Reasons to Avoid Purchasing Vehicles Equipped with New Engines in Their Initial Production Year

When considering newly released vehicles or updated models featuring untested engines, such as the latest Toyota Tundra, it’s advisable to refrain from being among the first buyers. Essentially, automakers can only ascertain so much in controlled settings. Ensuring a secure and reliable driving experience requires gathering data post real-world usage before implementing necessary modifications.

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Put simply, the initial users of a vehicle with a freshly developed engine are not mere early adopters; they serve as test subjects. The primary distinction is that while volunteers for testing new drugs receive compensation, early adopters in the automotive industry pay to conduct the debut on-road experiments for the manufacturer. That’s why our recommendation is to wait for the second or third model year before considering a purchase of a vehicle with a newly introduced engine.

Potential Issues with a Newly Developed Engine

The pioneering combustion engine was developed in the mid-19th Century. While internal combustion technology has existed for over a century and a half now, today’s engines bear little resemblance to their predecessors from a century ago, half a century ago, or even just five or ten years ago. Although the basic principles remain the same, consider the substantial advancements automakers have made from carburetors to fuel injection mechanisms.

Prior to delving into hybrid technology, present-day automotive engines incorporate advanced features that contribute to a more powerful and efficient vehicle under optimal conditions but may result in operational issues when malfunctions occur. A contemporary engine represents a complex system entailing software, microprocessors, high and low-pressure fuel delivery systems, turbochargers, belts, chains, rotors, pumps, hoses, and gears aimed at enhancing performance beyond that achievable with a more rudimentary design.

An instance of initial difficulties is Ford’s 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine, brought out in 2016 as a lightweight three-cylinder engine for the Focus hatchback. Around 50,000 miles, these engines started experiencing reduced oil pressure, leading to operational failure before even reaching six-digit mileage.

Upon disassembly, mechanics discovered degraded oil pump drive belt remnants obstructing the oil pickups. The NHTSA later determined that the issue originated from a failure in the oil pump belt tensioner and issued a recall for 139,730 units. Despite complaints from the year of the vehicle’s debut, the recall took almost a decade to come to fruition.

This instance serves to demonstrate the fragility of a newly introduced engine. The primary issue with the 1.0-liter EcoBoost was the belt tensioner. A minor flaw in the ECU software coding or a malfunction in an oil pump assembly could trigger a chain reaction resulting in tens of thousands of brand-new engines being scrapped.

Even The Most Trustworthy Vehicle Manufacturers Can Encounter Mishaps Initially

Ford can be credited with initiating automotive recalls. Surprisingly, in the early 1900s, Ford tried to cut costs by stuffing the seats of the first Model T with Spanish moss instead of cotton. This decision backfired as insects hidden in the padding would emerge and bite drivers, leading Ford to replace the seats at their own expense.

Nevertheless, what about automakers conventionally esteemed for their reliability? Manufacturers like Volvo, Honda, or perhaps even Toyota?

Despite our persistent praise for the reputedly dependable Japanese automaker, it remains true that even the best can falter. One of the most embarrassing recalls in recent history involved the newly introduced turbocharged V6 Toyota Tundra in 2022. Intended to showcase the replacement for the venerable 3UR V8 of the previous generation, known for its unparalleled reliability, the new engine encountered significant quality control issues leading to seizures and dealers rejecting them as trade-ins.

According to the NHTSA recall findings, these motors contained minimal metal shavings and debris remnants from the manufacturing process. Consequently, when the engines were put into operation, these tiny metal particles would grind within the engine, resulting in a vehicle akin to a block on wheels before reaching 50,000 miles.

Initial Iterations Rarely Receive Recommendations

Review any of our compilations of trustworthy vehicles, and you’ll observe very limited instances of inaugural models. When examining the most dependable Ford Explorers, for instance, not a single model from the first generation appears on our list, and notably, the launch year of the third generation, the 2002 version, is one we consider among the worst.

The fifth era of the Honda CR-V is widely acknowledged as one of the most reliable SUVs ever produced, yet when this generation premiered in 2017, the CR-V encountered a significant dilemma with overfilled engine oil. The SUV was subject to a recall in its introductory year for 32,233 units due to detached fuel lines and was later included in a recall for 2.5 million Hondas with failing oil pumps.

At times, the issue lies with the engine itself, and at other times, it concerns how the engine is integrated into a new design. Thus, even if the engine has a track record, it’s prudent to evaluate how it adapts to its new surroundings before investing your earnings to discover its performance firsthand.

You Might As Well Wait For A Price Reduction

Ultimately, one of the most intelligent rationales to refrain from purchasing an untested vehicle within its initial few years is the possibility of benefiting from a decrease in price if you hold back for a brief period. The market is saturated with automobiles similar to the Dodge Hornet, which experienced a relatively uneventful debut year with minimal recalls and no significant issues related to its hybrid powertrain. However, consumer interest was lacking, leading to less than 10,000 units sold in the inaugural year, causing dealers to sell excess inventory well below the manufacturer’s suggested retail price.

In the end, automakers are responsible for any significant manufacturing flaws proven to be their responsibility. However, you wouldn’t want to be left waiting for those recalls to materialize, and if you can pocket some savings by delaying your purchase until the latest craze loses some of its initial luster, it’s a wise choice.