Folks,
This is a letter that I just sent via snail mail to Toyota of North America.
To Whom It May Concern,
I wanted to share my “wonderful” experience in owning a 2002 Toyota Tundra SR5 4X2 vehicle. Let me start by saying that I did not buy this truck brand new. However, I purchased this vehicle from a local dealer in Red Springs, North Carolina close by my home. When it was purchased it had somewhere in the neighborhood of 38,000 miles on it at the time. I contacted the prior owner before buying this truck to inquire as to why he had traded it in for another vehicle. The previous owner stated that it was due to the fuel mileage and the fact that his change in employment required him to commute a further distance to work each day. This previous owner also informed me that he had already had to replace the front brake pads twice since purchasing this vehicle. I dismissed this by assuming that he must have just been slightly abusive as it pertained to his driving habits. Well, I now have 71,000 miles on this vehicle and I have ALWAYS driven it like it was a Cadillac! No hard driving, no abuse whatsoever, and always kept underneath a shelter! Heck, I even Armor- All my hoses! So why am I writing, you may ask. Since I have owned this Toyota Tundra, it has been nothing but a pain in the ***! First, the brakes! I am on my fourth set! This, by the way, will need replacing soon! Next, I had the front bank oxygen sensors (right side) go bad at 42,000 miles. Now there was a TSB on this and I was able to get those replaced at my local dealer. However, not without a fight! They first had said that there was not a TSB on these but after I called Toyota of North America, everything was straightened out and the work was done! While I was in Iraq, my wife also received notice that the lower ball joints had been recalled due to the possibility of it having been scratched at the factory and we had those replaced at the dealer. Well, guess what I now have to repair AT MY EXPENSE! At 71,000, I have the luxury of replacing BOTH outer tie rods! People, I traded in a 1992 Dodge Dakota with 282,000 miles on it for this Tundra and I never had to replace a tie rod and only a few sets of brake pads! The mileage that I got out of my Dodge should show just how well I take care of a vehicle! My father owned a 1988 Toyota Truck (small) that was a 4x4 and he had almost 200,000 miles on it when it finally blew a head gasket. What has happened to Toyota Quality? People, I expected to get the same kind of service from my Toyota, just as my father had gotten! The only thing I have to show for my “Toyota Ownership” is few complimentary cups of coffee while I wait to get repair bills! Does Toyota really expect people like me to continue to purchase their headaches? Now granted, this truck is seven years old but that should not matter considering how well this truck has been taken care of over the years! I do understand that, in mass production of vehicles, issues can arise. Thus, the TSB’s on them. Yet, who would ever expect that at an original cost of $25,951.74 (actual list price from dealer) all these issues would arise?
At the beginning of the Toyota Warranty Information booklet that came with my truck it states that,”At Toyota, Our top priority is always our customers. We know your Toyota is an important part of your life and something you depend on every day. That’s why we’re dedicated to building products of the highest quality and reliability.”
Can someone at your level please show me where my truck is reliable or dependable? If you cannot show me that, can you at the least show me where the quality is located?
I am one of those people that if I ever find a service or product that proves to be what it says it is, I have to tell everyone! Likewise, when I find that something that I have PERSONAL experiences with proves to be nothing less than a major pain in the rear, I will share that too! I guess as long as a Toyota gets sold, the aforementioned quote does not matter. Thank God I work in public service and can warn others of their possible demise with Toyota. I can honestly tell you that with every problem that comes along with this truck, I do remember, “Oh what a feeling” Toyota!
Christopher K. Smith
203 Possum Drive
Lumberton, NC 28360
(910) 739-6086
06/02/09
Tundradenalin, this was not my first post with this forum. My first post was actually when I was seeking advice as to whether or not anyone else had problems with their o2 sensors. This is the forum where I first learned of the TSB on them. Like it or no, I will only post HONEST comments or replies and this is why I chose to voice my experience with fellow Toyota owners. If anyone is lucky enough to have a Toyota (or any other manufacturer) and not have so many issues, then this is great and I am very happy for them. However, could anyone really fault me for being so disappointed with my experience? Irregardless, I have repaired the tie rods and am praying that I get, at least, another 71,000 miles from these.
I cannot tell you where their quality has gone! I will tell you that I am in correspondence with a man by the name of Gary Quirola from Toyota of North America. I don't think that I will get anywhere with him though. One thing that I am sure of is that Toyota used to make a quality truck. I just wished I would have gotten one of the better one's! I will say that I put a 3' Toytec lift on the front of my Tundra after having both outer tie rods replaced and it looks great. Of course, looks doesn't keep a vehicle on the road!
2002 Tundra Crap
Re: 2002 Tundra Crap
! I will tell you that I am in correspondence with a man by the name of Gary Quirola from Toyota of North America. I don't think that I will get anywhere with him though. One thing that I am sure of is that Toyota used to make a quality truck. I just wished I would have gotten one of the better one's! I will say that I put a 3' Toytec lift on the front of my Tundra after having both outer tie rods replaced and it looks great. Of course, looks doesn't keep a vehicle on the road!
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