Fred’s Tundra Bed Bounce Horror Story
Jason Lancaster | May 19, 2008 | Comments 47
Fred purchased a new 2007 Tundra from Manhattan Beach Toyota in Manhattan Beach California in February of 2007 – here’s his bed bounce story:
“By May or June I had taken my 1st freeway drive to Palm Spring, California and I was very concerned about this bouncing problem I experienced, so I contacted Toyota. They gave me a case number, said they were aware of the situation, and that they were working on a fix.
By September 2007 I had enough of waiting for Toyota, so I went to Manhattan Beach Toyota and spoke with the owner regarding this concern. Again, I got the same answer that Toyota had given me. I then asked about the dealership buying back my truck. Since I paid $27,000 out the door a few months ago, I figured I could get most of my money back. They told me that Toyota’s have high resale value when I bought the truck, so imagine my surprise when their offer for a 6-month-old truck was only $16,000!
I declined.
I then filed complaints with the State of California DMV, Department of Transportation, Department of Consumer Affairs, a Lemon Law Lawyer, and, after all of this work on my part, the official Toyota arbitration process was started.
Before the arbitration process was supposed to begin, I got a phone call from the Manhattan Beach Toyota service manager. He said ‘Man you have caused such a stir that Toyota wants to take your truck and video tape it on a test drive..they want to fix this problem ASAP and your vehicle is the one they want to use to document the issue and come up with a solution to correct the engineering problem.‘
My experience with Manhattan Beach Toyota was terrible – I caught them in a lie about driving and video taping my truck. They claimed that the truck was tested and video taped by a Toyota engineer, but that was all a lie. My truck didn’t move from the spot I parked it in – I spent most of the day watching my truck sit in it’s parking spot from just across the street. I followed the engineer when he tested the truck, but he never went on the highway and there was no camera.
Fast forward to the arbitration hearing in November. I present my case – all written correspondence, numerous complaints from the comments on TundraHeadquarters.com, as well as videos from this web site and others.
After I presented my case the arbitrator asked the Toyota rep ‘Do you have any response to his complaints?‘ She stated ‘No sir.‘ He then asked ‘Do you agree with the statements made by the owner of the vehicle?‘ The Toyota rep said that she did. The Arbitrator then asked ‘Can you fix his truck?‘, she stated “No sir, it is an engineering issue and Toyota has no fix as of yet.
The Arbitrator then asked ‘What about giving him a new vehicle?‘, and the Toyota representative stated that ‘All the Tundra models have the same problem and experience the same issues.‘
10 days later I got the decision from the Arbitration Board…DENIED
Filed Under: Tundra Recalls
Iv’e had the bed bouncing problem also since i have bought my 2007 Tundra. I live in rural West Texas, so saying that it is unique to California freeways is a bunch of bs. The serv. dept. here where i live is awesome and they are trying to help me with this situation, but i have the feeling that it’s never going to be resolved also.
I live in Canada and have the same bed bounce. Fortunatley I only travel on concrete for about 2 miles twice a day and this it the only time I notice it, the rest of my travel is on asphalt. I have read other web sites and read other reviews and this appears to be a common problem. Other wise I love this truck. I hope the Toyota engineers get a solution to this problem.
Eric – Anywhere that you’ll find concrete highways with large expansion joints, you’ll find bed bounce. Toyota, however, has indicated that most of the complaints come from S. California. My guess is the population density of Tundra owners is higher their. That, and a lot of people in Texas depend on the Toyota Tundra for their jobs! 🙂
To be honest with everyone, I just traded my 2001 Silverado 4×4 for a 2004 Tundra because of ongoing steering gear issues. I had the same bed bounce in my Silverado as in my Tundra. It’s not something that concerns me as I use my truck as it was intended, to haul and raise a little hxll in. The comment about asphalt vs concrete is correct, concrete has no give where as asphalt does and since asphalt is a petroleum based product as is the rubber on our tires; there is simply a better bond between them and therefore a quieter ride to start with. It may be just in the 07’s, I don’t know. Go Tundra!
You better add Oklahoma to the list as well. We have hundreds of miles of concrete highways. No joking, my passengers have complained of feeling sick, described to me as “sea sick”. Don’t take your kids to Six Flags, just put them in the Tundra and drive down 412!
