Toyota Motor Company recently surpassed, however briefly, U.S. automaker General Motors as the world's number one automaker in terms of sales. Since then, the Japanese giant has been suffering hit after hit to its reputation as the maker of high-quality vehicles.
The latest involves the all-new Toyota Tundra. Bigger, badder, and more powerful than prior generations, the automaker's largest pickup is an important step in Toyota's entry into the last bastion of American muscle: large trucks.
Thus you can image the embarrassement felt by the top brass and designers as the Tundra slipped on the roadway. Gannett News Service (via The Ithaca Journa) reports that the car manufacturer has discovered that a couple of engine's camshafts, which regulates the flow of air and fuel into the engine, have a defect that prevents them from functioning.
Toyota has traced the issue to one of its contractors. A spokesperson for Toyota reports that the automaker's has discovered so far 20 vehicles that have been affected. It has resolved the issue with the contractor and said it will replace the entire engine?not just the part?if owners encounter the problem.
Toyota has not issued a formal recall, stating it doesn't believe that many Tundras were affected.
Our take? As always, we recommend owners to take their vehicles to the nearest dealership for at least a checkup.