Re: Known issues with new or late model Tundras

I have a 2003 4 runner with the v-8 - when I accelerate it hard, I can smell sulfur like odor in the cabin. I went to the dealer on Saturday to say if there is anything he could do. (You could probably see my conversation regarding this in the Toyota news group). Anyway, their stance is that the fuel in Illinois has high sulfur content. I test drove a v-8 tundra. I also accelerated it hard, and sure enough I could smell sulfuric like odor. Anyway, when I test drove a Dodge 1500, also over the weekend, I did not smell anything of that nature. Bottom line, if you live in Illinois and get a Toyota, you will experience this odor.

What was surprising in my research, is that Ford trucks are getting really high JD power ratings. Both initial and long term reliability. Next Saturday I will visit a Ford dealer.

After fretting here about 'tundra brake problems' noted in LemonAid I got two types of answers. The first was from folks here, notably a Toyota mechanic who said 'no problem'. I had seen some messages about owners having probems with brakes, however. I then e-mailed the author of LemonAid and his reply was succinct: there used to be probs but Toyota fixed the problem. I then went out and bought a new 2003 and have been very happy so far (approx. 500 km so far so not much of a test). That's my 2c. Ciao, David

I have a 2001 v8 extended cab 2wd Tundra. It's my third Toyota, (86 4wd p-up and 98

4 runner 6cyl) and I have about 38k miles on it. The rear window latch broke and I also had to replace the oxygen sensor about 1000 miles ago. Compared to the 1st two Toyota's this one has had more (2) early problems. The back seat is also too small but that's my fault for not thinking that option through. I just had the brakes replaced and there have been no problems associated with that. I carried a 600 lb motor in it a few weeks and drove it to Ky from Fl and back during the summer but that's about it as far as pulling anything, I do drive it mostly in town stop/go type traffic. I like it and would buy another with a bigger back seat.

You should probably buy a Frod, oops, Ford, so that you will become a Toyota owner for life, later. Seriously, the smell is probably oil coating on new exhaust parts burning off, sort of an acrid smell. It goes away.

First-year-of-production (2000) owner. No regrets whatsoever.

--------------------------------------------------- "America has authentic values, and even politicians should be held accountable for knowing what these values are." - Paul M. Rodriguez {}

I bought a 2000 Tundra,and so far I love this truck.I traded in my Ford F 1-50,and while the f-150 is a good truck,it don't come close to the Toyota tundra.The Tundra feels solid,and the I-force v-8(wow)powerful,and the ride is the best of any truck I have been in.As far as reliability,I would bet the farm on it.I own a 93 toyota Camery that has well over 100 thousand miles,and have not done anything to it but a timing belt,which is a 60 thousand mile maintenance job on a Camery(and I had that done at over 90 thousand miles).I don't think you can go wrong with a Toyota.Just my 2 cents.........

I just turned 10K mles on my 2003 Tundra (V8, auto, 4x4). I have had _zero_ problems so far. This is the best vehicle I've ever owned in 40 years of driving. It drives and rides like a luxury sedan, handles and stops like it's glued to the road, and I just got 18mpg on the highway on my last tankful.

Tom S

I bought my 2000 Tundra Jan of 2000. A common problem is front end vibration while braking. There is a TSB on the problem and my brakes were rebuilt for free under warranty.

The only other thing I can think of is that the front seatbets have a weak return spring. I can live with it.

Skip

Skip, 99.9% of the time, its just a dirty anchor. Try cleaning the shoulder anchor and report back with your apology to Toyota. ;-D

Dodge cat is old tech. I dug some more, and all imports (cars assembled 100% over seas) are forced to use the new cats. While the refineries got themselves an extension on creating better mix. Oh well...

Ok. I'll give it a try.

Bingo, this is exactly what I got from our class instructor. Toyota is ahead or on schedule, the oil companies are behind. As soon as the other cars catch up, they will smell at times too. I get zero sulphur smell on any of my Toyotas, and the newest is a 2003. But we have had complaints of the smell. So I know the sulphur fuel is around.

I have a question, i have a 78 chevy 4x4, and a 90 model z71, i work both pretty hard, i haul a 17.5' ski boat, 3500 lbs tractors, just aout anything, as the tundras strong enough to replace the 90 model? the 78's a tank and haul just about anything. I want a truck i can use, and will last forever. the 78's made it this long, could a tundra make it 10 + years of being used like a truck should be?

thanks for opinions TB

Buddy of mine has a 94 Z71 1500. Good truck. We have been head to head many times in the Hard Work and play environment. He Loves my

01 Tundra. Thinking of trading his Z71. I haul a 19 foot Center Console Bay boat about 110 miles round trip many weekends and have also done a fair amount of work on the farm moving equipment, draging Hay trailers, getting crap out of the ditches etc. etc. My Tundra has almost 40 k miles and some of that is pretty significant work/ play stuff. So far it has performed very well. As for what it will do in 10 years I can only hope for the best but it has started off running hard!

WF

Nearing the hundred thousand mile mark on my 2000 4 wheel drive. Just a few minor kinks over the years that the dealer worked out - nothing worth mentioning. Every time I jump behind the wheel I get the same feeling - I love this truck! And I can't wait to get going someplace. I still think it's one of the best looking trucks around for any price. Not a single regret!

28,000 miles on my 2003 and I have no regrets. Zero problems... all I've done is change the oil, air filter, tire rotation, and basic fastener torque checks.

Yes... you read that correctly... that's 28-thousand (not 28-hundred) on a November 2002 purchased 2003 model TRD 2wd.

--- Rich

The '91 Ford Escort ranked #1 in JD Power's reports too.

I had one and it was my last Ford... EVER.

When I complained about problems, people said that I should expect that from a $10,000 car and that Ford trucks were MUCH better.

That may be the case, but then that should apply to everyone else as well, thus, my 2000 Echo should also be a P.O.S., and it's not.

If Ford can't do a $10,000 car right, I'm not giving them a chance to screw me out of $30,000.

--- Rich

Recirc is usually never used except in a MAX cooling witht he AC on.

The only differecne between AC and AC MAXC is recirc.

I never use recirc unless AC is on. I hate the humid air and fogged up windows is creates.