Issues with service at dealer - 2018 Offroad

I lurk here a lot but don't post often. I'm having some issues with my Taco and would like some insight on how to proceed. To start I have a 2018 Offroad DCSB, 6MT, with premium and tech packages. Just passed 10,000 miles last week. My local dealer is not where I purchased the truck, I went out of state to purchase.

1. First issue is that I've had the differential whine/howl about as long as I can remember, since 1000 miles or so. It's incredibly annoying and have brought this up to my local dealer numerous times. They replaced bushings or something per a TSB (supposedly T-SB-0013-18). I don't have the paperwork in front of me atm but can confirm later. The noise hasn't changed but the dealer claims that they have already performed the fix and that this is normal for manual transmission Tacomas. He claims they have a few they see regularly and that they all howl to some degree. Sounds like a load of crap to me. My brother is currently overseas and I'm driving his 2016 Tacoma Sport 6MT once a month or so to keep the fluids moving. I can't decide if his howls or not, there is a slight noise but it's nowhere near as loud as mine. Granted he has Ridge Grapplers on his while mine has stock tires. Per the email: "The TSB for the noise was completed at the last visit. Any noise now is a characteristic of the manual transmission. We have a handful of manuals that come here for service, they all have that whine."

2. Second issue I discovered prior to taking my truck in last time for the supposed diff howl fix is that I noticed my sunroof leaking when it rains. Turns out this is the 3rd brake light leak, which makes sense. The dealer confirmed when I asked that water comes in at the 3rd brake light and makes its way to the front of the cabin where the sunroof is. They supposedly replaced the seal on the light the last time but it still leaks the same amount. Now they are saying this is normal and that the water drops onto the drip tray, down and out of the truck. So, now they're saying its normal for the 3rd brake light to leak. Per the email: "If water is not coming into the passenger compartment, that is normal. The sunroof has a drip tray (gutter) that sends the water down the drip tubes." So now they're saying water coming into the truck is normal. Seems like another load of crap. See attached pic. Is this really normal? I discovered my brothers truck has this same issue. Other people with sunroofs, does yours do this? If so, have you done anything about it?

3. Since I received this response I didn't care for, I got under the truck to see if my rear diff leaks. Sure does, on both sides. I haven't replied to the dealer yet to let them know I have the diff leak issue. See pics, seems fairly bad comparing the other diff leak pics I've ran across here.

4. This one isn't a huge deal, but the center console in the ceiling rattles sometimes. They said if they can replicate it they can look at it. Is there something I could look at to tighten down? I don't suspect they're going to do much if they even look at it.

I need to take the Taco in for its 10k mile service and wanted to address these issues as well. I'm not sure how to proceed. Should I escalate at the dealership? Should I request a new differential already or see what happens during my next service? Maybe I'd have better luck where I purchased the truck, it's not too far from me, less than 200 miles. I love my truck I just want this shit resolved. Any insight on how I should proceed is appreciated.

 

Either take it to a different dealer or offer to take a tech out with you to demonstrate that the howl has not gone away.

 

Definitely get the differential fixed, no way they can avoid that. Maybe that will mitigate the howl?

If that is water drops on the seal I see from the inside, as far as I'm concerned, that should be viewed as water leaking into the cab itself. Are you certain the leak is from the 3rd brake light?

In any case, if you don't get satisfaction from the dealer on issues they've supposedly addressed, I'd open a case with corporate.

 

Sorry to hear about the issues.

 

I hope it resolves the howl. I'm going to email the technician I've been working with today with pics of the diff and see what happens. I almost want to request a diff replacement, but I suppose I'll see how this plays out first.

I believe they are correct about the 3rd brake light. Yes those are water droplets hanging down. They supposedly replaced the seal on the brake light last time it was in, but as much water comes in as before it seems like. The only reason I know is my wife and I purchased a new washer and dryer about a month ago. When we picked them up it was drizzling a bit. I backed partway into the garage so we could unload them. During this time it started pouring. I just happened to park with the back portion of the cab in the garage but the sunroof exposed and the sunroof didn't seem to let in any water. I'm with you, but I think they mean as long as it's not dripping on the interior then it's fine? It's really aggravating that they're trying to pass it off like it's supposed to be this way.

