Metal Shavings in Oil - BEWARE - 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5

Hi All,

I posted this on an older thread here. For whatever reason the thread is no longer getting any traction so I thought I'd start a new thread to raise some awareness.

A very peculiar tale about my 2016 Tacoma SR5 involving a substantial amount of metal shavings in my oil! First, let's all buckle up for safety...

I purchased this truck in August, 2016 and found some shiny metal shavings on the dipstick at 3000 miles. The shavings appeared to me to be aluminum based on the color and shine, and they were also non-magnetic (a characteristic of aluminum). I did some brainstorming about what metal moving around an engine could do over the long term and decided to schedule a service appointment with my local dealer. I ask that my oil be changed because there is metal in it. The dealership objected because the first oil change, per the maint. schedule isnt due until 10k miles. I insist, offer to pay for the $45 dollar change myself and my oil is changed, new filter. Interestingly the dealer claimed that they did NOT look for metal in the oil because I didn't ask them too..... weird.

Here is where the getting gets good... At this point I am skeptical after reading all of the opinions offered in this post and decide to get a case # in the works to protect myself. I call Toyota Corporate in order to explain the metal shavings, and what do they say? A nice lady at Toyota listens to my story and informs me that she spoke with a mechanic while on the line with me and that it was normal for metal shavings to be in the oil. WHOA! That was unexpected, but HEY, Toyota Corporate just told me its normal! I'm in good hands!

I drive the truck to its scheduled 5,000 mile maintenance and I bring it into the dealer again and ask that they check for metal shavings this time around while performing the transmission update (hopefully you all are getting your transmission updates!) What do they find? A LOT of Metal shavings! The dealer called Toyota Corporate to figure out what to do and what do they say?
Clean out all metal from the oil pan (by removing it first), install a new filter, new oil and test drive the truck 30 miles.
They do this, and they find metal shavings AGAIN! The dealer calls Toyota Corporate and what do they say?
Change the oil and filter again, return the truck to the customer and advise him to schedule an appointment at 10k miles to REPLACE THE ENGINE!!!!!!

I picked up my truck from the dealership and the shop manager informs me that the metal in the oil is absolutely not normal, that Toyota Corporate directly lied to me, (and obviously told them the truth) and that I will be getting a brand new engine if there is metal in my oil again at 10,000 miles. He admitted that he expects their to be more metal, as far as he is concerned, something is seriously not right.

I am tempted to go after corporate for a new truck altogether as nobody has been able to tell me why this has happened.

 

The warranty they give you requires them to fix defects if they should arise. I doubt, very much, that they will be giving you a new truck over the matter.

Here's what you should do: Take a breath! This shit suuuuuuuuucks. I would be fuming mad too. These things are balls ass expensive. BUT, you need to keep it cool and professional. It's okay to be firm, but dont be that irate asshole customer. The dealership and your service manager are your friend here! It might not seem like it, but having a good rapport and relationship with the service manager is how you get shit fixed--and properly. Be that guys best friend. It's you and him vs. corporate. (From his perspective you are easy $$$ and he will want to help you out for lots of reasons assuming you keep cool). Let him be your advocate with Toyota corporate. He can be the difference between you getting it fixed with an extended platinum warranty vs having parts randomly thrown at it to appease you.

Drive the truck like you normally would and then take it in for its next oil change. If (or when) there is metal in it, you will get a new engine. If you play your cards right, you might get a new engine, platinum warranty for 8 years, a sweet loaner, and some other form of compensation like a months car payment (to pay for the truck while you couldn't drive it).

Make sure everything they tell you is documented in writing. EVERYTHING. Dont let them tell you any that they aren't willing to write down save and print on their official docs. Keep the documents and a paper-trail. If it needs to get ugly later, you will have what you need. Also, do yourself a favor and look up your state's lemon laws. They can be oddly specific and it might help shape the way you move ahead.

 

You know this thread is gonna be good when @Unchained 5150 is there

 

Unfortunately they won't give you a new truck nor do they have to explain anything to you - their obligations end with fixing the problem, which in this case, it sounds like they're more than willing to do.

I have heard of metal shavings being present in the first (first couple?) oil change on various other vehicles, so I believe that part is normal. How much metal shavings is likely the differentiating factor here, as it sounds like you're getting some excessive amounts.

On the bright side, as long as you're not without a truck for very long for the swap to take place, you're getting 10k miles essentially for free, complete with full Toyota warranty for the new parts. Could be worse.

 

I'll be good

 

Here's the shavings from my oil change at 3k. No big deal. It's a new engine.

You won't get a new truck.

I don't really know what you're trying to gain by posting this here and that other thread.

 

Maybe it's obvious, but what engine?

 

Solid input from everyone so far. Appreciate it.

To your comment Dylon

I would agree with you, I've also read that some shavings can be normal from numerous sources, however, the service manager's issue and comment to me was with the significant amount of metal they found on the 1st oil change, followed by a pretty hefty amount after a short 30 miles test drive. I don't think the service tech, nor Toyota was expecting more to be there after the initial oil change and new filter.

 

V6 - Auto Tran.

 

We need pictures!

 

Oh wow.... I'd be livid. Last thing I want is the shop digging into my brand new truck engine then doing a remove and replace on such a major component of the vehicle. Sorry man! That sucks. What is up with these 3rd gens and toyota service?!?

 

This highlights my biggest concern. A truck manufactured in Texas undergoing all manners of quality control and testing (which didn't work out so great afterall) vs a couple of mechanics at my local dealer dropping a new engine in for the first time on a 2016. Always seems like they are just driving (pardon the pun) to move cars through maintenance as quick as possible at the dealer.

 

I feel your pain.

Serious problems with these trucks. Toyota quality out the window.

Good luck with everything and thank you for posting your experience. This thread will now blow up with negativity and people hating on you as if it's your fault or your wrong for having excessive metal shavings in your oil.

 

A single mechanic being paid half as much as an equivalent non-warranty job. Just saying...

Though from a few South Main Auto videos I've seen, an engine change is not that bad, especially with our trucks where the engine bay is relatively spacious.

 

Gee, that really gives me the warm and fuzzies, guess I better push (respectfully) for that platinum warranty.

 

[QUOTE="dYL0n, post: 14224773, member: 49250"
I don't really know what you're trying to gain by posting this here and that other thread.
[/QUOTE]


fo·rum
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1. 1.
   a place, meeting, or medium where ideas and views on a particular issue can be exchanged.

 

You live in CT? It's OK. Your replacement engine will surely outlast your frame.

 

If everything else works fine I say stick with a new engine and squeeze out a 8 year warranty with some goodies on top.

Getting a new truck might sound awesome but ya never know what could go wrong on that one. Replace what's broken and get a little comp.

 

Hey man, if the engine breaks atleast you'll get a new one under warranty.

 

I noticed some flakes in my oil filter housing at the first and second oil change that I did myself. It worried me some, but not a lot since I have the 125k warranty.

After thinking about it for a few days, I honestly believe that this probably isn't a new issue for a new engine but instead it's a byproduct of moving to a oil filter housing with replacement paper filters. Think about it... do you really know what was in your oil filters on your 4.0's? Did you crack open a screw-in filter and check to see what it caught since you put it in?

I'm not a fanboy that writes everything off as normal. I've had some serious issues with my new truck so I have concerns about quality as well. I just don't personally have any baseline for comparison since my 1st gen Tacoma and 4th gen 4Runner both had screw-in filters and, like most people, I've never cracked one open and looked inside after replacing it.