New Toyota Tundra 5.7L camshaft failures

[kaisen]

Mark Rechtin
Automotive News
May 28, 2007 - 1:00 am

LOS ANGELES -- A batch of camshaft failures in 5.7-liter V-8 engines has dinged the launch of the Toyota Tundra pickup.

Camshafts in 20 engines have snapped, says Toyota spokesman Mike Michels. The outside camshaft supplier, which Toyota declined to identify, has traced the problem to "a metallurgical defect in the casting, a flaw in the metal which they have corrected," he says.

To date, Toyota has built 30,000 of the engines, and the company is determining how many might be affected. Michels says that it was "an early batch," and that "Toyota is confident in the production from that point on."

Full article, subscription required: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl.../70525073/1128

[legion]

Impossible! Toyotas never have systemic flaws.

Well, at least it's better that what would have happened to a Chevy.

[NICKG]

Originally posted by legion
Impossible! Toyotas never have systemic flaws.

Well, at least it's better that what would have happened to a Chevy.

well even if they have a flaw, it is the measure of how they deal with it than anything else...VW just plain doesn't care...Toyota? they will do whatever is needed to fix the problem..GM? still waiting for a 1000 deposit i put on a GTO 3 months ago to be refunded...they don't seem to care. further they say that they don't control or tell their dealers what to do....sucks for them, i bought another porsche instead, and won't EVER be back on their lots again.(it was the first GM i consiodered since buying my TTA in 89 and GNX in 87)

[legion]

Nick, sounds like your issue is with the dealership. I've dealt with my share of shady dealers, in just about every make.

[NICKG]

yea...but having been to about 25 pontiac dealers...they are all the same, sell and forget. GM (and all manufactureers) should get themselves a brain. they all make nice product, but even the best product looks like CA CA if the dealer is Ca CA. Re engineering their dealer line up would likely go a long way on fixing that bad view most people have of domestic automakers

[berettafan]

Drive a 12 yr old GM truck and a 12 year old Toyota truck and you will wonder how GM sells truck #1 much less thousands of them.

[competentone]

Originally posted by NICKG
... GM (and all manufacturers) should get themselves a brain.... Re engineering their dealer line up would likely go a long way on fixing that bad view most people have of domestic automakers

My experience with Toyota dealerships is that they are no better than the domestic dealers.

Toyota makes a good product; I think the fact that people don't have to go back to the dealerships often (for recall items or warranty repair) helps their overall image. The less contact the customer has with the dealership, the better it is for the manufacturer's image.

[berettafan]

Toyota has done it's share of ignoring problems that should be warranty jobs. I don't think there is an automaker out there who can't be found wanting in this category.

The difference though, is that my Tundra will still be tight as a drum and have its original transmission when it's got 150k miles on it whereas domestic pickups will be rattling all to pieces with replacement trannies, peeling clearcoat and cavalier interiors.

[kaisen]

Now they may be recalling them

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070531/AUTO01/705310379/1148

Christine Tierney / The Detroit News

Toyota Motor Corp. faces a costly setback in the biggest U.S. vehicle launch in its history after owners of its new Tundra pickup reported engine failures.

The Japanese automaker may recall Tundras equipped with 5.7-liter V-8s to replace the engines, a company spokesman said Wednesday.

The trouble with the Tundra's 5.7-liter engines, the most powerful engine available on the new pickup, is the latest in a series of recalls and problems that have dented Toyota's reputation.

The automaker set the industry standards for vehicle quality, but now seems to be straining to maintain top quality as it expands overseas, builds factories and hires thousands of new workers.

[berettafan]

any more slant in that article and the letters would fall off the page!

still, it would be a shame if Honda were left as the only quality vehicle manufacturer on the planet.

[The Gaijin]

20 snapped out of 30,000 built? Not that bad..

[thrown_hammer]

If a really good car company has some issues it will not be enough to make me think about buying a car from a completely crappy car company...

[Tim Hancock]

Originally posted by thrown_hammer
If a really good car company has some issues it will not be enough to make me think about buying a car from a completely crappy car company...

[Dantilla]

Originally posted by berettafan
Drive a 12 yr old GM truck and a 12 year old Toyota truck and you will wonder how GM sells truck #1 much less thousands of them.

I recently sold my 1989 Chevy 3/4 ton to a friend with over 200,000 miles. It now has over 250,000, and running strong. Chevy knows how to build a 5.7 litre V8.

Maybe I should have kept it longer. My current truck is a 2001 K2500HD thats about to turn 90,000. Still drives like a brand-new truck.

The imports still can't match the weight and towing capacity of the domestics.

If all I needed was a weekend hauler I'd consider a smaller truck. But I use the full 8' bed, and tow big trailers too often to compromise. Toyota doesn't build a truck that fits my needs.

[Tim Hancock]

Originally posted by Dantilla
I recently sold my 1989 Chevy 3/4 ton to a friend with over 200,000 miles. It now has over 250,000, and running strong. Chevy knows how to build a 5.7 litre V8.

Maybe I should have kept it longer. My current truck is a 2001 K2500HD thats about to turn 90,000. Still drives like a brand-new truck.

The imports still can't match the weight and towing capacity of the domestics.

If all I needed was a weekend hauler I'd consider a smaller truck. But I use the full 8' bed, and tow big trailers too often to compromise. Toyota doesn't build a truck that fits my needs.

I can't argue with any of the above.

[Dantilla]

Originally posted by Tim Hancock
I can't argue with any of the above.

I can't argue with a guy that has a hangar as cool as yours.

[onewhippedpuppy]

As much as I dislike much of what the domestic manufacturers create, I have to say that I have been impressed in my 2000 Silverado. I bought it with over 130k, and yet it does not have a single rattle. Replaced the shocks and outer tie rods and it drives very well (for a truck). 5.3 doesn't use any oil, and has decent power. Now if I could just do something about the 15 MPG..........

With that said, it would be tough to pass up a Toyota. My wife's 4Runner has had zero issues over 65k, and Toyota trucks have an unparalleled track record. The Chevy, though not a bad truck, still features cheap materials and horrible build quality. Though I have to say, I would have to give the new GMC a good look. That's a damn good looking truck.

[Tim Hancock]

Without a doubt Chevy trucks are at the top of the heap when it comes to full size work trucks. (my stubborn boycott of the big three still stands however )

[legion]

Originally posted by onewhippedpuppy
Now if I could just do something about the 15 MPG..........

I've gotten as much as 24 mpg out of my 2007 Chevy w/ the 5.3.

It shuts down 4 cylinders when the engine is not under load. I get the best fuel mileage in hilly conditions now...