Toyota reliability

[Thebeastlives]

I was cleaning out my garage and selling old stuff like quads and motorcycles that I haven't ridden in years. 4 different gentleman have come by with their trucks or SUVs to buy my stuff. Everyone of them have had some type of Toyota and were always surprised when they saw my 4 different Toyotas suvs and Tundra. One commonality exist between all of us beside our Toyotas brand is we all believe they are all very reliable old or new. My neighbor is a diehard jeep fan and loves to argue about why Jeep is the best. He is also a very good mechanic (which he has to be to own 4 jeeps) and when I showed him this article The Jeep Wrangler is One of the Most Unreliable Cars of 2020 he smiled and called it "fake news". Jeep drivers are incredibly loyal even to a brand that does nothing but produces crap for the last 15 years. I love the way JL looks when modified right but would never be loyal to brand that is crap

 

[Seasparrow]

Reliability is why I own one, however, they have their problems and the parts can be very very expensive. Also, the dealerships are called stealerships for a reason.

So yes I own one for reliability, as long as the headgasket doesn't blow and the frame doesn't rust.

 

[Thebeastlives]

Reliability is why I own one, however, they have their problems and the parts can be very very expensive. Also, the dealerships are called stealerships for a reason.

So yes I own one for reliability, as long as the headgasket doesn't blow and the frame doesn't rust.

All dealerships will RIP you off if you don't do your homework. I had to replaced the head gasket on my 08 4th gen at 256,000 miles. 12 years and over a quarter million miles and the only major repair is a head gasket I will take that. The 3rd gen with 319k miles is even more reliable. The Tundra has 150k miles and never been to the shop for anything more than fluid changes.

 

[Seasparrow]

""All dealerships will RIP you off if you don't do your homework""

That is neither correct or a valid reason for being thieves. My nephew goes to dodge and they treat him very well. There are more than just head gaskets and rust. The list is long. As I said, I own one because of it's reliability, but they are not perfect, those with frame rust might be glad to have a different vehicle. Those that have to buy major brake components would also, A/C servos, transmission solenoids, rear ends etc.

 

[Thebeastlives]

""All dealerships will RIP you off if you don't do your homework""

That is neither correct or a valid reason for being thieves. My nephew goes to dodge and they treat him very well. There are more than just head gaskets and rust. The list is long. As I said, I own one because of it's reliability, but they are not perfect, those with frame rust might be glad to have a different vehicle. Those that have to buy major brake components would also, A/C servos, transmission solenoids, rear ends etc.

The last time I checked dealerships are all independently owned. Your dodge dealer that your nephew goes to has less to do with dodge and more to do with the owner of that dealership. Glad they treat him right but I guarantee there are people here that have owned Toyotas for years like me that have a dealership that they trust and respect or at least a sales manager at that dealership they trust.

 

[Reinout]

I think this holds true for ALL products: You love it until you don't. Then when you find that ONE problem you do a Google search and low and behold EVERYONE is having that problem.

Going on experience; I was the customer service manager for a few major bicycle brands and we really only took the tough calls. "This broke, that broke". My reps would get frustrated at having gotten 10 calls about a broken "something" on a bike. I'd have to remind them that yes, we got 10 calls over the last year, which sounds like a lot, we sold 1,000 of them. That's a 1% failure rate. Of that 1% some are true "problems" however in many cases neglect, abuse, rider error, etc attribute to the "problem".

So Toyota (or Jeep, or Chevy, or Ford, etc) reliability I think has less to do with actual materials that go into the vehicle, but can have to do with how the brand handles "problems": Ignores them and hides them or addresses them.

Back to my example: Of those 10 "problems" I mentioned before it is way more financially responsible to keep and maintain a customer than to say, "piss off, you broke it".

I've had great experiences with Toyota (we own 2) and will continue to do business with them. Dealerships are independent which is why so many people have such a wide variety of experience with dealerships. Dealerships too have to do business and many of them have archaic business practices that are based on the bottom dollar vs the customers' experiences.

Dealers know that MOST of their victims WILL pay their prices.

 

[Jernik]

One thing I think is an important component of Jeep reliability (or unreliability), especially in relation to the Wranglers, is the likelihood of the average Wrangler owner to tear it apart attempting mods compared to the average Toyota owner.

Not that Toyota owners don't mod and wheel hard, but the Wrangler is such a simple vehicle (well, it USED to be) that far more inexperienced "mechanics" are likely to attempt wrenching on them. As such, you get a lot of people inadvertently messing up their trucks.

That said... I was disappointed in my 2017 JK. It never gave me any problems, but the 2 TJ's I had before it (a 99 and an 05) I felt were put together better. Note, I have also owned 1 Chrysler, 2 Dodge trucks, and a Grand Cherokee WJ and none of those ever gave me any problems. However, due to the feel of questionable quality with the JK I had reservations about keeping it outside of warranty, so I replaced it with a Tundra.

I like Jeep, they are unique and fun. But if I ever own another it will be a build from scratch CJ5 (just because I've always wanted to do this). Probably not gonna happen because I don't foresee ever having the space or gear to do it properly. And it would probably be unreliable because I am far from being a master mechanic.

 

[Thai]

One thing I think is an important component of Jeep reliability (or unreliability), especially in relation to the Wranglers, is the likelihood of the average Wrangler owner to tear it apart attempting mods compared to the average Toyota owner.

Not that Toyota owners don't mod and wheel hard, but the Wrangler is such a simple vehicle (well, it USED to be) that far more inexperienced "mechanics" are likely to attempt wrenching on them. As such, you get a lot of people inadvertently messing up their trucks.

