Are the new Toyotas and Hondas now becoming unsafe?

If you ask any mechanic what the most reliable car brands are, they will probably agree with Toyota and Honda.

However, while these brands are renowned for their durability, one mechanic says they’re not exactly bulletproof anymore.

Thomas (@carsrme) uploaded a viral TikTok reveal, which he recorded from inside an old Chevy truck. In his monologue, he comments on the “sad” state of modern car manufacturing. He attributes the decline in modern automotive reliability to new, fully untested systems and developing technology.

Are cars bad now?

“You know cars are bad now when Toyota and Honda can’t even build a reliable car,” he begins. “And that’s the whole point.”

Thomas argues that “new things” like hybrid and electric cars are not easy to fix.

“I’ve always joked that the new electric cars will basically require you to have … almost like an engineering degree,” he says. “You’ll have to be — like a computer science degree.”

He claims that the shops are not “paying the technicians now”.

“I mean if you work in software, you make at least 100,000,” he says. “Let alone go to the trouble of trying to diagnose a car.”

He brings up the Tacoma and Tundra, claiming they have more problems.

The TikToker then shows the odometer on his older model Chevrolet.

“I mean this thing has 265,000 on it. And if I keep that, you’ll see it’s got close to 10,000 hours on the engine,” he says. “So they’re just not built that way anymore. And it sucks. Like you said, I’m complete trash and it’s just sad.”

@carsrme Responding to @jewsgottiktokbanned yes new cars are 🗑️ . . . . . #4×4 #auto #automotive #bmw #engine #inginer #inginerie #jdm #love #mechanic #mechanical #mechanicalbull #mechanicaldesign #mechanicalengineering #mechanicals #mechanicproblems #mechanics #mechanicshop #mechanicslife #nissan #offroad #overland #toyota #toyotaclub #toyotacorolla #toyotastrong #toyotatacoma #turbo #yotamafia ♬ original sound – Thomas

Is it true?

Thomas is directly referring to problems with the new Toyota Tacoma and Tundra pickup trucks. Many have reported new transmission failures in 2024 Tacomas. Untamed Motors writes on its YouTube channel: “Toyota can’t get its SHIFT together.” The Car Guy online simply states, “2024 Toyota Tacoma Transmissions Are Failing.” Car spies further claims that the Tacoma “owners have reported a variety of serious problems.” These problems include: “squealing noises from the transmission, harsh shifts and even complete transmission failure.”

Driving it also references a recall that was issued for problems with the toyota tundra engine. The station speculates that similar measures will be taken for 2024 Tacomas. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are 10 consumer complaints about Tacoma transmissions.

“Two other powertrain complaints were for engine stalling and restarting.” That wasn’t all: “and for a failed universal joint bearing and subsequent damage to the driveshaft,” the piece says.

To make matters worse, the Tacoma’s transmissions are on hold. This means affected new Tacoma owners may have to wait up to three months for a fix.

How about Honda?

News from the USA published in March 2024 that the Japanese automaker could face possible legal problems. The news agency wrote: “U.S. auto safety regulators … have launched a preliminary investigation into the emergency braking problems.” The issues at issue involved “certain Honda vehicles following complaints of crashes and fires.”

More than 250,000 vehicles affected by emergency brake recall: 2019-2022 Insight and Passport models. The perspective is, as Thomas mentions in his video, a hybrid. According to the TikToker, these complex vehicle systems are more prone to failure.

Then, USA Today reported a month earlier that “more than 750,000 vehicles” had been recalled by Honda. The reason? Potential airbag problems that could be dangerous for passengers. The outlet wrote that Pilots, Accords, Civics, HR-Vs, Insights and Odysseys were affected by the recall. All cars fell between the 2020-2022 model ranges.

TikTokers were divided

One user of the app commented: “For me, cars peaked somewhere around 2003-2012.”

Another said government regulatory agencies were to blame. “I blame the EPA,” wrote one. It’s a sentiment Thomas agreed with, writing, “Yes! Unfortunately. The problem is that the EPA restrictions will only get worse.”

However, many have been quick to defend electric cars. One person claimed they were simpler.

“Why? Electric vehicles have the opposite problem,” they argued. “They have a moving part. No clutch. No transmission, no head gasket, no top/bottom end. It’s such a simple setup, it’s just different and new.”

Another predicted, “EVs will replace old gas vehicles in 10 years.”

Others swore by their older cars.

“Relaxing with 195,000 miles on my 2010 Jetta,” said one.

“The Prius has been working for years,” wrote another.

Yet another viewer added: “Yes, I keep my 2011 Ford Focus going strong over 200,000 miles.”

The Daily Dot reached out to Toyota, Honda and Thomas via email.

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