My 2024 Toyota Tundra Is a LEMON: This Week I Hit the 30-Day 'Service' Death Sentence, These Trucks Will Have No Value In 2 Years

How does a brand-new 2024 Toyota Tundra rack up over 30 days in the service bay before it even hits 20,000 miles, and what does that mean for every Tundra owner?

Will these problem Tundras be worthless soon? One owner with a 2024 model, already at 30 days in service, shares his fight. Donald Gentry on the 2023-2026 Toyota Tundra Owners Facebook page says,

"Does anybody have any luck with a lemon law? My 2024 Toyota Tundra has 18,000 miles, and I will be past the 30-day service mark this week. These trucks will have no value in a couple of years." 

This 2024 Toyota Tundra Owner is Facing the Lemon Law Nightmare

Donald Gentry is currently dealing with the heartbreak of the third-generation Tundra's reliability woes.

His post, describing his 2024 Toyota Tundra with 18,000 miles in service and 30 days—just crossing that critical legal threshold—is a huge red flag that every owner in this situation needs to pay attention to.

For decades, Toyota's reputation was unshakeable, but the new i-FORCE and i-FORCE MAX trucks are challenging that legacy, forcing owners into frustrating legal and financial battles they never anticipated.

As the Senior Reporter at Torque News, I've tracked this issue from the initial metal debris reports to the mass recalls and the devastating depreciation stories. This report is your comprehensive guide to taking action, protecting your investment, and understanding the scope of the problem.

The Lemon Law and The Critical 30-Day Trigger

Let's address the most immediate concern: the 2024 Toyota Tundra, 18,000 miles in service 30-day status. This is not just a bad service experience; it's the legal trigger point for a Lemon Law claim in the majority of U.S. states.

State Lemon Laws are designed to protect consumers who buy a vehicle that suffers from "non-conformities" (substantial defects) that the manufacturer cannot fix within a "reasonable number" of attempts or within a cumulative time limit. Thirty days out of service for warranty repairs is almost universally accepted as meeting that threshold.

What Owners Need To Do Next: The Paper Trail

Tundra owners should consolidate every piece of documentation related to their truck's repairs:

• Service Orders: Keep the original work order and the final receipt for every visit. These documents must clearly state the date the truck was dropped off and the date it was made available for pickup.
• Repair Attempts: If the dealer tried (and failed) to fix the same issue three or four times, that's another pathway to a claim.
• Communication Logs: Record every call, email, and conversation with the dealer or Toyota Corporate. Note the person's name, the date, and the outcome. This evidence is crucial for navigating lemon law claims for new Tundras.

Are Tundra Values Dropping?

Donald's concerns about Tundra depreciation and resale value are sadly well-founded. The core problem lies in the powertrain. We are seeing a worrying pattern of common 2024 Toyota Tundra reliability problems, including premature failure of the V35A twin-turbo V6 engine—often due to lubrication or debris issues that lead to spun main bearings and catastrophic engine loss.

While Toyota has issued recalls for specific 2022 and 2023 models, the fact is that newer model years, including the 2024 model he owns, are still experiencing these failures. I reported on an owner whose 2024 Tundra lost oil pressure and started knocking at just 54,000 miles, highlighting the continuing engine integrity issues.

This widespread mechanical uncertainty is why the Tundra's resale value may be faltering. Unlike the previous V8 models, which were renowned for holding their value, these newer trucks are seeing depreciation—some owners reporting losses of $20,000 to $30,000 in the first nine months. The market doesn't trust a truck that might require a complete cab-off engine replacement at under 30,000 miles.

What is the Solution?

As someone who has been tracking Toyota's journey through this complex modernization, I want to offer advice for Tundra owners with continuous issues:

• Stop Waiting, Start Demanding: Since you have reached the 30-day mark, you have met the legal burden. Don't wait for Toyota to call you; you call them with a formal, legal intention.
• Retain a Lemon Law Attorney: This is the single most valuable piece of advice. Lawyers specializing in this area can often achieve a better outcome (a complete buyback or a favorable replacement) than owners attempting to deal with Toyota's corporate legal department on their own. Their fee structure is typically contingency-based, so you don't pay unless they win.
• Consider Repurchase over Repair: If you can get the buyback, take it. Do you trust a rebuilt or replaced engine to last 200,000 miles? That trust is the core of Toyota ownership, and once it's broken, it's hard to restore. A buyback, minus a reasonable mileage offset, allows you to walk away and invest your money in a vehicle that offers the peace of mind you paid for.
• Stay Proactive on Prevention: If you decide to keep the truck post-fix, implement Used Oil Analysis (UOA) immediately. This is the only way to get a diagnostic early warning of internal engine wear before it leads to disaster.

What the Community Is Saying

Across Facebook groups, Reddit, and forums like the Donald Gentry 2023-2026 Toyota Tundra Owners group, the sentiment is a mix of anger, resignation, and tactical action:

• "I traded mine in after the dealer said they couldn't hear the knock. Took a massive hit on the value, but the relief of being out of that stress was worth it."
• "The dealer told me the short block was on national backorder and offered me a rental. They are doing their best, but I've been without my truck for 45 days now. I'm starting the Lemon Law process."
• "I was shocked when CarMax offered me nearly $10k more than the dealership on trade-in. The dealers know about the recalls and are low-balling everyone."

This wave of owner disappointment is creating market volatility. When I covered the story of a 2024 Tundra owner facing catastrophic engine failure, I emphasized the need for owners to become their own advocates (My 2024 Tundra Lost Oil Pressure and Started Knocking 54K In, and It's Over a Month to Find Out What's Wrong, Toyota's Quality is Seriously Disappointing).

Conclusion

Donald's truck has become a statistic in the unfortunate reality of the third-generation Tundra. You are right to worry about the long-term value, as the lingering quality control questions—which I've detailed in every Torque News Denis Flierl Tundra reliability report—have fundamentally altered the financial landscape for these vehicles.

Your legal leverage is significant now that you've reached the 30-day mark. You bought a Toyota for reliability, not for a garage queen that spends more time with the service tech than with you. Demand a complete resolution.

It's Your Turn

For Tundra owners who have successfully gone through a Lemon Law claim or a manufacturer buyback, what specific advice do you have on documenting the repair process—especially relating to the 'days out of service' requirement—and what was the final settlement like (e.g., replacement vehicle vs. monetary buyback)? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

I'm Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012, bringing over 30 years of automotive expertise to every story. My career began with a consulting role for every major car brand, followed by years as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles—equipping me with a wealth of insider knowledge. I specialize in delivering the latest auto news, sharing compelling owner stories, and providing expert, up-to-date analysis to keep you fully informed.

Follow me on X @DenisFlierl, @WorldsCoolestRides, Facebook, and Instagram

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Donald Gentry