A Toyota Tundra engine recall lawsuit has been filed alleging the recall doesn’t go far enough to address all the issues.
Toyota Tundra engine recall lawsuit
The Toyota Tundra engine recall covers the truck’s 2022-2023 gasoline-only 3.4-liter V-6 engines and includes the Lexus LX SUV. Hybrid models are unaffected, according to Toyota.
Plaintiffs Tom Daley, Marty Holstien and Terrance Regan filed the lawsuit on December 2 in a Vermont federal court. They claim the defect violates state and federal consumer protection laws.
According to the lawsuit details, some Toyota Tundras with V35A engines reportedly trap debris within the engine, leading to issues such as “throttle lag,” “jolting” or “lurching.” These incidents occur when pressing the gas pedal does not produce an immediate response, sometimes followed by a sudden acceleration. The plaintiffs argue these conditions create safety risks, including potential rear-end collisions and unexpected surges at intersections. Additionally, some vehicles have reportedly experienced complete engine failure, leaving drivers stranded.
The lawsuit claims the defect not only poses safety concerns but also causes financial harm, including repair expenses and reduced vehicle value.
Concerns about recall scope
In May 2024, Toyota issued a recall for certain 2022 and 2023 Tundras, acknowledging the risk of engine stalling that could lead to crashes. However, the lawsuit criticizes the recall as inadequate, alleging it excludes 2024 Tundra models and hybrids that reportedly experience similar problems. There is also a report of a 2025 Tundra with an engine failure.
The plaintiffs argue Toyota’s explanation for excluding hybrids, which cites their powertrain’s backup capabilities, is insufficient.
Toyota has informed affected owners that it will replace all gasoline-only engines in the coming months with new complete engines. The lawsuit contends that this leaves owners and lessees of 2022-2024 Tundra and Tundra hybrid models driving vehicles with unresolved safety concerns.
Legal actions and claims
The plaintiffs seek to represent current and former owners and lessees of the affected models. They are pursuing damages for violations of warranty laws, consumer fraud, and other state consumer protection statutes. The lawsuit requests class action certification, monetary damages, legal fees and a jury trial.
13 comments
Tim
Here is my story,
I bought a tundra platinum new in October 2022. Broke the engine in properly and changed the oil earlier than toyota recommended. I drove this truck 24,500 miles with some light towing. The recall buzz started and I returned to the dealership and told them this truck is not safe to drive for me and my family. They gave me a loaner and stated this would be a long process. The complete new engine was installed last week eight months after taking it in for the recall. I’m hoping this new engine is the last one I will need but honestly have second thoughts about keeping the truck. This was my first toyota vehicle. Not a very good customer experience.I was expecting much more for 70,000.
Tim
Here is my story,
I bought a tundra platinum new in October 2022. Broke the engine in properly and changed the oil earlier than toyota recommended. I drove this truck 24,500 miles with some light towing. The recall buzz started and I returned to the dealership and told them this truck is not safe to drive for me and my family. They gave me a loaner and stated this would be a long process. The complete new engine was installed last week eight months after taking it in for the recall. I’m hoping this new engine is the last one I will need but honestly have second thoughts about keeping the truck. This was my first toyota vehicle. Not a very good customer experience.
Michelle
I have a 2022 Tundra 1794 Edition, paid off in 18 months. I received my letter in July stating a total engine replacement was needed and a remedy was being worked on. It is now January and still not a word from Toyota. Toyota has all of my money to purchase it, and now I have a truck that has been severely devalued because of this engine recall. I am very nervous to drive it as I heard significant grinding in the engine in December, but only that one time (61,000 miles). I was at the dealership yesterday (Jan 6) to see if I can get some help/answers with this and WHEN is this engine going to be replaced? There are no answers. I was told if I left my truck with the dealership, they would try to “duplicate” the grinding sound. If they could, they would order the engine and put me on the schedule for replacement, but they had no idea when that would happen. That was INFURIATING because all they offered was to put me on a list that I’m already on! And the grinding is random! You can’t duplicate random. In the meantime, I cannot sell the truck due to no one wanting a vehicle with such a safety risk,, and the worst part, I can’t even trade the truck in at a Toyota dealership. Even the Toyota dealerships see these vehicles as significantly devalued and don’t want to take on the risk of owning them. This Tundra is my primary vehicle – too nervous to drive it, too expensive to just leave it parked. What are we supposed to do? My truck was 2 years old when I received my letter from Toyota. Now it is 3 years old and significantly devalued because of all of the waiting. Will it be 4 years old when the engine is replaced? What is our recourse here? So frustrating, and expensive.
Keith. Duby
I have a 2024 Tundra I-Max 1795 Edition – BLOWN ENGINE W/32k miles
How can I join?
Tim Esterdahl
You are already included if this gets certified as a class-action lawsuit.
zac Ramsey
I have a 2023 Tundra Platinum and im on the Recall list for a new Motor. how can i join the Lawsuit?
Michael McCord
How do I find out if I will be affected. Iv3 had my 2024 Tundra about 5 months with now a little over 4000 miles on it. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
John
I was looking to upgrade my 2010 Toyota tundra for a new 2024 Tundra back in June of this year. We recently got back into RV traveling and the new travel trailer was quite a bit heavier than the last one I owned so I didn’t want to overwork a 14-year-old truck with 108,000 miles on it. I just couldn’t pull the trigger on a V6 twin turbo engine for heavy duty towing!!! I’ve been a Toyota fan for 30 years but ended up moving to a 3/4 ton pickup with a big V8 engine, My choice was a Chevy Silverado 2500.
I still on my 2010 Toyota letting it go into semi-retirement just too good of a truck to give up.
Toyota better get their head out of their “you know what” and start offering more engine choices for the people that bite these trucks for heavy truck work.
John
L. Troy
I own a older tundra and was thinking about a new one a 2024 or a 2025. Have a good down payment, but for the price their asking is way overboard. Especially now with the recall,. The resale price is low. I want want a tundra with all the bells and whistles, TRD, moon sun roof and extended cab. Any suggestions? Thank you.
Krystle wheeler
I gave up my toyota tundra for a different vehicle. After paying over $15000 plus for it. I put down $12000 on my lease. I was gonna do a buyout at the end until I found out about this recall . I got told at most places they wouldn’t take my truck and I got told it wasn’t worth selling it. It depreciated the value of my truck and I didn’t feel it was right. Did I buy it at the forty two thousand they valued it at making it worth nothing. They should give my 12,000 dollars back I put down on my lease because the recall is the reason I didn’t want to do a buyout.
Anthony
I have a 2023 Hybrid Tundra 1794. Is it a ticking time bomb? How does Toyota know it’s 100% a good engine? Right now it is running and performing perfectly. Hopefully it will stay that way. However because of the recalls, the Tundra has fallen of a cliff for resale value. It’s worth $20,000+ under original factory sticker. The class action suit should include the depreciation these Tundras have taken. What do you think, Tundra owner’s?
Tony
Jeremy
I’m very disappointed in the Toyota Tundra engine recall. I wish they would just take my truck back and give me my 5000 down payment back.
Anonymous
A perfectly fine running vehicle is untouchable as a Dealer trade in.. Hopefully the lawsuit addresses the diminished value