Thoughts From the 200 Crew On the LC250 Reveal

[Specialeyes]

Sorry to challenge and maybe did not get the context - I hope Toyota NA does zero and things get run from Japan. The whole 250 LC Prado debacle may have had enough US input already. I am interested in a Toyota designed for reliability and then properly build, not one with big cup holders…

I specifically called out North America because we get don't get the same packaging as other countries who are, let's say... less stringent/restrictive when it comes to their autos. I share your interest in Toyota for the reliability and build quality attributes. 10-15 years from now when Toyota is rolling out their new designs again I imagine the current offerings are going to be a "thing of the past" and they will move on to a new version of another smaller displacement setup with a hybrid, something fully electric, or (seeming less and less likely) one of their hydrogen options gains traction.

It sounds like the V35A-FTS is here to stay which makes the most sense if I'm Mr. T but have they really not been able to determine the root cause of the problem and implement a fix? IMO this isn't a "turbo engine bad" issue. There are plenty of turbo charged engines out there that aren't spinning bearings.

Does anyone know if there are examples of the hybrid version of this engine being replaced due to this issue?

 

[Specialeyes]

Yes! 100% the Prado fiasco with its 4 banger was absolutely driven by NA. That makes my blood boil much more than the TTV6

For all the hate on the 4 cylinder it's been the more reliable option between it and the V35. Personally my only complaint with the 4 pop is how noisy it is. The NVH on that thing really poo pooed an otherwise nice driving experience in the 250.

 

[ryanCA]

For all the hate on the 4 cylinder it's been the more reliable option between it and the V35.

That is like saying Rosie O Donell is hotter than Opray Winfrey...

 

[2021 LC200]

Personally my only complaint with the 4 pop is how noisy it is.

I think you put your finger on one of the soar points.

For all the hate on the 4 cylinder it's been the more reliable option between it and the V35.

If they extended the inline 4 to an inline 6 I would be on the moon, or better in paradise…

 

[ryanCA]

If they extended the inline 4 to an inline 6 I would be on the moon, or better in paradise…

no one wants the IS300 SportCross Inline 6 I have in a new Toyota.... emission/mpg blah blah...

You can drive mine anytime.

Instagrammers want 4 cyl turbo.. all the rage

 

[2021 LC200]

no one wants the IS300 SportCross Inline 6 I have in a new Toyota.... emission/mpg blah blah...

You can drive mine anytime.

Instagrammers want 4 cyl turbo.. all the rage

Mmmm, I can see old school I6’s being poor at low end. Modern inline 6’s with a turbo can achieve good cylinder fill/low end torque and by default run super smooth (no balancing shaft needed). Several BMW and now Mercedes engines (they went back from V6 to I6) show exactly that. I must say the Grenadier has a good engine gearbox setup. It is otherwise a one trick pony (with many other risks involved), so falls well short of the all round 200 series.

 

[ryanCA]

Mmmm, I can see old school I6’s being poor at low end. Modern inline 6’s with a turbo can achieve good cylinder fill/low end torque and by default run super smooth (no balancing shaft needed). Several BMW and now Mercedes engines (they went back from V6 to I6) show exactly that. I must say the Grenadier has a good engine gearbox setup. It is otherwise a one trick pony (with many other risks involved), so falls well short of the all round 200 series.

Grenadiers all over local S bux. - looks cool. I rather have a G Waggen. Can't afford either.

I had one BMW (S54 M Coupe Phoenix Yellow)--after the bearing and subframe issues..never again

I strayed from Toyota/Honda and God punished me.

 

[2021 LC200]

Mmmm, I think you are missing out.

Did you buy new or used?

 

[ryanCA]

Mmmm, I think you are missing out.

Did you buy new or used?

I used to be a man.

Had 3 lemon in my life, all bought new. Not missing out. I bent over and took it like a man.

2002 S54 M Coupe
2016 WRX
2018 LS500

After all that, Now I am a Thai Ladi boy driving underpowered Toyotas.

 

[Specialeyes]

Grenadiers all over local S bux. - looks cool. I rather have a G Waggen.

I don't think the Grenadiers look cool at all. Lot's of big "try hard" energy from ones I see cruising up and down the Dallas North Tollway during business hours. Would love to have a new G 550, but refuse to spend the money on one.

 

[ryanCA]

I don't think the Grenadiers look cool at all. Lot's of big "try hard" energy from ones I see cruising up and down the Dallas North Tollway during business hours. Would love to have a new G 550, but refuse to spend the money on one.

isnt part of looking cool, is trying hard?


I wouldn't know. I drive a 200... aint nothing cool or trying hard about it. Its like wearing my costco beige pants daily..


Agree with you on the G550..lift it..some tires and a ladder.. yummy mami... but then I would hve to carry 4 spare window regulators like I carry 4 spare head gaskets for my 200

 

[2021 LC200]

I used to be a man.

Had 3 lemon in my life, all bought new. Not missing out. I bent over and took it like a man.

