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

Do the Tiers reflect severity or just source or maybe a combo of the two? Like Tier 1 is minor and easily addressed because of things like tires, where Tier 3 is a bit more serious because of where it's originating, i.e. the engine?

 

My disappointment in this entire incident was that I was driving in traffic when they called me so I wasn't able to have the conversation I really wanted to have, taking notes and asking more questions....

That being said, I got the impression that the tiers are not intensity but source. I should have and, in retrospect, would have liked to have discussed that more; however, in reviewing the response in my mind, the tier sounded like a source bracket, not an intensity bracket.

Maybe we have a mechanical engineer or two on here who can comment??

 

Good, glad it warmed up. Thank you again for all the information. It sounds like Toyota is on this and was already testing and drilling down into the problem before they even came out to look at your Limited. I emailed ToyotaCare with my VIN and all the details. I made it a point to say I knew this was an issue Toyota was working on and thus kindly asked them not to send me to a dealer service department but instead forward my complaint to the appropriate people. They responded to me by email with a case number and also gave me a courtesy phone call to let me know they received my complaint. The representative offered an apology and said they filed my complaint with their National Headquarters. No pushback whatsoever to take it to a dealer. I'm glad because for now I think going to a service department for this problem is just a recipe for frustration.

 

No truer words can be said! They don't want to have anything to do with it...a total waste of time, IMHO. My 'service' department didn't really even properly report the issue. If they can't make money off of it, the techs don't want to waste their time...understandable, but frustrating. Glad they didn't make you go.

 

No truer words can be said! They don't want to have anything to do with it...a total waste of time, IMHO. My 'service' department didn't really even properly report the issue. If they can't make money off of it, the techs don't want to waste their time...understandable, but frustrating. Glad they didn't make you go.

 

Oh my god! The vibration was already annoying enough, now every time I drive through the RPM range it's causing other components in the dash and doors to buzz with the vibration. This truck is going to vibrate itself apart. It's gotten so annoying that I've started to dynamat the whole thing.
Anyone else experiencing issues stemming from the vibration issue?

 

Mine is nowhere that bad. Sorry to hear that man. Get that into a dealer ASAP.

 

If you haven't already, add this to your complaint with Toyota. I've stopped driving longer trips, so I'm not putting a lot of miles on mine at this point. Just no fun to drive any distance on the highway/freeway.

I haven't noticed anything, yet, falling off; however, that certainly was my second biggest concern behind the numbing of my hands...sometimes I'm glad I got the extended warranty...other times I figure I'll be trading before the year is out and wasted my money on it. Only time will tell.

 

DBANE warned me prior to my purchase, so I made sure to do my due diligence and made sure it didn't have any issues before driving it home. A month goes by and it developed the vibration, hood separation and the howl (recently fixed). I love this vehicle but I'm definitely regretting buying a first year model. The ridgeline is starting to intrigues me more and more and I may consider trading for it but I don't want first year issues with it as well.
I'm really hoping Toyota figures these issues out. And I have to say thanks to Doobiewah and those who have pressed the issue with Toyota (I've done so as well), hopefully this will force a fix.

 

The official answer from the Toyota corporate office case manger concerning the steering wheel vibration at 2,000 rpm: "The vehicle performs as designed. Therefore, there is no warranty issue." Any further questions got the identical quote. When asked about the next appeal level, was told there is none. End of story. I guess the engineers, for some unknown reason designed some Tacomas to have a buzz in the steering wheel at about 2,000 rpm. Strange engineering goal. The folks that want to keep blaming it on the tires really don't understand the symptom.

 

Doobiewah, and Others: You all may find this link below regarding a medical condition termed "Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome" (HAVS) informative. It is an irreversible condition that primarily affects workers who use vibrating power tools, but I could see where it might possibly affect a driver as well if the vibration is being experienced in the steering wheel of a vehicle over a long period of time. Doobiewah has, in fact, described this or a very similar condition in his early posts and this may be the reason that he received the attention from Toyota Corporate that he has gotten. If this is indeed the case, the vibration is more than a mere "annoyance" and is a definite health/safety concern.

http://www.vibrosense.eu/knowledge-bank/medical-background/hand-arm-vibration-injuries

 

I know this is getting frustrating for many to receive different answers from Toyota. Some get shut down by the dealers, some get shut down with Toyota case managers, yet sounds like some are getting a visit from regional techs. Sometimes I wonder if it all depends on the region. @Doobiewah made great progress--and the information I've received on my case so far, while vague and carefully worded, supports the information Doobie conveyed with his 1/13 visit. I think it's because he and I fall under the same regional office.

