Engine shutter at 53 mph

Bought a new 18 Tacoma about 2 months ago. Noticed a shutter or surge between 40 and 50 mph. Since I am retired I don't put many miles on it so I really didn't pay much attention to it. I took it into the shop with about 700 miles on it. They said that was a strange problem but they would research it. Long story short they found a bulletin tsb0058 and reflashed the computer. All that did was move the surge up to 53 mph. Took it back with 1100 miles on it and they say they contacted Toyota and that condition is what the truck does and there is no way to fix it. Found this forum online and it seems there are several complaints about this from reading your comments. It seems that some of you have had the problem fixed with a reflash and some haven't. I live in tampa, fl. Any comments appreciated.

 

Welcome to the club. I have the exact same issue with my 2018 4x4 TRD Off Road. I went through the same scenario and had nearly the exact same results. Mine seems to be worse when it is cold.

 

When you say it surges, do you mean it moves out, which imo would mean acceleration which would be good.

 

Some might call it cutting out, some might call it surging, some might call it pulsing, some might call it stumbling, but it is all the same. Basically it feels like someone is flipping a switch as you are driving at a constant speed.

 

The dealership said the torque converter, the transmission and the atkins engine computer all trying to do their thing at the same time. The tech. did say no damage will occur because of it. When I say surging it is because that's what they call it. I actually told them to begin with it was like it was missing. That is what it feels like- like the engine is missing or misfiring.

 

Yup. Mine surges at high rmp. Pull hills in northern AZ at 85 mph and just let the motor eat. It is what it is, I just turn the music up.

 

“Normal operating characteristic of the vehicle”
-Dealer

 

Could be the EGR....solenoid that controls the valve could be done. Just a guess

 

Sorry to hear about your issue OP, and the dealer conclusion or response is unacceptable to me.

If I didn’t know better I’d say it’s the infamous TPS (crankshaft position sensor) sensor issue resurrection.

Oh what the da’ hell, If it was my vehicle I’d stick a new one on just to be certain it’s not lol!

But seriously, it does beat just standing around saying nothing can be done as it is not a normal condition as mine only did it before I changed the sensor, and it only happened once before I replaced it, and never since with over 40k miles on the clock now.

Before doing or changing anything though, I would drive around with the ETC engaged and/ or in S mode and observe to see if the issue goes away. If it does go away, chalk it up to ecm learn or break in and just relax it’ll be fine.

Hope you check back with us and let us know the final outcome.

Best of luck
Cheers!

 

There is a TSB for a surge/stutter when at elevation and accelerating. I dont remember the TSB # off hand but its supposed to fix it.

 

TSB-0062-18 fixed my surge and off the line stumble at full throttle.

 

So I have a 2018 OR DCSB also with this exact same issue, I have described it as a misfire or like the fuel pump is giving out. I did not feel this problem with the truck during my test drive and has seemed to develop after the first 1500 miles. I am now at 8k and the problem seems to be getting worse to the point that my passengers will ask if I am running out of fuel. Kind of embarrassing when my friends 5 year old Nissan Frontier drives smoother.

Things I have tried so far to fix the issue

• New crankshaft position sensor (No Change)
• Dealer added 3/4 of a quart to trans fluid as it was low (No Change)
• TSB-0062-18 (Helped with shifting only)
• Rear differential howl fixed (No change in shuddering)
• OV Tune (Greatly improved performance and refined shifting however no change to main issue)

I have taken the truck to three different dealers and while the techs and I can replicate the problem every time on road tests the standard answer is "Characteristic of the vehicle" and nothing can be done. I love the truck but if it drove like this on the test drive I would have not purchased it. If anyone has it I would love the number to a Toyota Corporate Engineer and would be willing to drive this thing across the freaking country to get the problem fixed.

 

Some of these trucks may have loose air intake hose (the hose is after the filter housing) clamps. Try tightening them, for the inside one (close to the maf sensor) you'll need to lift up the plastic engine cover for access

 

Sorry forgot to mention that as well. It was one of the first things I tried. Thank you for the suggestion though.

 

Try a tank of premium and see if it still doesn’t it... for me that was the solution and ive been putting it in there ever since

 

I have 3k miles on my tsb58 and I don't have the issue any longer. It was never an issue until I saw the org. thread and got my dealer to install the new tune. I think I felt it a couple of times but all is well since. Oh I run 93 octane Shell since day one. I have always had great luck with Shell, my Mustang was dyno tuned per the tuner he suggested it. Anyhow Shell runs great and I would not know what a lower octane might do.

 

I feel your pain brother, my Ginger of a truck has done this too (and I'm M/T BTW), stock AND tuned. I have also replaced my CKP, checked/tightened my intake tubing, and cleaned the MAF. I consistently run 91 Octane EO fuel as I'm on a 91 Octane tune file. The ONE time this was eliminated, I sent Mat a log file during 1.04A 91 testing and he was able to tune out all surging/stuttering. The problem is, not all trucks do this - even running the same octane fuel, same tune file, same ECU version, and very similar environmental conditions. I've had ppl in the OVtune M/T community doubt my sanity over this (well, there could be other reasons lol).

I have some stuttering on 1.05 MA 91, and if it's not eliminated when the official release comes out I'll initiate a custom tuning request with Mat (there's no additional $$ for that).

 

That’s what I was going to recommend. A different brand or higher octane gas can make a difference!