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Another 2026 Toyota Tundra engine failure has been reported to NHTSA, and this time the truck reportedly developed a sudden, loud knocking noise at just 15,000 miles. But that's not the only reason this latest Toyota Tundra failure is raising questions.

Eric over at I Do Cars recently tore down another Toyota V35A engine, and what he found is particularly interesting. Instead of the familiar front main bearing failure we've seen in so many earlier Tundra engines, this replacement engine suffered a spun number three main bearing.

Yes, a replacement engine. And yes, it is stamped 2026.

Toyota has been dealing with V35A engine failures since the 2022 model year, with debris contamination being identified as the cause behind the original failures. Toyota introduced recall repairs and engine replacements, but are we now seeing something beyond the original problem?

In this video, we're looking at the latest 2026 Toyota Tundra engine failure reported to NHTSA, Eric's teardown of a 2026 V35A engine, and why the number three main bearing failure could be important.

The latest NHTSA complaint describes a 2026 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro that experienced a sudden knocking noise while driving. The engine reportedly began running rough, the vehicle started shaking, and power was lost as the driver pulled over. The complaint was filed in September 2026.

The engine has not yet been disassembled, so the exact cause of that particular failure is unknown.

But when we look at Eric's teardown, we see something different. The front main bearing, which was commonly involved in previous V35A failures, appears to be in good condition. Instead, the number three main bearing spun.

Could this indicate that Toyota has more going on with the V35A than simply manufacturing debris?

I also take a closer look at the potential relationship between engine design, bearing loads, oil pressure, and oil flow.

The V35A is a high torque twin turbocharged V6 that produces substantial torque at low engine speeds. That raises some interesting questions about how much load is being placed on the main bearings, particularly when the engine is operating at low RPM.

Could bearing surface area, oil gallery design, oil viscosity, or insufficient lubrication be contributing factors?

And importantly, does having good oil pressure necessarily mean that the main bearings are receiving sufficient oil flow?

We also compare the reported 2026 Toyota Tundra engine complaints with previous generation Tundras, including the 5.7L V8, and look at the 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 and its engine complaint numbers.

There is an important distinction between having engine problems and having engine failures that leave owners stranded with relatively low mileage. The older 5.7L Tundra had its share of issues, including oil leaks and other common problems, but the current V35A failures raise different questions about long term reliability.

We also discuss why hybrid equipped Tundras may experience different failure patterns. Could the electric motor be helping reduce the load on the engine during low speed acceleration?

Finally, we look at an engine bearing failure analysis study and what it says about dirt contamination, misassembly, misalignment, and insufficient lubrication.

I am not claiming to know the exact cause of these failures. The latest NHTSA complaint has not been investigated internally, and the theories discussed here are possibilities that deserve further examination.

But with another 2026 Tundra failure being reported and a replacement V35A engine showing a spun number three main bearing, there are legitimate questions that Toyota owners and potential buyers should be asking.

Is the V35A still suffering from the original debris problem, or is there something else contributing to these bearing failures?

Let me know what you think in the comments!

If you find this type of automotive reliability research useful, please consider subscribing. I cover engine failures, vehicle reliability, recalls, NHTSA complaints, and the problems that manufacturers need to address.

Thanks for watching!

#ToyotaTundra #ToyotaEngineFailure #V35A #ToyotaRecall #TundraEngine #EngineFailure #ToyotaReliability #NHTSA #MainBearingFailure #I Do Cars

00:00 Intro
00:30 I Do Cars 2026 Failure
01:20 Latest 2026 NHTSA Failure TRD Pro
02:43 Different Failure Mode
04:24 Power and lack of oil film
05:50 How Many Tundras are Really Failing
07:01 V35A vs old 5.7L
08:56 Study on engine bearing failure
11:03 Oil PSI vs Flow
12:50 Conclusion