyota dealer.

After getting his Tundra towed to the Toyota dealer, the service advisor tells him it will be tomorrow before they can even look at his truck. Now he needs to get a ride home because the dealer has no loaner vehicles. 

The next day, the advisor calls Charlie, saying, 'You will need a new engine." Your Tundra's engine has seized because the technician can see metal shavings in the crankcase. Your engine is toast.

However, the good news is that Toyota will replace the engine under the recall. The bad news is you'll have to wait months because of the backlog of Tundra trucks getting new engines. 

He's not the only Tundra owner to whom this has happened.

If you've read my report on the Toyota Tundra engine issue, you're aware of the magnitude of the problem. The Japanese automaker must replace over 100,000 - 2022 and 2023 Tundra pickup and Lexus LX SUV engines with the V35A twin-turbo 3.4-liter V-6 power plant. This recall is not just a minor inconvenience; it's a significant disruption for Tundra owners. 

Damien had a similar thing happen to him in his 2022 Toyota Tundra truck. Here is his story. 

Damien says, "This is very concerning. 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." 

"I was concerned for the safety of my kids and myself. Feeling hopeful, I thought I could trade the truck and get a new one."

Instead of waiting to get his truck's engine replaced by Toyota, he chose to trade the vehicle and get a new one.

Damien was shocked at what the dealer offered him for his truck.

Damien is shocked when the dealer offers a mere $35,000 for his truck, which he bought for $ 60,000 just two years ago. The dealer's proposal to sell him a used truck for the same price he paid for his now-faulty truck adds insult to injury. 

If that wasn't bad enough, the Toyota dealer offered to sell him a used truck for the same price he paid for his truck two years ago. 

Damien says, "Then they offered me a pre-owned truck also at $60,000. My question is this. 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. Now I need a new engine."

How Long Is the Wait to Get a New Tundra Engine?

Top contributor, Dan Johnson, says, "That's exactly what happened to me. New engine time. They didn't even bother to diagnose it or take it apart. That was it. They replaced it with a full crate motor." 

"My Tundra engine happened in August, so I had to wait 4 months to get the new one. The good news is, it runs as good as new. I did an oil change at 2,000 miles, and the oil was clean. Good luck, I hope it's quick for you." 

It's Tundra Day At Toyota

Chris Hernandez, who owns a 2024 Tundra pickup, was at a dealer in Georgia and saw a jaw-dropping sight when he walked into the dealer's maintenance shop. 

Chris was waiting for his truck to get its first scheduled oil change. He walked into the shop to see how his vehicle was progressing and saw three Tundra trucks lined up getting new engines. On the Toyota Tundra Owners Facebook page, he says. "It's Tundra Day." Check out his story here. 

The Tundra trucks are there because of the massive Tundra engine recall. 100,000 2022 and 2023 Tundras are getting engine swaps for new power plants. Check my report here for more information. 

Conclusion

It's crucial to note that the engine recall for 2022-2023 Toyota Tundra trucks can negatively impact resale value . This is due to several factors, including the perception of reduced reliability and a potential stigma associated with recalled vehicles. The need to replace the original engine can also make potential buyers hesitant, potentially lowering demand and prices. 

You should carefully consider this when making a purchase decision.

It's Your Turn

We value your experiences and want to hear from you. We encourage you to share your story if you own a 2022 or 2023 Toyota Tundra. Click the red 'Add New Comment' link below and tell us about your experiences with your Tundra's engine.

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