Interesting video on 2026 changes to the Tundra engine

[Blue Phoenix]

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[vtl]

The video is a heavy AI slop, unfortunately. But OK, they've built a weak engine, which fails under load, and they trying to fix it In a better automotive days that problem would take a year or two, not a decade. Thing will get only worse when AI will be designing these engines

 

[Kabanstva]

Why is it so difficult for Toyota to just put a new engine in these? This POS 3.5TT has been a problem since they first installed it in a LS500 in 2018. We are 8 years in with this engine being utilized. Plenty to time to make heavy revisions or scrap it altogether.

 

[vtl]

Why is it so difficult for Toyota to just put a new engine in these? This POS 3.5TT has been a problem since they first installed it in a LS500 in 2018. We are 8 years in with this engine being utilized. Plenty to time to make heavy revisions or scrap it altogether.

I once was drinking with German engineer. He said Germans haven't had a chance to survive a failure in their life. You fail your exam in school and that closes a whole good career path in front of you. You made V35A-FTS, and all you'll be allowed to do is to make copies of drawings of real engineers, who excel at whatever real job they do. In best years of German engineering people were personally responsible for the product. He said that changes now, and he sees how the quality is dropping as a direct consequence.

I guess, it's OK to make V35A-FTS. People make mistakes all the time. It's not you. It's just what it is. Engines are hard to do. No one can be blamed, that would be a toxic work environment that hurts mental health.

</me spits in disrespect>

 

[Rigger]

Why is it so difficult for Toyota to just put a new engine in these? This POS 3.5TT has been a problem since they first installed it in a LS500 in 2018. We are 8 years in with this engine being utilized. Plenty to time to make heavy revisions or scrap it altogether.

What is the failure rate of these engines? What percentage of them have failed?

I have a ‘25 Tundra. It runs so smoothly. I’m hoping of course that my engine is a good one.

 

[vtl]

What is the failure rate of these engines? What percentage of them have failed?

I have a ‘25 Tundra. It runs so smoothly. I’m hoping of course that my engine is a good one.

Catastrophic failure rate accounts for, well, catastrophic failures, when engine seizes up and refuses to start. If, say, main bearings in your engine are 80% done - that's not a catastrophic failure. But they are still damaged, and the life expectancy of the engine is not so good now.

It seems that those of us telling the new engine design is defective, years ago, were right, as Toyota has finally redesigned the block around main bearings.

@Rigger yours will probably fall under replacement, eventually. It probably gets a redesigned engine that will last, so I would not worry too much about it. It is still a pain, though, after decades or Toyota enjoying reliability ratings out of competition's reach, but oh well.

 

[Bill Fleming]

I’m a little confused. You always see this discussed as a “Tundra” issue but doesn’t it also apply to the Sequoia? I think the updated Tundra came out a year earlier than the Sequoia so maybe the big problems happened there first.

I assume all the 2026 Tundras and Sequoias got revised engine? How to tell?

Any idea when the revised engine started being used in the replacement process? Can a user/buyer know?

Thx

 

[Blue Phoenix]

I'm sure they won't know but I have my 10K service tomorrow and I plan to ask around... it sounds like there will be some different part numbers for sure.