First reported in Japanese newspapers (and now on Reuters and PickupTrucks.com) it looks as if Toyota is voluntarily recalling nearly 3.8 million cars and trucks in order to fix and/or replace the accelerator pedals. If this is indeed the official “fix” (Toyota has yet to announce this formally), it’s a bit disappointing.

Since many Toyota vehicles have electronic throttle controls, a software upgrade to the engine management system would cure this issue. A software upgrade that prevents a vehicle from operating at full throttle whenever the brake is depressed would almost completely eliminate the possibility that a vehicle could careen out of control because of a stuck throttle. Chrysler and Mercedes-Benz vehicles with electronic throttles already have this feature – it’s called a “brake to idle failsafe” – but Toyota, Lexus, and Scion vehicles do not.

Toyota's gas pedal "fix" isn't the best solution for preventing run-away throttles.

New gas pedals are probably a cheaper “solution” to this problem, but they’re not the best way to solve the problem.

As you probably know, this all started when Toyota issued a voluntary floor mat recall in late September, 2009 asking owners to remove their driver’s side floor mats pending a more permanent fix. This voluntary recall was in response to a tragic accident involving an out-of-control Lexus that killed four people.

The Lexus that crashed was a loaner car provided by a California Lexus dealership. After a comprehensive investigation, NHTSA concluded that this accident was caused by an over-sized floor mat that interfered with the gas pedal. The floor mat (which was the actual cause of the problem) was not designed for the Lexus it was installed in, nor was it secured. While this accident was tragic, it was NOT a result of a design flaw. It was simply the wrong floor mat.

Nonetheless, NHTSA and/or Toyota have decided to make some sort of change to the design of the gas pedal. Perhaps there is evidence of a more severe problem, or perhaps Toyota feels this is the best way to resolve this issue with the public. While there’s no reason NOT to change the gas pedal design (it’s probably reduces the possibility of a stuck pedal), changing the engine computer software seems like a much better fix. After all, the notorious Lexus loaner car accident wasn’t caused by a poor gas pedal design. There were a number of factors at work:

1. The driver’s floor mats (one on top of another) were too large. It’s certainly possible a smaller pedal would have helped, but the news reported there were TWO floor mats installed, one of which was a big rubber all-weather mat designed for an SUV. Pedal size might not have mattered at all in this particular case.
2. The driver was unfamiliar with the vehicle he was driving (he didn’t know how to shut it off, nor how to put the vehicle in neutral).
3. The driver was in a state of panic.

In all likelihood, none of these problems could have been prevented by a smaller gas pedal. However, ALL of these problems could have been prevented by a software fix that prevented the engine computer from allowing simultaneous brake and throttle inputs. There aren’t any normal driving scenarios where a vehicle’s electronically-controlled throttle should stay open while the brakes are being depressed (that’s a racing-only situation).

In Toyota’s defense, this was a freak accident that could have been prevented any number of ways. If the driver had been more familiar with the car he would have known how to shift into neutral and/or kill the engine. Had the dealership been more careful about the floor mats they used, the pedal might not ever have gotten stuck in the first place. Toyota really shouldn’t have to do anything here…but the negative publicity from this incident has led Toyota to take action.

However, if Toyota is really wants to fix this problem, why not update the engine computers? Toyota is famous for quality, yet this is a half-ass fix.

What do you think – is Toyota doing too much here or not enough?

Read user reviews of Tundra Accessories.

NHTSA has officially announced a 2000-2001 Tundra frame rust investigation. According to multiple news sources, Toyota has begun to quietly replace frames and/or buy-out Tundra owners. Whether this is Toyota deciding to act in good faith or an attempt to avoid an embarrassing safety recall is hard to say, but the good news is that 2000-2001 Tundra owners with rusted frames are finally going to get consideration from Toyota.

Rusted frame on a 1st generation Tundra

PickupTrucks.com has a great story about this investigation with some info about Tundra frame replacements, as well as some communication from Toyota that indicates the root cause of the frame rust issue:

According to Lyons, 1995-2004 Tacoma pickups and 2000-01 Tundras shared the same frame supplier: Toledo, Ohio-based Dana Holding Corporation. In investigating the Tacoma’s rust complaints, Toyota discovered that Dana hadn’t properly prepped Tacoma frames to resist corrosion before they were shipped to Toyota’s NUMMI manufacturing plant, where the Tacoma was assembled

This information is consistent with Toyota’s previous statement on the matter when WCVB in Boston first broke this story. However, this isn’t consistent with owner reports of frame rust on 2002 and 2003 Tundras. If you’re a first generation Tundra owner with a rusted frame, you are strongly advised to visit your Toyota dealer. Now is the time to have your frame rust problem documented. If your local Toyota dealer does not respond quickly, by all means contact NHTSA. This is the only way to get Toyota to act.

The actual text of the NHTSA investigation announcement:

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION HAS RECEIVED 20 REPORTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES THAT RELATE TO SPARE TIRE SEPARATION AND BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURES AS A RESULT OF SEVERE FRAME CORROSION. THERE HAVE BEEN 15 REPORTS ALLEGING THE UNDER BODY MOUNTED SPARE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE REAR CROSSMEMBER AND FIVE REPORTS ALLEGING BROKEN BRAKE LINES AT THE PROPORTIONING VALVE LOCATED ON THE DRIVER’S SIDE OF THE REAR CROSSMEMBER AT THE UPPER SHOCK MOUNT.

If NHTSA officially determines the frame rust is a safety issue they can force Toyota to repair the defect in all vehicles – meaning every 2000 and 2001 Tundra will need either a replacement frame or some sort of undercoating. Often times, in order to avoid a recall, a manufacturer can work with NHTSA to find a solution that solves the problem without issuing a recall. This is similar to the way Toyota handled the frame rust issue on 1995-2000 Tacomas (Toyota extended the warranty on these trucks). Extending the warranty forced Toyota to replace or buy-back the bad trucks without having to issue a recall, and we would expect a similar move IF NHTSA determines Toyota needs to take action.

However, in order to avoid the whole situation, it sounds like Toyota is taking action now. Here’s a list of rumored actions Toyota has taken to make this right with 1st gen Tundra owners:

• Frame replacement. It might sound crazy, but Toyota is replacing entire frames piece-by-piece for some first generation Tundra owners. This is an expensive option for Toyota, but it satisfies any government requirements.
• Cash payment buy-backs. Buying back the trucks with the rusted frames (and subsequently junking them) is a cheap way for Toyota to fix this problem…but some owners expect more than fair value. If you find yourself in this situation, expect Toyota to offer you retail replacement value according to the NADA or KBB used vehicle pricing guides. If you try and hold Toyota up for a lot of money, they’ll simply replace your frame (and you’ll get nothing).
• Purchase credit towards a new Toyota. Toyota has also offered credits towards new vehicles, with the rumor being the credit was $10k. $10k almost buys a new Yaris or Corolla, and it’s a fine down payment on a new Tundra.

If you have any first-hand experience, or if you know of anyone who’s been offered a new frame, a cash payment, or a credit towards a new Toyota, please comment below.

Read user reviews of Tundra Accessories.

Toyota has announced that they intend to recall 3.8 million driver’s side floor mats just as soon as they come up with a replacement for the existing mats. In the meantime, owners of the affected vehicles are advised to remove their driver’s side mats. The reason? The accelerator can get stuck under the mat and the driver may not be able to slow the vehicle, potentially resulting in an accident.

This recall announcement is due in large part to a tragic accident that happened last month. There’s a very accurate news story about the accident that’s worth a look (see the YouTube clip after the break).

This was aired on Good Morning America on September 16th, 2009

Click here to view the embedded video.

