2008-2018 Radiator Failure and Public Service Announcement

[Bloembuild]

I guess the issue isnt necessarily the cost or even effort that it takes to replace. It’s not knowing when it’s going to fail. It’s not a wear item, we all go through all the effort to bulletproof our vehicles, but at the end of the day we don’t know when that thing is going pop.
All that said Id be happy to spend a little extra money for something I know will solve the issue.

 

[bloc]

People seem to be going many thousands of miles with the visible hairline crack present. I'd say look closely for that every few fillups and decide what to do from there.

 

[linuxgod]

People seem to be going many thousands of miles with the visible hairline crack present. I'd say look closely for that every few fillups and decide what to do from there.

I've done about 1000 miles since I noticed it and I just did 1500 miles from Chicago to Baltimore and back in 3 days and it hasn't changed. Which is not to say it won't just randomly blow out, just that the crack hasn't grown

 

[bloc]

Mine had the hairline crack when I bought it at 105k. Made it to 109k before changing radiator. Might have been like that for 20k or more with the PO.. no way to know.

 

[32cls6speedmt]

I have a 2013 lx with 86000 miles. I have the dreaded hair line radiator crack starting line.

I am in the process of ordering parts for my independent parts. I will have my radiator, water pump, serpentine belt, idler pulley, tensionser, lower hose, upper hose, thermostat, pcv valve, and fan clutch. Also, two gallons of super long life coolant. Is there a hose that I am forgetting? Does anyone how many clamps and what part numbers?

 

[bloc]

I have a 2013 lx with 86000 miles. I have the dreaded hair line radiator crack starting line.

I am in the process of ordering parts for my independent parts. I will have my radiator, water pump, serpentine belt, idler pulley, tensionser, lower hose, upper hose, thermostat, pcv valve, and fan clutch. Also, two gallons of super long life coolant. Is there a hose that I am forgetting? Does anyone how many clamps and what part numbers?

Clamps are easily reusable unless yours are rusted.

Others can comment on whether it's needed at your mileage (I'm relatively new here) but the only "consumable" you are leaving out of your list is the fan support bracket/bearing.

 

[32cls6speedmt]

Clamps are easily reusable unless yours are rusted.

Others can comment on whether it's needed at your mileage (I'm relatively new here) but the only "consumable" you are leaving out of your list is the fan support bracket/bearing.

perchance, do you have part number? Thanks

 

[linuxgod]

Mine will be replaced in a week, officially at 77k miles.

Was at the dealer today and had them inspect the hairline crack. Dealer said there’s was evidence of a slight leak. I didn’t see any leaks this morning but I did check the radiator and it was full, so perhaps I might have dripped a bit of coolant off the cap...

Toyota Platinum VSA is going to cover the radiator, coolant, and labor. New hoses are my responsibility as they are considered a wear item. Water pump looks fine so I’m going yo leave it for now sincerely I still have 2.5 years or 23k miles left on the extended warranty.

 

[bjowett]

I have the VDJ diesel radiator and expansion tank on order. I'll add pics and info when they arrive.

 

[linuxgod]

New radiator is in at 77k miles. It looks slightly differently to me. VSA covered the $750 for parts and labor, I had to cover new hoses.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I have the VDJ diesel radiator and expansion tank on order. I'll add pics and info when they arrive.

Interesting!

 

[linuxgod]

They are different, maybe the uprevs in PN means the failure issues have been mitigated, hopefully.

16400-50380 (09/2007-09/2009)
16400-50381 (09/2009-01/2012)
16400-50382 (01/2012-01/2013)
16400-50384 (01/2013+)

FYI I've noticed that all the radiators are stamped/labeled 5038. I suspect that means that all of the above are actually the same part, just a slightly different fitment depending on the model year. So I don't think you should care if you have the first or last part in the list - pretty sure they're all the same, and unfortunately since several of us with 2013+ vehicles have had a 5038 fail are just as unreliable as the parts they replaced.

 

[JZelnick]

Just got back from the gym and popped the hood to check on another item only to find this....

2009 - 115k miles

Very frustrating as I was planning on replacing the radiator and starter prior to LCDC. I had noticed a hairline crack, but it still surprised me. Water pump was replaced at 100k.

