Toyota Tundra Owners

A forum for discussing topics relating to MacGregor Powersailor Sailboats
Locked
User avatar
Chip
Engineer
Posts: 117
Joined: Sun Sep 26, 2004 4:08 pm
Location: Orlando, FL

Toyota Tundra Owners

Post by Chip »

Any Tundra owners out there? If so, then read on for your benefit (I've already solved my problem).

In researching boat defect laws online, I, to my great fortune, literally stumbled (okay, figuratively) on web sites dealing with defective Tundra brake systems. Wouldn't you know, I not only had a leaking new boat but also a paid-off, out-of-warranty 2002 Toyota Tundra that was (and is) vibrating terribly, if not wobbling. It was pure luck that I found web sites talking about widespread Tundra brake defects since I wasn't even aware of or looking for information on that topic.

Before learning of the defect (or "problem"), I put on all new, expensive tires, new front rotors (that were allegedly warped), and new front brake pads. I also had the new tires "force" tested, balanced and rebalanced, etc. I also got an alignment. None of this did anything. Went through several sets of all new tires - it wasn't the tires. Come to find out, from the internet "stumbling" described above, Tundra front brake systems are allegedly bad. I went back to my dealer and complained and asked why I wasn't told of this problem when I came in with my vibration issue (and why the truck was sold to me without a disclosure that the problem had been going on with Tundras since they first came out in 2000). To make a long story short, it didn't take long to get a new brake system, free of charge. I pick up the truck tonight. apparently, some dealers will fight you if the problem is raised after the warranty has expired. In my opinion, that argument is moot since they probably knew of the problem before selling the trucks (I won't get into the legal issues raised by that knowledge), and that's what I told my dealership. From what I've read online, Toyota has known about it since 2000. (Obviously, I don't know whether or not that is correct.)

Apparently, Toyota put Tacoma brakes on Tundras from 2000 through 2003, despite the fact that the Tacoma brakes are undersized for the Tundra. Apparently, this causes premature warping of the rotors as well as recurring warping. Toyota refused to do a recall despite widespread complaints (apparently, from what I've read online) of vibration and rotor warping. To this day, the only thing Toyota did was a TSB and if you happen to take your truck in during the warranty period, you luck out. Otherwise, the story could be different. In fact, dealerships don't volunteer the information (at least mine didn't), even when you take in your Tundra with all of the usual symptoms.

So, if you are pulling your Mac with a Tundra and you have vibration problems, prematurely warped rotors, etc., then take it in to the dealer and demand free service under The Brake Campaign, as they apparently call it. I think what they do is to put Sequoia brakes on after removing the Tacoma brakes (calipers, rotors, etc.). Get online and do a search under "toyota tundra" and "brakes" or "defects".

I only offer this info because I imagine that there are Mac owners out there with Tundras and I don't want you to experience what I just went through.

Legal disclaimer: Nothing stated above about Toyota or Toyota dealerships or Toyoto Tundra brakes is known to be true. I base my observations solely on what I've read on the internet and the symptoms I have been experiencing with my own Tundra. Independent verification of what I've read isn't possible. :)
Norm
Chief Steward
Posts: 86
Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2004 4:26 pm
Location: Fiddletown, Ca. 2002X "FriendShip" Johnson 50hp 4-stroke

Post by Norm »

I'm not sure the Tacoma front brakes are even heavy duty enough for a Tacoma let alone a Tundra. I do however use my Tacoma as a work truck and regularly have 500-1000lbs of equipment in the bed. My rotors are warped too. Other than that, the truck has been flawless.

I appreciate the heads up on the Tundra brakes. We are buying a new full size truck soon for boat and horse hauling and are trying to decide between a Silverado or a Tundra. I'll be checking out the brakes first.
User avatar
Chip
Engineer
Posts: 117
Joined: Sun Sep 26, 2004 4:08 pm
Location: Orlando, FL

Post by Chip »

Norm,

I read online that Toyota fixed the brake problems with the new '04s. So, if you're looking at an 04 or 05, it's probably not an issue.
Frank C

Post by Frank C »

Toyota has a rep for "silent warranty" protection. I guess the squeeky wheel gets free grease!
User avatar
Dimitri-2000X-Tampa
Admiral
Posts: 2043
Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2004 5:36 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Tampa, Florida 2000 Mercury BigFoot 50HP 4-Stroke on 26X hull# 3575.B000

Post by Dimitri-2000X-Tampa »

I figured that they would fix things like undersized brakes outside of the warranty period...for safety reasons if nothing else.

I used to have an Eagle where the motorized seatbelts (one of the stupidest inventions btw) failed after the warranty expired. They would just go back and forth and never lock down. Anyway, the Eagle dealership unexpectedly fixed it for free because they said it was a safety issue.

Guess Eagle has flown the coup now...har har..
User avatar
Jeff S
First Officer
Posts: 371
Joined: Tue Jun 08, 2004 2:13 pm
Location: Cherry Point, NC 2000 26X Tohatsu 50

Post by Jeff S »

Interesting. I have a 2001 Toyota Sienna with the same problem- dealer told me the rotors were warped and it wasn't covered under the warranty. (normal wear and tear or something). Sounds like I have some research to do myself.

Jeff S
Rolf
First Officer
Posts: 396
Joined: Tue Jun 15, 2004 8:59 pm
Location: Los Angeles

Post by Rolf »

I have a 9 year old tacoma 4x4 4 cylinder (2.7 liter engine), 125000 miles on it, rated for towing 3500 pounds, that I regularly tow my mac at about 4000 pound rig with a short distance (4 miles) to the local ramp(I've gone 50 miles with it on flat freeway, no probs). The brakes have always been a nitemare, need chnging every 5-10000 miles. Great trucks otherwise, (I had a previous 4x2 go 300000 miles), but I'm a Nissan man now(wife works there, great deals.) Checkout the Titans (11,000 pounds towing) or if you'r into luxury, even the Infinitys ( I tow the boat around with a 6 cylinder FX35 as well.
Rolf
Locked