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Uh oh, if you have cold feet about your recent truck purchase then it’s too late to bail. Owners of the gas-powered Toyota Tundra can’t trade their trucks in because dealerships are rejecting them. Used Toyota Tundra models have severe engine problems. 

Used Toyota Tundra models are being  rejected by dealerships 

If you aren’t having a good time with your third-generation Toyota Tundra, good luck. Dealerships are refusing to accept them as trade-in options because of severe engine failure problems that currently don’t have a solution. 

You might be stuck with your gas-powered Tundra for a few more months until Toyota comes up with a solution for the current recall related to complete engine failure. 

It makes sense because dealerships are legally required to correct all recalls on certified pre-owned vehicles before listing them for sale. They would have to sit on them until Toyota rolls out a solution or wholesale them to other businesses. 

According to Pickup Truck Talk, a man named Joe Pichette decided to trade his Tundra in for a GMC Sierra AT4X after several attempts to correct a bed-knocking issue. But the dealership politely said no thanks due to severe recalls with no planned fixes. 

The 2024 Toyota Tundra off-roading
2024 Toyota Tundra | Toyota

Paul Philly attempted to trade in his Tundra TRD Pro for a 2020 Land Cruiser but the dealership said it wasn’t interested in purchasing his Tundra. 

This Tundra model has the hybrid engine and isn’t included in the engine failure recall. The hybrid engine doesn’t lose full power when it stalls because the battery provides motive power. However, people are afraid that the recall will eventually include the hybrid models. 

Dealers recommend using Carmax or privately selling their trucks, despite losing the trade-in tax credit. But owners could be stuck with these trucks that may not run for months. 

The engine failure recall is related to potentially leaving machining debris in the engines when they were produced. 

This leads to knocking, the engine running rough, the failure to start, and a loss of motive power. Suddenly losing power increases the risk of injuries and accidents. 

Completely replacing the engine may cost over $30,000. So Toyota and current third-generation Tundra owners are in a massive pickle.

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Allison Barfield

Allison Barfield joined MotorBiscuit in 2020 and covers all things trucks, SUVs, and Jeeps. Having grown up on a farm in Rock Hill, South Carolina, she’s no stranger to the “Best in Class” truck and SUV debates; people in her hometown were always gathering to help work on vehicles together, and deliberation would naturally arise.

Allison graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Media Arts. She has helped bring awareness to issues Women In Trucking face and has promoted Truckers Against Trafficking, an anti-trafficking NGO.

A fan of creatively dark literature, Allison appreciates the works of Shirley Jackson and Emily Dickenson. She lives in a mountainous area of the country and enjoys off-roading and camping. Her dog, Bruce, often joins her in testing trucks and SUVs for our site.