2016 Motor Failure

2016 Tacoma TRD Sport Access Cab 4WD. Bought new. Owned for 5.5 years. 145k miles. Dealer serviced every 5k miles. No major repairs ever needed, just recommended maintenance.

Was driving to work on Sunday. Leadville to Vail, Colorado via Hwy 91 over Fremont Pass and I70 over Vail Pass.
Truck shifts and accelerates flawlessly up and down 91. Cruise into Copper, head down on ramp for I70, go to accelerate into traffic, truck won't go into passing gear, engine started knocking and I realized I wasn't going over 50mph. Pulled over, engine still knocking. No warning lights, no smoke, nothing leaking. Shut down engine. Let it cool down a bit. Hoping it resets whatever just happened. (I know nothing about vehicles, but I know when a computer breaks the first thing they tell you to do is turn it off and turn it back on again)

Turned it back on, knocking sound commenced, in park. Thought maybe I got bad fuel with all the flash floods lately. Thought it was probably just water in the fuel injector. Had it towed to Bighorn Toyota in Glenwood Springs. Service manager says my oil level was fine, but somehow my motor failed and needs a complete replacement.

Has this happened to anyone else? I could not find any threads regarding motor failure.

Any advice? Do I replace engine and keep truck? Trade it in less the cost of repair? Doesn't help that my credit and finances suck right now. Any route I take is not in my budget. I still owe $10k on the Tacoma.

 

Slap a new motor on the ole credit card.

 

Motor failed? what, did it throw a rod? any details as to exactly what happened or how it happened?

 

What a bummer, a 145k mile well-maintained engine blowing from any brand let alone Toyota is quite early- I would tow it to an independent for a second opinion.

 

I’m guessing Bighorn Toyota is where you had it serviced every 5k miles? How many miles since the last service before this happened? Get a quote for the new engine and get a diagnosis of what exactly failed. If you bought it new from them and spent thousands on having it serviced there I’d hope they would cover some of the cost of the repair or have Toyota cover it. Can’t say if trading it in is worthwhile unless we have actual figures on the trade in value offered and cost of repair.

 

I would be curious to know how recently it was at the dealer too’

I would get a second opinion as well…

Lastly… always could do a diesel swap…

 

Liked your post for sharing but in general that's just plain bum deal. There's other post around here with other engine failures. I hope it's a very rare occasion.
Makes me wonder how many 3rd gen's out there with 300k miles or even 250k ?
Hope mine doesn't conk out that soon. I kind of figured it might be the last truck I have to buy.

 

I actually bought it from
Ehrlich Toyota in Greeley because they had the only one I wanted in stock at the time. First 20k miles I had it serviced by different Toyota dealerships across the country because I was traveling and it was free under the Toyocare. Since then, it has only gone to Bighorn.

Last oil change was in May. 4k miles ago. Already scheduled next service for Aug.

I don't have details on what exactly failed. I didn't know what questions to ask. I just took what they told me at face value. They are still working on getting me a quote on the replacement cost.

 

You need to have a mechanic look at it that is not employed by the dealer that serviced it.

 

Did they give you a service report?

 

I darn sure wouldn't put a huge amount of cash on a credit card. I'd look at refinancing the truck with the cost of the new engine in there. Ask your banker anyway.

 

I'd throw in on CL and let the bidding war begin.

Sure you could haul it to another mechanic for a second opinion, but if it's knocking don't expect a different medical examiner to come up with a better diagnosis. She's dead.

 

I agree, but how did it die? Could be the dealer didn't or did something provable.
But, dead is dead. You are right.
Hey... on another note... I changed my own oil last week. First time in 30 years lol. I had an afternoon and decided to do it. Now I remember why I have a mechanic do it. I am not as young as I used to be and cardboard on concrete is not soft. And... NINE QUARTS!!! I should only have to change a nine quart pan every 50K haha. And my oil filter is about the size of a thimble! Anyway, it was fun. Once.

 

Which engine is this? Thought 3.5L has lifetime guarantee, you have to prove oil change every 10K

 

Man this is my worst nightmare. OP please come back and let us know what happened.

If this were me I’d have to spring for a new engine just bc I am so heavily modded

 

Bingo

 

She's 4k into her oil change that was done in May. I doubt there's much to prove, esp considering no oil light came on. I'd be torn between dropping an LKQ engine in and driving it for a year or just dumping it.

I feel bad for her considering it still has a note left on it, to be rounding the corner on the note and have something like this happen has to suck up to 11

 

Since Bighorn serviced it from 20k->145k they may be willing to cover some of the cost of the repair or at least forward it to Toyota Corporate. Did you happen to have an extended warranty? I’ve heard stories of Toyota being willing to help cover repairs just outside of the warranty period although if you had a 7yr/120k mile warranty you’d be 25k outside the period. Definitely helps you’ve had it serviced at a dealership it’s whole life so they have records showing the maintenance has been spot on. Sorry this happened to you but with the chip shortage we’re in you might not be too much in the hole if you got a new engine and sold it. I’d say just try to be patient and maybe start window shopping for a new vehicle while they finish they’re diagnostic/quote for repair. Second opinion would be recommended if they don’t offer to help offset the repair bill.

 

I'd trade it for a new one or lease something else. Truck is not going to be under warranty if you buy a motor. Only the motor and labor will and probably only for a year.

edit: you might get 3 years warranty on the motor, but labor will probably only cover a year.