Did I get a lemon?

So after trying to go the internet route and discovering that toyota doesn't want to sell cars (seriously, hunting though toyota's vehicle inventory is pathetic, and I can't even get internet salesmen to actually find me what I want, let alone sell me on it. two of them were downright rude when I told them I wasn't interested in the double cabs and base model 4x2's they had on the lots). I found exactly what I was looking for back home this weekend and ended up buying it. 2010 Magnetic grey v6 4x4 auto access cab with TRD offroad and tow. Didn't really get a good drive around with it since it was very late in the day, and never really got above 45 since it was all in town. Stupid me.

I drove it home today, roughly 80 miles interstate and rural highway and I feel like I have gone through a meat tenderizer. the vibration at anything above 45 is absolutely bone jarring and my arms are completly numb. the vibration was enough to clear the stuff i had on the passenger seat off. please tell me this is not normal because if it is, I am in trouble.

the second issue I have run into is that I keep having to jerk on the steering wheel HARD when turning the key to get the key too turn. Not everytime, but so far in not even two days of owning it, its happened three times. is this normal or anything that can be fixed?

Hate to say it, but I am not starting out happy at all.

 

Neither of those in normal on my truck, It is vibration frre anmd the key turns easily. Take it to the stealer and they should make it right for you.

Good luck.

 

Does it look like the dealer added any items that could affect the drive, etc? I know that even though they are the dealership and have "Toyota Certified" mechanics there, they don't always install things correctly. I see alot of Tacomas that get "pimped" out at the dealership and maybe things just did not get buttoned up properly.

Heck, I am kinda weary about having the dealer install my supercharger when I get ready. Just having them replace my faulty OEM radio ended up with some scarring of the A/C control area. I would let them know ASAP about that.

 

i have the 2.7 so its kinda apples to oranges, but, i can get it going 90 mph or so with very little vibration and the key thing has never been an issue for me, nor have i ever heard anyone else complain about this. i would take it to the dealer asap. you paid good money, you deserve the best!!

 

hey wolf-sorry for the bad experience.. And NO that is not normal-these trucks actually ride pretty darn nice stock.. Why dont you go back to the dealer and go drive another truck and see if it does the same thing.. Be assertive w/ them and tell them that you are unsatisfied but just want a nice riding reliable truck.. And the steering wheel issue sounds as if you are keeping the wheel turned when parking and removing key-which would make it difficult to turn ignition on as you would need to wiggle steering wheel to get the ignition to turn..
Toyota should help you out, if not you can pm me and i will tell you a few things to do on a corporate level.. It worked for us w/ our lexus gx470-got a brand new one

 

definitly not normal. My truck is super smooth on the highway. Even better then a car. Take it back asap

 

no, no runnign boards, nerfs etc (no way was I spending 400 for that). Actually, no installed options aside from the factory tow package. its only been on the lot about 2 weeks and the tow package was factory. no other addons. I was planning on having the supercharger installed as well, but now having driven it home, I am seriously reconsidering putting any more money into this truck.

 

Defiantly not normal. Mine has 100k+ miles and there is no vibrations + the key is real easy to turn. Take it back to the dealer and tell them that you want it fixed or you want a brand new one. Good Luck.

 

I would get a different one, you will have it on your mind that something else could go wrong or is wrong anytime you feel or hear different things on your truck. I just had a transmission changed out on my daughter's vehicle that we have had less than a month (used vehicle, Honda) and I am worried now that something else will happen or that the tranny will have issues again.

I was about to start asking for a different vehicle but the vehicle had some warranty and I purchased the extended. Bottom line is that it will be in your head if anything else happens, you are already feeling like you may have gotten a lemon.

(Of course though, someone like OakelyTRD could bring some light on those issues as well. Heck just reading his post made me feel better for you!)

 

I love these trucks. Mine rides like a dream. Take it back and show them. Sorry to hear you are having the trouble. Hopefully you will not have a bum stereo like the o9 issues.

 

That much vibration? Wow, something is not right.
Dealer will start with tire pressure and balance.
You may have an out of round tire - happens all the time.

