Buzzy Vibration at certain RPM's..read before buying!

Be thankful you didn't do it because I am confident it wasn't there on mine until I drove it a few hundred miles. I wound up simply calling the Toyota Customer line to report this one and also that my Limited also now has a slight drive line shudder on takeoff and decelerating quickly. My Tundra had the same and never could get rid of it. I told the customer service representative not to send me to a dealer for either since these are known issues. But I do want the panel with the crack replaced.

 

Yep I got the survey a couple of days ago. Let them know about the switch happy tranny

 

Hey Doobiewah, I replied to a few of your threads earlier and wanted to see if you had any new symptoms or issues to note? I know you said you're still awaiting the field tech visit on the 13th. Didn't realize you're out of Flagstaff, but I travel there pretty frequently for work. One of my coworkers out there said the snow was pretty bad.

That all said, I wanted to report back to the thread on some of my observations after driving my 2016 Limited DCSB 4x4 for approx. 250 miles since my last post. I didn't want to bring in my truck before waiting to see if it'd get better over time. In summary, it hasn't really improved and has stayed pretty consistent and tough to tell if its getting worse, or if I'm just noticing it more. Here's a summary of what I'm feeling:

- Vibration pretty much in the mid 1k to mid 2k RPM range
- Vibration and buzzing noise from the engine is transmitted into the steering wheel (intermittently) and gas pedal (almost 100% of the time)
- When I'm decelerating and slowing down, the vibration is consistent in the steering wheel
- When coming to a complete stop, I feel this "kink" or *thud* sound and feeling when the transmission is dropping down into 1st gear. It only happens after the first 5 or so minutes of driving and if you didnt know any better it feels like someone slightly rear ended you (Taco Cruiser from Tacoma Forum mentioned this was happening to him and I'm getting the same).

Can anyone else relate to some of these symptoms? The last line about the tranny shifting has been a new symptom since my last post.

I've heard theories about it being the transmission shifting sequence which is controlled by the ECU software, but it doesn't explain why it's only happening on some trucks and not others (since all should be flashed the same from the factory). That said, I've read several reviews from various car mags and all listed the new Taco transmission to be "gear hunting" and not as smooth as it should be. I'm hoping there is a software update to come that at least improves the shifting aspect.

The vibration only occurs for me upon acceleration and the buzzing/loud noise appears to come from the engine. Has anyone thought of the possibility of Toyota using different parts for trucks manufactured in different plants? E.g. a harmonic balancer made in the U.S. is put on a Taco at the Texas plant.....versus a harmonic balancer made in Mexico put on a Taco at the Mexico plant. Hope that doesn't sound confusing. This could explain why some trucks experience this vibration and some do not.

I do have an open case number with Toyota Customer Care but they instructed me to ta. After reading everyone's feedback, I know this visit will be more of a formality than anything, but I want to make sure the local dealer is aware, in the event a TSB comes out for this. Really crossing fingers as I love this truck but this buzzing/vibration is slowly making me want to get rid of it.

 

Yah, the weather has been kicking our a$$ here in Flag the last few days, not to mention the drivers who drive the same as when the streets are dry, not icy!

I haven't experienced that thunking tranny issue. It's (the vibration) definitely there when there is any kind of, even mild, load on the engine at 2200-2300RPM. You can feel it in other RPM ranges; however, it has always been worse at that range. Like I said, with the truck in 4WD Hi, and only driving around slowly and carefully on very icy, snow covered streets, there seems to be a decrease in the vibrations; however, I am driving like a wuss, in spite of my $1100 worth of Michelin X-Ice tires, so it may just be because I'm not driving in 'the range'. I prefer others to get into the stupid accidents...

That ECU theory has never panned out with me, either. I really notice the vibration even just cruising down the highway at the right RPM's. I've also communicated with people who have the truck, along with the same tranny, in the 4 cylinder, and they have no vibration at all. It's got to be the engine, somehow.

I have spoken/communicated with people whose vehicles were made in both plants and both seem to produce problem vibrating vehicles. DRBANE's was built in San Antonio and mine in Baja, Mexico. Until they 're-balanced' his engine and 're-torqued' his engine mounts, I'm pretty certain we had similar, if not identical issues. Now his is quite worse, from what he posts.

I've said it in earlier posts and I will say it again: This truck would be a keeper if not for the buzzy vibration issue. Otherwise, my only 'minor' issues I have with this truck are the fact that, for $40k, I would have liked it if the tailgate lock was electric and connected to the FOB system and was remotely activated, and I would have loved it if they would have given the truck a power driver's seat (at least in the Limited, for God's sake...), not to mention that I was hoping for about 10% better gas mileage and a smoother transmission, shift-wise. Otherwise, it is a very nice truck...

If Toyota decides this vibration is 'normal', I will be trading this in and not looking back, and Toyota will lose a long-term, (formerly) loyal customer. I can't afford to keep a $40k vehicle that I can't take on long(er) trips.

 

Pretty close. For me, was smooth as silk in all ranges through first couple hundred miles on truck. Then:
- Vibration in 1k-2,500k RPM range.
- Usually weaker in 1k to 2k RPM range and comes and goes in this range. Strongest in 2-2,500k range and nearly 99% present in this range all the time. A few times the strongest sensation dropped to the 1,800k range and not a thing in the 2k ranges (noticed that when it was really cold out).
- Buzzing vibration feeling and noise transmitted into steering wheel (always) and gas pedal (always).
- Buzzing and droning vibration noise when decelerating from 45 MPH, feel it in seat and wheel.
- Also have the clunk sensation when coming to a stop sometimes, usually when my gas tank is full-1/2 full. Below that and it goes away. But I'm pretty sure this is common and probably normal. Had that on my old Tundra from time to time. Feels like you're getting tapped from behind.