In any event, I can't stress enough to keep reporting this to Toyota and get it documented for yourself. Do it via their email so you get it in writing. Provide as much detail as possible. Be up front and say you know Toyota knows this is a problem being worked. If it's not that bad on your truck yet, just leave it at that. If it is worse for you, insist on a case manager. If they ask you to go to a dealer, then at least you have a case number the dealer must work through. And, in the end, if they come back with "normal--nothing we can do," then you know what you did added to the reports and you're covered if anything comes out.

@alexderaven, definitely would report the deterioration and have them add it to your case. My truck does have it bad enough to resonate through dash components.

 

I’ve been researching this and I believe you can go a step further and ask for arbitration. Not surprised your case manager didn’t mention that. I hear you really should get a lawyer for that. Even then, sounds like the process is hard and stacked in favor of Toyota. I’m not there. I’m going to wait this out a few months and if nothing happens I’ll just dump it and cut my losses. Not worth all the time and money to go legal.

 

I would be curious if modifying the exhaust system with something similar fixed the issue.

 

This I know. I ordered an Inferno OR 4X4. Should be here Late Feb. I will for sure give it a thorough test ride before signing the paperwork. She's staying on the lot if there is a hint of vibes. Went through that crap with my '13 taco dealing with the 15-25 MPH driveline vibe.

 

Yes, it's coming through my dash and doors now also. Did the dynamat help?

Mine has a minor driveline shudder on takeoff from 0-10 and moderate shudder on decel. I'm going to try force-balancing the tires and maybe a clamshell bushing.

This is turning out to be a lot of work.

 

As far as regions are concerned, One thing I can tell you is there are 3 "sects" of Toyota, TMS (Toyota Motor Sales), GST (Gulf States Toyota), and SET (Southeast Toyota).
GST encompasses MS, LA, TX, AR & OK.
SET encompasses NC, SC, GA, FL & AL.
TMS is everywhere else.

It's interesting how Toyota has used the two private distributors (GST and SET) to sell their cars. This has been going on since the late 60's/early 70's. When you buy a Toyota from Florida, you're buying it from SET. SET has their own distribution centers for cars and parts, their own regional offices, and their own technician tech line. Same for GST. Dealership technicians at SET and GST dealers MUST call their respective tech lines. TMS techs must call that line. I can't remember all of the TMS regional offices, however I can tell you the regional office in Aurora, IL covers most of Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, Indiana, and Wisconsin.

Regional offices combined include

• Irvine, CA
• Aurora, IL
• Kansas City, MO
• Houston, TX
• San Francisco, CA
• Princeton, IN
• West Caldwell, NJ
• San Antonio, TX
• Torrance, CA
• Georgetown, KY
• Cincinnati, OH
• Denver, CO
• Mansfield, MA
• Portland, OR
• Jacksonville, FL
• Glen Burnie, MD
• San Juan, PR

The above cities, however, are for TMS, GST, and SET combined.

 

why don't you:

get an iphone

install iVibrometer

get an otter case/straps/big magnet...etc

and place your new vibration sensor in various locations under the cab, frame, engine compartment,
engine block....etc
and do some data collection and narrow down where the vibration occurs most

 

Interesting! I didn't know Toyota has private distributors. I have a question. So I know each region has Field Technical Specialists based in each region. But in your line of work do you see or know what the Field Product Engineers do and the role they play in their regions? I'm just curious about what they do and how they interact or help the FTS and corporate, since Doobie had one out from Denver. (Sorry, guys. I know this is a little off-topic, but I find it fascinating to learn about how these issues play out and who does what.)

 

I've only encountered the product engineers once or twice. They were in my region visiting every dealership conducting rust surveys on vehicles of a certain age bracket at random to see what, if any, improvements need to be made on certain components. I made a joke about Tacoma frames that didn't go well.

Each region has multiple FTS's and that is typically the direct dealership to corporate contact us technicians have, aside from the tech line, which is frequently a joke. Many times, I just call my FTS on his cell phone and talk to him about stuff, and if hes in the area and has time, he will stop by.