When do I start noticing the issues with a 2021 TRD off road?

I just bought a new 2021 TRD off road automatic, only RWD, probably a weird/non-recommended choice by most here. I don’t plan on doing any serious off-roading ever, just occasionally going over some minor rough stuff getting my kayak to the lake or off a dirt trail looking for a camping spot, is all I will ever do. Also my first ever vehicle was a manual truck, and I am the type who unfortunately finds constant gear shifting to be a chore, was only enjoyable for me maybe the first year of owning a manual, after that I got tired of it fast…

I hear that I am supposed to encounter some “gear-hunting”, something I know all too well from my old 2011 automatic frontier mid-size. But despite being braced for this, I haven’t really noticed any with the new Tacoma. Does this come later with more miles, or was this potentially addressed with the 2021?

I also don’t really seem to have any issues with the braking. It seems to have a certain spot where the brake “takes” for lack of a better way to describe it, and once I found that spot, can brake smoothly pretty much always. Although in these first 500 miles, I haven’t needed to slam on the brake due to tending to drive like an old man (I’m not, but I drive like one)

Are these the two biggest issues to keep an eye out for? And are there any recommendations for a first time Tacoma owner? I know little about modding and stuff, so any of those suggestions are going to go right over my head. I’m out here in the AZ desert, if that matters. I just ordered $100 worth of 303 protectant and meguiar’s wash and wax to try to keep our 115 degree summers from wrecking my rubber and paint. I’m especially worried preserving about the stock plastic bed cover that came with it

Anyway, just wanted to give my initial feedback about an unorthodox choice for a new 2021, really just loving it so far!

 

The transmission shifting issues have been greatly exaggerated, also they were refined in 2021. My bet is you won't ever notice it. Love the color !

 

I feel that the larger volume of complaints regarding the Tacoma are more of "Me Too" effect.

Some issues might be real for several but not ALL owners, and certainly not across all of the trims.

The age of internet, and more effectively, social media and specific forums like this one can amplify even the smallest quirk with any product made today.

Some of you might remember the days before the internet and smart phones, heck even before color TVs, let alone a remote for any TV.

Back in those days you thought for yourself, did stuff yourself, fixed stuff yourself and didn't think anything of it. It was how things worked. Even more difficult, and with even less creature comforts the further back in generations you go.

My point here is that we shouldn't just read, hear and watch the world happen around us and just believe everything we ingest regarding every little quirk with every product out there.

If you don't experience any of said quirks, don't feel left out. Embrace it and move on with life.

 

I’ve got a ‘21 and the gear hunting is real. Set cruise at 75 mph and hit any incline. You will shift eight times in a matter of a second or two. Down, up, down, up, down... It’s so bad that I usually just control the throttle with my foot on long drives.

 

Supposed to be 115 already next week in Phoenix! Good grief, I hope it's not as brutal as last summer. Anyway, the trans issues were supposedly rectified in the later years (yours included) and the trans will learn your driving habits as you put more miles on it. The brakes are probably still new and will adjust as you put more miles. Go easy on the truck for the first 2-3k miles.

If the brake pedal continues to "take" before you feel them grab you should take the truck to the dealer for an adjustment. Could be air in the lines or the star wheel on the drums needs to be adjusted a coupe of clicks to push the drum shoes closer to the drums, but put a few miles on the truck first.

My 2017 has some funky shifting habits and I've never taken it in for the software update. It hesitates sometimes before downshifting when floored and then likes to drop 2 gears all the sudden or not downshift at all and just rev to moon. My brakes work fine as long as they're cleaned and maintained. My drums squealed like pig when they were new. It turned out the contact points on the backing plate lacked grease from the factory. Now it's fine.

A dash mat helps in the summer. Oh, and I've never used my 4x4 or rear locker. (yeah I know). 2wd can go off-road just fine and with the locker your already ahead of most 2wd off roaders. Avoid the open desert and brush unless you want your paint all scratched up. Some of these trucks here in AZ look like they drug a rake down the side of them and its from driving through the brush.

Great choice in color btw.

 

Same, the 33's greatly exaggerated the gear hunting in cruise control even AFTER the dealership reprogrammed the truck. Driving for more than an hour without cruise control sucks in utah lol. A lot of mountain passes and a LOT of gear hunting in cruise control.

 

Take a trip from say, Phoenix up to Flag and report back on the transmission hunting ;-)

 

Take a trip from the west valley to the east valley on the 10. That climb out of the avenues will have you revving and shifting like a rally race.

 

The shift logic was improved in 2020+ that significantly addressed the complaints in earlier trucks. It will get worse if/when you install larger tires and pile on off road armor / overlanding gear.

