“I Sued Ford and Won, But I’m Terrified to Buy a New Tundra”

If you think swapping a lemon Ford F-150 for a new Toyota Tundra is the safe bet, this owner’s terrifying discovery about engine failures might make you hit the brakes hard.

Key Takeaways:

• The “Safe” Bet Isn’t Safe Anymore: A Ford owner who sued and won is now questioning whether the 2024 Toyota Tundra is actually a reliability upgrade, given the massive recall of the massive twin-turbo V6 engine.
• The Verdict: Why a 2019-2021 V8 Tundra might be the only true solution for buyers who can't afford another engine disaster, despite the allure of the new 2024 technology.

In my extensive research into the ongoing Toyota Tundra V6 engine saga, I found a comment that stops you in your tracks. It comes from Shenise MacShate Evans, who just went through the nightmare of suing Ford over a failed engine and winning, only to find her "safe" alternative, the Toyota Tundra, might be just as risky. As a Senior Reporter with 30 years of experience analyzing automotive reliability, I know that for buyers like Shenise, “reliability” isn’t just a marketing term; it is the difference between financial ruin and peace of mind. Here is the reality of her dilemma.

For decades, the auto industry had a simple rule of thumb: If you want cool tech, buy American. If you want a truck that starts every morning for 300,000 miles, you buy a Toyota. But as I have covered extensively at Torque News, that line is blurring in terrifying ways.

Shenise MacShate Evans on the 2023-2026 Toyota Tundra Owners Facebook page says, “So, my hubby and I just sued Ford and won. (For an engine oil consumption issue on our F-150. They stretched it along until the warranty ran out, then refused to replace the engine.”

This is the context we cannot ignore. Shenise isn't just a casual shopper; she is a survivor of a lemon truck. She knows the pain of fighting a manufacturer, the stress of a dealer "stretching it along," and the relief of a buyback.

She continues, “They have already bought the truck back, and we're waiting for the check so we can buy a new truck. We were totally sold on a Toyota Tundra, and then I started to do a deep dive into this engine issue.”

That "deep dive" is where the dream collided with reality. A massive recall has plagued the current-generation Tundra (2022-present) due to machining debris in the V35A-FTS twin-turbo V6 engine. This debris can cause main bearing failure, leading to a seized engine, a catastrophic failure that looks suspiciously like the nightmare she just escaped with Ford.

The 2024 Tundra: A Risk or a Remedy?

Shenise’s specific dilemma is one I see constantly. “We had planned on getting a 2024 Toyota Tundra 1794 (Hubby refuses hybrids, so no 2025). Now I'm super scared! Should I risk it with these engine recalls or look for a 2019, 2018, or just go with another brand, though I know they all have issues?”

Here is the hard truth based on my 30 years of auto experience: The 2024 Toyota Tundra engine reliability is still a developing story. While Toyota claims the debris issue was isolated to specific production dates ending in late 2023, we are seeing reports of 2024 models facing similar failures.

In my recent report, "I Just Bought a 2025 Toyota Tundra TRD PRO Hybrid, Headed Out to Maryland, made it 400 Miles, and the Engine Locked Up With Only 1,528 miles On My Truck". I detailed how even the newest trucks are not immune. For Shenise, who just fought a legal battle over an engine, the risk of a "short block" replacement on a brand-new $70,000 truck is a gamble that likely feels too familiar.

“My Hubby Refuses Hybrids” 

Shenise mentions, “My hubby refuses hybrids, so no 2025.” This is a critical point. Many traditional truck owners are skeptical of the complexity of the i-FORCE MAX hybrid system. They want mechanical simplicity.

However, the non-hybrid twin-turbo V6 in the 2024 Tundra is already a highly complex machine compared to the naturally aspirated V8s of the past. The turbos add heat and pressure, and if any debris is present, the tolerance for error is zero.

The fear is justified. “We won't buy another Ford after this lawsuit. Help, we are set to buy no later than Dec 31st!”

She is on a deadline. The check is coming, and she needs wheels before the New Year. This pressure often leads to mistakes.

So, what should she do? 

“Should I risk it with these engine recalls or look for a 2019 or 2018…?” If I were sitting across the table from Shenise and her husband, I would tell them this: Buy the 2021 Tundra.

Here is why. The 2018-2021 Toyota Tundra models utilized the 5.7L V8 engine. This engine is thirsty; it will hurt at the gas pump compared to the F-150 or the new Tundra. But it is bulletproof. It is a known quantity. It does not have turbochargers to fail, and it does not have a history of spun bearings due to machining debris.

For someone coming off a lawsuit trauma, you do not need "new tech." You need "starts every time."

I covered the other side of this coin in my story, "I Just Had My 2022 Tundra SR5 Engine Replaced With Toyota's Recall, Now 6K Miles Later Here We Are, Broken Down". That report highlights the exact scenario Shenise fears: getting a fix, only to have it break again.

What Tundra Owners Are Saying

I’m not the only one seeing these red flags. I scoured the forums to find what real owners are telling people in Shenise’s position.

On The Risk: "I own one of these recalled engine models... If the pool of trucks is about 100k, you're looking at about a 1% failure rate, so far... [but] 1/100 engines blowing up is a horrible stat no matter how you slice it." Reddit User Admiral 

On The Dealership Experience: "My 2024 blew, and after the fix, it runs like an '80s truck missing a spark plug. It's horrible, and TBH, Toyota's corporate response has been total disdain." Chris Horn, Facebook Owner Group

On The V8 vs. Turbo: "I was going to buy a new Toyota Tundra, but when I found out they no longer offered it with the 5.7 V8, which was a rock solid, very reliable engine, I backed away." Ricky, Torque News Reader

The Toyota Tundra Recall 

Shenise is right to be wary. A Toyota Tundra recall deep dive reveals that while Toyota is handling the recalls better than Ford handled its F-150 issues, the inconvenience is massive. Dealers are overwhelmed. Parts are backordered.

If she buys a 2024 Tundra 1794 Edition, she is getting a luxurious, powerful truck. But she is also buying a ticket to the "wait and see" lottery.

Conversely, the Ford F-150 vs Toyota Tundra reliability debate usually favors Toyota. But in 2024? It’s a toss-up. As I wrote in "My 2024 Tundra Lost Oil Pressure and Started Knocking 54K In", the downtime is the real killer.

What's the Verdict?

Shenise and her husband have been through the wringer. They sued Ford and won, a victory few claim. Do not gamble those winnings on a question mark. The 2024 Toyota Tundra engine's reliability is improving, but it is not yet at the level of the legendary 5.7L V8. My advice? Find a pristine, low-mileage 2021 Tundra 1794 Edition. It will drink more gas, but it won't consume your oil, or your sanity. You need a truck you can trust immediately, not one you have to worry about every time you accelerate.

Tell Us What You Think: If you were in the same boat as Shenise, would you trust the 2024 Tundra after winning a lawsuit against another brand over an engine failure, or would you stick with the older V8s? Let us know in the comments below.

Next Up: If you are still considering the competition, you need to read my latest report on the other side of the fence. A discouraged owner speaks out: “Such A Money Pit”: 2019 F-150 Owner Explains Why He Is Finally Done With Ford.

With over 30 years of industry experience, Denis Flierl brings an insider’s perspective to Torque News, where he has been a Senior Reporter since 2012. Before picking up the pen, Denis consulted for the automotive industry's biggest brands and honed his skills as a test driver. He cuts through the noise to deliver the latest auto news, compelling owner stories, and the expert analysis necessary to navigate today's automotive landscape.

Have a tip or question? Follow me on X @DenisFlierl and @WorldsCoolestRides, or connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl