Rear brake pulsation on brand new Tacoma

First of all a hello to the forum, this is my first Toyota and I love the new Tacoma but it’s been a headache so far. It’s a 2019 TRD Sport 2WD Double Cab.

There is a rear brake pulsation felt in the floor and the brake pedal mostly at high speeds from around 70-50 mph decelerations with moderate to hard brake application. It’s not all the time but it’s definitely there. I sometimes feel a little light pulsation when slowing to a complete stop around town but very lightly.

This is actually my second Tacoma from the same dealer. The first one I purchased did it very noticeably and after they replaced rear axles, bearing and drums it had ABS lights coming on so they unwound that deal and gave me a new one. This one has been good for two weeks and 600 miles before I started feeling it.

This time a factory rep came out and said he did feel it but after driving another new unit on the lot they noticed it then too so they’re releasing it saying it’s normal.

I don’t know how they needed to drive another one to say it’s normal and if so why did they bother with axles and drums in the first one. I’ve been a mechanic for 14 years and spent 9 years at Chrysler dealers I know what they’re trying to do.


My question to the forum is does anyone else notice this with their 3rd gen Tacoma? I’ve had a full size Ram 1500 before and never owned a mid size pickup but I’ve never felt something like this in a brand new vehicle before.

 

Short answer, “yes”. Longer answer would be, “welcome to TW, search is your friend”

Many owners, myself included, have been in this same dance with respective dealers. Personally, I plan to keep asking, as I do not find it acceptable in such a touted and expensive vehicle.

 

How do you know it's the rear and not the front? Whatever the case, it sounds like you either have a warped rotor or rear brake drum. Take it in to the dealer and see if they'll cover it under warranty. However, if it is due to excessive heat, they'll likely deny the claim.

EDIT: I can't say I've had any braking issues at all and drive up and down mountains on a semi-regular basis. Also just saw the tail end of your post about being a mechanic, so disregard my post. I would however see if they can check your drums. I've heard a handful of people on here complaining about having drums that were out of round, causing the same issues you are experiencing.

 

I did search and didn’t found a definitive solution.

If I still worked at a dealer I would have already turned them myself but where I working now I don’t have access. I’m sure they are out of round it feels like classic case of warped drums but they don’t want to do a repair for fear of me pursuing lemon law. I’m not interested in that I just want it fixed.


If this is common it doesn’t mean it’s normal. Thanks for the replies.

 

I haven’t noticed it on mine. I bought my 2019 late December. Just another data point.

 

I have a 2 week old Tacoma trd off road package. It also has brake pulsation at the brake pedal and could be felt on the floor. It’s currently at the dealer getting the rear axles replaced, and honestly I am worried to s**t. I feel that they won’t do a good job and just mess something else up along the way. Has anyone on here had there rear axles replaced under the service bulletin and ended up happy afterwards?

 

Yes. Mine has it also. I try to just use light pressure on the brake pedal as much as I can.
Its apparently normal for these trucks but not normal in a general sense.

Replacing the drums or rotors without replacing pads/shoes is a mistake because if one is warped the other will have uneven wear also.

 

This is what happened to my first one and why I made them give me a new one. Amazing seeing this from this side after 9 years at a dealer.

 

Yeah but you won’t feel uneven pad wear. I’ve replaced or resurfaced plenty of rotors/drums to fix pulsation and reused pads it’s a very common practice.

 

And how was the process of demanding a new Tacoma? Is the new Tacoma any better ?

 

I should have driven the first one more but I bought it Friday night and took it back Monday morning. After a week at the dealer and having axles and drums replaced I test drive it with the manager and the ABS light came on, he said they left a wheel speed sensor unplugged so they fixed it. On the way home it came back so I turned right around and talked to the sales director and they made the switch for me.

Some said they caved too easily. Makes me wonder what this dealer is up to.

I drove this new one for an hour or so before finishing paperwork and it was good until two weeks later I noticed it starting to develop the same pulsation now here we are.

So they don’t like seeing me at this point so I’m sure they’re trying to blow me out.

 

Oh wow! This is nuts man. I’m second guessing my purchase. I will give them a chance to fix this right. I’m supposed to pick it up on Monday. I too was a technician at a dealer for 8 years and it is beyond belief the lack of Quality Control that has been going on lately. If I see anything wrong (lights come on, oil leaks, etc etc), I too will demand them to give me a new truck.
Thanks for the feedback.

 

My new 19 is at the dealership also. Dropped it off today for the rumble strip vibration when slowing down.

They kept it all day and said they definitely feel it, and agree it shouldn't be happening but have no idea what to do. They said they placed a call to Toyota to see what needs to be done/checked.

The loaner Tacoma they gave me with only 600 miles on it does the same thing, and actually feels worse when applying brakes. Can't believe Toyota is putting out vehicles like this.

I regret the purchase now, and also scared the dealership will mess something else up.

Good luck man

 

I used that “I don’t feel confident in this truck” line to get a new one. It’s a line but it’s also true. I’ve seen some shady work at dealers.

 

In California the law states reasonable number of repair attempts and that’s generally four unless it’s a safety concern it is two.

This is why the dealer won’t replace anything they’re worried I’ll go lemon law.

I love this truck otherwise I mean I’m a 9 year Chrysler master and I chose a Toyota.

 

Very interesting

 

OP, Good luck with your truck. I have had the rear drums turned on mine and within 1,000 miles, the vibration was back. From what I found/read with axles replaced, it did not prove to be long term. I am hopeful that enough of us, owners, constantly reminding our service centers, and possibly Toyota Corporate, will have a longer term solution developed. I plan to keep reminding the dealer every time I go visit.

Good luck.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/new-4x4-tacoma-has-vibration-when-braking.558611/

 

I'm certainly not defending the lack of QC that seems to apply to some of these trucks.

Nor the methodology some dealers seem to like to use.

But I've never seen 'I will demand' get anything done. It would be a rare deal where something was taken back and a new one provided that didn't have a cost to the owner. Hidden or otherwise. *Maybe* if you're really lucky, you get a break even. *Maybe*.

Your prime chance for any success is knowing, documenting and complying with your particular state's lemon laws.

 

This