Not Happy with my 2018 Tacoma Limited

Ive been a long time lurker, but decided to make a post after my first year with my 2018 Tacoma limited. I love the look, interior and exterior, of my truck. Nothing else compares in the midsize truck segment.

I’ve owned a 1997 and a 2005 4 Runner and was extremely happy with both. I figured the 3rd generation Tacoma would be a wise purchase.

After exactly one year, I find myself completely unhappy with this truck due to two issues.

1. Truck feels completely underpowered or sluggish. I think this is due to the transmission. At the slightest hill or while going around corners it seems to have trouble finding and keeping the appropriate gear for the task. It either Bogs down or screams like a Banshee! ECT mode helps but does not cure. I feel like this transmission is really terrible. I can’t drive the truck without always being aware of pedal position. Never had this problem with previous Toyota’s.

2. When I try to maintain a steady speed over 35 MPH I get a loud, constant noise from the rear end or drive train. I can hear it over my stereo. It’s completely annoying.

I want to like this truck because I’ve only owned Toyota’s. I’ve have not addressed any of these issues with the dealer.....yet! I wanted to see if forum members are having the same issues and how they were addressed.

 

Long time lurker, first post and first point is the trucks power.

 

Dude if you're a long time lurker then you already know that 80% of the 3rd gen subforum is complaining about the transmission and diff howl. Do you really need to ask again lol

Edit: look up the TSB and get learnt on what you need to say to meet the criteria. Some dealerships will apply the TSB if you ask, but others will only apply it if you complain and describe specific symptoms

 

Friday already?! Man that was a short week

 

Toyota trucks have always been under power.
Have you taken it to the dealer for the rear end, there is a tsb

 

The truck sucks no doubt about it. Well I should say the transmission sucks and ruins the whole truck sadly. I traded mine in for a Tundy and couldn’t be happier.

 

My truck doesn’t do any of those things and runs smooth as caramel so I would say that your assertion that “the truck sucks” is purely subjective.

 

One day I will find a thread about someone who loves their truck for what it is. And not what it’s not... it’s not a Raptor. It’s not a BMW M3. It’s not a full size truck. It’s a Tacoma.

Even the 4Runner is not the same. Helllooo SUV... Hello 4.0 V6... come on guys. Even Aerodynamically it’s different. Because you know.. SUV... Just cause you’ve owned Toyota doesn’t mean they all perform the same. Even 2nd Gen to 3rd Gen have their differences engineering wise. Improvement or not is completely biased.

OP the mod earlier mentioned there being TSBs for the howling. Even a TSB for transmission being whack. But it won’t fix being “underpowered”. I agree it is. Compared to the BMW 328 I had. But it’s a damn near Rocket compared to the RAV4 my wife had.

 

Thanks to all for the replies. I’ll take a look at TSBs. I’ve only been to dealer for tire rotation and a oil change. I should’ve done more research before posting to avoid some of the smart a** responses. My fault. Thanks to all that gave actionable responses.

 

I agree with you About the difference’s. I want to love this truck. But, it’s a truck I can’t relax with while driving. I always have to be conscious of pedal position before hills and corners. Never had to deal with this before. It’s a flaw.period

 

OP, and everyone else who reads this and has been lurking, do everyone a favor by complaining directly to Toyota. Go to their website. Call and Email their customer service. Blow up their Facebook and social media pages. That is where this needs to be heard. All we are going to do is tell you to trade your truck in.

 

Um...your assertion that “runs smooth as caramel” is purely subjective too. So...what’s your point ha ha?

 

These reasons and some others is why I didn't buy a 2016 or newer truck. I went for test drive with the Toyota Rep at the LA car show, and was very disappointed with the performance and what he had to say about it. I found a slightly used 2015 Taco with 15K miles and love it. Best decision I ever made. Sorry to hear you're having issues. Good luck.

 

Taco is faster than your 4 runners and 2nd gens. Blows 2nd Gen away in passing times.



https://www.zeroto60times.com/vehicle-make/toyota-0-60-mph-times/#

Ect or pedal commander.
And they just don't sell pedal commander for Tacos.

 

Did you even test drive the truck before purchasing?

 

People are stupid and always want to pile on. It’s a real problem and your new around these parts. Ignore the stupid and check out the TSBs.

 

This. Speaks volumes. I should make a shirt with this slogan. Brilliant!

 

I initially felt the same things as the OP and I basically shift between third and fourth and keep it in S. And I had the TSP done and that made a big difference too. This is maybe my 12th Toyota truck and it’s probably the best one ever.

I had to re-learn how to drive a Tacoma driving this truck and once I did that I really enjoy it.

In my opinion, this is not a truck that you can put in D and just drive around in town or on the road.

Once I learned the idiosyncrasies of this truck, I really love it.