2019 Tacoma Offroad 4x4 Vibrations

I have a brand new Tacoma TRD Offroad 4x4 AT with 1600 miles. TRD 16” Pro rims, Falken Wildpeaks 265/70/16, and MBRP AL series cat back.

I am experiencing vibrations around 35-40mph, 50-55mph, and 70-75mph. It occurs when I’m in a higher gear trying to accel and when cruising especially in 5/6 gear around 55mph. Feels like the truck is almost bouncing.

The wheels and tires are brand new. On my second set of Pro rims and they’ve warrantied one tire. I’ve also had my tires rotated & balanced 5 times, they always get good numbers, no issues with wheels and tires. I’ve removed the CAI from K&N, that has helped some, and I made sure no exhaust leaks as well.

The stealership “cannot recreate” the vibration, but only took it on a 1.5 mile test drive and had my front paw get seat reclined all the way back....(joyride not test drive). To me it feels like transmission issues which they won’t check because to them it “runs as smooth” as it’s going to with “those tires”.

The tranny slips at times and changes gears randomly. Seems underpowered and I’ve read all the threads on low tranny fluid issues. I need help, I need to know how to get Toyota to listen to my concerns. My wife refuses to drive the truck and won’t let us take it out west because of vibrations. She feels unsafe.

Anyone having vibration issues with 2019 Tacomas? Thanks.

 

Check the run out on the front brake rotors first before you go blaming vibrations on the transmission...all it takes is one moron with an impact wrench rotating tires

 

Did you have the vibrations when new?

 

I am on my 2nd - 3rd Gen Tacoma. I bought a 2017 SR5 4X4 in July of 2017. Over the following 9 months I went through 5 sets of rear drum brakes and two rear axle replacements. I was also noticing the vibration as well as the brakes shuddering at high speed braking. I initiated a buy-back request with Toyota Corporate and ended up receiving a full refund (including registration fees) from Toyota.

Convinced that I had bought a rare fluke of a lemon, I bought a 2018 TRD-OR in April of 2018. I now have 20K and have been through 4 sets of rear drums... Toyota regional engineer says the rear axle measures within spec each time, but the drums are obviously out of round and need replacing. They do not know what's causing the brakes to go out of round, since there is no run out on the axle. The last time I took the truck in, the service rep advised that I use my gears more when towing to be easier on my brakes. I don't tow with my Tacoma.

 

I have a '19 that is essentially the exact same vehicle and mileage, though I have not had the wheels/tires/exhaust swapped from stock. No issues whatsoever with the vibrations you're speaking of. As this seams to be a rarity (your problems would otherwise be more common among posts), I would suggest that it has to do with the changes made to the vehicle.

Gear slipping and changing is more common while the vehicle gets broken in; these are also dependent on other variables, like your driving habits, weather conditions, road conditions, and terrain. The transmission overall has been a continual improvement for me - I live in Wisconsin where we've experienced extreme cold and several feet of snow, combined with a naturally hilly terrain.

 

If you have the original tire/wheel setup that your truck came with, reinstall that and see if your problem goes away.

Also, I suggest going back to the dealer and request they ride with you. That will give you the opportunity to show them exactly what you're talking about.

 

My is stock with 135 miles , rumbles when braking . Isn’t mods causing mine for sure.

Edit: I'm 95% sure I have resolved my rumble strip issue. I took it out to a desolate road and went from 60-10 mph as fast as possible without locking up the brakes. ABS shouldn't quite kick in , it should be uncomfortable as the seat belt pulls hard with the hard breaking. If it wouldn't spill a full drink you aren't braking fast enough.

5-6 cycles of 45-10 followed by 5-6 cycles of 65-10 has gotten rid of my rumble feeling when braking casually. I've seated disc brakes before but didn't know if this would work for drums or not. In my case it seems to have cleared up the issue.

Toyota says to avoid heavy breaking and acceleration for the first 1000, yeah ....okay. While I was out there I decided to open it up as well since disregarding the break-in advice and have to say the 3.5 is not a slouch with the current ECM programming for the 2019's.

I didn't cancel my Wednesday appointment yet in case the issue returns before then, but it's looking good.

 

Update: Dealer reset ECU, checked u-bolts, checked tranny fluid. Head mechanic rode with me. Noticed vibration and tranny issues, said it’s very common with 3rd gens, but I’m the first 2019 to come in. Guinea pig!

