I think I got a lemon

Don't get wrong. I love my 2015 Tacoma. I love the way she handles, they way she feels and the way she looks. There isn't much I don't like about her.

BUT!!! A few days ago, she developed a clunk when shifting to and from 4wd. It doesn't happen every time, but it does happen. It happens when I am moving slowly or when I am just starting out. Then yesterday. Two idiot light came on and have stayed on since then. The check engine light and the traction control light. And then this morning, the heater fan started to squeal when turned up to full power. As soon as the engine warmed up, the squeal went away. But when I was leaving work, there it was again. And again, it stopped when the engine warmed up.

She's booked in with the dealer to find and fix these issues this coming Wednesday. But until then she is pissing me off. Enough so that I called my sales guy today to see if he would be willing to take this thing back and give me another Tacoma.

I have had her for three weeks, she has less than 1000kms on her. She is parked in a heated underground garage every night and outside in the cold every work day.

Has anybody else had these issues? and if so what was the cause of them and was Toyota able to fix them?

 

You say these are normal and common issues, but they are unacceptable to me. Plus the sales guy and the service person both have said that is very strange to all 3 issues.

 

1.) When going into four wheel drive it is normal to hear it shift occasionally. This is because it isn't always lined up exactly inside the transfer case.

2.) The check engine light is not Normal. You need to have the code read to see what is causing that. The Traction VSC is on because of the CEL. Get the CEL fixed and the VSC Traction will go off also.

3. The temperature of the engine has nothing to do with the heater fan. Are you sure it was the heater blower inside the cab? I think you may have an issue with the serpentine belt slipping due to the colder weather.


All of these should be an easy fix for the dealer and under warranty. No lemon found. I don't think they are going to trade trucks with you over these little minor annoyances. Mountains out of mole hills. IMO

 

I had no delusions of getting a new truck. But it doesn't hurt to ask.

The fist thing i did when the lights came on was check the gas cap, then I checked the fluids. All were good. As for the belt slipping, I think that's a good call.

 

The sales guy can only exchange Tacomas if you kept the receipt.

Kidding dude. Frustrating yes. But those things mentioned are easily fixed I hope.

 

In order to qualify as a lemon, a vehicle must have at least one continuous problem that has not been resolved by the dealership fixing I believe at least 2 or 3 times. So it's really early to be using the L word.

 

Thanks for the clarification on the lemon. It might not be, but I sure have a sour taste in my mouth about it. This is only the 3rd new vehicle I have owned. The other two, one was a Toyota Celica GTS and the other a Nissan Altima. Neither of which ever had any issues. Never mind in the first 3 weeks. In fact the 5 used vehicles I have owned never had any issues either. This is all new to me. But I feel I paid a lot of money for this Tacoma, It should be perfect.

 

I agree with jimmyh. I have Also had a similar squeal with another vehicle, turned out to be the serpentine belt just a tensign adjustment thing, really nit a big deal. Also my 4wd drive makes noise when it engages. Make sure you arnt accelerating excessively when your trying to engage 4wd.

 

So you bought a Tacoma, and thought it would be perfect? This aint no hand built Rolls Royce fool

 

That's very RUDE!!!

 

Shitty deal I bought my 15 in August and love it, I'm a red seal mechanic and every squeel I've ever hear turns out to be a belt or pulley so don't stress about that . squirt some silicone spray onto your belt when your truck is cold and see if it makes it go away. remember it's probably -40 where you are right now ( I live in B.C.)

As far as the clunk goes yes it's normal to hear the transfer case engage so don't get to concerned about it , you could just have a faulty solenoid that engages or disengages to hard or to easy in the tcase which is triggering the other light

My 2cents remember with out actually seeing and hearing what your truck is doing you are not going to get a 100% accurate response from anybody on the internet

Take it to the dealer and let them fix it , its under warranty and free and if they don't fix it keep giving it back until they get it , just make sure it's the same tech working on it don't let 4 different guys Fuck with it .

 

I usually only get a clunk 4wd engagement if I'm accelerating or turning when I engage 4wd. I just try to avoid both and it usually goes in very smooth.

 

Not sure what area of BC you are in but it's been nice and warm here in the Nicola Valley the last week

 

It's @10 degrees in Vancouver right meow it's just about time for shorts and t-shirts Alberta is probably @-40

 

Welcome to TW!!! It's just the nature of communications from some individuals who don't have to look you in the eye, that don't have a clue who you are, that can hide behind a veil of anonymity, and apparently never learned civility while growing up.

 

You obviously don't see the sarcasm, but the fact you don't, lets me know not to begin even trying to point it out to you.

 

Thanks, that's progress.

 

You got it chief!

 

Actually, It's 0 here right now.