The clip has a factual error – at 1:02, the reporter says that the “issue is mats that aren’t anchored down.” She then shows one floor mat on top of another. While she is correct- this can be an unsafe condition – two driver’s side floor mats is not a standard factory configuration.

First of all, all driver’s side factory floor mats (from all manufacturers) have a basic fastening system. There’s a metal eyelet at the back of the mat (the side closest to the driver). There’s a hook embedded in the carpet that attaches itself to the eyelet. As long as the eyelet is attached to the hook, the mat can’t slide out of position…unless the carpet fails or the mat somehow detaches from the hook.

The more common issue is that some people put an aftermarket mat on top of the factory carpeted mat. Floor mats are a popular after-market option for a lot of obvious reasons, but they’re not supposed to be placed on top of the factory mat. Cheap after-market rubber floor mats can slide right over the accelerator, and that can lead to obvious problems.

The Lexus push button starter

Another issue at play here is the increasing popularity of push-button starters. Unlike good old-fashioned “keys” that can be yanked out of the ignition when the engine races, a lot of drivers don’t know how to shut off their push-button engines.

Finally, there’s the fact that the hook and loop system is pretty cheap. It’s supposed to work, but obviously it doesn’t sometimes. Like the news report says, this is an issue the affects all vehicles. Having said that, it’s a pretty basic system. If we can’t rely upon a hook and loop…we’re in trouble.

Here’s what you can do if your accelerator gets stuck:

• Don’t panic
• Without losing control, lift your feet up, reach down, and grab the mat
• Put your vehicle in neutral
• Shut off the ignition (pull out the keys or hold down the ’start’ button for three seconds)
• Stomp on the brakes with a firm, steady push (don’t pump)
• Stay calm and don’t panic

It will be interesting to see what Toyota comes up with for the recall. In the meantime, be safe – this can happen to any vehicle. Here are the vehicles affected:

• 2007 – 2010 Camry
• 2005 – 2010 Avalon
• 2004 – 2009 Prius
• 2005 – 2010 Tacoma
• 2007 – 2010 Tundra

Read the official Toyota press release.

Read user reviews of Tundra Accessories.

Here’s a new one:

TOYOTA IS RECALLING 1,348 MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 PASSENGER CARS BUILT FROM JUNE 2, 2008 TO MAY 4, 2009. THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110

Not safety standard 110? What the &$#* were those $!%-#*&%^ing #$@!*-$*&ing ba$tards at Toyota thinking!! They could have killed us all!

Oh – nevermind. Just some dumb label. Do I need to come in for that one, or can you just send me the label in the mail and I’ll stick it on myself?

The 2009-2010 Tundra (along with Highlander, Rav4, XB, TC, Sienna, Taco, and Yaris) is effected by this recall. If you get a letter in the mail, send us a note and we’ll publish it here on the site.

I’m reminded of an old Beavis and Butthead sketch where the checkout girl tells Butthead “You’re going to have to put something back” and Butthead, in all his wisdom, stares at the girl for about 30 seconds and then says “Uhhhh. OK.”

Exactly.

Read user reviews of Tundra Accessories.

Investigative reporting by Boston’s WCVB (channel 5) seems to have uncovered evidence that 2000 and 2001 Tundras may be susceptible to the same type of frame rust that plagues same model year Tacomas. They’ve uncovered more than 2 dozen NHTSA complaints against Toyota from 00′ and 01′ Tundra owners.

Toyota statement indicates 2000 and 2001 Tundra has frame rust issue.

UPDATE (10/7/09) – NHTSA has begun investigating Tundra frame rust issues.

Perhaps most importantly a statement from Toyota seems to admit some level of culpability:

It is important to understand that “manufacturing defect” is a generic term that globally defines an issue’s root cause, whether it is design, assembly, process, or manufacturing….Toyota’s Customer First approach dictates that using the information obtained from the Tacoma, we pro-actively investigate other vehicles of similar design and production elements. In doing so, our investigations have indicated that there are a small number of complaints for a similar condition on 2000 and 2001 Tundras. We are currently investigating each incident.