Just keep back at the dealer until it's resolved. Try not to lose it on them ... rather play to their professional side to resolve a serious manufacturing defect. They start the 'no problem found' bullshit - don't argue ... start with corporate customer service. Hopefully it will be obvious. Sounds like it aught to be obvious if it's as bad as you're mentioning ... and that's the good news.

Steering wheel - I've had to jiggle my steering wheel at times. It's been normal due to how I parked those few times.

 

My 2010 rides like its on a bed of pillows.........very plush,vibration free.Actually i've never experienced such a good ride in a 4x4 before until I bought my 2010 Tacoma.

 

sorry to here that you are experiencing that with the truck, mine has been awesome since I bought it in March and feel great having a Toyota. The dealer had a course for her test drive that included an interstate so I got to get out on there and do 70 mph during the test drive, I was taking it easy though because the truck had 10 miles on it..

it sounds like they did not balance the tires correctly or mount them on the truck correctly for that matter, or maybe even a bad tire. I had the key lock thing happen the second day I had my truck, it freaked me out too and I was running around trying to find the other key that they gave me thinking something was wrong with the one I was using. finally I figured out to turn the wheel to unlock it, it has only happened a few times since then.

here is a website that talks about vibration issues with the tacos, apparently these trucks have to be balanced just right or...

http://www.gadgetonline.com/Vibration.htm#Balance / Haweka Adapter:

 

I had to do this every so often on my 1994 Toyota 4x4 to turn the key.Did it for the 15 years that I owned it.

 

Not a great situation but I bet the vibe is just a bad (out of round) tire or missing balance weight. Annoying but easily fixable. Yes, they should have prepped the truck better.... And the key thing is normal to some extent. It will bind like that once in awhile in any car depending on the position of the steering wheel when you key off and the power steering pressure bleeds off. If it happens often or the key gets stuck, then you should check it out. Otherwise fugggeettaboudit.

 

Definitely check your own tire pressure. When I picked up my new 09 in May and took it onto the highway for the first time,
I also had some vibrations and the truck also pulled to the left noticably. Stopped and checked tire pressure and sure enough all tires were below 30 psi and front drivers side was at 22 psi. Filled them all to 35 and everything was ok.
Damn dealerships...

Congrats on the new truck and welcome to TW!
wmb67

 

X2

 

dude take it back, your saying its a 2010 you have a factory warranty, could be something like a wheel weight fell off of something wasent ballanced but you cant buy a lemon when it is new, and even if it wasent new it would still have the factory warranty, but did you buy it new from a toyota lot or was it used

 

So having a vibration means it's a lemon? Take it back and have it looked at.

 

Back to the dealer you go. I have an 09 and while it is only a two wheel drive OR, it rides very very smooth. This is not the first time I have heard new owners complain about the ride on four by's and two by's also. If they tell you it's normal, tell them you want to drive other trucks on the lot to compare. I'm going to guess you will need to have the tires "road force balanced." You might try a search to see if you come up with something. As far as your steering lock, are you sitting with the wheels straight? If you pull into your parking spot and your wheels are turned even a moderate amount, this can make it difficult to get the key to turn. All part of the locking steering wheel. I have had that problem but now I always make sure the wheels are turned straight and not a problem since. Although I would certainly address this with the dealer when you go in. Tip on dealing with the dealer. They are going to contact you with a survey on how they did, they want you to answer excellent on every one of the points. DO NOT fill it out and mail it in with all negatives out of frustration or send it in right away because this was the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to you. Contact the customer service manager or the guest relations manager of the dealer. They probably gave you his/her business card with the package they gave you when you bought the truck. This person can be very helpful working with you on getting the problems taken care of. On each new vehicle sold the dealer receives what is sometimes referred to as "trunk money." These are cash incentives the dealer receives for selling a certain number of cars, how many people scored the dealer excellent and so on. This is how dealers sell cars at invoice or below invoice and still make money. This is also how they get there number one ranking or attempt to. This is why these surveys are so very important to the dealer. Be very calm but very firm when addressing the problems. If you have already received the survey or if they have told you about the survey let them know that when you send it in, you really want to answer excellent, you just need to have these issues addressed.
Good luck, stay as calm as you can, take notes on every call you make or every time they call you, names and times.