2022 Tundra worth the Toyota Reliability Tax?

Hi,

I'm in the market for a half ton, been reading about 2021 Silverados, F150s, and Tundras. I'm having a hard time with the ugly interior and gas mileage of the older Tundra's but really like the 22+ ones. Is the 3rd gen 2022 Tundra worth it? My only reason for going Toyota would be to avoid the reliability headache of Ford or Chevy. but I can't find a straight answer on whether or not this first year gen Tundra is realiblity or not. Whats been the general consensus? Thoughts/Experiences? What does the Tundra do better than the other half tons?

 

I think you’ll find a lot of varying opinions on this. A lot of division on the new tundra. I have had my 2022 platinum hybrid for 2 years, 9,000 miles on it, and it’s been flawless. There definitely have been some growing pains with the early production trucks and some general legitimate grievances with some quirks of the truck - but I love mine and have found it to be very reliable so far. Honestly I was worried about long term reliability so I just bought a 10 year 100,000 mile warranty and decided to not worry about it and just enjoy the truck. I have not regretted my purchase.

 

Toyota is extremely conservative in their build philosophy. Reliability, smoothness (noise vibration and harshness or NVH) and parts quality are superior. Instead of taking low bid for parts they partner with their supplies like Denso and Asian. They only change things when they have to, not just because they can...that's why the last Tundra ran for 15 years, same as 4Runner. Both kept selling well because they just work. Way fewer silly issues like transmissions going out at 60-80k and other early failures.

 

Regarding real world experiences, the new generation Tundra averages ~3mpg better than last.

If the way the interior looks on the 2nd gen is enough to push you away from the most rock solid truck on the market, is long term reliability really that big of a factor for you?

You’ll get lots of different opinions, but most 2nd gen and 3rd gen drivers will tell you to avoid the first year of a new design. Even from Toyota.

 

Well, so far the mechanical bits seem to be holding up, and the refinement of the driving mechanics is what sold me on the truck. However, there is no denying that the interior is cheaply made and poorly assembled. Unfortunately, the quality concerns also extend to some external components like the grill, rear panels, flimsy/plastic bumpers, low quality factory bed liner, gaps in tailgate, etc.

In my opinion, you will POTENTIALLY be getting a super refined, reliable vehicle, but you will be dealing with a lot of little fit and finish annoyances. I also purchased the extended warranty, but having to constantly bring your truck in (my truck has been in four times now for window seal replacements) for stupid little things gets old, regardless if it’s covered under warranty. Although these are small issues in the grand scheme of things, these QC issues do make me wonder if the same lack of attention to detail was given to the powertrain. I do have an SR5, so it’s possible that the higher trims are better sorted. Mine is a 2024, and I am still having some of the quality issues the 22’s and 23’s had regarding the interior and window seals. Here’s a video I posted of my truck’s latest quality issues:

https://youtu.be/wg5iQ7-qRVE?si=aS8TKoLhRpGyQwro

Hope this helps!

 

I don't have a Toyota or a Ford, but I think all OEMs are taking longer to work out these minor issues these days.

I would hope all of the minor issues are resolved by the 2025 MY.

 

A used '22 is risky. A lot of people buy Tundras for their reliability. Why get rid of it after only one or two years? There are many happy '22 and '23 owners, but they are not the ones selling their trucks. I would try to go with a '24. Or if you can't do that, have the truck checked out very thoroughly before buying it.

 

If you want peace of mind, stay off the forums and don’t read about the new trucks. People will tell you not to buy pretty much every truck on the market. There have been some engine failures documented but so far it’s only affected a small portion of trucks. Other than that there are some initial quality problems that are slowly being worked out. I’d recommend test driving a ton of trucks and seeing which one you like best. General consensus is to not buy anything made by stellantis though

 

I hope so too, but I’m not holding my breath.

 

Thanks for all the input. Think I might steer clear, maybe next Truck I get will be a Tundra. Am nervous about why someone would be trading a 2022 in already so my options are even more risk prone. Might have to go test drive a 2nd Gen Tundra and see if the interior feels better than it does in pictures.

 

Don't but one if you don't like the interior. Buy a Ford.

 

Hate to say it but the best Toyotas come with a J as the first character in the Vin#...they really know how to put them together with the special magic...4Runner, Land Cruiser, and any Lexus

 

I moved form being a life long gmc guy for 40 plus years to a 22 tundra 1794 . I currently have 20k miles , basically trouble free other than recalls for fuel line and software update .
I love the truck way better than the gmc 2017 Denali 6.2 transmission and many other problems sold it with 65k miles no regrets

 

QC is getting better year over year but you’re paying for the person’s bonus and promotion they didn’t get during covid

 

GMC 6.2 is my second choice. How do you feel about the power of the 6.2 vs the Tundra?