Translation: The 00′ and 01′ Tacoma and same model year Tundra shared many of the same design and production elements. According to the statement above, Toyota seems to have anticipated the fact that 2000 and 2001 Tundras could have the same frame rust issues as 00′ and 01′ Taco’s. The above statement (taken from WCVB’s website) also seems to indicate that Toyota is laying the groundwork for a warranty enhancement for the Tundra.

Our Prediction: In all likelihood, some 2000 and 2001 Tundras and 2001 Sequoias suffer from frame rust issues similar to the well-documented frame rust issues of the 2000 and 2001 Tacoma. Toyota’s statement seems to admit as much. Still, until Toyota or NHTSA make an official announcement, this is only speculation.

It must be pointed out that this issue is limited to certain areas of the USA and Canada where salt is used as the predominant ice melting material. If you live in a dry climate, it’s likely you have absolutely nothing to worry about.

Recommendation: If you own a 2000 or 2001 Tundra or 2001 Sequoia, and you live in the northeastern portion of the USA or anywhere in Canada, and/or if your local government uses salt to melt road ice, you’re advised to make an appointment at your local Toyota dealer for a frame inspection. Your local dealership may or may not be aware of this issue yet (it’s still very new), but it’s important to get your vehicle checked out immediately.

Not only is there a potential safety issue, but it’s also the best way to make certain that Toyota is made aware of the full scope of this problem (if it is indeed a problem). It’s also important to have the dealership provide you with documentation that the frame inspection occurred and the paperwork must contain notes abut the condition of the frame. If your 00′ or 01′ Tundra or 01′ Sequoia have this issue (and the vast majority will NOT have this problem), the sooner you can get it documented the better.

The Good News: Toyota stepped up and took responsibility on the Tacoma, going so far as to offer to buy back the trucks for full retail value. If there is indeed an issue, we’re confident Toyota will do the right thing.

This looks like the beginnings of a big story – we’ll keep you posted.

Read user reviews of Tundra Accessories.

On August 30th, 2007, we wrote a post about “Bed Bounce,” a problem that we heard a lot of new Toyota owners complaining about at the time. We laid out a reasoned analysis of the problem and the likely causes, and many people who read the post seemed genuinely concerned and/or effected by the problem. At that time, we weren’t completely certain about the actual size and scope of the bed bounce problem, so we decided to send an email to Toyota. After a lukewarm response, we realized that we needed some hard data if we were going to have any hope of getting a sense of the size and scope of this problem.

We pulled together a quick Bed Bounce survey (now closed) that asked Tundra owners to tell us what model of Tundra they had, the severity of their bed bounce problem, etc. We asked for a VIN number as a form of verification because we reasoned that we could dismiss fake survey results if the VIN numbers didn’t match up. Our initial survey results led us to conclude the following:

1. The overwhelming majority of people who complained about Bed Bounce had never bothered to call and/or email their complaints to Toyota.
2. We tossed out 15% of the survey results because those participants couldn’t supply a valid VIN number to match their vehicle description. 1 in 6 responses were fake.

After the survey, the storm surrounding bed bounce continued to grow. Over the next year we offered a reader submitted bed bounce cure, encouraged sufferers to email Toyota, published more information, and we maintained contact with some Tundra owners who were trying to get Toyota to buy back their Tundras because of this problem.

In December 2008, one of our readers Jeff sent us some data that indicated changing the Tundra’s shocks would have an impact on bed bounce. While that post got some response, it definitely seems like the bed bounce problem has died down.

Today, about a year and a half later, we’re not seeing nearly as many emails about bed bounce. Could it be that this problem was blown out of proportion by the internet community? Here’s what we’ve come to believe about bed bounce and the bed bounce problem:

1) It’s real, but it’s rare. Most people who have the problem drive on concrete highways at 55mph +, and Southern California seems to be the epicenter.

