2020 Quality

There's been a lot of posts about folks looking into getting into 2.5 Gen Tundras and I figured I'd share my experience and thoughts with our 2020 Platinum, which unfortunately, I've had a decent amount of uncharacteristic quality/reliability issues with. It is frustrating for my family as we've had other Toyotas that didn't experience any issues, including a Toyota Rav4 and Sequoia.

Maybe our Tundra was built on a Monday, but I feel this is more of a reflection of COVID and a general degredation in quality across the board. So I share this information for two reasons:

1. That prospective buyers are aware that these may be issues and inspect the truck for them.
2. My personal observations as a sample of 1, reflecting on some fairly stark quality differences between our Limited Sequoia (2014) and this Platinum Tundra (2020)

And as a disclaimer, I still very much trust this truck over the alternatives and am not hear to bash it. So here are the issues:

1. A/C Fan blower bearing went out. Around mid-2023, the blower started making a ticking noise. At first I thought it was just a leaf that made it's way in, but unfortunately it wasn't. Dropped the fan it had a distinct burning smell. Replaced with a new OEM factory fan and no more issues.
2. Front differential needle bearing. Around beginning of 2022, the front differential needle bearing started to make the dreaded harmonic woosh that would only go away with engaging 4H. After getting the run around from the dealership while it was under warranty, I just bit the bullet and replaced it with an ECGS bushing.
3. Front left door check is broken. We are certainly not hard on the doors, but the door check needed to be replaced and was cracked. Unfortunately the left rear one is starting to make noise too. The front right one had loose bolts. The other two that were making noise were a bit loose as well, possibly contributing to the issue.
4. The factory JBL head unit has been problematic. At times, it freezes, resets or just glitches out. There is no rhyme or reason, I can't replicate it, it happens intermittently.
5. The factory JBL audio quality is very poor compared to our Sequioas JBL system. I've had to replace two speakers already that were blown and it looks like I may have a third on the way out. One of them I believe may have been induced by a storm, however, the other speakers I had to replace well before that.
6. As of last week, it sounds like I may be replacing the AIP soon. It has become very noisy and sounds like one of the pumps is going bad.
7. UPDATE 7/30, alternator bearing is shot

The other item that is not related to quality, but just a general gripe, is the fact that I had to install an aftermarket transmission cooler. I know that is a hotly debated topic, but just something I wanted to throw out.

Anyway, like I said, this is not meant to be a bash thread, but just to mention some of the quirks I'm dealing with, in case someone is looking for a 2020+ build 2.5 gen Tundra. I'd recommend looking into these, as you may find similar issues. At least none of these are major powertrain issues, just annoying.

 

Sorry to hear that OP… my ‘20 Platinum has been flawless. I agree with transmission cooler, planning to install one shortly, but my temps rarely go over 210F. My truck was built before the vid closed everything down, we bought it in July with like $6k discount. Plan to ride it into retirement!

 

Bought my 2020 SR5 in Aug of 2020 right after it came out of the port and it has been flawless.

 

My 21 has been the best out of the 5 Tundras I’ve had…

 

My '20 SR5 has been a peach as well. One day on our very pot-holed gravel road my radio display went dark. Re-powered and was fine. Had never happened before and has never happened since.
Other than that things have been flawless, and I use my truck like a truck; no pavement princess here, we live on 21 miles of gravel. Factory offset mandatory!

 

Sounds like you have had component failures, not poor workmanship during assembly. I'm fairly certain a few components of every vehicle will eventually have issues. I'd say you've done pretty good really, especially since the main focus during design and production is overall profitability. My 21 has been pushed hard with only a cracked tailgate hinge from plain abuse, the sudden impact of a full 55 gal drum. That said, I do generally modify and maintain it to match my usage.

 

I somewhat disagree, the loose bolts on the door check assembly are a sign of workmanship issues.

 

OP what was the manufacture date of your 2020? I brought mine home in October '19 so well before covid issues. 77k miles and the only things I've had is the broken door check like you and the arm rest is peeling up right by the shifter area. Other than that, it's just maintenance.

For prospective hunters, No vehicle is going to be short of simple issues/quirks but luckily these trucks are one of the most reliable out there.