I drove the same highways with my F150 Supercrew 4×4 (6 years) and a Dodge Ram 4×4 (5 years) and never had this problem, at all. I can barely keep passengers in my new luxurious $45K Tundra. Around town, on asphalt or newer concrete roads it doesn’t produce this issue.
I absolutely love everything else about this truck, but the bed bounce is so incredibly horrible it overshadows any other benefit (perceived or real).
I’ve moved to Toyotas because of confidence in their quality and support (we also have a Siena Van). What a gigantic disappointment! What ever happened to standing by your product? BTW, Toyota headquarters states “They are aware of the design defect, but since it is a design defect there is nothing to fix sorry”
I wonder how many of the above commments related to “bed bounce” are actually true? How do we know those comments are not coming from chev/ford dealers that have found this website?
Anyway, the bed bounce thing should not be THAT big of an issue. If you want the bed bounce to stop then all you have to do is cancel out the frequency of vibration in the speed envelope that it happens at. How? It’s called dampening 😉 Try changing the rear shocks! Duh.
One more thing… may inquire why this blog topic is titled horror story? So the guy’s stomach jiggled more than he liked; oooh my gosh! He’s the one that pursued a lawsuit against a HUGE CORPORATION… gee I wonder why he lost?
I would think that if this is such a die-hard toyota fan site that more of you would be working together not complaining. I don’t see the Ford guys complaining even though Ford’s truck line has suffered for YEARS with problems such as: IGNITION SYSTEMS and all other items that electrons run through, stiff rides and loose steering feel.
Let’s get it together guys, Toyota makes some kick-** Sh** !
Mark – We wholeheartedly agree that Toyota makes a great product. However, this is a great example of a big company ignoring some customers. I had the chance to talk to Fred on the phone a few times during this whole ordeal, and I can tell you his beef is 100% legit. The “horror” in this story isn’t the bed bounce itself – it’s the way Fred was treated by his dealer and by Toyota. We shortened the story to make it easier to read, but the original includes quite a bit of back and forth with the dealership’s technician, who lied to Fred’s face about testing his vehicle. The point is we’re dedicated to talking about the Tundra, good and bad.
I just purchased a 2008 Tundra in Scottsdale Az. I thought it was just me with the bed bounce, so Im not crazy afterall, Interesting that are freeways have rubberized coatings on portions and it still happens. I tried slowing down, speeding up nothing worked.I travel all over the Valley and cruise around 75/80 mph on the freeways, mine doesnt seem to happen all the time only on certain parts of the freeway does it happen, which seems to me like swapping the shocks out might help. Anyone tried this with any luck?
I have an ’08 Crewmax, i don’t know what bed bounce you guys are talking about? I drive about 15 miles to work and 15 miles back from work everyday on the 5 freeway here in los angeles. I dont have any bed bounce problems.
Bed bounce IS an issue with my 2008 Tundra and one of the only problems I can truly understand and complain about. Yes, I have used it to haul my motorcycles and other large objects as a truck is supposed to do. But it became even more noticeable when a previous passenger when I first purchased my truck in December 2008 noticed it two days ago. It was horrible on my drive home from California to Texas…..mainly in South California. But it is something I can live with as it doesn’t happen often and I don’t know of any other truck that can haul, go up inclines, and still get 18 MPG doing average of 80 MPH.
“… vehicle is operating normally.” SOS. That’s what GM said about my 2001 2500HD crew cab w/6.0L and the piston slap. I have an ’07 Tundra, my first and last Toyota. And my last new model year vehicle…ever, I’m tired of being a field tester for these a**holes.
“Bouncing Betty” was a nickname for a particularly nasty land mine that “bounced up about waist high before detonating, sending a lot of american soldiers home from Viet Nam without legs. Well, I can’t think of a better name for my new truck.
My story is about the same as the rest of you. The factory rep finally told me “that is just the nature of the Tundra truck” and Toyota does not have any fix in the works but will notify us if something comes up. We have several small Tundras in service on our ranch that have performed great, outlasting their 1/2 ton partners from Ford and Chevy that were purchased at the same time. Therefore, I bought a new Crew Max for my personal vehicle.
The only trouble I have ever had with a Toyota was with a transfer case in a 2004 Land Cruiser (my personal vehicle). Toyota jumped all over that problem so fast I couldn’t believe it even though I was out of warranty. So I was very surprised to hear that Toyota has a new product that is substandard and they seem to be OK with that. They should know that truck buyers have LONG memories and one bad experience is frequently never forgotten. For example, your Dodge leaves you walking one time and you might never buy one again especially if the factory thinks that is OK!