2) Weight in the bed – either from sand, a water bag, or something custom made like the Willy Bar – reduces bed bounce significantly. The Tundra is a heavy duty half ton, and it was made to haul stuff. Driving it around empty doesn’t always result in a good ride, especially on bad and/or bumpy roads.

3) Tundra haters were very busy trying to tear down our truck. Our survey results showed that almost 1 in 6 survey respondents were fake. Considering that our VIN validation method was hardly fool-proof, it’s entirely possible that fake surveys were counted in the real results. Call us paranoid, but it seems likely that many of the comments like “my Tundra’s bed bounce is awful” were fake as well.

4) Consumers are aware of this issue and some of them are staying away from the Tundra. A quick internet search of “Toyota Tundra problems” will inevitably lead to a discussion about bed bounce. If potential consumers followed our advice and thoroughly test drove the Tundra before buying, they might have chosen not to buy the Tundra.

5) Toyota has quietly made some headway on this problem. Toyota never acknowledged this issue in the first place, so they certainly aren’t going to talk about how they “fixed” the bad ride. Still, the number of bed bounce complaints about 2008+ Tundras that we’ve received pales in comparison to the number of complaints we got on the 2007.

So there you have it. We’ve been at or near the forefront of documenting this problem for a while now, and it seems like this issue is better than it’s ever been. It’s occured to us before that this entire problem might have been overblown, and the relative quiet now would seem to reinforce that. Do you agree – was the Tundra bed bounce problem overstated?

Read user reviews of Tundra Accessories.

Many 2007 and up Toyota Tundra owners have experienced something we like to call “bed bounce.” Our best post on the subject explains the Toyota Tundra bed bounce problem quite well, and you can read about a couple of suggested fixes for bed bounce – “possible bed bounce cure” and the “Willybar Bed Bounce treatment“.

Still, the fact is that neither of the above fixes is ideal or 100% effective. The truck shouldn’t have this issue in the first place. We’re disappointed that Toyota hasn’t fixed this issue to date, but perhaps the trouble is the fix isn’t that easy. In the interests of generating a bed bounce fix, and helping Tundra owners nationwide get Toyota’s attention on this issue, we’ve been talking about this problem for a while now.

One of our readers, Jeff, works for a company specializing in measuring and analyzing frequency data. In a previous career, Jeff worked as an engineer with a Nascar team. Between all of his knowledge and experience, Jeff (a Tundra owner who has experienced bed bounce first hand) decided to measure the difference in suspension response between his old 2003 Tundra and his new 2008. Here are some graphs of the results and some conclusions:

Here’s a summary graph of the frequency amplitude for all of the tests Jeff conducted on his 2003 Tundra. The 2003, which does not experience bed bounce, has a peak amplitude of about 3 hz.

Here’s the same summary of bed vibration frequency amplitude data for the 2008 Tundra. Note that the peak frequency for the 2008 is 8 hz. While the 2003 Tundra exhibits a significant amplitude at 8 hz, it’s much less pronounced. Both trucks have a strong amplitude at 3 hz, so we can assume that’s not the cause of the bed bounce problem.

Here’s the two data sets overlapped (not an exact overlap – just for graphical effect):

The 2008 Tundra data (yellow) shows a clear increase in amplitude at 8hz over the 2003 Tundra (blue).

What does this data mean? We’re not 100% sure, but we think it’s safe to draw the following conclusions:

• Clearly, the suspension of the 2007-and-up Tundra has an issue with dampening 8 hz frequencies. This could be the cause of the bed bounce problem.
• According to Jeff, dampening the spare tire had a limited impact on the test results. In other words, turning your spare tire into a damper works to reduce bed bounce, but not that well.
• If the 8 hz amplitude is indeed the cause of bed bounce, this is a problem that can be mitigated by the truck’s shock absorbers. Jeff’s Nascar experience was specifically related to reducing low frequency vibrations by changing shock valving, rebound rates, etc. Considering that many Tundra owners have stated that a new set of shocks has helped with the bed bounce problem, this observation makes sense.

