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Toyota Tacoma Engine Problems

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Toyota Tacoma • Consumer complaints • Transmission failure • Safety interlock failure • Spontaneous starting • Misc. failings --- News • NHTSA Ends Toyota Tacoma Investigation • Toyota Resists Possible Tacoma Recall

John of Sonoma CA (4/1/04):
I have a 2000 Toyota Tacoma, 4 cyl. At 28k miles the engine became noisy. I thought it was valves. I took it to dealer where I had purchased it. The Toyota service dept. replaced pistons, wrist pins, rods, bearings and reinstalled the existing piston rings. They measured the clearences of rod bearings, exhaust and intake valves, all checked OK.

At 35k miles the engine noise returned. Took back to the dealer and was told by service dept. rep. that Toyota had made a batch of bad engines and would not do any more repairs, as the engine would perform properly but would be noisy due to clearences of engine parts. I had a major tune up at this time. At 37k miles had engine, manual transmissiom and exhuast noise. Dealer took test drive and said it sounded normal. Had no repairs. At 59.9k miles I had major tune up. Service Dept. forgot to top off brake fluid.

At 82.4k miles check engine light came on. Due to the statement at the made to me at 35k miles I took truck to an independent service mechanic. Had engine diagnostic which indicated random misfire, changed plugs and engine light turned off. At 82.7k miles check engine light on. Returned to same service as above. Had diagnostic and was advised engine needed valve repair as exhaust vales were too tight, cost would be $3,965.

At 82.9k miles I went to another independent service. Had diagnostic and was told #3 fuel injector not working. Had it replaced. I asked two Toyota dealers and was told that they had replaced only 6 injectors on any model and all were well over 100k miles. At 83.2k miles returned to original purchase dealer. Had diagnostic and was told it needed valve repair and a new cylinder head which will cost $3,928. The total expense on this truck since I purchesed it including my personal servicing will be more than the purchase price of it. My main complaint is the lack of support by Toyota in that they said there were no recalls on this engine and because it was rebuilt 55k miles ago their 60k mile warranty has no bearing and they deny any resonsibility for this engine.

Sam of Byron CA (2/21/04):
On 12/12/02 I brought my Toyota Tacoma to Antioch toyota for the 60k tune up. When it was completed I received an invoice that listed the specific services conducted including the term "engine tune-up." It did not list specifically "valve inspection." I was told those services comprised the 60k tune-up.

At 81,000 miles I brought my truck to Tracy Toyota for a check engine light. I was told that all of the exhaust valves and at least one intake valve were burnt resulting in a $3400.00 estimate. I was told that the problem would more than likely have been avoided if I had had the 60k tune up done, which is supposed to include a valve inspection. I asked Antioch Toyota about the valve inspection and was told that Tacomas do not need a valve inspection/adjustment because they are self adjusting. I found this to be untrue. I asked the service manager why the valve inspection was excluded from the 60k tune up. He told me that I had never actually had a 60k tune up but rather a series of random services performed on the truck.

I assumed a 60k tune up was done because I was at a Toyota dealership, requested the required 60k tune up, was told it was completed, and given a list of services which apparantley comprised the 60k tune up (one of those services being the vague "engine tune up"). The service manager told me that because the term "60,000 mile tune up" was not written on the invoice then I must have just requested a bunch of random services. I still can't explain what some of those services are as I am not mechanically inclined. The service manager told me that it was just too bad and it wasn't his problem.

Damage Resulting: I have $3,400.00 worth of damage to my trucks engine.

Andrew of Eagle River AK (11/8/02):
In Feb. 2002 the check engine light in my 2000 Toyota Tacoma came on. I took it into the Toyota dealer where I bought it. They checked it out and said that I needed to change the spark plugs. Which I did, however the check engine light remained on. I called NYE Toyota's service center and the rep. that I talked to said to disconnect the batteries for a little while and this would reset the computer, it didn't. When they checked it the first time they said that all parts showed normal wear and that they recommened a 60,000 service and a motor vac. All of this work is not covered under waranty.

On Oct.31,2002 I took my truck back to NYE and explained to them that my check engine light was still on and my truck has a drastic power loss. They checked it agian on the computer and said that my valves are burnt and have to be replaced and that this is also not covered under waranty. The price for this repair is around $1,900.00-$2,100.00. I regulary maintain my truck myself with a log book to prove this.

I work as a remote site superintendent, this leaves my wife home with 6 kids. With my truck down this leaves us with 1 truck and my daughters car. I need a truck for work and my daughter needs hers for school. That leaves me without a vehicle most of the time

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