Has anyone here Lemon Law'd a Gen 3 Tundra yet?

I'm going to start looking into it with my truck, I was just curious if someone else here has had experience with it.

 

It’ll be specific to your state and jurisdiction. I’d recommend reading your purchase agreement first as it should have pertinent information about this on it.

 

Why are you thinking of lemon law? What’s wrong with yours?

 

I did. Process was relatively straightforward for me after I read my state laws to ensure I fell within their guidelines. The pricing for the replacement truck was all calculated according to my state’s formula and transparent throughout the process. For me, a new vehicle replacement was far superior to a repurchase and came the closest to making me whole. Nothing moved quickly in the process and the dealership was sort of figuring it out as I was, but my contact with the third party servicer Toyota uses helped us through it all eventually.

 

Can I ask you what was wrong with your truck?

 

My truck has been at the dealer since 8/9 because of the brake line/fuel line recall…

 

So, unfortunately I can’t do it in my state (FL) because I was one of these guys that got on a plane to fly to another state (Tx) to buy my truck to avoid markups.

 

local dealer says they won’t have a temporary fix until November. Permanent fox will occur in 2024. Meanwhile, they were nice enough to rent me a Chrysler Pacifica since my kids car seat wouldnt fit in a corolla.

 

Toyota Tundra Recall Details
Vehicles Recalled
• Toyota Tundra pickup trucks manufactured between Nov. 2, 2021, and July 24, 2023.
• Toyota Tundra hybrid pickup trucks manufactured between March 15, 2022, and June 7, 2023.

The problem: A plastic fuel tube might chafe against the vehicle’s brake lines and cause a fuel leak, which could lead to a fire.

The fix: Toyota dealerships will first add protective materials and clamps to the plastic tube. Then, once replacement parts are available, dealerships will replace the fuel tube and add additional clamps. Both fixes will be free of charge.

 

I’m aware that Toyotas short term plan is zip ties and duct tape. A) why not fix the truck? Why did I have to wait 4 months? B) my daughter rides in the back. Wrapping the fuel line and sending me on my way doesn’t sit well.

 

Interestingly enough, mine was also purchased in a neighboring state due to availability and then registered in my home state. Toyota followed my home state lemon laws for my replacement claim.

Regarding the issue with my original truck, it leaked water into the interior of the cab. 4+ attempts at fixing the issue with reoccurrences following each repair, so here we are.

 

Truth is I don’t have the mechanical ability to do so. Never done it, not sure this is the time to start.

 

Surely the dealership tech can do the recommended temporary fix and get you your truck back.

 

If it was such an easy fix, why will it take 4 months?

 

Sucks, OP. Over two months in the shop I think would qualify in most states if not all.

 

Sorry to hear of the position you're in and I too would be concerned about the recall and a temporary fix; particularly with little kids, but like @ColoradoTJ said, it seems pretty straightforward to DIY and it's odd the service center wouldn't want to put in the temporary fix until the parts are in to rectify. I would be curious if lemon laws also apply to material shortages and not necessarily a vehicle under a "repair" as the language reads "after a “reasonable number of attempts” to repair these defects" would imply to the parts being unavailable to even attempt to repair the defect. But again I do sympathize for your position and I'd too would be upset but it seems you're dealing with an incompetent dealer/service center.

While not discounting the overall dissatisfaction you've experienced and the added stress of the rental, it sounds as if you regret your purchase and this experience has only added to the dissatisfaction?

 

They are jerking you around. The recall bulletin gives them specific directions. They are to follow the bulletin, which no where mentions parking the vehicle for months. It clearly states for them to wrap and secure the lines as described. This is to prevent the lines from rubbing directly against each other. A permanent wrap or cover is stated to be in the works to replace the temporary fix.

 

I'd be raising cane why the temp fix wasn't getting done per the TSB. I would have called Yota Corp weeks ago and got them involved.

 

My read on the situation is op is not willing to accept the temporary fix offered, has not had any actual issues related to the recall, and demanded the dealer hang onto the truck and provide a rental until the permanent fix is available and performed.

 

That's a good point. He said Toyota's short term fix doesn't sit well with him. That sounds like grounds for lemon law being rejected because he chose to not take short term fix.

30 consecutive days in the shop for an issue is generally grounds for filing a lemon law claim. But if it has sat there because the owner refuses to accept the quick fix that will get him on his way, I don't think that's going to work.

I'm not saying the OP is right or wrong for not accepting the fix; it just seems that's how they're going to see it.

 

We have 2 vehicles that have potential fuel line leaks. Mini sent us a letter saying not to park the car in the garage as it can catch fire and burn down the building. Now the Tundra is in the same boat.

Not too sure what's next? My electric car (BMW i3) might get a letter saying that the battery will explode and burn down the building too. My Airstream can't be left plugged into a power source in the back yard as it can catch on fire and burn down the trees and the neighbor's house!

The only vehicle we have that isn't catching on fire is the GTI, way to go VW!!

If Toyota just needs to change the fuel line, surely, they can just do that and be done with it. Why prolong this process and piss off a customer or more customers to the point of wanting to get rid of the truck?

If we look at the fix that took a year to come up with to fix the tonneau cover recall, a couple of bolts and plastic caps! This fuel line issue probably won't see a resolution for another year or so. Maybe the Gen 3.5 will have it sorted out?

 

Just when thought gti's are safe....

https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2022/vw-recalls-golf-gti-and-golf-r-fires.shtml

 

The news ones seem to have suffer from the same fuel line issues, probably making them out of soy with a good helping of hugs and smiles

Our GTI is a 2007 before the timing chain debacle and pre software B.S.

We got lucky and missed all the good times with VW. Now we need to find the sweet spot with the Tundra... Still waiting for that!

 

For what it’s worth…

I’m at the dealership for my regular service and they told me the temporary fix hasn’t come out yet. My dealer mentioned they’ve had some folks come in and ask for the temporary repair based on the wording in Toyotas letter. But, the temp fix isn’t supposed to be released to dealers until November.

 

What concerns me is Toyota's reluctance to do it themselves. My dealer has 6 trucks alone that are sitting on the lot because of the recall. Thats a lot of rental cars nationwide. I'm inferring a lot here, but is it possible the fix just isn't that great a solution if they're trying to drag it out as long as possible?

Edit: as far as the purchase goes, I do have some regrets. I bought the truck sight unseen in another state because my local dealer was charging $10k markups. I didn't get to test drive a truck because all the trucks dealers had were already presold. My test drive was my 1500 mile trip home. There was delay after delay getting the truck. I was on a wait list for over a year. My truck was built in april and then got stuck at the port for three months. Buying this truck was a nightmare. Owning it was fine up until the truck became unsafe to drive as it came from the factory. Now, I'm just over it.

 

See @KroppDuster 's post. It's nationwide.