Vibration when accelerating from stop - Anyone fixed it?

Truck is a 2013 DCSB, automatic with TRD offroad, and is just under 2 weeks old.

I have the vibration when starting off from a stop. It starts just before the 1-2 shift, and keeps going for few seconds after the shift. The harder you accelerate, the worse it is. Turning seems to make it even worse.

I've read every thread I can find on this, and it's obviously a common problem. Nowhere in any of the threads that I read did I see where someone actually had this fixed by the dealer. Many of the threads seem to end with people starting the lemon law process, and most haven't been updated for a while.

The truck has been to the dealer, who acknowledged the issue and told me that they have been advised by Toyota that this is a "characteristic of the vehicle" and that they are not to do anything about it. The service manager had no hesitation in telling me to contact Toyota, which I did.

Just got the call from the Toyota rep, who didn't really do anything other than confirm that he understood the issue. (He did say "slight" vibration, which I corrected.....it is definitely not "slight") His next step is to speak with the service manager and get back to me.

He did confirm that the TSB that included the steering wheel damper, carrier bearing, etc. has been made obsolete. According to him, they found that doing that TSB would sometimes cause the vibes to be felt under different circumstances, and didn't really fix anything.

Just trying to see if anyone has actually had this issue successfully fixed. I'm not willing to accept that this is a "characteristic of the vehicle." That is a BS translation of "we know it's a problem, but don't know how to fix it." On the other hand, I don't want to return the truck either....I honestly don't know what I'd get. There really isn't another truck that I like.

I'll keep this updated with what happens with Toyota for reference by others.

 

I know others have done the carrier bearing spacer etc, but personally every one of my tacoma's have had the issue fixed with AAL, a replacement spring pack would be better but it costs more as well and AAL can be just fine.

2008, 2012, 2013 and my mothers 2011 have had the same issue, the only one that i didn't fix was the 2012 and its because i got rid of it.

This is the AAL that i have in my 2013 and it fixed the problem for me, its also better than the other brands i have used in the past and cheaper so win-win.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1995-2011-T...fits=Model:Tacoma&hash=item3a6e43d757&vxp=mtr

make sure if you buy one, to get a "long" or "soft ride" short add-a-leaves are just junk. I like the brand above because the price is the best and so far so is the part vs fabtech, rough country and some others i have had in the past.

this is the above linked AAL in my truck


this is whats left of the Fabtech one that was more expensive

 

So when you put the AAL in that you got does it raise the rear up any? Do you need to change anything else out? How long did it take you to put in?

 

yes it makes the rear taller, it takes me about 45 minutes but i have done it many times.. 2 hours is probably a pretty fair estimate for normal conditions just be sure to do one side at a time, if you pull both sides you will have to wrestle the axel. And watch you rear brake lines on the drivers side if you drop the axel too far you can mess them up.

It raised mine about 2 inches which matches the front perfect with my preloaded baja package fronts that are almost exactly 3 inches lifted

 

My only issue with that is that I really don't want to lift this truck. I just got rid of a lifted Wrangler Unlimited, and the idea behind this truck was to actually leave it alone. (For the most part)

Depending on how this all turns out, it may be something I consider in the future.

 

I agree, I actually like the ride height. What little off roading I do does not require any more lift. Maybe the ride rite kit might help?

 

unfortunately i dont know of any replacement packs that won't add some amount of lift. The TSB springs would add a little as well but its not something that you really have to lift the truck for. In the for sale section on here there are TSB springs from time to time.

You could look into a traction bar or something, but i dont know of any that are out there for the tacoma stock.

 

Just got the call from Toyota....basically, they said they aren't going to do anything. The guy from corporate talked to two people from my dealership (one being the sales guy...why?), and they all agree that it's operating as normal. I'm so glad to hear that three random people from Toyota agree.

I asked if they could tell me whether this is normal for every configuration of Tacoma...no answer.
I asked what their technical explanation was for the vibrations...no answer.
I asked why, if this is normal, did they have a TSB where they tried to fix it for years....no answer.

Next step is to file the paperwork for arbitration.

On one hand, I think it may be a waste of time, since I really don't want them to take the truck back. I just want it fixed, which they clearly can't do.

On the other hand, there is no way I'm willing to accept their answer. They know it's a problem, and they just can't fix it, which is BS.

 

They are special..

didnt you see the corporate short bus in employee parking?

 

Just a quick update - spoke to two different lemon law attorneys here in NJ over the past few days. I wanted to speak with at least one prior to starting the litigation process with Toyota.

