Spark Plug Mystery 🔍

[Soft Taco]

I have searched for a number of months waiting for spark plugs to be made available from NGK or Denso for our trucks. From any brand for that matter.

Here’s the kicker, the 2T4A-FTS engine has been in vehicles since late 2021 as far back as the 2022 Lexus NX350. You simply cannot find the plug except from the dealerships; they are usually $30 a pop at dealerships.

Our spark plugs are incredibly easy to change on our trucks. I’ve already removed mine and put back in. 10 minute job. My theory is Toyota is keeping them off the shelves of auto parts stores and online retailers (via contracts with manufacturers for a set term) in hopes owners get suckered into the service at the dealerships.

Finding a variant with the required gap of 0.027 and iridium has also been fruitless. If you have more info or a lead to plugs outside of the dealerships let me know. I’m going to make some calls soon.

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[Sagebrush]

My theory is Toyota is keeping them off the shelves of auto parts stores and online retailers in hopes

How do you think they could convince two companies to limit sales?

What are the product numbers?

 

[Soft Taco]

The same way the world has always worked. Money. Term contracts in agreement to use their product in particular engines. That’s clear. New cars don’t have very many DIYers so it’s a win for parts manufacturers and dealers while costing the consumer. Obviously this is temporary, but for how long.

Now that’s just a theory. If you find anything out I’m all ears.

 

[StreeTaco]

Why the multi-month search?

 

[Soft Taco]

Im team oil drop. I make DIY videos and maintenance maps for us. Or some goofy reason like that

 

[Sagebrush]

Im team oil drop. I make DIY videos for us.

And you do a great job.

 

[Soft Taco]

And you do a great job.

Thanks brother. I’ve looked every other week or so since August. Even NGKs site doesn’t list the plug (or any fitting plug for that matter) and they make the dang thing. Here’s a couple pics from our manuals:

 

[Sagebrush]

I tried to find it on the website.... you're right.

 

[Soft Taco]

They are simply unfindable from any parts store for any vehicle with the 2T4A-FTS. Highlander, NX, RX, Tacoma, autozone, oreillys, advanced, Amazon, not available.

I’m going to dig a bit deeper tomorrow.

 

[Soft Taco]

The ones you linked @StreeTaco were not gonna fit. What led you to them?

 

[StreeTaco]

Yep, $30 avg.

 

[StreeTaco]

The ones you linked @StreeTaco were not gonna fit. What led you to them?

Hence the delete…

 

[Soft Taco]

Ah fair fair. Yeah I smell a temporary embargo. Consumers deserve better. Possibly a few tacos have hit this and im sure although less likely to DIY, many Highlander and Lexus owners are already needing plugs. 40k mark comes quick for some.

Add: you can also see 90919-a1008 bleed into eBay a bit but that’s inconsistent and still $30 a pop minimum before tax and shipping

 

[Soft Taco]

Just got off the phone with the NGK tech team. After going up a couple rungs on the corporate ladder I was told Toyota indeed does control them in the aftermarket department and is the approving authority on releasing them for the aftermarket. They told me verbatim aftermarket release “has been proposed but has no release date” and that “it could be years still”.

After looking at their other plugs for iridium tipped 9/16” drive and 0.027 gap they confirmed they have no alternative.

So Toyota is playing their cards so that they hope when drivers begin approaching their first plug change interval of 40k so they can charge an abhorrent amount of money for a 10 minute job. You can pay $150 after tax and shipping to get the same reboxed spark plugs from the dealership so Toyota will still make a fat penny either way.

I’ll see if I can start pulling some more strings.

 

[Sagebrush]

I was told Toyota indeed does control them

Damn. You're right.

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