I test Drove two 08 crew max trd trucks yesterday and no bouncing. However I would like to know why one at 70mph showed 22MPG and the other at 70mph showed only 19.4MPG?
Pretty disheartening to see what Fred went through with the arbitration hearing and the run around from his dealer. I can testify that the run around is not unique to his dealer. Toyota of San Juan Capistrano is telling me the same stories. I have 42,000 miles on this truck. I will change tires at 50,000 but does anyone know if a specific brand of tires helps this bounce or not? Please let me know if you have any information. I would like to get to the warrantied 100,000 miles before I dump this junker but I am so sick of this truck already, I may bail early.
Vernon – There’s always some variance between vehicles, but I wouldn’t trust either reading. They’re highly inaccurate on new vehicles that have only been driven a few miles – between lots of idling, the road test at the factory, loading and unloading during transport, the dealer road test, moving the truck on the dealer’s lot, and test drives, there’s no reason to believe the fuel economy reading reported by the computer. After all, it’s an average over the last few miles. Since those miles aren’t “normal”, the reading won’t be either.
EVERYONE: When are we going to get a class action suit together? Has anyone spoken to a lawyer about class action?
Many thanks
Darren – Please check your email.
I contacted a lemon law attorney that has been collecting info on the issue. he askes me to have the service dapeartment try and fix it twice and ask toyota to buy it back. This would satisfy the lemon law. I just completed this yesterday and gave him the info.. It blew me away that Toyota wont correspond via email.
Well unfortunately I have the same issues in Colorado when driving on concrete freeways some more than others. Is this something that could be remedied by changing to after market rear shocks?
Its a drag that Toyota won’t address the issue
It depends on where you at if you get the bounce. When Fred filed his lawsuit did he include DOT in it?
Mickey – Fred’s experience was actually an arbitration, and no he didn’t include the DOT.
Yes, Toyota has left their California customers in trucks that ride very rough on Cali concrete freeways. They use a flexible frame that resonates for larger frame lengths, and these Tundras are the longest frame length they have been selling. The smaller vehicles did not have this problem, as they have a higher resonant frequency (shorter frame), so the problem doesnt really manifest itself for these vehicles.
The flexible frame is a large part of the reason that Toyota vehicles are so robust. My guess is that although these trucks are annoying as hell to drive in Cali, they will still be running down the road 200 to 300k miles later, and probably still shaking like that. Ive owned four Toyota trucks, and all of them have ridden rough, but the 07 Crewmax is by far the worst. We buy Toyota cause we want a truck that will run for years, and maintain resale value, but not for the smooth ride.
I moved from Cali to DC, and the truck rides smooth in DC. However, I do sympathise with those in Cali, as it is VERY uncomfortable ride on those freeways with one of these trucks!!
Agree James. At least you know what it feels like. Down here in flat Jax don’t really have any roads with that just 2 small sections of 2 bridges has it.
I’ve just purchased an 08 Crewmax 2wd, since I’m commited to the purchase of this vehilce, I’ve added a Willybar (400 lbs.) and a pair of Sulastic Plastic Springs (replacement shackles). This has made the smooth ride on other surfaces smoother and has tamed the majority of the Bed Bouce encountered on the concrete California Highways. These two items cost me about $1,200.00 installed, but now I can travel in relative comfort. My general work area is from Arvin, California to Stockton, California. With occasional trips to Southern California and the Bay Area. I live near the Fresno Area. I’ve written a letter to Toyota Motor about my fix and cost to fix but am not expecting a response.
I have a 07 tundra, i live in az. It rides very well, my wife thought it rode like car. I am a contractor all i drive is trucks. My Dodge dually 4×4 can ride a little rough at times, but not bad. I have lived and travel in Calif. a lot, the roads do suck. I have never had a problem with it. maybe you should buy car.