Both of them confirmed what I already suspected: Toyota is circumventing the lemon laws by calling the problem a "characteristic of the vehicle." Until they try to repair the problem three times, it doesn't meet the criteria for NJ. So far, I'm up to zero attempts by Toyota to fix it, and I'm certain that they won't make any. Both the Toyota consumer affairs rep and my dealer's service manager are adamant that they will do no further work on the issue....for obvious reasons.

Looks like litigation is going to be the only option. Great job by Toyota in removing all of the enjoyment of a new vehicle purchase.

 

I wonder if you could take it to a regular mechanic to have it diagnosed/repaired and if they do find the issue and fix it with copious notes and pics, if you could force toyota's hand to reimburse you for the expenses and maybe even your time.

Perhaps thats just me being naive.

I have a vibration as well but oddly enough I went from putting e10 87 octane in, to putting in e10 93 octane (all we have in my area is e10) and it has subsided considerably, but its still there a little. I was pretty shocked and I only did it to see if it would change my EPA any (only got 200 miles on this tank so too early to tell).

You can always try that for a tank or two and see if it helps. Worst case you only lose a few bucks a tank. Best case it fixes your issue.

 

I'm curious as to what is fixing the vibration issue with using an AAL. I'd consider this if I knew I could get one that doesn't make my ride harsh. On the 2011 Off Road I had I put a 1.5" AAL on and it rode pretty rough. It was a Toytec. The 2011 never had a shudder, it was a 6 speed though. My new 2013, which is an auto, has shuddered from a stop since I drove it off the lot. It's worse the harder I accelerate.

 

did it vibrate during the test drive?

go and test drive another one, with the service manager. try not to yell, "in yo face!" when the test drive is smooth.

 

Sorry to say dude, but the vibe is a well documented issue with these trucks. The only way to for sure get rid of it entirely is a one piece driveshaft and or torsion bars. Adding leafs may or may not help, carrier bearing replacement or drop may or may not help. One piece drive shaft will fix it.

 

The gas is certainly worth a shot...can't hurt anything, although I think this is all related to driveshaft / u-joint angles.

As for the independent mechanic, one of the attorneys suggested taking it to one, but not allowing them to fix it....just diagnose and document, then take that info to Toyota to try and get them to work on the truck. I'm about 99% certain that once any dealer puts my VIN into the system, they are going to see the note that says not to work on this issue. Like I said...that's what covers their ass.

Depending on how things go, I may end up eventually taking it to a driveline shop to see what they can do to fix it. The catch 22 with that is now Toyota is completely off the hook, since someone else did unauthorized work on the problem. They immediately get someone else to blame.

 

One piece driveshaft is the only solution I read on different forums that works.

 

I agree that the vibe is a well documented issue, and it's on me for not knowing about it before I bought the truck.

As for a fix, I also agree on the carrier bearing and adding leafs. I've seen nothing more than mixed results with those approaches.

On the driveshaft, in all of the threads I've read on this forum, I only saw one example of someone who had gone that route with a stock height truck. (There may very well be others, but I only found one)
He did report it cured the vibes, however that also comes at a cost, and I'm not talking about the $500 or so for the driveshaft or any loss in ground clearance. What concerns me is the impact on warranty. If I went that route, and ended up having a transfer case or rear diff problem somewhere down the road, you can bet your ass that Toyota would blame it on the driveshaft.

Buying aftermarket parts and having warranty issues both go against the main reason I bought new truck in the first place.

 

Here's another example of my own stupidity, which I freely admit in this case: I didn't test drive the actual truck I bought.

I test drove a 2014, which I don't recall having this issue. It was also a DCSB, however it had no TRD package. During the negotiations, I ended up shifting to the truck I bought, due to it being a better deal. (More options, less money)

 

OP 3months ago I purchased at 2013 DCSB 4cyl Auto

Mine has a little vibration issue but more annoyance than anything. I figured the stealership would probably tell me the same bs "characteristic of the vehicle"

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/298185-brake-issue-new-tacoma.html

cut the story short, I hope it doesn't get any worst and it hasn't. haven't brought it to the dealership. just playing the waiting game.
doesn't sound like similar issue like yours though but that's my 2cents.

 

i would be spitting mad. sucks.

my 06 vibs the slightest amount..but i think it is cuz of my tiny lift. i'll get a once piece one day. just drop the truck off at a driveshaft shop and say, and point at my truck..fix please.