He has another dead hybrid Tundra and is bringing it to the forum instead of a Toyota dealer because he has concerns

“My 23 Tundra Hybrid died again today. Last time it needed a hybrid inverter. Who knows what will happen this time? I was driving and got a “hybrid fault,” then a 12V charging fault and a parking brake fault and it seemed like everything was going well. Then when I slowed down it seemed to go into hybrid mode and died completely. Now I can’t start it. It’s hard not to complain about this truck,” wrote one Tundra owner on a Toyota Tundra Enthusiasts forum.

The title of his post was “Another Dead Tundra.” I think that might stick because lately we’re hearing more and more about engine failures on new Tundras, like this 2024 Tundra at 7,000 miles or this 2022 Tundra that has to go back to the dealer at 49,000 miles to get the third engine.

Someone posted on the forum asking why this man is venting his anger on the forum instead of taking his Tundra to the service center of the nearby Toyota dealer and asking them to look at his truck.

“Most people would take the truck to the shop and have it checked and (if possible) repaired. Work with the dealer. Social media allows us to sit at the keyboard and tell stories that are sometimes better kept to ourselves. If this issue affected many, then I understand the post. This whole 3rd Gen Toyota Tundra thread has turned into a ‘let me see what’s wrong today’. My radio in the truck is too loud, the engine smells funny today, and the backup camera looked a little blurry,” wrote another Tundra owner.

However, there are a few reasons why people vent their frustration about their car problems online instead of contacting the dealer directly:

• Frustration: As the Tundra owner mentioned, it can be very frustrating when a brand new truck has multiple breakdowns. Posting online can be a way to vent that frustration and get a sense of validation.
• Information gathering: Online forums can be a valuable resource for car owners. People can share their experiences, ask questions, and learn from each other. The Tundra owner may want to know if others have had similar problems and find out what might be causing them.
• Holding traders accountable: Sometimes posting online can be a way to put pressure on a dealer to take a problem seriously. If the owner feels the dealer isn’t doing enough to help, they may hope that by sharing their experience online they can make a difference and get their problem resolved more quickly.

There’s a point here, though. Not all online complaints are the same. Some, like the radio being too loud, are better addressed directly with the dealer. On the other hand, if someone has a major problem that significantly impacts their life, like the Tundra owner who can’t use his truck for weeks, it may be more understandable to vent online.

And the thing is, the original poster responded by saying he’s taking his truck to the dealer and explained why he posted on the forum anyway. It’s for the benefit of others.

“I’m taking it to the dealer, of course. It’s hard not to vent when your $65,000 truck has died twice a year and you have to have it towed on a flatbed. Especially when you buy a Toyota for its reliability. It should be embarrassing to an organization. I love my truck (when it works) and I don’t complain about the little things. But when your brand new truck dies multiple times a year and you have to wait hours for a Toyota tow, go without a vehicle for weeks, and fight to rent a Kia Forte, that’s a problem. Not having a truck for weeks will impact my life. I’m doing landscaping work on my house right now that’s on hold. My plans for a family camping weekend will have to be canceled. It’s not really a minor inconvenience, like if my radio knob fell off (which it did, lol). When you have a 2024 Tundra Limited, it’s easy to sit back and criticize people who are unhappy with their subpar product,” the original poster replied.

The good thing is that the second guy responded nicely and said he understood the original poster’s pain and that his problem was the title. “I really feel for you bro. I hope everything works out for you. I understand the meaning of the post. The meaning of the post is well-intentioned. I have to do something with the headline. ‘Another dead Tundra.’ It’s mixed with ‘See we have another problem so let’s all smack it!’ The post will have 500 hits by the end of the day just because of the name. People who drive anything but a 3rd gen car. Most of the posts will not be about the problem, but about how I can smack it to boost my confidence or decide not to buy it. So the problem will be overlooked. The opportunity to let off steam will multiply exponentially,” he wrote.

Online forums can be a great place to vent frustration and find support, but it’s important to remember that they can also be a breeding ground for negativity and unhelpful information. I think when faced with a car problem, especially a major one, it’s important to find a balance. Venting online can be a temporary pressure release, but it shouldn’t replace taking concrete steps to repair your vehicle. If this happens, take your Toyota Tundra to a repair shop. Communicate the problem clearly with your dealer, and work with them to find a solution. Online forums can still be a valuable resource, but focus on finding users with similar experiences or proven solutions rather than getting caught up in negativity. Remember, a calm and clear approach is likely to lead to a quicker resolution and get you back on the road sooner.

When you have a problem with your car, do you take it to the dealer or vent your frustration on social media? Please click on the red link to post your comment and join the discussion. But also read this interesting article I wrote yesterday about a man who, after owning 37 trucks and a trucking business for 35 years, recommends changing the Toyota Tundra’s oil at these specific mileages.

Armen Hareyan is the founder and editor-in-chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which has since published expert news and analysis on the automotive industry. You can reach him at Torque news on TwitterFacebook, Linkedin and Youtube. He has over a decade of experience in the automotive industry with a particular interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.