Bottom line: Toyota – fix this problem already. The data indicates that a change in the shock absorbers could fix or at least mitigate the Tundra’s bed bounce problem. New shocks are a relatively in-expensive fix for a problem that effects a small portion of Tundra owners. It wouldn’t even need to be a recall – Toyota could just offer a different set of rear shocks to any Tundra owner that complained. Obviously, new shocks might effect ride or handling, but obviously many Tundra owners would trade a little bit in either of those departments for a reduction in bed bounce. What’s the hold up?

Special thanks and shout-out to Jeff for preparing this data and sending it to us – great work man. Thank you.

Read user reviews of Tundra Accessories.

As we’ve mentioned before, some Tundra owners have trouble with “bed bounce.” While it’s a problem that effects only a small percentage of Tundra owners, it’s a big deal for the people it does effect. To be clear, bed bounce is NOT bed flex that you can see out your rear-view mirror as you’re driving down the road. Bed flex is normal – every truck bed “floats” separate of the cab by design. True bed bounce is not just seen but actually felt. SO, if you aren’t feeling it, then you don’t have a problem.

This video from Willybar demonstrates their product pretty nicely, but it also demonstrates real bed bounce quite well.

We haven’t reviewed the product, but this video makes a compelling case for checking it out. Here’s a link to Willybar’s website.

Read user reviews of Tundra Accessories.

Rick, one of the admins of FriendSite.com (a pretty cool social network, btw) created a paint quality petition. Here’s what it says:

Many people on numerous Toyota Tundra discussion forums have complained about the 2007 and 2008 Toyota Tundra paint quality.

They put forward to Toyota that the failure to apply sufficient layers of paint, coupled with the lack of a clear protective coat on a truck does not provide the quality of product that Toyota usually provides, nor the quality of product we were expecting to purchase. We petition Toyota to look into the matter and to respond to each of the respondants in the petition with a resolution. Once this petition reaches a sufficient amount, I will present this to Toyota for their review and go from there!

Toyota has been known for top quality paint for decades, so Tundra paint problems are out of character for sure. Still, not a month goes by when a Tundra owner doesn’t tell us about a patch of orange peel or a paint irregularity – some sort of “paint problem.”

Now when we say “paint problem,” we’re not talking about paint that scratches “too easily” or paint that is “too thin.” Ask any professional detailer and they’ll tell you that Toyota’s paint is thicker and easier to buff scratches out of than any domestic truck. If you think your paint is scratching too easily or that it’s too thin, you’re doing something wrong. When properly taken care of even the cheapest paint job will look good for years. Just drive down the road and you can see that for yourself.

“Paint problems” are defined as bubbles, orange peel, contaminants in the paint, discolorations or poor color matches, and plastic painted parts not matching the rest of the vehicle.

Scratches are tough to characterize as a paint problem. First of all, most people don’t understand that touching a clean car with an oily finger can cause a scratch in any paint job. Human skin has a knack for picking up little bits of dust and dirt, and while it seems difficult to fathom, it can (and does) scratch paint. Automotive paint is usually just a few microns thick – any thicker and it would cost more, weigh more, and lack the reflective properties we’ve all come to appreciate.

Cotton towels (like the ones in your bathroom), automatic car washes with brushes, and even slightly dirty terry-cloth towels or chamois will all scratch your paint job. Same goes for the snow brushes and gloves you use in the winter time to clear off your vehicle.

In other words, just about anything can scratch your truck.

However, if you wax your paint job regularly, your chances of damaging your finish are dramatically reduced. One good solid coat of wax every 3-6 months (depending on how often you wash your truck) is good enough to prevent most incidental scratches. Anyways…

Unfortunately, we’ve never documented much in the way of paint problems. An occasional photo here, some complaints their. Paint, like a lot of aspects of building a new car, is complicated. A lot can go wrong. Out of 300k new trucks, it stands to reason that some percentage has had paint problems. There are certainly stories of paint with bubbles, paint peeling, etc., but never in any large enough volumes to warrant investigation.