If you have transmission lag or issues do a reset from the dealer. Worked decent and helped shifting issues 85% of the time, it’s still learning. Vibration/bouncing however is still apparent at certain RPMS, speeds, and gears.

Hoping for a TSB soon, calling corporate to file complaint/issue. Thanks for all the input guys.

 

Update. Truck is still vibrating. I removed my cat back exhaust and reset the ecu again. Seems to have helped a little. Transmission is still surging at certain acceleration points and vibrating when truck shifts to 5 or 6 gear when cruising and trying to accelerate.

Engineer was supposed to look at the truck but had surgery and needs to reschedule. Local Toyota dealer has dropped the ball and forgot to call me several times for updates on appointment time/day. Still waiting to hear back from them...

Wheels and tires have been balanced and checked 5 times. My truck has been to dealer 3 more times for transmission check and Ecu reset. Everything is stock on the truck except Toyota TRD 16” Pro rims and Falken wildpeak AT which are OEM size 265/70/16.

It may be time to call corporate and figure out how to get a new truck. It’s my daily driver so miles are acruing daily. Any suggestions or advice would be gladly accepted. We also have platinum warranty and wheel/tire coverage. Thanks.

 

Trade that lemon

 

Update: My truck is back at the dealer for the same transmission and vibration issues. Also I’m now avergaing 10mpg on the highway! It used 3/4 of a tank going 120 miles round trip doing an average of 75mph on cruise control. Only weight in the truck was my wife and I.

I contacted the service manager today because I’ve received 0 updates from them since I dropped my truck off Monday at 7am.

The SM advised me my trans fluid was low! I have record of me stating that from visit 1, to please check trans fluid, but they never did until now, this is visit 4. I also removed the cat back exhaust to avoid any warranty issues and had them reset the ecu again. I was advised it drives a lot smoother especially at the speeds I had issues. Fingers crossed my issues are resolved, going to pick it up in a few hours.

I will post my thoughts, reactions, and results after I get my Taco back and drive it myself.

 

Good luck.

 

Final Update: Hopefully

Transmission fluid was 1 quart low. Anyone on TW who says that’s not a real issue is out their d@#! mind. The service manager said they’ve been shipping 3rd gens low on trans fluid but only a few show symptoms. Get your fluid checked, low trans fluid can have long term irreversible effects!

Work done over last two days: filled my trans fluid (1 qt.), reset the ECU (3rd time), and did a TSB update for surging during acceleration (3rd gear previously redlined before shift under heavy accel).

My truck is fixed 90% now, I think it’ll be 100% after I drive it for a few days and the computer relearns my acceleration patterns. I have no more shifting issues, it shifts better than when in ECT Mode, which I like. 90% of the vibrations are gone under all acceleration and at highway speeds. Minor vibration around 55mph but could be a number of diff things causing that now.

Finally my MPG is up to 18.2 in the city. All in all it’s been a long 2 months and 3300 miles with this truck. But now Don Paco is running like he should! Any questions feel free to ask!

 

Is your truck lifted ? of is it stock OR suspension?

 

Same issues present on 2019. TSB's are only listing 2016-2018. Some dealerships will honor that.

 

Do you have the TSB number they did? I thought all this was supposed to be worked out for the 19s but mine drives pretty wonky sometimes. I’m hoping it’s just the break in phase and it’ll work itself out once I get more miles on it.

 

It’s “stock” but ive compared mine to others on the lot and I got about 1-1.5” more clearance than others, not sure why, running oem tire size and 16” TRD Pro rims. Checking with my salesman tomorrow to make sure it is 100% stock suspension.

However my Tacoma is a little different, it’s loaded like a platinum. JBL entertainment, leather, sunroof, etc.

 

I will get the TSB number tomorrow and post it. I was informed it was just released for the 19s.

 

Service manager said the TSB Just released last week for “surging transmission” during accel for the 2019s. However, like you said, they may just be honoring same issues with 2019 as previous years, “umbrella” coverage.

 

I also thought the same thing about the “break-in”. 3k miles later and I knew it just wasn’t right. Plus I was getting 10mpg on the highway. Cruise control would set at 75 but speedo would read 74. Tranny would stay in 5th running wide open trying to reach 75, going downhill, uphill, or just flat road.

That’s all been fixed now by filling trans fluid and the TSB.