Regarding Tundras

Ok, I know this isn't Tacoma related, but I trust the opinions on here more than most places online so here goes. This is lightly aimed at the folks who own both, but, of course, I'll take information from anyone.

From my very limited experience and knowledge of 2nd gen Tacomas, it seems like, generally speaking, as you go forward within a "generation" Toyota kind of works the bugs out, so to speak. Such as the frame recall and the head gasket issue from early 2G Tacomas.

So my question is, does that generally hold true for Tundras also?


Now more specifically, what issues have been found by the masses and what years were affected by those issues (such as the issues mentioned above with early 2G Tacomas.....but with Tundras ).

I'm not looking for brand new, so maybe issues with the early 2nd gens (07 to 13, I believe) and 2.5 gens (13 to 21).

Or it may be easier to come up with an answer to this: What years or clusters of years of Tundras would you steer someone away from if they asked?

Thank anyone and everyone for any information. It's much appreciated.

 

Avoid 07, they had the most problems.

Biggest issues are timing chains and leaks. They are costly to repair.

Transmissions are stout and rarely fail, mostly 2007 models.

Air pumps are very common until 2012, they had updates but not every truck got them.

Rust is not a common concern.

Bug thing is have it inspected properly in a shop with a hoist. They have are great trucks but hold lots of surprises.

I’d look for a 2.5 gen ideally.

 

Thanks a bunch for the reply. As I shop, I'll keep a list of things like this with me.

(expand the quote...I asked a few questions in there before I realized the shrink was going to hide it)

 

the Tundra forum answers this question often. I have a 2007 Crew Max(since new) SR5, 4X4, 5.7L - 76K.
Not one, zero, nada, issue EVER. I'm on my third set of tires and third battery. Routine maintenance, and driveline fluid change at 50K. No rust. Used almost exclusively for towing a travel and horse trailer. Letting a forum "opinion", cited as fact, influence your purchase decision, could possibly cause you pass on a real "value" Tundra. My Tundra, Tacoma and Highlander have all been "bullet proof" reliable.

Ps - Toyota sold almost 200,000 Tundras in 2007, the most of any year since the introduction.

 

I'm not relying solely on replies here to guide me. Just getting opinions. Not "opinions", as you said....just the regular kind that are actual opinions.

Just as the other opinion, I'll take yours into consideration as well. But I do have to consider that your 15 year old truck has 76K miles on it...mine wouldn't have a life like that. I bought my 15 taco in 2017 with 11,000 miles on it and it now has 250K, 5 years later. I agree about the regular maintenance being a big part of it, and I, like you, have had very few issues. Wheel bearings and brakes at 100K, D/S U-joints a little after that...brakes again at about 240K. 3 sets of tires. I think that's it.

I also see that you use yours to pull heavy trailers. I don't, so that's the contrast...which I will also consider.

Thanks for the reply. Glad to hear your 07, and all your Toyotas, has served you well. From what I've seen from mine, I wouldn't expect any less from them, but some years/models/etc have common issues. I wouldn't recommend anyone that asked me IRL getting an 05-08 Taco based on what I've seen here, in order to help them avoid the common issues. Of course any year and any truck can be great...or can suck...shit happens. But I'd like to know what I MIGHT be up against going into the deal, rather than after when I have a $20,000-$30,000 (or more) brick sitting in the driveway.

 

I work on tundras. You have a good one congrats.

I have only changed transmissions on 07s, my entire shop agrees avoid 07.

You have a good one but I certainly would like it if someone told me the worst year of a model.

Stop getting emotional. It’s a truck.

 

The problem with that logic is: "common" issues are based on tenths of a percentage of total production, and on older vehicles. Once the problem has been resolved (or repaired), only the legacy remains. Over 1/2 million Tacoma's produced from 2005 - 2008. You're right, ANY year vehicle can be great or suck. caveat emptor.

 

Op the air injection was updated but you can only see the update if the inner fender is off. There was a software update as well, so service records would be your best bet.

 

You sure about that? How many frames had to be changed in the recall? I'm a small sampling, but I've personally been piddling around and drove behind at least 4 dealerships, at different times, and saw piles of frames. In passing I can't tell if they were all early 2G tacoma frames or a mix...but they were there. It could be tenths of a percentage point...no idea, but I do know that if I knew that there's a pile of 05-08 tacoma frames outside the back door when I walk in the front, I'd probably avoid those years...without any outside opinions.

COULD that lead me to miss a great deal? Sure.

COULD that lead me to avoid a money pit of a truck? Also, sure.

The common...sorry, "common" issues aren't all I'm looking at. Even if I know a truck COULD develop a timing chain issue, if it's priced enough below it's value to cover those repairs, then fine...it'll be considered. But if the same truck that COULD develop that issue is priced the same as the one next to it, that's less likely, not impossible just less likely, to develop those issues.....I'd like to know that NOW, not after I buy the problem truck for the same money.

I'm just asking for a general feel of problems people have. The same information I'd get from spending a year lurking on the Tundra forums, but who has time for that? I do well to keep up with this one.

I appreciate your input and opinions...I do. But I'm not really one to be pushed away from a decision based on someone's conviction of their opinion.....any more than I'm going to be pushed toward a decision based on the same conviction.

 

I appreciate that. I doubt they'll let me take the truck apart to look lol...so I guess I'll see what they have, as far as paperwork.

 

Yep.....my guess is you had all this figured out before making this post....LOL

 

Ok.

Maybe I should just have you tell me what to buy. I'll be waiting.