Engine Failure at 40K, Multiple Repair Attemps

Info on California Lemon Law:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpcUoiAHu94

 

This is false. They are relatively easy to win if you are in the right and they cost exactly 0 dollars to go thru.

 

I want to know what the OP means by "broke down" again. And if the dealer has looked at the issue.

 

Lemon Law must not be that hard, in some places. About 12 years ago, I bought a nearly new '07 VW GLI that was a buy-back car. I bought it because the issue was a broken timing chain and they replaced the engine....so it was virtually impossible that a dealer had attempted to fix the same issue 3x. Car only had 1,800 miles and was being sold at nearly 50% off new MSRP. I drove the car for 2 years, with no issues, and traded it for a 2011 Tacoma and I was happy with the trade offer. The dealer didn't seem to care about the branded title.

 

It varies by state. In some the manufacturer can drag it out by going to arbitration, then contesting that and stalling on a settlement. I read about a case where GM dragged a case out for 18 months even though they knew the truck was unrepairable. In that case the customer needed to hire a lawyer.

 

"broke-down" = stalled while driving. I haven't heard back from the dealership yet. Last I heard they are waiting for Toyota to analyze diagnostics and report back.

 

UPDATE: Dealership said that that they found debris, possibly coolant moisture, on the injector wires. They said that the truck seems to be running fine now but they can't give it back to me because they need approval from Toyota, which is in Texas and currently has no power.

~The second time it broke-down, it would start, but stall immediately when put in gear

What ya'll think?

 

Go get it and drive it!

 

I'd politely demand Toyota Corporate offer an extended warranty just so my butt was covered and I'd do it BEFORE taking possession of the truck and BEFORE returning any loaner vehicle if you have one. Tell them you've been inconvenienced and you want reassurance of their product. Then I'd look for a replacement vehicle when I had more time, preferably at another dealership and trade it in, but that's just me.

They're not explaining why there was debris possibly coolant moisture on the injector wires or how it happened. They need to be specific of the problem/solution and it sounds like they're teaming up with corporate to provide you with the same answer or explanation.

 

I think it sounds like you've got a truck with a sporadic problem that hasn't been fixed.
Debris, possibly coolant moisture on some wires? If that's not a shot in the dark diagnosis, I don't know what is.

If that's all they're willing to give, it'd be with a heavy heart that I drove that truck off their lot.

 

I have had that happen to me when reassembling an engine. Had some coolant in a connector that I didn't see when installing the harness. So it's a very possible situation. Every engine I rebuild, and I have done several for issue close to this (valves not sealing to seat, usually and exhaust valve on bank 1 on the 2Gr FSK), I drive them for a minimum of 30 miles.

 

' Lemon Laws ‘ state to stay vary widely
those im familiar with dont apply here

always worth a try

when the engine failed the OP should have been Informed

what went wrong ....................what broke & why !!!

No less decisions by dealer & owner are made at that juncture

the owner doesnt dictate what he thinks ‘ Should ‘ be done to rectify the situation

no less the dealer doesnt start repair be it repair or replacement

iv read this several times still wonder why/how engine failed at a nominal mileage

 

Forsure I would lemon that bitch for a new one in army green

 

Ask for a direct replacement truck,you shouldn't have too be taking time out too run down to Toyota everytime the truck breaks down.
The dealership already proved time and again they cant fix your current truck.

 

Same thing happened to mine. 40k. Service dept immediately replaced the entire engine. Sent it to Toyota to study what happened. Put another 35k on it since then without any problems.

 

I'm curious, did y'all change your oil at Toyota's recommend intervals or sooner like 3k miles? Any aftermarket parts like intakes/ air filters? I know someone who bought a VW Jetta new many years ago, followed VW's 10k oil change intervals and had major engine/ timing change problems at around 54K miles. VW said it shouldn't have happened and repaired it for free.

I've only read about a few of these Toyota's with major engine failure at less than 40k and I'm thinking it probably had to do with something during the engine assembly process. Especially, since Toyota really ramped up Tacoma production numbers after 2017 to meet consumer demand.

Another thought, I think the 3.5 is also used in the Lexus RX350. I haven't heard of Lexus having any issues with their engines, ever.

 

I had my truck serviced every 5k at the dealer. Nothing aftermarket. 100% TRD OFF ROAD. 2018. Gentle driver. No off-roading. Drove it to Canada 2 months prior to breaking. NevEr had any suspicion something was wrong....driving home from Costco. Car trembled for like 5 seconds, thought I had a flat, then every light on the dash lit up like a Christmas Tree. Then stalled out....never to start again.

 

You're in CA and if I recall correctly, you're already qualifying for a lemon law. I would start that conversation with Toyota sooner vs later.

 

As soon as a lawyer gets involved
Toyota will stop all work on the vehicle
until the case is resolved