That said... I was disappointed in my 2017 JK. It never gave me any problems, but the 2 TJ's I had before it (a 99 and an 05) I felt were put together better. Note, I have also owned 1 Chrysler, 2 Dodge trucks, and a Grand Cherokee WJ and none of those ever gave me any problems. However, due to the feel of questionable quality with the JK I had reservations about keeping it outside of warranty, so I replaced it with a Tundra.

I like Jeep, they are unique and fun. But if I ever own another it will be a build from scratch CJ5 (just because I've always wanted to do this). Probably not gonna happen because I don't foresee ever having the space or gear to do it properly. And it would probably be unreliable because I am far from being a master mechanic.

Well, current Wranglers have just as much electronic and complexity as any Toyota. You also hear stories about bad frame welds.

 

[LandCruiser]

-door locks
-LCAs rusted to hell in CO
-CV axles out at 90k (ok for heavy off road use?)
-HVAC fan keeps dying and needing to be replaced, twice now

 

[Jernik]

Well, current Wranglers have just as much electronic and complexity as any Toyota. You also hear stories about bad frame welds.

Have they resolved that yet? Heard about it when JL first launched. Would hope they have that sorted by now - that shouldn't be a problem too difficult to fix these days since only, I don't know, every auto manufacturer in the world does it. lol

 

[LandCruiser]

Have they resolved that yet? Heard about it when JL first launched. Would hope they have that sorted by now - that shouldn't be a problem too difficult to fix these days since only, I don't know, every auto manufacturer in the world does it. lol

Frame weld issues fixed ages ago. Not sure if people with affected vehicles were made 100% whole, tho.

 

[Jernik]

Frame weld issues fixed ages ago. Not sure if people with affected vehicles were made 100% whole, tho.

I can understand how things could be missed in the rush to bring product to market timed with the marketing blitz to cash in on buzz created. Seldom is every department involved in a launch of any kind 100% ready for go-live, someone is always scrambling to (barely) make it. Not making it right after discovery is a huge no-no. You gotta step up and take care of it.

 

[shadow247]

The last time I checked dealerships are all independently owned. Your dodge dealer that your nephew goes to has less to do with dodge and more to do with the owner of that dealership. Glad they treat him right but I guarantee there are people here that have owned Toyotas for years like me that have a dealership that they trust and respect or at least a sales manager at that dealership they trust.

I have been doing Insurance Claims for 10 years. Dealerships are always the most expensive option, and often recommend repairs that are not needed, because most people don't know any better. I see people being charged thousands for replacement of parts that can be repaired or refurbished using factory available parts.

2 Most recent examples involve Wire Harness damages from Rats. 2 cars/Dealers - Both wanted to replace entire engine wiring harness for a few chewed up wires. 1 was a coil pack on a Highlander (service advisor said "Toyota Doesn't make the connectors and wires) I found 300 listings for coil pack plugs for Toyota on Ebay for 20 bucks. Then I found the OEM plug and paid for that since the vehicle had only 6k miles on it. Took the bill from 6k to 600 bucks!

2nd Vehicle was Hyundai, Same thing - chewed harness. 6500 to replace engine wire harness. Shop ended up agreeing to repair harness (ok per Hyundai Service manual) and splice in connector from a donor vehicle that was on their lot. Total Cost = 460 bucks, under the customer deductible!

SO I saved our customers over 10000 Dollars on 2 claims because I know that stuff can be repaired. I save customers THOUSANDS on repairs every day by simply pointing out that something can be repaired for far less than replaced, or that there is an alternative that actually has a better warranty than an OEM replacement part.

 

[Thebeastlives]

I have been doing Insurance Claims for 10 years. Dealerships are always the most expensive option, and often recommend repairs that are not needed, because most people don't know any better. I see people being charged thousands for replacement of parts that can be repaired or refurbished using factory available parts.

2 Most recent examples involve Wire Harness damages from Rats. 2 cars/Dealers - Both wanted to replace entire engine wiring harness for a few chewed up wires. 1 was a coil pack on a Highlander (service advisor said "Toyota Doesn't make the connectors and wires) I found 300 listings for coil pack plugs for Toyota on Ebay for 20 bucks. Then I found the OEM plug and paid for that since the vehicle had only 6k miles on it. Took the bill from 6k to 600 bucks!

2nd Vehicle was Hyundai, Same thing - chewed harness. 6500 to replace engine wire harness. Shop ended up agreeing to repair harness (ok per Hyundai Service manual) and splice in connector from a donor vehicle that was on their lot. Total Cost = 460 bucks, under the customer deductible!

SO I saved our customers over 10000 Dollars on 2 claims because I know that stuff can be repaired. I save customers THOUSANDS on repairs every day by simply pointing out that something can be repaired for far less than replaced, or that there is an alternative that actually has a better warranty than an OEM replacement part.

You are 100% correct, most dealerships are the most expensive option to fix you vehicle. Some of them will try to RIP you off if they can.

 

[GetitOffroad]

Not real happy with my gen 3 brakes, or the keys not working in the ignition or doors, REALLY not happy with a timing belt every 90k, lame cup holders, IFS, axles seals going out, probably more.

So I'm thinking reliability isnt why I keep it, I just like the darn thing and I'm willing to put up with it. Not in a fan boi kinda way either, again I just like it.


Not really happy with my 2018 jeep rubicon unlimited's sloppy frame welds, or the amazingly stupid ESS that has gone out twice, it's new and likely something else will come up that I dont like too.

Jeeps typically have amazing longevity on their motors, at least the ones I have had. The straight 6 was amazing, the penastar 3.6 mated to that 8 speed is crazy GREAT. Most that have these rigs know the motors will last but the electronics are what will bite them. I dont know what you do about that. lol

I used to think otherwise but I think all rigs have issues, you just pick what you think works for you and address the weaknesses of the product. They all have them.