Put some ceramic coating with UV protectant on the headlights (something like McKee's 37 to prevent the polycarbonate from getting cloudy after a few years.

 

Why do you ASSUME you will have issues? I have a 2018 TRD Sport with 25,000 miles and haven't had any and I have a '96 Tacoma with 414,000 trouble-free miles and has never been back to the dealer.

I suggest you just enjoy your new truck as opposed to 'looking' for something wrong with it.

 

One more thought. Our water in AZ is harder than most, so a deionized water tank can help prevent hard water spots when washing.
I've got one of these:
https://clean-garage.com/spot-free-car-wash-system-100-deionized-water-di-rinse-bypass-head/
but they come in different sizes and prices. Basically, you figure out your water hardness and then determine how many gallons of water you can get from the life of the resin before it needs to be replaced. I've also got this home water softener:
https://aquasureusa.com/collections...le-house-water-softening-system-48-000-grains

which lowers my water hardness down to about 10-30ppm and then I connect the DI tank for car washes which brings my water hardness down to zero. The resin in the DI tank lasts me almost a year. There's a new Adam's polishes store that opened on the 101 and shea in Scottsdale. Lots of great, but expensive detailing products. I also like the rag company for microfiber towels. https://theragcompany.com

 

Ask PapaRee and the other tuners why business is a boomin’

 

@PapaRee
Would a tune help resolve this?
"My 2017 has some funky shifting habits and I've never taken it in for the software update. It hesitates sometimes before downshifting when floored and then likes to drop 2 gears all the sudden or not downshift at all and just rev to moon."

 

I appreciate the heads up on the shifting. I tend to only go 65-70 just cruising down the 51 to work and back, no issues thus far

Although I do occasionally do a 2.5 hour drive up to Heber and back to visit the folk’s cabin, so we’ll see how it handles that. I am the type to not use much cruise control, this new system of adjusted cruise control still baffles me

I actually didn’t initially even want the off road trim and all this new tech. I certainly didn’t need heated seats in AZ. It’s just that my old truck was totaled (not my fault), and I was borrowing a total shitbox loaner from a relative that was about to break down itself, so I had the pressure to get something quick…

..And the market is absolutely fucking bonkers right now. Every new Tacoma instantly sells. You have to get your name with a salesman at every dealership in the state and be ready to race down to buy at the drop of a hat. I sprung for the off road trim because it’s higher price meant it could sit at dealership for longer than 15 minutes (but usually not longer than a full day). And I had some extra stimulus money laying around (I worked during the entire shutdown so I really didnt NEED the stimulus). I stillhad to drive 130+ miles to Tucson to get this one

One perk about having the off road but only 2WD is the mpg from not having the extra gear for the 4x4. My city average is already reading at 21.5 on my handy MPG meter. Considering my old frontier with 160k miles was like maybe 15mpg before it was totaled, this is amazing to me. And this is with the V6

appreciate the suggestions. Sorry to any who saw my title as overly negative, I was just basing on some nit-picky reviews and feedback from people online. But yknow the ones who take the time to post a review do tend to be the ones who have negative stuff to say…

 

Yeah, I don't drive my 2017 that much (a hair over 10k miles after almost 5 years) and that's why I've never bothered with getting it "tuned." You might be surprised with those heated seats. I use them here in the winter in our trd 4runner. Enjoy the new truck. I think you'll love it the more you drive it.

 

Whereas I have an MT, I also have a cabin in Payson that I travel to 2-3 times a month. I am exceedingly disappointed in the radar cruise control. I have to reduce its sensitivity or it slows too soon and cannot regain speed unless I downshift. Whereas my 2006 Xterra could do the whole trip in 5th or 6th, the Tacoma requires 4th, 5th and 6th is not as commonly used as I would like. The truck is simply geared too high, but I am getting used to keeping it in its sweet spot on the power band and l get about 19MPG on the trip. I can’t imagine what it would be like with an automatic with less control over the chosen gear.

 

That’s probably one of the reasons why we have drastically different driving experiences. I’m almost at 9k and I’ve only had it since last Jan. Trail roads, mountain roads, highway, city... all wishing the transmission would pick a gear.

 

I am coming from an 08 Xterra. That thing was so much fun to drive compared to my Tacoma.

 

Yes, a tune will definitely improve this!
First step would be updating to the most up to date Toyota software, then add the tune.
You will love driving your truck! Predictable throttle, predictable, smooth shifting.
2016-2017 trucks are the worst on the stock tune. But once they are tuned, they are great!

 

good tip! I have a water softener at the house but I think it is bypassed for hose water. Hmmm…

I just bought a set of rag company microfiber off Amazon today actually! Glad to know they are quality