The front brakes have been replaced at least ten different times. The brake systems on toyota's are definetly not as good as many other auto makers. It seems as if they have no intention of changing the way they build the brake systems they use. I hope one day they are forced to address this problem and embrace their responsibility head-on. I also had to replace a broken timing belt and tensioner.
One of our friends just asked my wife to give him a ride to a meeting because the brakes on his Tundra had gone out again and he was afraid to drive it until he could get it fixed (AGAIN). She was more than happy to give him a ride in our flawless, trouble-free GMC so she could see the egg on his face from all his past bragging about his "superior" Toyota. Of course he sort of stopped bragging about 10 repairs ago!!
I agree that, IMO, due to globalization, Toyotas have suffered with a few items. I have already mentioned that I was having trouble with my brake system and a few minor things. After seven Toyotas they have become more "human" but I don't think this forum would allow me the space to write about all the GM problems I've had over the years, and Toyota has recently come out and acknowledged some problems.
While Toyota has slipped some, Chevy and GM have a long road to haul to gain any higher respect. They are working on it though. I noticed they copied the Toyota truck frame and that is a good thing. I wish them luck and I think they finally got rid of that smoker the 350 engine.
Peter.
It's a little scary to think that GM would revert to the less rugged frame design of the Tundra. A truck comparison film showing the construction details of all of the big 3 trucks, and showed the Tundra to have the weakest, most poorly designed frame of any. Refer to the 2004 Tundra reviews for the web address for the film. It's an eye-opener.
Tundra is obviously not the only dud from Toyota. Check out the Toyota reviews for the 2006 Camry. ONLY 2 out of the 5 reviewers would buy another Toyota!! And that is based on a BRAND NEW CAR, not a 5 or 6 year old one.
It is now a fact that Tundra's frame is weak and prone to offer rattles well under the warranty expired. Saving fuel with light chassis is a loser for the average buyer.
"Saving fuel with light chassis is a looser for the average buyer."
And yet the tundra still gets worse gas mileage than almost any domestic half ton pickup so it ends up being a lose-lose situation.
I have to say that Toyota has an extremely good frame. So good that both Ford and Chevy copied the frame in the early 2000s. I have been told by a regional ins. adjuster that the Fords and Chevys crumpled compared to the Toyota before the frame change.
PEter.
22:43 Those review are mostly posted by Ford and Chevy fans who make them up so that they can feel good about their junker Fords and Chevy's. Despite what "2 out of 5" people on this site have to say, Camrys are still outselling the Little 3 today, and will continue to do so. Look up the sales numbers if you care to see the truth.
No maker has ever offered less truck and more hype than Toyota with the ludicrously under-engineered Tundra. A frame that is weaker than Ford, Chevy or Dodge (rants by import fans not withstanding), an engine that was defective and had to be replaced, bad brakes, steering problems, front suspension defects, axle shafts half the size of Ford's, a low-quality plastic interior and worse gas mileage in a lighter truck.
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