Should Toyota issue a LandCruiser 79 Series safety recall for differential failures?

QUESTION

Hi John,

Not sure if you can help. I follow your channel and have found an issue with my LandCruiser 79 Series (MY 2020) that may need a recall.

I have taken videos and replaced parts as Toyota wouldn't provide warranty because of the modifications to my car, which I completely understand, except for the fact it’s a manufacturing issue, I believe.

I will be contacting Toyota tomorrow morning but would love input if your interested.

The issue is with the front diff exploding and i have found even on the new one the same issue will recur if not fixed. I have spoken to several diff repairers and they agree it would require a recall.

The screw adjuster going into the casting is undersize and when the diff gets pressure it pushes the screw adjuster out of the housing and then the pinion changes angle and breaks the crown wheel.

I’ll contact Toyota and put a case together as there have been over 3 broken this week from others as well and it’s a common problem for them at the moment.

Regards,

George

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ANSWER

George,

I understand that you think the front diff is defective and it’s manufacturing defect.

I don’t understand what you would like me to do about it. I lack the time and other resources to prove or disprove your hypothesis.

Recalls are only issued for serious safety issues. (Fires, defective braking or steering systems, fuel leaks, etc.) Transmission failures are generally not recall items.

As for ‘exploding’ - pretty sure the diff isn’t exploding. It might break. It’s unlikely to explode.
Sorry - I know this was not what you want to hear. The diff probably broke because you modified the vehicle and thereby subjected it to loads in excess of its design spec.

This is a hypothesis, right? You get that? It’s really just an allegation.

Going from ‘hypothesis’ to ‘proof’ would require several thousands of dollars in independent testing. Probably $10-$20k.

Is there even a suggestion of an epidemic of broken 79-Series diffs to support this? I have not heard of it.

Clearance adjustment mechanisms typically have locking systems and protocols (even if only a torque spec and/or thread locking compound) to prevent in-service movement.

I honestly don’t think you have all the facts, and the opinion of a couple of repairers is probably insufficient to diagnose this problem.

And then, you’d have to decide what to do with this information. Toyota’s lawyers would write a love letter to you as soon as you went public, of course, and probably threaten you with ‘injurious falsehood’. Which is always a good way to start the week…

JC

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