I call BS !

I've owned 20+ Toyota 4x4 trucks , from '82 -'14 models , including a couple of 4 runners over the years . My wife has had two Highlanders ( a '21 now) and two Camrys that I can think of . These all have had several different engines, some with high mileage. We have never had to replace a water pump.

Between my son and I, we've had 6 toyota trucks and never a water pump issue. My '11 has right at 185k and good so far.
My clock spring has failed so, no horn lol. Kinda sux

We've had five Yotas and never had a water pump issue. Never heard of that being a thing with them.

Water pumps are common problems in all makes. Drive on and don’t be concerned. Goes bad replace and get rental if needed. No Panic in the Country.

I replaced mine when I put a timing belt on my 05 tundra. Just did it for maintenance. No big deal

I did the same thing johnv on my o6. It was 97,000 between the last replacement.

Had to replace the water pump on my wife's Explorer. Thing is inside the engine and costed me $3400 to replace. Piss poor design for sure...

I've had two Camrys and am currently driving a 4Runner, no water pumps issues so far.

I replace the waterpump and tensioners everytime I do a timing belt job on my tundra's. It's cheap insurance. I get a timing belt kit from Amazon (Gates or Aisin) and take it down the road to chelsea tire and they take care of it from there.

I will say I have never had a water pump issue on my tundra's.

Interesting. I didn't even think that it mattered if the water pump was working or not on a Toyota for it to run.

Only problem I’ve had is it’s thirsty

I reckon all you ‘Yota drivers are just chit outta luck. Might as well scrap ‘em. 🤣

I have a 2004 Sequoia (best vehicle I have ever owned). That being said the water pump started leaking and to replace it you have to remove the timing belt. I was told Toyota did it that way so people would replace the belt.

It was a pain in the ass and took me about 6 hours to do. Replaced with whatever pump Northport Auto had so hopefully it will last a while.

Had one poop out this morning. Not sure what happened, I ain’t had time to diagnose the issue yet. 02, with the bad 4cyl. We shall see

Speaking of such….

Wife has a 2020 Rav 4 xle with 67xxx miles. Service engine light comes on. I test with my scanner and it comes up some weird code that will not read. Take to stealership and they say it's a coolant bypass valve. Part is on back order, they say it's safe to drive. Wife is not happy

They went to a timing chain and say it is a "life of the motor" part and isn't a scheduled maintenance item. The one on my '11 Sequoia stretched to the point that it jumped time. Toyota says $13,700 to overhaul or $13,300 to put a used motor in...nope. I've come across a few motors, but are $6500 plus installation (quoted $5500 by a local shop) and that's about what the vehicle is worth to sell. I'm trying to find the "right" buyer that wants to put a motor in it to drive it, before donating it to St. Jude, etc.

To the original issue, I didn't experience any water pump issues in 196,000 miles and didn't in 185,000 miles on a '92 4Runner, either.

That chain should have lasted more than 196k . Wonder did a tensioner give up?

Four Toyotas in my stable; 2013 Corolla, 2016 RAV4, 2017 Tacoma, 2022 Corolla....none with any mechanical problems since the day they were driven off the lot new.

Very possible, I didn't really hear the chain slapping when cranking up until right before it let go. Alternator went out and before I could get it to the shop the entire electrical system dropped out, momentarily, shut the engine off and immediately restarted. When it restarted it was surging and running really rough. I parked it and went to start it the next morning to take it to have the alternator replaced and it wouldn't start, so I had it towed to the shop to get diagnosed.

Always replaced the water pump and timing belt on my old Tacoma at the same time. Never had an issue with either.