2024 Toyota Tundra

I am reporting a latent manufacturing defect in my 2024 Toyota Tundra i-FORCE MAX (Hybrid). This vehicle is equipped with the V35A-FTS engine, which has been officially recalled in non-hybrid Tundra models (NHTSA Recall 25V767) due to internal machining debris that causes catastrophic engine failure. Current Situation: Although my vehicle has not yet experienced a total engine seizure, it contains the exact same engine architecture and manufacturing origin as the recalled units. I am filing this complaint because Toyota has excluded the Hybrid models from the safety recall, citing that the electric motor acts as a safety backup. Safety Concern: My safety and the safety of my passengers are at risk because this "safety backup" claim is unproven and potentially false. Data from other owners suggests that a catastrophic V35A engine failure triggers a system-wide "Hybrid System Malfunction," which can disable all motive power, power steering, and braking assist. Driving a vehicle with a known "ticking time bomb" defect—where the engine could seize at highway speeds—creates a high-risk environment for a high-speed collision. Request for Action: I am urging the NHTSA to investigate the i-FORCE MAX Hybrid models and compel Toyota to expand Recall 25V767 to include all V35A-equipped hybrid vehicles. The exclusion of the hybrid model is a bypass of safety protocols that leaves owners like myself driving a vehicle with a documented manufacturing flaw that the manufacturer has already admitted requires a full engine replacement in other configurations. Inspection: The vehicle is available for inspection; however, the defect is internal and was caused during the manufacturing process, making it invisible to standard dealer inspections until the point of failure.

When coming to a stop and then trying to accelerate to turn into a street I get an abnormal amount of throttle lag. There’s even times it seems to lag and then registers that I am trying to accelerate quickly causing me to “burn out” while I’m turning and no I am not accelerating crazy. There’s been a few close calls where I almost lose control of the vehicle.

On July 31, 2024, my vehicle lost power while driving on the freeway and I had to make an emergency stop. Luckily I was able to do so safely. I brought the vehicle to Toyota Dealership South Bay to report this issue. The dealership inspected the vehicle but stated that they were unable to diagnose or replicate the problem and returned the vehicle to me without repair. The issue persisted and/or reoccurred after that visit. On November 6, 2025, Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing issued Safety Recall No. 25V767000 (NHTSA Campaign Number 25V767000), titled “Debris in Engine May Cause Stall.” According to the recall, debris from the manufacturing process may contaminate the engine and cause the main bearings to fail, which can result in an engine stall and loss of drive power. The recall applies to certain 2022–2024 Toyota Tundra vehicles equipped with the V35A engine and affects approximately 126,691 vehicles. The recall states that a loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. The defect described in Recall No. 25V767000 appears to directly explain the issue I reported to Toyota Dealership South Bay on July 31, 2024, more than a year before the recall was issued. At the time of my service visit, no recall, safety warning, or remedy was disclosed to me, and the concern was not resolved. Toyota has indicated that the remedy for this recall is currently under development and that interim notification letters were mailed to owners on December 16, 2025, with a final remedy to follow. This condition presents a significant safety risk because an engine stall and sudden loss of drive power can occur without warning while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of a crash.

While driving down the highway at ~70 mph, the truck's powertrain suddenly shut off. The electronics still worked, but the RPMs dropped to zero. I was forced to pull off to the side of the road, where I tried to turn off and turn back on. The truck kept on turning off and on by itself electronically, but the engine and transmission wouldn't engage for roughly 10 minutes. I was eventually able to start the truck and limp home, but the engine was knocking afterward. Completely shutting down while driving down the highway at cruising speeds is insanely unsafe.

I am submitting a safety defect concern regarding Toyota’s V35A 3.4L twin-turbo V6 manufacturing defect involving machining debris contaminating crankshaft main bearings. Toyota initiated a safety recall in May 2024 for MY 2022–2023 Toyota Tundra and Lexus LX vehicles, citing debris left in the engine during manufacturing that can lead to bearing failure, engine failure, loss of motive power, and increased crash risk. In November 2025, Toyota expanded this recall to include MY 2022–2024 Toyota Tundra, MY 2022–2024 Lexus LX, and MY 2024 Lexus GX vehicles, citing the same defect mechanism. Despite this expansion, Toyota has excluded i-FORCE MAX hybrid vehicles from the recall population. My vehicle is a 2024 Toyota Tundra i-FORCE MAX, VIN [XXX] , build date 02/2024, with 3,667 miles. It uses the same V35A 3.4L twin-turbo engine architecture and manufacturing process implicated in the recall. The presence of a hybrid electric motor does not eliminate the underlying defect mechanism (engine-internal debris contamination) nor the risk of sudden engine failure, loss of power under load, or unsafe drivability conditions. Excluding hybrid vehicles appears inconsistent with the stated defect cause and may result in similarly affected vehicles not being inspected, remedied, or disclosed to owners. I respectfully request that NHTSA evaluate whether Toyota’s exclusion of i-FORCE MAX vehicles is technically justified given the defect mechanism described, and whether additional investigation or recall expansion is warranted. At this time, my vehicle has not exhibited failure symptoms; however, this is a latent manufacturing defect with potential safety consequences. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Vehicle lost power and wouldn’t speed up while I was on the freeway and nearly caused a wreck because I couldn’t get the vehicle up to the speed limit. I pulled over and after shutting the vehicle off for an extended amount of time I then restated my truck but still experienced a lag in the engine. I would press the gas pedal and it took a while for the engine to seemingly engage and take off. The dealer was notified and they stated “we know of the issue but there is no fix, no need to bring it in as we are aware of the issues”

Vehicle experienced a loss of power while driving on a busy freeway and an extreme lag between pressing the gas pedal and when the vehicle would start going again. Called the dealership and was told “that’s a know issue with no current fix” they wouldn’t even look at the vehicle because there is a recall on my engine for this exact problem and Toyota does not have a fix yet.

When in stop and go traffic, almost coming to a complete stop or completely stopped the truck will intermittently have a throttle delay or lag where there is no power for 1-3 seconds followed buy a surge of acceleration. I’ve almost had a couple accidents where in stop and go traffic the truck surged almost Causing me to rear end the vehicle ahead of me. Another time I was stopped at a 2 way unrolled intersection. I pressed on the accelerator and the truck just rolled without power for a couple Seconds until it surged or jolted to acceleration. Otherwise I would’ve been in the middle of the intersection with oncoming traffic approaching. The dealer inspected and was unable to replicate the problem and I have taken it in several times. Repairing dealer confirmed manufacturer has had complaints about the same issue with the same model vehicle. There were no codes or error messages ever displayed. The dealer said they would contact when and if the manufacturer had a remedy or recall available. .