Called my dealer and scheduled an appointment and a loaner first thing in the morning. Will be having it towed there as I don’t see any coolant in the expansion tank which is concerning.

I just read through this whole thread and plan on replacing the following:

Radiator - 1640050380 (per @linuxgod ’s post, newer rads are still failing so I will stick with orginal specced part)
Rad Upper Hose - 1657138080
Rad Lower Hose - 1657238130
ATF Cooler Inlet and Outlet Hose - 3294360390 x2
Super Long Life Coolant
Fan Clutch (per @cruiseroutfit)
New Clamps

Am I missing anything? Going to get a quote for the starter as well to see if I can save on labor at all.

Will be calling Toyota Customer Service in the morning to see if they can help.

 

[32cls6speedmt]

Did toyota customer service help?

Just got back from the gym and popped the hood to check on another item only to find this....

View attachment 1722694


View attachment 1722693


View attachment 1722695


2009 - 115k miles

Very frustrating as I was planning on replacing the radiator and starter prior to LCDC. I had noticed a hairline crack, but it still surprised me. Water pump was replaced at 100k.

Called my dealer and scheduled an appointment and a loaner first thing in the morning. Will be having it towed there as I don’t see any coolant in the expansion tank which is concerning.

I just read through this whole thread and plan on replacing the following:

Radiator - 1640050380 (per @linuxgod ’s post, newer rads are still failing so I will stick with orginal specced part)
Rad Upper Hose - 1657138080
Rad Lower Hose - 1657238130
ATF Cooler Inlet and Outlet Hose - 3294360390 x2
Super Long Life Coolant
Fan Clutch (per @cruiseroutfit)
New Clamps

Am I missing anything? Going to get a quote for the starter as well to see if I can save on labor at all.

Will be calling Toyota Customer Service in the morning to see if they can help.

 

[JZelnick]

I have been working with a rep there since I last posted. My cruiser is out of the shop and is running well. It seems Toyota Customer Service is having trouble getting in touch with the Service Director at the dealership. It does sound like I will be getting some relief from Toyota and hoping for an update later this week.

 

[1HaytchZed]

Jury is still out whether or not the newer superseded radiator PNs are failing post-replacement or if the failure mode issue has truly been mitigated and root cause addressed. I have not seen anyone on here post that their REPLACED radiator with the new PN has failed and thus a 2nd+ radiator failure, post-"mitigation".

If I'm mistaken and this has occurred, please chime in.

16400-50380 (original MY 2008+ PN)
16400-50384 (new "mitigated" PN)

 

[linuxgod]

I've seen at least one post where someone had a radiator that had failed again. Not sure if it was in this thread or a different one. I don't know which revision they had though. 16400-50384 is the latest part. My 2013 truck would have had 16400-50383 from the factory and the dealer replaced it with 16400-50384, so we'll see if it lasts any longer, but given there have been 4 other revisions (16400-50380 through -50383) my suspicion is no, Toyota just changes the part # when they introduce a new model year

 

[2008Cruiser]

I'm going to check mine today. Our 08 has 88k

 

[linuxgod]

Jury is still out whether or not the newer superseded radiator PNs are failing post-replacement or if the failure mode issue has truly been mitigated and root cause addressed. I have not seen anyone on here post that their REPLACED radiator with the new PN has failed and thus a 2nd+ radiator failure, post-"mitigation".

If I'm mistaken and this has occurred, please chime in.

Updated list from earlier post 2008-2010 Radiator Failure and Public Service Announcement:

16400-50380 (08/2007 to 09/2009: MY 2008-2009)
16400-50381 (09/2009 to 01/2012: MY 2010-2011)
16400-50382 (01/2012 to 09/2015: MY 2012-2015)
16400-50383 (09/2015 to 07/2016: MY 2016)
16400-50384 (08/2016 to current: new "mitigated" PN, should be in MY 2017-2018+)

 

[2008Cruiser]

One question, my radiator has no writing on it whatsoever. Carfax says my water pump was replaced at 66K (before I owned it) but no mention of the replacing of the radiator. Does anyone else have a factory Toyota radiator without any markings on it whatsoever on that square flat part? Thanks By the way the radiator looks perfect (right now)