 

I think the tyranny clunk is Un related. Besides that part of your post it mirrors mine identically and I have a manual transission. Mine is at a level I think I can live with. A 2000 mile road trip in March will be the determining factor. Other than this buzz I love the truck.

 

Man, I get some kinda notice from Toyota about my 2008 AC Sport 4X4 every other week. It's almost as if though it is designed to get your ass into the stealership so they can find a grocery list of things that need to be repaired requiring a second mortgage to fund. I just started tossing 'em in the round file---and I damn sure stay outta of the stealership. By representative example, I point to the multiple notices I have received about the shitty (and dangerous) pre-TSB springs.... Toyota has a several hundred engineers on staff and none of them seem capable of resolving the issue. Gee, I dunno, call me stupid, but TSB springs would seem logical. But, then, I'm not a Toyota Engineer so what the hell do I know...

I was having a happy night (10-56) until I ventured into this thread---I'm going back to "what are you listening to right now" thread.

 

LMAO....thnx for the smile! Enjoy 'whatever you are listening to'....

 

https://youtu.be/Tpz1Rsiw0AU

 

I got it pretty much from 1K-2,500K with it always the worst in 2,100-2,500K range always in steering wheel, gas pedal, and floorbed. Before the dealership and field technical specialist came out and re-torqued my engine mounts, the vibration was just an annoying tickle like a barber shop massager. After, rode with the FTS who thought it improved and I said feels the same to me. Got “hmm, well I’ll keep you posted.” In the following days it worsens and now it feels more like a mini-chainsaw vibration (it sucks).

I call back and report this to my case manager. She says “take it back to the dealership.” So I call the dealership and the service rep spoke to the service manager, who said he doesn’t want me back until he can confer with the FTS and case manager on who needed to be there if and when I brought it back. I tell dealership that I was simply doing what the case manager told me to do. Dealership says “well we talked to the case manager already.” Well, that’s nice that case manager didn’t mention that to me five minutes ago! I call case manager back and we play voicemail tag for days before I get assigned another case manager. We then play phone tag until he calls me back and says he needs to talk to the FTS. A week goes by and case manager can’t get FTS to call back. Then eventually they connect, case manager and I have lengthy conversation, and I’m told in carefully chosen words that FTS says other trucks he’s drove have it to lesser extent; it’s a normal characteristic ‘for now’; however, FTS advises that the region and Toyota taking the next steps to address the issue, including evaluating other trucks in the region because I’m not the only one who has this issue. I ask flat out to just tell me if this means Toyota is not going to do anything more for my issue since case manager mentioned 'normal characteristic' (usually then it’s done). Case manager says no, we’re taking the next steps to address this matter and will keep you posted.


I feel for all of you who are going through this bulls*t dance of visiting dealerships and getting the 'normal by comparison' line or calling Toyota and being told you need to open a case by going to the dealership so you can get the--yep, you guessed it--'normal by comparison' line. And I empathize with those of you who have driven other trucks that didn’t have the issue. I did the same and found several that had no hint of the problem. The dealership that sold me my truck tried to trade me out for one of those 'abnormal non-vibratin' trucks back in October.


Obviously @Doobiewah and I have been through quite a dog and pony show. I know @busticator has also been to multiple dealerships getting the runaround too. What I do hinges on what happens with @Doobiewah next week. He’s getting a team, which I see as Toyota getting more serious. Still, after all this BS, I am just a little skeptical. Now off to that Knob Creek Rye calling my name so I can have a happy night too .

 

I saw the Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour years ago. Was pretty close to the front. Cocker and Leon Russell were amazing. A blast! Another smile! Thank-you for bringing back an amazing memory!

 

Knob Creek Rye....nice!

 

Indeed, with a little vermouth.

 

I just finished a tall glass of High West Rendezvous Rye with one ice cube. Mmm..mmmm good. Wait, could this vibration problem only occur in trucks with owner's who appreciate a good rye? I'm going to have another and ponder that possibility. ...

 

Oh yeah, High West. Rendezvous, Bourye, and Son of Bourye! Owners who appreciate rye and who seem to be from the "high west"-ern region.

 

You and me both. I effin love this truck. I'll live with it until a fix comes, there's not much else out there worth a shit with a manual.

Still makes me hate driving on the freeway in the meantime!

 

Well, got my truck back from dealership today.

See my post #204 for original details Unusual Vibration at certain RPM's

Dealership re-confirmed vibration under load from 1500 - 3000 RPM in all gears.
Test drove another similar vehicle, born on 12/15, and exhibited similar vibration.

They consulted with Toyota Factory Representative and vibration is determined to be normal and characteristic.

 

You mentioned that you had a case manager in #204. Did you have any plans to follow up with the case manager about your dealership visit? Just curious. That case manager may follow up by calling you too.

It's starting to sound like a good number of trucks have this to some extent. But I don't understand then why others seem to report they don't have it, unless it's so minor they don't notice.

Moreover, I drove other trucks at dealerships and didn't find it, including an Off-Road I had for an hour back in late October. It wasn't there at all in that rig and I knew what I was looking for, even if it had been slight. I put that thing up and down side streets, boulevards, and the freeway--nothing.

 

Sounds to me like a bad u joint. Grease all the joints and look for any rust coming out from a cup. Also shake the shafts and check for looseness. Chech the drive shaft tube for any place a balance weight came off or a bent tube.

 

Agreed that the tranny clunk is unrelated to the buzzing/vibration issue. Thanks for the feedback and good to know I'm not the only one experiencing the same issues. Most of us have who are experiencing the symptoms have autos but it appears that more folks w/manuals are reporting now. Good luck with that 2k mile road trip...I'll be doing a similar one in the near future for the military.