I’ve been sitting here for a half hour now reading this garb about bounce. I live in Canada; the largest freeway near me has around 25miles of concrete; I travel this road daily and have not found anything wrong with my 08 Crewmax. In fact it rides better than my Mercedes SL and the wifes Caddy. I have driven every type of truck you could possibly imagine from Rangers to F550’s; Shivvy 4X4s Dodges and the only truck that comes even close to this truck for ride and handling is the 09 Dodge 1500; but the comfort is not even close for the creature comfort side. I suggest you guys all try getting public transit tickets
Just got a 2007 tundra TRD 2wd. Have only driven about 50 miles in it, and have not experienced the bed bounce yet. I will let you know that I had a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 ext. cab 4×4, and it had the bed bounce. I am guessing that the problem in these trucks lies in the long wheel base, heavy truck weight, and bad suspesion pairing. The Toyota has the best styling, most user friendly cab, beafiest motor/tranny combo out there, so a little bounce shouldn’t deter you from these trucks. CHEERS!!!
I recently traded my 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab slt for a 2008 Toyota Tundra TRD Limited, because I needed more room in the back row of my truck.I had the Dodge at Fort Knox,Ky and purchased the Toyota here in Ft Mcpherson,Ga and I haven’t noticed any bed bounce with the vehicle.One thing I did notice with my vehicle is that my rear shocks are Carolina Blue and Yellow.Now I’m not saying this may fix your problem but this seems kind of odd that the shocks are this particular color.
i have a 2008 tundra ,live in southern california, and am sick of this truck,the ride, and toyota corporation for not doing anything to come to a solution for this problem, its very dissapointing because i bought a toyota for the good reputation it had , obviously if other owners felt this problem like i did theyd be mad as hell too- ive owned it since may 2007-i guess some of you think it is better to “look” good than to “feel” goood
Robert not everyone is having the issues you have. The bed bounce happens to be in certain states on the interstate. So your statement isn’t true here in Jax, Fl.
I recently purchased a used 2007 Tundra double cab (regular bed) used with 14,000 miles on it. First trip up Interstate 25 from Colorado Springs to Fort Collins was horrible. Toyots complaint department just wanted me to either put 300 lbs. in the back or use a “rubber bladder” with water in it!! Gets cold here even if that would work — how would you use the truck.
Yesterday I had “Sulastic Rubber Springs” installed. They are a shackle with an extra rubber bushing in them. After installation the service manager rode with me (over same road driven before installation) and was impressed with how much better it rode. He called his service rep about it before we even got back.
Coupled with softer shocks it should ride much better.
Marvin – Interesting. We’ve been talking about bed bounce cures around here for a while. Do you have a link or pricing info?
Are you sure your tires are not cupped really bad from not rotating them or being out of alignment. Are you referring to the NHTSA for a recall or to the DOT about the upkeep of their roads. How are you going to complain to DOT about bed bounce. One truck model is having a severe issue with it. After all these years of the interstate, roads or what not being there with all the trucks, cars and motorcycles from years past and present traveling along them, sounds like personal problem. Put some weight in the bed you will be alright. Or better yet trade it in for a vehicle you can handle, mini-van or maybe compact car, I hear the YARIS is a SEXY car. Its a truck, they dont ride smooth. Maybe Toyota should have spent more in R&D instead of making the Sex With A Car commercial.
The more I think of the bed bounce I think of a guy with a pen protector holding a suitcase at a DOT garage, talking to a big corn feed guy asking him to repave his interstate because his Toyota has bed bounce. What do you think that guy would say?? Now thats a commercial, I wanna see that on TV. In the future look for it on youtube. This site is the best keep it coming!
I had a lovely loaded 08 Tundra Limited Crew but the gas mileage was lower than fair, the frame flexing which caused a bouncy feeling throughout the cab was getting on my nerves while driving on the freeway and secondary roads plus, the hard plastic dash, center console and door panels on a $45k truck did not sit well with me in the long run.. The JBL stereo was disgustingly weak and sounded no better than the stock Tundra stereo. Toyota should have contacted apple and asked them how to implement anti-scratch plastics as the radio face would scratch from human contact alone The frame flexing has nothing to do with “harmonics” like some people claim, it has everything to do with the flexibility of the back portion of the frame, Like Big Rigs the open design is a tried and true work horse but I believe Toyota should have used stiffer steel for the open channel portion of the frame. I have had this truck in every southern state as I drive alot and no matter where I was the ride sucked. The bounce or wallowy feeling is more pronounced in crews than DC’s..
