Toyota’s twin-turbo V6 engines are facing major issues due to leftover machining debris from the manufacturing process. These small fragments can lead to failures in the main bearings, resulting in engine knocking and potentially complete engine failure. This revelation came after Toyota announced a recall for 2022-2023 Tundras and Lexus LX600s about two weeks ago. Since then, dealerships have been declining trade-ins for these vehicles amidst the ongoing recall concerns.
The trend was initially reported by Pickup Truck and SUV Talk, which interviewed several Tundra owners. One individual attempting to trade their truck for a 2024 GMC Sierra AT4X at Castle Automotive Group in McHenry, Illinois, was denied. Similarly, a user on Tundras.com shared their experience of being turned away when trying to exchange an older 2020 Land Cruiser. Many dealerships are unwilling to hold onto the affected trucks while awaiting a solution from Toyota, with no timeline currently available for when a fix might arrive. Some speculate it could involve replacing the entire engine.
This could be the ideal scenario for Toyota dealerships, even though it might take time. Owners who have made warranty claims for failing V6s have encountered complicated situations as their engines are taken apart for repairs, causing significant challenges for mechanics. Images from the repair process showcase numerous components scattered across the workspaces, requiring considerable time, effort, and space for storage.
It is worth mentioning that the 2024 model-year Tundras are not included in the recall, suggesting the machining debris issue does not affect those vehicles. Interestingly, the 2022-2023 Tundras with the iForce Max hybrid powertrain are also exempt from the recall. However, concerns are growing that older hybrid models might be added to the recall list in the future, although Toyota has not officially confirmed any such plans.
As Tundra and LX600 owners await a solution from Toyota, they hope their engines hold up during this uncertain time. While it’s understandable why dealers are hesitant to accept these vehicles as trade-ins, it places an unfair burden on customers who are now stuck with potentially faulty trucks. This is ultimately a manufacturer issue, and since dealerships act as Toyota’s representatives, there is a reasonable argument that they should take some responsibility in addressing the situation. However, the extent of that responsibility remains up for debate.
Once the recall fix becomes available and the affected trucks are serviced, customers may still be hesitant to trade them in, fearing potential future issues. This uncertainty raises questions about the vehicles’ value and further frustrates customers, who are left in limbo about how long they will have to wait for a definitive solution.
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