A story in 3 pics..... This may be it for my 2016

Well, this might be it boys and girls. Was doing errands yesterday and CEL and trac off came on. Was hoping it was just the gas cap, ran the code, code was for cat failing. Took it to toyota, and low and behold the cat was done for and needed replacement. Thank heavens this was covered under 8/80 Emissions warranty.

Just crossed 70,000 miles and have had power steering pump fail, timing cover fail, and now catalytic converter fail.

I've always had VWs until my '10 Tacoma, and then traded for this '16 and this has been the most disappointing car purchase I've made. I maintain it and do everything right by it, but it hasn't been to the standard of Toyota. It makes me afraid to even explore other Tacomas if I'm being honest, it's soured my confidence. I moved to Tacoma to get away from expensive fixes from my VWs once they reached higher mileage (150k+), and low and behold I've spent more money and time on this Tacoma than anything else.

Not sure where I'm going for this, except to
A) Inform people of this possible issue (I often browse the forums to figure out what may be wrong)
B) To see if anyone else has been at this fork in the road and what they did

Thank you my fellow Tacos

People with more experience than me (aka most people…) does this spell bad news going forward?

 

I don't blame you. I always tend to lose confidence in a vehicle after just too many failures that really shouldn't have happened. Ironically, I got my Tacoma after 40K miles and countless check engine lights on a VW TDI.

 

thanks. There’s a dud in every batch I guess. It’s hard to face when something’s not working out

 

Dang I’ve had 3 TDI. One went like 489k, another I had for 140k before selling it and it’s still going the last one I sold very early like 15-25k and picked up a gti. The only problem I really had was replacing head gasket and turbo in the first one, melted fuse box in the second and never any problems in the third. The gti skyrocketed my insurance. Like you said. Duds do happen.

 

Has your truck been burning oil? Because normally a Cat wouldn't just fail on its own it would get clogged up over time and that usually wouldn't happen unless you're burning a lot of oil.

Also do you live in a state where they do emissions inspections? Because if not you could always just take it off and leave it off and do a straight pipe but if you are in a state where they do inspections then yeah you're going to replace it.

 

In reality it may just 02 sensors. If it's seldom driven on the highway and the cats don't get up to temp regularly I can see them failing though. Seen it many times on BMW's.

 

I'm curious about the power steering pump failure. Seems like the first sign of a failing timing cover is oil on the ps pump. I wonder if they replaced the ps pump thinking it was leaking, only to later find the timing cover was the issue.

 

Is this 8/80,000 mile emissions warranty STANDARD or is it an add on you purchased????? I have a '16 with just over 65,000 miles and my passenger front/main cat converter is needing replaced......about $450-500 for the part only - if you can find it!!

BUT, if that warranty is standard, I will be calling my local Toyota dealer early next week!!!

 

It's standard

 

Hot diggity shit!!! Is it transferrable, since I bought my truck used in 2017???

 

It hasn't been burning oil but it did have the timing cover issue. I actually just got my throttle body cleaned and serviced and new spark plugs in July. It wasn't the o2 sensors. Yep we do emissions.

Funny you mention that, I was actually on my 3rd steering pump when they discovered it was the timing cover. But the first was def. the steering pump, it was confirmed by the factory when they sent it back

 

Yes it's tied to the vehicle not the owner. It's the Federal Emissions Warranty

So you're another early cat-failure then? Darn. Well I was in and out in under 2 hours so fingers crossed for you too

 

Well, thanks sir.....I was going to buy one myself and have Greazy Dave (local mechanic) install it if it isn't easy. Would have been around $650. So AGAIN THANK YOU!!!!!

 

It might have been a little early, but I thought everyone knows that the OwlGored mandated cats are just a penciled in expense on any vehicle.

^^ You probably paid for throw a dart repair.

This is my third Toyota. My last one lasted 250K and 16 years with a couple repairs. This one has me a little unnerved with the multiple recalls. Tough call. Go with your gut.

 

thanks dude. it's certainly possible. i got my '10 high mileage because I desperately wanted the regular cab. worked great. no issues. bought the '16 newer thinking it'd be my forever tacoma. that famous "can't kill it" tacoma. hasn't worked out.

 

Maybe trade for a 23 while the values are still high?
Not necessary, but might make you feel better.

 

I’m tempted. Not in the cards I’m afraid. Especially the inflated msrp I hear stories about

 

glad to help

 

I know how you feel OP. I had a new 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee that I drove for exactly 200 miles before the CEL came on. After a week and a half of tearing it down it ended up being a bad cylinder head. Truck was out for over 3 weeks and I actually had to start the lemon law process to get them to move on the repair. Had it back for about a month, another CEL light. This time for a large evap leak (it wasn't the gas cap). At least this time it was only down for 2 days. All covered under warranty and the dealer didn't hesitate to give me a loaner, but my confidence in the vehicle was pretty well shot at that point. Got rid of it and bought a Rav4 hybrid. It's a terrible feeling to drive a vehicle and feel like you're expecting it to leave you somewhere at any moment. I realize it may not be logical but it's a hard feeling to shake.

 

I think about it every now and then, but if I were going to replace my Taco, I think it would be with a 100 series LC. You could sell your Taco, get a clean LC, and pocket some cash. Just a thought.

Also, nice ACD. I have had 3. They are incredible.