Our friends at Toyota dealerships say the same – none of them have seen a Tundra with a paint problem (or even a complaint). Our sampling is not very scientific, but it’s been a good indicator in the past.

In other words, we’ve never seen anything to indicate the problem with Tundra paint is widespread. It’s more likely a handful of unlucky trucks. To those people who have been unlucky enough to buy one of those trucks, you have our sympathy.

Read user reviews of Tundra Accessories.

Fred purchased a new 2007 Tundra from Manhattan Beach Toyota in Manhattan Beach California in February of 2007 – here’s his bed bounce story:

“By May or June I had taken my 1st freeway drive to Palm Spring, California and I was very concerned about this bouncing problem I experienced, so I contacted Toyota. They gave me a case number, said they were aware of the situation, and that they were working on a fix.

By September 2007 I had enough of waiting for Toyota, so I went to Manhattan Beach Toyota and spoke with the owner regarding this concern. Again, I got the same answer that Toyota had given me. I then asked about the dealership buying back my truck. Since I paid $27,000 out the door a few months ago, I figured I could get most of my money back. They told me that Toyota’s have high resale value when I bought the truck, so imagine my surprise when their offer for a 6-month-old truck was only $16,000!

I declined.

I then filed complaints with the State of California DMV, Department of Transportation, Department of Consumer Affairs, a Lemon Law Lawyer, and, after all of this work on my part, the official Toyota arbitration process was started.

Before the arbitration process was supposed to begin, I got a phone call from the Manhattan Beach Toyota service manager. He said ‘Man you have caused such a stir that Toyota wants to take your truck and video tape it on a test drive..they want to fix this problem ASAP and your vehicle is the one they want to use to document the issue and come up with a solution to correct the engineering problem.‘

My experience with Manhattan Beach Toyota was terrible – I caught them in a lie about driving and video taping my truck. They claimed that the truck was tested and video taped by a Toyota engineer, but that was all a lie. My truck didn’t move from the spot I parked it in – I spent most of the day watching my truck sit in it’s parking spot from just across the street. I followed the engineer when he tested the truck, but he never went on the highway and there was no camera.

Fast forward to the arbitration hearing in November. I present my case – all written correspondence, numerous complaints from the comments on TundraHeadquarters.com, as well as videos from this web site and others.

After I presented my case the arbitrator asked the Toyota rep ‘Do you have any response to his complaints?‘ She stated ‘No sir.‘ He then asked ‘Do you agree with the statements made by the owner of the vehicle?‘ The Toyota rep said that she did. The Arbitrator then asked ‘Can you fix his truck?‘, she stated “No sir, it is an engineering issue and Toyota has no fix as of yet.

The Arbitrator then asked ‘What about giving him a new vehicle?‘, and the Toyota representative stated that ‘All the Tundra models have the same problem and experience the same issues.‘

10 days later I got the decision from the Arbitration Board…DENIED… the finding are as follows:

“The position of the manufacturer [Toyota] representative is that the bouncing experienced at high speeds is somewhat unique to California freeways (concrete material). It occurs in all Tundras and is a function of the suspension/shocks…the vehicle is operating normally.”

So I sold my Tundra with 6,700 miles on it and bought a new 2008 Chevrolet Silverado Crew Cab 1/2 ton. It’s the first new Chevrolet truck that I have ever purchased and it is amazing. I get about 17 miles to the gallon, and there’s no bed bounce on the same roads that my Tundra couldn’t handle. I’m very pleased with this truck and would recommend it to any Toyota Tundra owner.

Toyota may have a stronger truck, but if you can’t ride in it with your family without having your guts getting tied in knots, what’s the point?

Read user reviews of Tundra Accessories.