Consmer Reports Threads Merged

[FlatironsDreamer]

I wonder if the bed bounce issue contributed to the poor driveshaft rating. If I had filled out a survey, this would have been the one issue I would have severely dinged the Tundra for. But unfortunately, there's no way to know.

[blanksb]

Something does not make sense then. I bought my Tundra the first week in July and received and completed a Consumer Reports Survey. I am 100% positive it was the CR survey because I have been taking them for 3-4 years now. I have received numerous other surveys from the dealer, from toyota corp and from JD powers but I received the CR survey mid to late July.

[bgil]

guys, its time to stop being in denial. Some of the 6 speeds have transmission problems...Thats a fact. Read the currrent "rumble strip" thread. Its not wonder Consumer reports gave the new Tundra a hit.

Now, the guys who have a legitimate complaint are the 30% of us with the 4.7 5 speeds....no issues with our stuff but we get painted with the same brush.

I have to tell you that the 6 speed tranny complaints are very visible and remind me of the complaints on the diesel board about their 6.0 liter engine (now replaced)

Toyota needs to fix the problem.

[longwoodklon]

Originally Posted by Cliffy1

Look up one response in the FAQ:



Surveys are conducted in the spring and collected and organized in the late summer for publication in October. Let's face it... there were early issues with the truck that have long since been dealt with. Even with those problems, the "predicted reliability" doesn't match the data.

You proved my point exactly. I was simply pointing out that the previous poster said the data was collected between Feb. and Spring, when it was actually April thru late summer.

So to reiterate, it's not Feb.~Spring, which would be 3 months.
It's actually Spring~late summer, which would be 5-6 months.
/Mike

[Steffen10]

I don't think consumer reports likes trucks to begin with, I'm a subscriber and I read the auto reviews regularly - seems like they are biased toward small fuel efficient vehicles and the proverbial family sedans. They gave the 03 4-Runner V8 a low rating because people were complaining about a "rotten egg" smell (I had a V6). I think you need at least a full year to get enough data to make any kind of accurate judgement. I'm not a statistician, but I do know that small sample size (a limited number of trucks) can really bias an analysis (150 trucks with a problem out of 600 would be 25%, Toyota has sold over 100,000 vehicles, if 2/3 of those were 5.7L/6Speed I don't think they've had about 16,000-17,000 trucks with problems or this board would be in melt down) net - I think the Consumer Report stats are extremely biased.

[stevencrosbie]

Is that why they rated that 4-Runner bad? I remember those issues where the V8 got a golden rating but the V6 was considered terrible. It also was a new engine that year...

You'd think Consumer Reports would learn from that experience alone.

[FlatironsDreamer]

Originally Posted by Steffen10

I don't think consumer reports likes trucks to begin with, I'm a subscriber and I read the auto reviews regularly - seems like they are biased toward small fuel efficient vehicles and the proverbial family sedans. They gave the 03 4-Runner V8 a low rating because people were complaining about a "rotten egg" smell (I had a V6). I think you need at least a full year to get enough data to make any kind of accurate judgement. I'm not a statistician, but I do know that small sample size (a limited number of trucks) can really bias an analysis (150 trucks with a problem out of 600 would be 25%, Toyota has sold over 100,000 vehicles, if 2/3 of those were 5.7L/6Speed I don't think they've had about 16,000-17,000 trucks with problems or this board would be in melt down) net - I think the Consumer Report stats are extremely biased.

I agree CR's reviews tend to favor the smaller, fuel efficient cars. I would hope however, that this rating was based solely on their survey results. I don't think they are unethical.

Good point about the sample size -- we really can't comment unless we know what it is though. As for this site melting down if there were lots of problems, I think people need to realize very few owners frequent these sites. You're talking about a statistically insignificant number and so anything you see here is purely anecdotal.

[gobblerman]

I'm starting to think I just bought an edsel. Between the fragile dash, soft paint and have you guys seen what happens to the tailgate when you load a 4wheeler. I was so proud when I drove this great looking truck down the road now I feel like people are pointing and thinking what a POS. The T100 I have was not an exciting truck but it sure is a vehicle I can be proud of.

[FlatironsDreamer]

Originally Posted by gobblerman

I'm starting to think I just bought an edsel. Between the fragile dash, soft paint and have you guys seen what happens to the tailgate when you load a 4wheeler. I was so proud when I drove this great looking truck down the road now I feel like people are pointing and thinking what a POS. The T100 I have was not an exciting truck but it sure is a vehicle I can be proud of.

The issues you mention are minor, if they are common I don't know. I personally haven't experienced them. Consumer Reports would consider them less serious than engine, transmission, and drivetrain problems - they say so on their site.

Again, I definately think the bounce issue is a major problem and a safety issue. We'll probably never know what the precise reasons were for the rating.

[gobblerman]

The issues you mention are minor, if they are common I don't know.

I agree drivetrain is more of a concern. And I was willing to accept that my 5.7 sounding like a diesel was nothing to be concerned about but now I'm not so sure. While I agree the other concerns I mentioned were minor I think that tailgates spliting just from loading items with ramps is a big deal. Many of us have ATV's and planned to haul them in the back, like I have been in my T100 (great truck). I shouldn't have to buy a trailer because the truck gate and bed are so fragile. I mean come on is this a tough truck or a showpiece? I buy Toyotas because when I drive off the dealers lot I don't want to come back.

[Steffen10]

Originally Posted by FlatironsDreamer

I agree CR's reviews tend to favor the smaller, fuel efficient cars. I would hope however, that this rating was based solely on their survey results. I don't think they are unethical.

Good point about the sample size -- we really can't comment unless we know what it is though. As for this site melting down if there were lots of problems, I think people need to realize very few owners frequent these sites. You're talking about a statistically insignificant number and so anything you see here is purely anecdotal.

I do agree with you that CR wouldn't be unethical, but when human judgement comes into play there can be some bias - they don't review SUV's and Pickups as frequently as they do sedans. In thinking about this some more, the survey could have some bias since the majority of their subscribers are probably not pick up truck drivers thus there are fewer pick up truck drivers commenting relative to the overall number of pick up trucks on the road.

[douglaspruitt]

Consumer Reports has put the Tundra 4x4 in their "No longer recommended" category because of reliability problems with the four wheel drive. Has anyone had any problems? Was it easy to fix? Did Toyota do the right thing for you?

[NickBrewer]

You might want to do a search, the Consumer Reports article was discussed at length, but the thing that seemed odd about the CR article was no one here has reported any problems with the 4WD system.

The only "issue" I have had was for the first 500 miles or so it was slow about engaging but I would say that is only because everything was still very tight.

[Tundra Man 2007]

I have used mine many times on the beach without any problems.

Kirk

[TUNDRA786]

ive used my 4 hi a dozen or so times and ive put it in 4 low once but didnt really test test out in 4 lo.