After a rebuild and a new V6 engine, a Toyota Tundra owner reports that his truck continues to stall.

      Eoin Foley

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      Toyota, once known for its automotive reliability, has tarnished its image in recent years due to costly errors. A major issue is the machining debris found in the twin-turbo V6 of the 2022-2023 Tundra, an engine that had already sparked skepticism among enthusiasts as it replaced the reliable 5.7-liter V8. Last year, Toyota recalled over 100,000 of these engines and announced plans for a complete replacement, which is still underway. Unfortunately, one Tundra owner, who has undergone both a full engine rebuild and a total replacement, claims the issue persists.

      Eoin Foley purchased a used 2022 Tundra from a Toyota dealership in Prince George, British Columbia, in May 2023. He reports that his truck began experiencing issues less than a year after acquiring it. Just 18,000 miles into ownership, Foley's Tundra unexpectedly stalled while he was driving with his family. Finding it strange, he restarted the vehicle and continued driving normally. However, the stalling recurred, including instances where the truck stalled in the middle of intersections with his children in the backseat, creating a dangerous situation.

      Foley returned to the dealership where he bought the Tundra. Technicians there were unable to diagnose or replicate the problem, leading them to replace various parts, sensors, and electronics in an attempt to stop the stalling. Nothing worked, and neither Foley nor the dealership had any solutions. The Drive has seen email exchanges between Foley and Toyota Canada, although most communication was conducted over the phone.

      This continued until May 2024, when Toyota announced a recall for the twin-turbo V6 engines due to debris from the machining process potentially entering the combustion chamber. This recall affects 2022-2023 Tundras across North America, as well as the Lexus LX600. Engine stalling and complete engine failure were frequently reported symptoms, indicating that the problem was not limited to Foley’s truck—it was a broader Tundra issue.

      As news of the recall emerged, the dealership rebuilt Foley's engine. According to Foley, they ordered almost every engine component as new and assembled the V6 at the dealership. This process took three months, but fortunately, he did not have to pay for loaner vehicles during this time. He received his truck back with a practically new engine.

      There was just one issue: it still stalled.

      In the following months, Foley's Tundra continued to stall intermittently. While it did not occur every time he drove it, it was frustrating that his two-year-old truck was still malfunctioning.

      During this period, Foley mentions he frequently returned to the dealership, where they kept replacing parts and attempting fixes that ultimately proved ineffective. He was also in communication with Toyota Canada, as the automaker tried to find a solution to get his truck functioning properly. Foley asked Toyota if they would consider buying back the Tundra at its market value of CA$61,630 (US$44,525), but the automaker reportedly declined. This conversation occurred over the phone, so there is no written documentation of Toyota's refusal.

      Those discussions continued until March of this year, when Toyota finally managed to replace Foley's Tundra engine entirely. Since a brand-new V6 was sent to the dealership, the installation was completed in just a couple of days instead of taking three months to rebuild. Theoretically, this should have resolved the issue—except Foley claims this new engine also stalls.

      Foley states that he is back to square one, having experienced a full engine rebuild, a complete engine replacement, and various other repairs. He recently requested Toyota Canada to buy back the Tundra again, and this time, he was offered CA$54,000 (US$38,996). Foley informed The Drive that this amount isn’t sufficient to buy him out, even though a brief search on AutoTrader.ca revealed several 2022 Tundras with similar mileage on the market for around that price.

      When contacted by The Drive for a response, a spokesperson from Toyota Canada stated, “The quality of our products and the satisfaction of our customers are Toyota Canada’s top priorities. We recently performed a full engine replacement on this vehicle. Since that time, we have been contacted by the owner and will be conducting further investigation.”

      Foley mentioned on Friday that Toyota has his truck and is sending it to Vancouver for additional testing. The automaker has provided him with a crew-cab pickup as a loaner upon his request, allowing him to tow trailers while he waits.

      At this point, it appears that everyone is waiting for the results of these tests. Toyota has already offered to buy back the Tundra, but Foley sees the amount as insufficient. The dealership is also unable to buy it back, as they cannot do anything with a stalling vehicle. Furthermore, since Canada lacks a lemon law