Veteran Stranded by Toyota Tundra Recall Faces 120-Day Wait, Denied Buyback as Dealer Charges $60 a Day for Loaner

S. military veteran is caught in a frustrating limbo after his Toyota Tundra was flagged for a major engine recall. The repair, which involves replacing the entire engine, has a wait time of up to 120 days. To make matters worse, the dealership refuses to repurchase the defective truck under state lemon law protections, even as it charges the veteran $60 each day for a loaner vehicle to keep him on the road.

The veteran, who relies on his truck for mobility and medical appointments, says he was told the parts are backordered and no firm timeline exists for the fix. Meanwhile, the dealership has offered a rental car but insists he pay the daily fee out of pocket, with no guarantee of reimbursement from Toyota.

The cost has already climbed past $1,500, stretching a fixed disability income to its breaking point.

Legal advocates point out that Florida’s lemon law typically requires manufacturers to buy back vehicles that cannot be repaired within a reasonable number of attempts or days. But Toyota has so far refused, arguing that the recall is a safety campaign, not a warranty repair. Consumer experts say this case highlights a growing loophole: when parts are scarce, dealers and automakers can shift the financial burden onto owners, leaving them stuck in a months-long holding pattern with no clear end in sight.