Only 148 Miles In, My 2024 Toyota Tacoma Blew a Front Tire, the Dealer In a Rush, Didn’t Check the Tire Pressure Off the Transport Truck

Why would a brand-new Toyota Tacoma tire blow with only 148 miles on it?

Emerito Cabreros shared his unfortunate experience with a tire blowout on his new 2024 Toyota Tacoma pickup on the Toyota Tacoma Owners' Facebook page. 

This is what I see going down. 

Imagine Emerito's 2024 Toyota Tacoma pickup sitting in his driveway, and he can’t wait to take it on a road trip. Fresh off the lot, its metallic white paint shimmered under the California sun, promising adventures and reliable service. 

He'd barely had it a week, and the odometer still whispered a mere 10 miles. Today was the day to truly break it in, with a planned 250-mile trip out of town. 

His bags were packed, the cooler was stocked, and a sense of eager anticipation hummed in the air.

He merged onto the freeway, the Tacoma's engine a smooth purr beneath him. 

The pickup handled like a dream, a stark contrast to his old, trusty, but undeniably tired sedan. He was settling into the rhythm of the open road, enjoying the quiet hum of the tires on the asphalt when it happened.

A sudden, violent WHUMP-BANG! jolted the truck. The steering wheel wrenched sharply to the left, and a terrifying flapping sound erupted from the front driver's side. 

Emerito's heart leaped into his throat. He gripped the wheel, his knuckles white, and fought to maintain control. He could feel the vehicle pulling, struggling against the sudden imbalance.

"A blowout!" he muttered, a cold dread creeping in. He eased off the gas, signaling, and carefully guided the truck to the shoulder. The flapping continued a grim soundtrack to his misfortune.

Once safely stopped, he got out, his legs a little shaky. The sight confirmed his fear: the right front tire was shredded, a mangled mess of rubber and cords. He sighed, running a hand over his face. 

One hundred and forty-eight miles. One hundred and forty-eight miles! On a brand-new truck!

He knelt, inspecting the wheel. A minor miracle, it seemed. Despite the catastrophic blowout, the rim itself appeared unscathed. No dents, no bends, just a naked wheel waiting for new rubber. That was a small victory in a rather large defeat.

After a call to Toyota roadside assistance and a bit of a wait, a tow truck arrived to take him to the nearest tire shop. The whole process felt like an absurd initiation. He watched as the mechanic effortlessly swapped out the destroyed tire for the spare tire.

With a fresh tire mounted and the blown tire in the pickup bed, Emerito was back on the road, albeit with a slightly deflated spirit. He drove the remaining 250 miles to his destination, the initial excitement replaced by a lingering sense of bewilderment

How could my tire blow with only 148 miles on it?

It wasn't until later, when he recounted the tale to a friend who happened to be a retired mechanic, that the true culprit was revealed. His friend, after hearing the details, nodded sagely. "Sounds like overinflation, Emerito. This happens frequently when they are loaded onto the transport trucks. Dealers are supposed to check the pressure, but sometimes they miss it."

This kind of unexpected surprise at the dealership isn’t just limited to trucks. Look at this fresh story involving a 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6, where the driver stopped by a dealership just to charge up and was hit with an unusual cost that turned into a detour and a deeper look into dealer charging practices. It’s a good reminder that when it comes to new vehicle ownership, surprises - whether they come from a tire or a charger - often show up where you least expect them.

A wave of annoyance hit Emerito like a ton of bricks. 

The dealer hadn't checked the air pressure. The tire, pumped up beyond its safe limits, had simply given up under the strain of the road, a ticking time bomb waiting for its moment. 

The brand-new pickup, his symbol of adventure, had started its journey with a literal bang, all because of a simple oversight. He shook his head, "Well, at least I have a story to tell.

And tell his story he did.

He went on the Toyota Tacoma Owner's Facebook page and said, 

"Driving out of town with only 148 miles on the odometer, the right front tire blew out while driving on the freeway.  Luckily, it didn't mess up the wheel. Got a new tire and drove 250 more miles to our destination." 

"What I found out later was the dealer didn't check the air pressure when the pickup came off the transport truck. The tire was overinflated, and that's why it blew out only 148 miles later."

What do other Tacoma owners say?

Darin Anderson says, "My Tacoma was fifty psi, and I thought the ride was a bit harsh during the test drive. The salesman didn't think anything was wrong; we both brushed it off because I was coming from a second-generation background. After driving it for a week, I knew something was not right, especially since it was not equipped with off-road tires. I confronted the dealer after I corrected it, and their excuse was, "Oh, we were rushing to get you your truck and must have missed it."

Joey Ahrens says, "My Tacoma tires were 40-45 off the lot and the WORST ride home EVER... 3 hours!!! I checked them when I arrived and adjusted them to around 30-35 degrees all around. Luckily, this was back in March, and it was a nice, cold day."

After reading some reports about overinflated tires from the dealer, Emerito checked the other three tires. 

"Mine were all over 40 psi when I got in it, cold. They should have been 30 psi." 

So, why are new car tires overinflated for transport?

1. Preventing Flat Spotting: When cars are stored or transported for extended periods, especially on car carriers or in storage lots, the tires can develop flat spots where they contact the ground. Inflating the tires to a higher pressure helps to minimize or prevent this phenomenon. Flat spotting can cause a "thump-thump" sound when driving and, in severe cases, can damage the tires.
2. Seating the Bead: Overinflation can help ensure the tire's bead (the edge that seals against the wheel rim) is seated adequately during the manufacturing and mounting process.
3. Transportation Rigging: When vehicles are secured on transporters, they are often chained or strapped down to prevent movement. Higher tire pressure can provide additional stability and help avoid deformed tires under the tension of the rigging. 

Important Notes:

• Dealers should adjust the tire pressure to the manufacturer's recommended level during the pre-delivery inspection (PDI) before delivering the car to the customer.
• The recommended tire pressure is usually listed on a sticker inside the driver's side door jamb or in the owner's manual.
• Driving with overinflated tires can negatively impact ride comfort, handling, and tire wear, according to The Autopian. And a tire blowout on the highway like Emerito experienced.
• Check the tire pressure of a new car soon after taking delivery and adjust it to the manufacturer's recommended level for optimal performance and safety. 

In The End

It could have been a dangerous situation with a tire blowout in Ererito's 2024 Toyota Tacoma pickup, traveling at 70-75 mph on the highway. Luckily, no one was hurt, and the truck wheel was not damaged.

Toyota dealers are supposed to check tire pressure during the Pre-Delivery Process. This time, the dealer was sleeping and made a mistake. 

How About You?

Did you know that new cars' tires are overinflated when they roll off the transport truck? You can click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know if you've had a tire blowout.

Check out my Toyota Tacoma story: I Hate My 2023 Toyota Tacoma, It’s Underpowered, Uncomfortable, the Transmission is Awful, and the AC Isn’t Cold Above 80, I’m Buying A Tundra

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 Emerito Cabreros