2021 new tacoma questions

Your experience is exactly why I do not want mechanics touching my vehicle. I have the fluids and filters changed ONLY and never do the 10K, 20K, 50K, etc. “service” or any service that requires checking, tensioning, belts etc where screws/bolts have to be loosened or removed. You can bet that if 10 fasteners come off, only 7-8 of them go back on. I drove my ‘91 4Runner for 272K and my ‘06 XTerra 305K with that philosophy and my ‘21 TRD OR with 2,053 miles will NOT be touched by any mechanic unless absolutely necessary. Even replacing a battery can be problematic. My battery anchor brackets came up missing on my Xterra and by the time I noticed it, no one would assume responsibility. The less a mechanic touches the vehicle the more trouble-free it will remain. Repairs breed more repairs, notwithstanding the fact that sometimes repairs are unavoidable.

 

I don't have any issues with my transmission, or drivetrain. No weird vibrations either in my sr5 access cab v6 auto. Got a bit of annoying squeak that comes and go's depending on the weather. All in all very happy with this truck.

 

Here are the "before" pictures. Dropped it off today and they put me in a poop-car ford fiesta rental. Said itll take 3 days for the repair. So will update then with what the underside of the hood looks like after...

 

I dont know why they would use this adhesive.... it seems like it would cheaper and last longer to just do a couple spot welds.... but what do i know

 

All of the above are normal, and all are not that big of a deal. (Edit: except for the shaky hood. Apparently, its a common issue. I havent had it. Seems like you already have this taken care of). The clunky shifting, if it really bothers you, can be almost, to completely eliminated by OVtune.

 

Nah almost at 800 miles, the shifting doesnt bother me at all anymore, either its smoothing itself out or learning (which I heard it does) or im just used to it now, not a bother.

The hood DID bother me as it would be really distracting while driving but when I told the dealer about it they said they have actually fixed this issue a few times before and aware of it so didnt have to fight them at all, theyre taking care of it, and I got a free rental on their dime, so not too big a deal. Still happy with my purchase

 

I purchased a 2021 OR DCLB in November. My prior truck was an 08 Tacoma Sport DCLB with 350k miles. The 08 engine/transmission performed far better than the 2021. I’m SICK of the ‘gear hunting’.
I’m definitely getting the OV Tune.

 

It "hunts" less after a few hundred miles.... at least it seems like it is

 

Older hoods that have the bracing spot welded never vibrated, it has to be less expensive and faster to just blob a little glue on and send it down the assembly line.

 

I have 6000 miles on it and it is still inferior to my 08 at 350k miles.
Toyota dropped the ball on the 3rd Gen drive train.

 

Idk, seems be more of a hit and miss with the way these later gen3 run from all that are posting. Mine is very good, and while never owning a tacoma, i have owned their compact pickups since the 70's. Even their gen1 tundra was very good. I will say the automatics in the last two 4wd compact pickups of the later 80's and 90's could of been better, but this current 2020 auto in the taco has been really good. Its matched well with the engine.

 

Look under you hood to make sure the glue is not separating .
The auto is not the best transmission . Overtime it gets better . Helps to let the rpm drop before shifting into gear .
As far as shifting u will probably need a ov tune . It gets somewhat better over time .
It wasn’t that much a difference when I had my 18 auto.

 

You don't have a Homelink rearview mirror, just an auto-dimmer.

 

From reading up on the gear hunting issue, I agree the 3rd gens have improved. That said, there is no comparison 3rd Gen to 2nd Gen, the engine and transmission are better in 2nd Gen.
The 4Runner still uses the 4.0 litre. Toyota should have kept it in Tacoma.

 

I had some gear hunting when the truck was very new. Once i put around 1500 miles on it i noticed it had disappeared. Its so smooth now you hardly notice it up, or downshift unless watching the tach.

 

I understand. I am only comparing the ‘21 to the ‘08. The ‘08 had no gear hunting issue ever. The truck ran smooth the entire 350k and 13 years. Also, if I get better mpg in the ‘21, it’s negligible, maybe 1 mpg better at best.
I’m definitely getting OV Tune. I put more than the average amount of miles on my truck. The OV Tune will pay for itself in one year just in gas.

 

Just another update, I found out toyota doesn't do any of their own body work or collision work and that they actually farmed this warranty repair out to a local collision place right down the road. Not sure if that makes me feel better or worse but.... thats the situation. I should be picking it up tomorrow hopefully and well see.


The guy on the phone said they are using seam sealer, which is the same as what all the DIY forum posts here recommended be used! So I am hopeful it will be all good!

 

You don’t have homelink.

 

That because it was a Chrysler/Jeep shop. Been servicing our cars and trucks at Toyota dealers since 2002. Never had a problem.

 

Waiting on my 2021 tacoma SR5 . i should have done more research . Needle bearing issues , brake light leaks , having to pull headliner to change bulb , HVAC drain tubes blocked .