Need opinions…might “try to” return 2011 Tacoma (vibration)

Need opinions…might “try to” return 2011 Tacoma (vibration)

First off I would like to say that there are a lot of positives about this vehicle however for the sake of time it will seem like I am focusing on the negatives. I love the color.


I have wanted a Tacoma ever since the 2nd gens came out. I finally could afford one and I got a 2011 Double Cab V6. Unfortunately I didn’t take it out for a long test drive. Shortly after driving it for a few days I noticed:
• Ticking engine noise
• Vibration @ 20 MPH accelerating through 20 and coasting/braking down past 20
• Overall rough ride as in I feel every grain of sand on the road through the steering wheel (and now at 1100 miles this at certain speeds 50+ “seems” to be getting worst)

I did a lot of research and long story short I can live with the ticking and the rough ride. However I cannot live with the vibration @ 20.

I noticed it more and more shortly after I purchased it. I brought it in @ 300 miles and they said everything is fine. I couldn’t deal with it so I brought it in again @ 500 miles and drove with a tech and he said everything is fine, things are still breaking in give it time.

The truck now has 1100 miles and I called my sales rep, which went to the service manager, which then went to a sales manager and yesterday they got me a different truck to drive.

Exact same issues, except the overall ride was much worst in this vehicle (I think something needed to be balanced or something) but anyway, the vibration at 20(23 for this one) is there and it feels the exact same way.

I’m going to drive another when I return it today. Possibly a different model altogether if it still does it.

I am really not satisfied with this vehicle and the fear of things getting worst through its lifetime is driving me nuts.

I’m sure it is going to be hard as hell to return it but should I pursue it? Anyone else with this experience?

 

Stock

 

doesnt sound right, maybe go back and ask to test drive another one just to see if it feels the same to you

 

I think when you buy a truck you have to expect a certain amount of unsophistication. Some might be more sensitive to certain things than others. Wgat are "vibes" to someone may appear normal to oters. If one comes from a Lexus RX350 to a Tacome they will hear and fell A LOT of things that "should not be there..LOL.

` I know if I was OCD and I read this forum or ANY forum I would not buy the truck or vehicle in question. A LONG test ride in the vehicle you intend to buy is mandatory. The more OCD you are the longer that ride must be. You will hear every sound, feel every vibration and anomaly. THEN you can create a Due Bill if you still like the truck and buy it under the condition those things are fixed. NEVER take delivery WITH a DUE BILL.......because until you roll those wheels into the street the deal is not done.

They will take it back though....as a used vehicle trade.

 

The engine ticks, they all do.
It's a truck, the ride is rough, I kinda like it but you're right it's a pretty rough ride.

I never had any sort of vibration until I put my 3" lift on and even then it was minor, I only noticed it upon acceleration and it stopped after I got to 10-15 mph, never upon braking. How bad is the vibration? It's strange you drove another truck and had the same thing, I would say try one more truck and if you notice it pursue a trade or return.

I can't imagine a trade or return going smoothly though, you're going to lose a few grand I would imagine unless you have a really good sales manager/dealership. Good luck though, I'm interested to see how they handle it if you do decide to return it.

 

what previous vehicle did you have? cause you just might not be used to a tacoma if youre used to something "smoother", idk just a thought

 

My plan so far is to drive another truck when I return it today. If it has the same vibration I will ask to try a different model, maybe like an extended or regular cab.
I don't want to return it and I know it is going to be near impossible.

 

I have driven tons of vehicles and I have owned a 98 s-10 zr2 and then a 05 1500 5 speed. Never felt anything like this. It feels like a 10 year old truck.

 

My truck has the same vibration somewhere between 20 and 25 (stock suspension, wheels, tires, etc). Dealer has tried new drive shaft, leaf tsb, rear tranny mount tsb, and it's still there. I tried carrier bearing shim, nothing. Might try an axle shim one day, who knows. I'm out of ideas.

 

I just got of the phone with the service manager to mention to him that this other vehicle they let me drive has the exact same issue so now he is saying it is a characteristic of the truck. They have a Toyota "field tech" looking at my truck today. I'm sure they will find nothing wrong.

 

I had the drive line vibration when I got mine brand new too. That was when I had 3 miles on the clock. (When braking around 20-25 mph)

Now it has 45,xxx miles and the vibration disappeared a while ago.

 

I haven't driven a truck that didn't have a rumble of some sort coming from the driveshaft. Although I will admit the taco's can be pretty pronounced.

 

If the dealer techs said it was normal and people here say it is normal then I can learn to live with it, but it is very distinct at 20 and doesn't seem right.

 

At least I have something to look forward too

 

I am experiencing the same issue but at 70 mph.
Would different shocks make a difference?

 

I don't know if you have the base or TRD model (I'm on my mobile phone), but in my base 4x4 reg cab I don't think the ride is rough at all. I find it very composed and comfortable. As for the vibration, I have it too. Took it in for that and they ordered a new wheel and two new tires as they were out of spec. Whether this will fix the issue or not, I don't know but if not then maybe it'll fix the vibration at 55-60 instead . The vibration when braking hard through 20 is annoying and at times almost frightening but even after just 5000 miles it seems to be lessening in intensity and occurance...or maybe I'm just getting used to it or subconsciously driving around it. We'll see how their service resolves the issue.

 

I know exactly what you are talking about, I have a 2011 AC sport with the same issue, it vibrates between 20-25mph. It is not a severe vibration but definitely noticeable. Got the tires balanced and that is not the issue. I have noticed that it is worse during the cold and bad weather. Also certain gears make it worse, and it isn't present in some situations.

When I get my tires rotated at 5000 miles I was going to talk to the service dept about it. They always blame the tires because that is common, but this problem is NOT tire related, I know that for sure. Different tires have the same problem.

 

I got off the phone with them. I had a Toyota tech cased opened and a Toyota "engineer" drove my truck and said it was normal vibration from the torque converter.
I guess I am going to have to live with it.

 

So the verdict is in...
When I first had this issue a Toyota "Tech Case" was opened, so yesterday the tech came an drove my vehicle and confirmed what the dealer said. The vibration I felt at 20 is coming from the torque converter and is “mechanical harmonics of the tight torque converter”, in other words, ""normal.
Like I said I drove another truck and it felt the same thing so I am starting to believe them.
When I went to pick up my truck I drove a third vehicle, this time is was a DC 4 speed, unlike my 5 speed auto. It did the same thing at 18 MPH. I felt better knowing it wasn’t just my truck. Long story short the dealership was very nice and cooperative and I am going to try and push this out of my mind and focus on enjoying my truck because it is great. Thanks for the opinions.