2002 S54 M Coupe
2016 WRX
2018 LS500

After all that, Now I am a Thai Ladi boy driving underpowered Toyotas.

You having owned a BMW, Subaru and Toyota all made to last beyond a 3 year lease, yet all with issues, smells more like bad luck than anything else. Perhaps buying 1st or 2nd model years is the low hanging fruit here. That is clearly best avoided however attractive it can be.

 

[LX Cruiser]

I am also not convinced with yours

Engines have failed in the exact same way they’re being recalled for outside of the recall window. That’s a fact.

Here’s one example. This guy’s Tundra is not eligible for a long block (complete engine replacement) because it was built well after the recall window. It failed at 35k miles. This is from a public FB group. Group title at the top. The dealership is attempting to get out of performing a short block engine replacement because he had the most recent oil change done at a different shop (they used an OEM filter, which the dealership has confirmed). The dealer is saying they must have performed the oil change incorrectly because the bearing spun due to low oil pressure (like all of them). They're blaming the shop, even though the failure occurred 1,000 miles after the oil change. The dealer is also wrong or lying about the recall failures all occurring at less than 10k miles. This is nowhere near reality.

It should also be noted that his dealer flat out refused to do anything other than 10k mile changes. The pic of the document shows an order for a short block replacement under warranty from Peter Boulware Toyota in Tallahassee, FL, dated Nov 19, 2024.

PS: this is a different truck from the three 2024 Tundras with spun bearings in the spreadsheet link.

 

[ryanCA]

You having owned a BMW, Subaru and Toyota all made to last beyond a 3 year lease, yet all with issues, smells more like bad luck than anything else. Perhaps buying 1st or 2nd model years is the low hanging fruit here. That is clearly best avoided however attractive it can be.

yah victim blaming - best way to do it

 

[Specialeyes]

Engines have failed in the exact same way they’re being recalled for outside of the recall window. That’s a fact.

Here’s one example. This guy’s Tundra is not eligible for a long block (complete engine replacement) because it was built well after the recall window. It failed at 35k miles. This is from a public FB group. Group title at the top. The dealership is attempting to get out of performing a short block engine replacement because he had the most recent oil change done at a different shop (they used an OEM filter, which the dealership has confirmed). The dealer is saying they must have performed the oil change incorrectly because the bearing spun due to low oil pressure (like all of them). They're blaming the shop, even though the failure occurred 1,000 miles after the oil change. The dealer is also wrong or lying about the recall failures all occurring at less than 10k miles. This is nowhere near reality.

It should also be noted that his dealer flat out refused to do anything other than 10k mile changes. The pic of the document shows an order for a short block replacement under warranty from Peter Boulware Toyota in Tallahassee, FL, dated Nov 19, 2024.

PS: this is a different truck from the three 2024 Tundras with spun bearings in the spreadsheet link.
View attachment 3823559

I'm curious if Toyota Corporate is actually aware of this? Kinda sounds like a bad dealer/bad service department.

Warranty is not affected by third party/DIY oil changes as long as you use approved filters and oil.

 

[LX Cruiser]

I'm curious if Toyota Corporate is actually aware of this? Kinda sounds like a bad dealer/bad service department.

Warranty is not affected by third party/DIY oil changes as long as you use approved filters and oil.

100% agreed. This dealer is garbage. They can't point to anything specifically wrong with the oil change (such as wrong filter, incorrectly installed, forgot the o-ring, etc). They're just hanging this guy out to dry.

 

[2021 LC200]

yah victim blaming - best way to do it

Just exchanging ideas, do not get your feelings hurt now.

P.S. I thought you had big cojones and would embrace my highly educated and intelligent observations. I guess you have a big and fragile heart after all…

 

[Heckraiser]

With all this warranty, shady dealership talk in this thread, has my thinking about my stepdad's 2000 Honda Odyssey. Transmission went out at 95k miles (70 or 80k drivetrain warranty, don't remember). Went into the dealership once and was told "out of warranty, but here, try calling corporate, here's the number." One phone call later, he was scheduled for a pro-bono transmission replacement outside of warranty. This seems like a fairy tale in today's world, but it actually happened!

 

[2021 LC200]

With all this warranty, shady dealership talk in this thread, has my thinking about my stepdad's 2000 Honda Odyssey. Transmission went out at 95k miles (70 or 80k drivetrain warranty, don't remember). Went into the dealership once and was told "out of warranty, but here, try calling corporate, here's the number." One phone call later, he was scheduled for a pro-bono transmission replacement outside of warranty. This seems like a fairy tale in today's world, but it actually happened!

Nice to hear. It used to work contacting corporate. It probably still does.

 

[ryanCA]

Just exchanging ideas, do not get your feelings hurt now.

P.S. I thought you had big cojones and would embrace my highly educated and intelligent observations. I guess you have a big and fragile heart after all…

If I was fragile or had feelings like loser 250 owners.....I wouldn't own a 200....