 

And yet, the Tundras and Sequoias rack up higher miles with the original owners than Land Cruisers and Lexus LXs.

Anecdotally, my J-vin 4Runner developed the rumble strip torque converter slippage at 131k miles.

Regarding location-dependent issues, it seems that the turbo wastegate failures were isolated to the turbos made in the USA under license from IHI Japan. But the 3UR-FEs in the 200s and 570s are just as prone to cam tower leaks, timing chain leaks, timing chain rattle, coolant valley leaks, etc. Toyota even let a design flaw run in the Land Cruiser radiator for over 10 years before correcting it. Even the 300 series has experienced the main bearing failure in the V35A-FTS, although it seemed rarer when I was searching a while back.

They do use cheaper materials for the interior of the US-market models than the J-vin Land Cruisers and Lexus vehicles. My Tundra’s interior is still dead silent after 62k miles, but it scuffs easily and noticeably. That is well down the list of my priorities for a truck, though.

 

It all depends on your priorities. If reliability is number 1, then a 2021 w the V8 is the ticket. Sure MPG is less, interior may not be as pretty. But they are solid, powerful, reliable and like terndrerr my 2016 with 75k miles has a squeak and rattle free interior.

Personally I will take reliability and solid construction over beauty and fluffy features every time.

 

Mechanically, the only thing I've found that is inferior on the Gen 3 compared to earlier Gens is the brakes. They can heat up, warp, and shudder under certain driving conditions. Otherwise, the Gen 3 is a superior truck from a handling and performance perspective.

That said, I agree with others who said the finishes on the Gen 3 seem to be a lower quality than earlier Gens. But I've noticed that trend on each Gen that I've owned.

 

Grab a low mileage unmolested 21 crewmax while you still can. I suggest seat jackers by Desert Does It as the first major improvement to the interior.

 

Avoid 2022 model year for sure, early 2023 build dates are questionable. So 2024 model year or later to get a truck that is more dialed in.

 

I got upgraded to a '24 Tundra as a rental vehicle today (for a business trip I don't want to put miles on my '20 Tundra). The seats are noticeably LESS comfortable than my '20.

 

I would say the factory bed liner is really good. It could have been a port option also, but regardless, it is excellent IMO.

As to whether one should get a used ‘22, or a new ‘24, well I have a ‘22. It’s been great so far. Over 40k on it. But if I was in your shoes I would just get a new one.

 

Still have my fingers crossed on my 2023 it has a build date of February 23. Coming up on 13k miles going to do a Blackstone Labs oil sample soon to see if mine might have a metal shavings time bomb lurking.

 

I would steer clear of first model year but there are plenty of folks who trade up every year or 2. So you may just be getting a barely used truck.

 

Yes this is an excellent point. They could also be lease turn ins. Lots and lots of people get a new rig ever 2-3 years regardless.

 

especially for business, great write off!!

 

In a similar situation!

I currently have a 2017 Tacoma Off-Road, which I sold my 14' 4R SR5 for because we moved to a farm and needed something with a box. We are expecting our first baby soon, though, and once I put the car seat in there, I realized how tight it is in the back. I'm now torn on either going back to a 5th Gen 4R or looking at a 3rd Gen Tundra.

The 4R is tried, tested, and bulletproof, but the new tech and power of the Tundra are night and day. Prices are relatively comparable for a 2019-2020 4R and 2022 Tundra in my area, but I am hoping to see if others have made any similar leaps and what their experience has been.

There is one in particular that I have been eyeing up (2022 Tundra Crewmax Sport with 5.5 box and 105,000 KM), which would cost me about $10,000 CAD to upgrade from my Taco. Is it worth it, or do I try and "make it work" with the Taco until I can afford a newer year?

I know the 22' Tundra's have had some horror stories, and their longevity/ reliability is questionable, which is why I am hesitant in the first place.

 

If it hasn’t been done already it will get a new engine with the recall anyway .

 

For what it's worth. I moved from Tacoma to Tundra because the kids are growing and what once worked just wasn't cutting it anymore. That said, until they were about 12yrs old everything worked out ok. Only thing I can say is go with your gut feeling. If deep down you really want a tundra then your not going to be happy until you make the switch. As to the 2022, for me anyway, If I were going to buy used I would want something that still had warranty on it and allow me to extend it if I chose too.

 

Actually a 2022 isn't a bad deal really, as it will or already has gotten a fresh, clean engine, and any other recalls are probably all taken care of. Might be a decent price with the drama surrounding it. Could be a sleeper of a truck that’s well sorted out and ready to go.