 

Sorry to hear that. My 2020 Limited has been flawless. However it only has 30K miles on it. Bought it in May of 2020. Build date February 2020. Discounted $12,000 due to no one heading to the dealership at that time.

 

2020 Platinum, bought it a few months ago with 40K miles. I'd be interested in hearing what others have for mileage.

Recently noticed a very subtle harmonic woosh at 40 MPH that stops when I put it in 4WD. Purchased a small cheap Bluetooth mic so I can temporarily mount it under the truck and record the sound, essentially making preparations for trying to get it fixed under the powertrain warranty at the dealership, though sounds like I might need to raise a lot of hell at the dealership to try and get it covered. Also found a TSB for older Tundras whereby Toyota started installing a replacement bushing in the diff. Hoping to go down that road versus a new dif.

I need to check the cam-shaft tower seals. Hoping they leak so I can get them replaced under the powertrain warranty before it expires.

Started researching aftermarket transmission coolers last week and will be purchasing one shortly.

Edit: The TSB for older Tundras does not cover installing a replacement bushing. I misread the instructions in the TSB.

 

I'm going to have to agree with you yakeng. New vehicles are built like toys. They are universally junk. They are meant to be replaced, not serviced.

 

20-21 are the last 2 years of the V8 Tundra. 15 years of improvements. Hardly “junk”. More like the pinnacle of the Tundra years.

 

2021 sr5 2wd here. Zero problems at 66,000miles. Only fluids and filters and one set of tires have been replaced. The 12volt battery was replaced because of it leaking fluid out No trips to the dealer for warranty or repairs. It's my work truck too so it's idles, drives around jobsites, has to climb over curbs, off roads, has to be restarted dozens of times each day. My doors/ tailgate are used dozens and dozens of times each day with people getting in and out and getting tools.

 

Driving a ‘21 built in Sept ‘20. Yes, the audio quality sucks. Yes, the interior plastic scuffs easily. I put a cooler on mine right away.

I did install the ECGS bushing myself as well, even though I’m not sure it needed it. It was making a slight humming noise. After opening it up and hammering that bushing in, I realized how truly unnecessary it was. It was just a noise. Zero damage or wear. Maybe others’ trucks actually need it to be replaced, but mine was so subtle, I think it would have simply made a slight noise for 100s of thousands of miles if I had left it alone. It was just the tiniest amount of play in the drivers side CV axle at the diff that would resonate at certain speeds in 2hi. Not an issue that needed attention on mine.

I have read that other trucks have it much worse and actually have a damaged cv axle where it inserts into the diff. Mine was nothing like that. We’re talking less than a millimeter of play at 60k miles. Now that I think about it, I’m pretty sure I heard the humming noise on my test drive when I bought the truck, haha.

If my ac blower motor goes out, I’ll put the Land Cruiser one in it, per @Jowett’s post here.

Bottom line for me: nothing is completely perfect, even though this truck, our LX, and my old 2015 Prius are as close as it gets. If the only problems I ever have are things I can fix with $100 worth of parts in my own driveway, I call that a major win.

 

2020 1794 purchased March 14, 2020, right BEFORE Covid hit, with ~72,000 miles on it. The only issue I have had is the JBL head unit locking up occasionally. I don't tow much, but if I did, I would install the tranny cooler. My transmission guy (known from previous vehicles) went into detail about how the design of the '20 and '21's is just fine unless you tow heavy loads regularly. Sorry you are having issues, OP. I would bet that it does have something to do with Covid.

 

Not one issue with mine. (Knocks on wood)

 

Ditto this.
65k miles on mine now... still on the original brake pads and battery. Only maintenance/repair work ive done is oil and filter changes.

 

Are you going to do a drain and fill for your transmission?

 

08/20 on the sticker, right in the thick of COVID. I think part of the issue is that parts were sourced from countries locked down earlier than the US too, so you actually have to think back to 2019.

Like I said, I feel like my issues are really uncharacteristic of Toyota. I still really like the truck and do trust it over the other options. It's just frustrating dealing with these little things. #firstworldproblems

 

Unfortunately, there have been quite a few 19-21 owners having issues with the front diff carrier, driven by the slop in the needle bearing on the front diff. Technically the needle bearing isn't bad, it is the carrier machining, but you throw an ECGS bushing in and it gets rid of enough slop that the noise goes away.