The straw that broke the camels back was the disturbingly thin sheet metal that is used to skin the Tundra, I have a 25 foot pecan tree outside of my house and on 8 different occasions pecans fell and put small dings in the hood sheet metal. This is the same pecan tree that has been dropping pecans on 2 of my BMW’s over the years with no ill effects. Toyota replaced my hood but told me there was nothing they could do about the sheet metal, which I knew but wanted it documented. I’ll be the first to admit, I walked into the Tundra truck purchase with starry eyes over the monstrous power and the giganormous cabin, the more I drove it the more I knew I made the wrong decision by not going with the gas efficient, soft touch interior and smooth riding Silverado LTZ.
Needless to say, 9 months later the Tundra is gone and I am back driving my Range Rover. Someone in my family has some weight and he with the help from an engineer friend made Toyota BUY my truck back for purchase cost.
I LOVED the Tundra and gave it every benefit of the doubt I possibly could but its obvious that Toyota’s main priority with the Tundra was horsepower bragging rights. Due to their stand-offish attitude about peoples concerns I will NEVER purchase another Toyota or Lexus for that matter.
People who go on the defensive about people voicing their concerns about this problem usually know the truth is being spoken but don’t want to acknowledge the fact and thats fine.
What southern states? What does Lexus has to do with the Tundra?
I had bridgestone H/T tires that toyota put 35 pound of air in all fours. felt the bed bound bad. now i got bridgestone A/T tires. firestone put what it say on the truck door 30 front 33 rear. not that bad of bounds now. guess tire pressure have a lot to do with it to.
Also Gruven I have the JBL system in mine and never experience it being weak. Never heard of anyone stating that either. If you want it louder place an amp on it. The funny thing I think of is your pecan tree. 8x? I think I would have moved it after the first one. As for this statement “People who go on the defensive about people voicing their concerns about this problem usually know the truth is being spoken but don
Mickey – Lexus and Toyota are the same company. Lexus is a higher end Toyota. I have an ’07 TRD 4×4 single cab and it rides like a cadillac. From what I gather about all these bounce comments, there is an issue on longer wheel based Tundra’s that have stock Toyota springs and shocks. I have the Bilstein upgrade in the TRD package. Springs and shocks are the culprit. Change them and you probably resolve the issue.
But, the spring/shock replacement should be done at the expense of Toyota since their vehicle has an obvious engineering design flaw.
Mike I agree with you about Toyota replacing these. My 07 Crewmax Limited rides the same as yours. I have 57,100 miles on it and at least 45,000 miles are interstate driving which at least half is cement.
the bounce is in all work trucks if you put about 500-1000 pounds in the bed it will most of the time go away! I had an F250,F150 and had the same thing with them. it is not just a toy thing; try this and see if it helps I had to do this with my fords.
I thought I was the only one! I LOVE my Tundra, 08′ Limited, TRD Off Road Package… it’s sick! I drive to Mammoth from LA frequently and only on the block cement freeways do I get an insane bounce. It totally bums me out cause I love everything else about the truck.
Santa Monica Toyota told me the same thing, nothing they can do about it. They recommend that I add some weight to the back. They also said it’s because I have the off-road package. I do feel a bit cheated.
Has anyone every tried changing the shocks? Any suggestions or help would be much appreciated! Thanks. Big Phil.
Big Phil – From what we’ve seen, the best fix is adding 300 lbs of weight to the back. There’s something called a “willy bar” that you can buy that does a nice job of fixing the problem, but a few bags of sand or a water bag are also adequate. I’ve read some comments on some of the other bed bounce posts (there are a few) about changing shocks, but I don’t know if it’s a ‘fix’ so much as an improvement.
I bought my 07 Tundra Long Bed out of so. cal. I also noticed a bed bounce as soon as I left the dealership. I knew it’s because the truck was “NEW” and the rear suspension is firm for heavy loads. When I put some weight in the bed, the truck rode like a dream, “Very Nice”! After several times loading it down the truck drove perfectly! (empty or loaded) I sold my truck for money reasons and now in 2010 I’m looking for One again!—NOTICE THE EMPTY BIG RIGS “BOUNCE/SHUTTER” WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD “EMPTY” It’s the firm rear suspension! LOAD DOWN your truck guys and it will soften up.
I have a 2011 Tundra dbl cab 4×4 . The issue that you call Bedbounce or Porposing ,weight transfering to the front and back to rear setting up a dynamic harmonic . that occurs on concrete is related to rear shocks and spring rates .I had the problem with an F 350 duellie with Bilsteins . When weight is applied in the box or a weighted trailer is being towed the issue does not exist . I am going to experiment with different shock rates . I live outside of Reno and travel 395 .