Toyota recalling 228,000 Tacoma's due to oil leaks and possible loss of control of vehicle

Now that I have had my truck back after the differential repair, I have a few thoughts. First, I have to say it is nice to have the howling gone. Second, I had a 2017 off road as a loaner. I found after driving it for a month there were options that I probably would never use. The crawl control, locking differential, the moon roof, the heated seats, the compass, the multi terrain select, navigation. The items I found I might have used were the wireless charging, auto off and on headlamps, and the blind spot monitor. The thing that I got used to but really don't like is the push button start. I find myself still leaving my key in my pocket and reaching for the button. I prefer the mechanical key for both ignition and tailgate. I felt the off road to have a feel of being more heavy and less nimble than my sr5. The ride of the off road was softer over rail road tracks. The off road I had as a loaner had the control arm howl. It was distinctly different that the differential howl. Would I purchase an off road for here in the mid west for a wireless charge and auto on off headlamps, bsm, no. I probably will change the shocks out on my sr5 and maybe go with some Goodyear Duratrac tires for winter after the Hankook tires wear out. I fortunately had a good experience with the dealer and I know a lot of you have had to struggle with getting your truck back. Keep at it. My truck wasn't leaking before I had the initial recall and torque of nuts. Mine started leaking after. I do not think it had anything to do with the dealer torquing the nuts, but rather a failure of the gasket over time. My truck was repaired on warranty. It was an expensive repair. I had a brief glance at the paper work and noticed one charge of 1760.00. I can imagine Toyota really would prefer for a torque and go approach, but mine was howling like a banshee and really couldn't deny the noise. Good luck with your repairs.

 

I agree that it should have had some parts ordered, but I honestly think this dealer just does not know much about the recall.
They were telling me the reason for the recall was the trucks left with improper torque on the bolts, but we all know that was not the case.

My truck was the 5th toyota we have purchased from them, we have always had excellent service and good deals on the vehicles.

We know the service department people very well (My dad worked with the manager for 25 years in the coal mines before he came to Toyota).

To be honest I dont think they want to spend the money on labor to fix things.

 

Hendrick Toyota of Apex

 

So I am still working with Toyota Corp after emailing Danica Sorenson about my issue. I now have a case worker going through my issue of the leaking diff and the excess sealant that was used. So far no Toyota worker has been able to confirm whether sealant should be used even though the recall paperwork doesn't mention anything about the use of it. I also mentioned that I was concerned about how much fluid was actually in it and that the service department never even measured the fluid when they did the repair. I am taking the truck back in tomorrow for them to also look into the very annoying howl at 50-60 miles an hour which will be interesting to see what is said about it. I am not expecting much.

 

I believe that is exactly the case, that's why the only "fix" needed for non-leaking axles is to ensure that the nuts are properly torqued. The gasket replacement for axles that have not lost a critical amount of gear oil (< 1 liter) is erring on the side of caution, as is probably replacing the carrier assembly on most axles that have lost more then 1 liter.

The CF here seems to be availability of parts, it would seem Toyota greatly underestimated the number of vehicles affected. And I believe that in a fit of overabundance of caution they far too broadly defined "leaking".

This is from the initial notice to dealers (click here, here is the revised/updated document):


If my truck exhibited the weeping in the center photo, or even that on the left, I would just torque the nuts and check the fluid level. If it were full or near full I'd be on my way, if not then depending on how "not-full" it was and what it sounded like on the road I'd decide to top it off or head to the dealer.

Back in my Mustang days I changed rear-end gears--in mine and the cars of others-- about as often as I changed underwear--a little bit of weeping as in the center photo was almost expected when using the OEM gasket. That's why no one uses them but instead uses a good RTV sealant like Permatex's Ultra Gray...

 

Maybe not for that dealer, but they do per Toyota's recall procedures--see my post here...

 

Well good news, at least for me. I called today and all of my parts came in except the gasket or something on Friday night. The rest of the parts are expected sometime this week and I am told as soon as the rest of my parts arrive my truck will be on the lift and ready that day.

I had my truck taken from me and was placed in a Ford F150 XLT from Enterprise in mid-June. I guess not as long as some, but I am super tired of the gas-guzzling, shitty designed interior, boat of a vehicle. I sat in an OR in the dealership while my wife's 'yota iM got her 5k service and I really missed an interior that made sense.

I will say, after this whole debacle I will appreciate the Taco more. Ever since I got my first Taco in 2013 I have been telling myself I want a lift, wheels, tires, etc. Maybe my 3rd Tacoma will finally be the one to reap the rewards. Then again, that stuff cost money that I don't make.

 

Good to hear some are getting their trucks back.. I hit 90 days with out mine tomorrow. Sick of this s%#t.

 

Yours is keeping mine company. Hendrick had over 50 Tacomas parked in the back awaiting recall work as of a few weeks ago. As of last Friday they had not gotten parts to fix any.

 

+1 My Taco has been sitting there for about 3 weeks. Kills me knowing we have had the hottest weather of the year and it's just baking on the lot.

 

Put a car cover on it.

 

I'm surprised MSM and local media outlets are not reporting anything regarding the 3rd. Gen recall.

 

Do you have any idea what Toyota's annual advertising budget is?

 

You are missing one of the greatest advancements in vehicles, I used mine just last night! I put a plastic bag on the passenger seat, then the pizza I picked up, covered it with my jacket, hit the passenger heated seat, mmmmmmm!

 

When talking to the service manager he told me that all vehicles with a rear diff make a howl noise of some sort. Really this is the answer that Toyota is given out?!? My wife doesn't like going in my truck because the howl is so annoying at 50 to 60 miles an hour.

 

Is this something to bring up at my next service?

 

thats how mine started, 60 days later, fixed!

 

Went to Toyota the other day to drop off my Dodge Journey, horrible "thing" it was. They gave me this one instead. Not bad!!
After two weeks, they gave me a 4-6 weeks more, crazy!!! Missing my truck

 

Hawaii peeps...

Service advisor called me for a status. Servco does not know when the part kits are coming in. Its going to be awhile. 50 alone at windward. ITs probably triple that at Mapunapuna/Sand Island by now

If you havent dropped yours off, think really hard if you can live w/o your truck for an extended period of time.

I think reality kicked in after this call. Toyota really does not have a grasp of this thing and ill be in a loaner for awhile.

 

That's crazy brah, I'm glad I got mine back.