My CV was in very good shape even with the issue, but the noise drove me nuts, so I swapped it. The job isn't that bad to do if you are mechanically inclined. The worst part is pulling the CV. Being patient with a slide hammer was the trick for me.

 

2019 here, with close to 50k miles. Front diff or transfer case makes harmonic noises in 4LO. Front brakes replaced. Intermediate steering shaft rusted due to narrow aftermarket skid plate (RCI) and wading deep waters. ATF cooler reintroduced. Frame treated while new and then reapplied 4 years later. The rear bumper rusted badly due to salt, had to take it off, treat and cover with rust prevention. Other than that can't think of anything.

 

I really wish I would have seen that post from Jowett on the AC blower fan, that's pretty legit. I wonder if it will work in the Sequoia as well.

And I agree, nothing is perfect, especially in this day and age. My friend just had to replace the transmission in their Chevy at just over 100K. I'd much rather deal with these little things over a major powertrain issue.

 

The dash is no different from gen2 Tundra, I think.

 

When I took my needle bearing out, I put it where it goes around the axle (if anybody doesn’t know, it fits like a collar around the end of the axle that goes into the diff) and found the tiniest bit of room for the axle to wiggle. For my truck and I suspect for many others, it’s just a noise.

I’d love to see someone’s axle or bearing that has noticeable wear from the loose fit. I’m pretty sure mine made the noise on my test drive with 3 miles on the odometer. I replaced it with the bushing from ECGS at 61k miles with no apparent wear to be found on the bearing or axle.

 

2021 with 40k miles built in June 2021. Needle bearing issue first noticed at ~5k miles and replaced with ECGS bushing at ~30k miles, stock suspension and wheels/tires. Seems like we have several 20/21 owners with the bearing issue on here.

Head unit was replaced with a Kenwood Excelon in the first month just because I like Kenwood, it has a gauge interface to monitor various temperatures and the audio sounds much better. Never really used the stock head unit much but I have never been impressed with Toyota factory units.

I have noticed my driver rear door check clicking, but the nuts are tight and there's nothing obviously wrong yet. Just something I am keeping an eye on.

Driver's seat lumbar mechanism has had a click/pop in it since new, but I haven't really noticed it lately. Either I'm used to it or I wore those parts smooth.

Other than that I'm impressed so far that I have absolutely zero interior creaks and rattles. My 2018 Tacoma and 2020 Highlander all had various creaks and rattles by this point.

 

Yours looks exactly like mine did, a very light amount of wear on the liner that carries all of the individual needles inside the outer bearing race.

I remember seeing posts on Tacomaworld years ago with pictures of the needles falling out of the bearing and being found on the front diff drain plug magnet. Never seen anything like that here though.

 

Mine made the noise intermittently during the test drive, but I couldn't replicate it at first and just wrote it off as feathered tires. That was before I realized what the issue was. I threw calipers on my CV after I pulled it. The CV looked polished but the measurements were the same.

 

My needle bearing looked like that also. I have a feeling that some of the broken/loose needles actually occured during removal.

If you search the Taco forums and some of the other Tundra sites, prior to ECGS coming out with a solution and tool, folks were doing things that could cause issues with needles falling into the diff by damaging the bearing during removal. Some were using blind bearing pullers, one cut actually cut it....it was all over the place.

 

I have a 2020 Crewmax that I bought with 24k miles, it now has 36k miles... Really the only issue I have is the needle bearing issue (woo woo noise and slight steering wheel vibration at 25mph which goes away in 4wd). Toyota replace the front differential about 10k ago and that helped with the noise for a bit, but it seems to be coming back now. I just purchased the ECGS bushing but haven't got is installed yet. Might wait and see if the noise gets worse since no one has seen any failures. Other than that the truck has been great.

Seems like a common problem with the 20/21 is the needle bearing...

 

Doh! And those gen2/2.5 acolytes are bitching about gen 3 bearings problem while they have their own bearing problem! Not fair!