Is my truck a lemon?

Good luck with the a/c.

I had a 2006 2wd 4 banger.

I made the stupid mistake of turning on the a/c at about 5000 rpm.

End result they replaced $4,500 worth of a/c stuff under warranty.

It did not last more than 2 years. Went bad again and was on my dime so I never fixed.

 

Is it not common for the AC compressors to crap themselves?

 

The Tacoma should have been redesigned on a seven year cycle like the Tundra. I have had minor issues with my two year old 2012 Tacoma like the drive line vibration which was most likely caused when they shortened the wheel base in 2012. They shortened it by .4 of an inch. I think they were going to have a redesign in 2012 but all the weather problems in Japan changed that.
As far as the Frontier goes.... Well... that's a matter of personal opinion. I personally wouldn't even consider one but that's neither here nor there. If your happy with it that's all that matters.
Six months ago I would not considered one but after taking a close look at one I thought I would give one a try. At least they have a one piece drive shaft which has no vibrations. I get tired of looking at the same design for the past nine years. Had the Tacoma had a redesign for 2014 I would not even looked at a Frontier. The Tacoma sure does have a good trade value.
As far as the 4.0 goes I think it is a bullet proof engine but sometimes things happen to the best.

 

Exactly... That's why I feel sorry for the OP. It sucks that he got a bad one (usually that happens to me). I figure since they have been making it since... what?... 2006 they have most of the kinks worked out of it. When the new Tacoma comes out I won't buy the first model year. I'll let them work out the bugs first then get one. 2011 was a good year to buy one for me and it has (so far) been absolutely perfect!

I hope you have the same luck with your Frontier.

 

http://www.automobilemag.com/am/2009/toyota/tacoma/compare.html?Vehicle0.Make=Toyota&Vehicle0.Model=Tacoma&Vehicle0.Year=2009&Vehicle0.Trim=%3b_PK_XC%3b4WD%3bV6&Vehicle2.Make=Toyota&Vehicle2.Model=Tacoma&Vehicle2.Year=2012&Vehicle2.Trim=%3b_PK_XC%3b4WD%3bV6&Vehicle3.Make=Toyota&Vehicle3.Model=4Runner&Vehicle3.Year=2011&Vehicle3.Trim=SR5%3b_SU%3bRWD%3bV6&PageNumber=1&TotalPages=2&Vehicle[1].Make=Toyota|79&Vehicle[1].Model=Tacoma|1251&Vehicle[1].Year=2010&Vehicle[1].Trim=;_PK_XC;4WD;V6|1;29;2;14
It would appear the wheelbase change was made in 2011. This comparison tool was from Toyotas web site.

 

+1 i'd like the link to the info or Toyota pdf that shows this. Sites with specs like edmunds, etc, still show the same wheelbase as far as Double-cab goes.

 

Interesting...does show .4 on automobile mag but i have seen conflicting info on other sites.

And it shows the DCLB as going from 140.9" for 2009 model to 140.6" for 2013 model;

 

I don't know if this is correct information but if it is that is about the time the vibration issues started and there may be some connection.

 

mines a 2011 haha

 

Yeah I know... that's what sucks

 

People have had "vibration" since before the 12/13 models.

 

Hit the pick list and you can compare different years , models and makes.
Compare the 4.0 Tacoma with the 4.0 4Runner and look at the difference in the engines.
Compare a 2010 Access cab with a 2012 Access cab.
Some guys want a new wife or girlfriend every seven years because they get tired of the same thing. When they get a new one I guess we could call it a redesign. The same goes for the Tacoma. It should redesign every seven years. I wonder if this is why the F150 is always a top seller because they redesign every six or seven years?

 

Wait a sec... That makes the second or third time that you said Toyota should redesign the Tacoma. I don't disagree that it is due but you drive a Nissan Frontier and as far as I can tell.... It is due for one also.

I'm not trying to be nit picking but lets call it like we see it


2005 Nissan Frontier





2012 Nissan Frontier





2013 Nissan Frontier

​

I'm sorry... but that .04" you are talking about... wouldn't make me buy a truck that is in need of a redesign as much as a Tacoma.



__________________

 

If you do NOT plan to get rid of your truck, you might think about getting a Toyota extended warranty for it. Do it prior to 36000 miles and it's not really very expensive. If you decide to do this, check with Jerry Johnson at Midwest Toyota.

 

I just took a look at some archived Tacoma brochures and the wheelbase change took place for the 2009 model, not 2012, by .4" for double-cabs if that even affects anything.

 

Lol its funny he is talking about getting tired of the Tacoma design but turns around and bought a Nissan which follows design changes practically the same as the Tacoma.

 

I currently own a (99) Dodge 2500 diesel--it is STILL a BEAST.
Tacoma is the daily driver.

 

After he said it a few times I got to thinking that the Frontier hasn't changed either so that part of his argument is moot. Hypocrisy FTW!

Google is fun!

 

When the Chevy was bought back I bought this....

​

That truck was epic for towing anything you could put behind it. I hated it was a Dodge but you can't deny the Cummins Engine.

*EDIT* By the way, that was the very first BHLM I ever did on a vehicle.

 

You are quite right. They have looked the same for years but it is new and different for me. Not to mention that you do not see very many of them. I bet the Tacoma out sells them 20 to one. If I don't like what I have you can bet I will be setting in a Tacoma in two years. Even with the vibration issues they are still a very good truck. I just wanted to try something different. I even got a 07 Tundra and did not like the big beast size after six months and went back to a Tacoma.
Be sure to laugh out loud and say I told you so when you see me post that I traded back to the Tacoma in two years. I feel certain it will be a nice change.