Thanks for your reply. I think I will give them another chance to resolve, if not I'm going to go the corporate route.

 

lol water droplets hanging off there. just go in and spill a little bit of water down the side of the seat or on the floor. tell them its from the sunroof.

 

I've never noticed water droplets hanging from my sunroof! Pretty sure that is not normal. It sounds like you need to see a different dealer honestly...

My rear diff was leaking waaay less than yours was and I got mine fixed no questions asked the first time I brought it up to them.

 

Same. The rear diff TSB is for the auto, but once I had the manager look at the diff himself (not just the tech), they replaced it w/o question.

 

Sounds like a pretty shitty dealership. I would’ve already opened a case with corporate. Either escalate it or go to a different dealership. No these are not “normal” issures.

 

Couple items....

They usually replace the entire brake light assembly not just the seal.

It’s normal for the sunroof to leak water into the gutter channels under high pressure like from a car wash. Under gravity conditions is not normal.

The gear oil weeping out the rear end is due to improper torque on the nuts and will get worse over time that’s not normal. If the carrier wasn’t installed into the axel housing properly it’s reasonable to assume there are other issues in the rear end which explains the excessive noise.

I would request to have the Toyota regional rep look at the truck since the warranty is a performance contract between the owner of the vehicle and Toyota...the dealer is not a party to that contract as they are only the authorized agent to perform such work and it’s pretty clear from your dissertation that the dealer is not providing workers skilled in the tasks assigned to them.

 

There are drain tubes for the sunroof that can get clogged with debris causing water to backup, sit and then leak. That's unrelated to the 3rd brake light leaking though. It could be both or one or the other in your case, but it's absolutely not normal that water gets into the cabin. If my dealer told me that, I'd immediately complain to Toyota Corporate or find another toyota dealer (I'm lucky that I have a few around me).

 

no water in cabin. open case with corporate. find new dealer. good luck OP. Sorry about all this.

 

I've got a '17 OR DCSB MT, the whine is normal. Turn up the stereo, get some M/Ts on there, suck it up. There's nothing wrong except your ears dislike that sound frequency.

Water in the cab, that's an issue. Brake light, sunroof, whatever, it should be fixed under warranty. Get a new dealer if this one sucks.

Diff leak, same deal. Shouldn't be leaking, it's under warranty, work it out with the dealer.

 

I went through the car wash today because birds had unmercifully shit all over my truck. I was desperate. Anyway I watch my sunroof all the way through the high pressure spray and never saw a drop of water. I think something is wrong if you have that kind of leak. Dealer is full of it.

 

Gotcha, thanks for sharing your experience.

Good to know, thanks.

I know they are not normal issues. I am going to open a case with corporate tomorrow. This is the first vehicle I've purchased new and had to deal with warranty issues. It's ridiculous that I have to go over their head to get this resolved properly.

Thanks for the detailed information. Are/were you a Toyota technician? What you're saying makes sense to me. I'm going to contact corporate tomorrow and request someone from my region to inspect my truck as you suggested.

Agreed, thanks for your comment. Glad your brake light doesn't leak haha.

 

Any Toyota dealer should honor the Toyota warranty.

 

Some dealers do seem to have an atitude if u didnt buy the vehicle from there dealership.

 

Any dealer can bill work to the manufacturer when under warranty.*

 

I can't believe I liked your fake evidence ! Maybe I can become a climate change scientist.

 

Very true. You can get a clogged drain tube the first week of ownership. I had an acorn get in one of the tubes once from being left open in the driveway. It's not a question if they will clog, it's when, all cars do. Not saying this is the problem but its easy to check the tubes. Open the roof, park the vehicle on a slight incline, pour water in the channel and it should drain both sides to the ground. Reverse truck in to slope the other way and repeat for other tubes.
I had to use an air compressor on one vehicle once to clear my tubes. Ran a line down the tube as far as I could and shot it with air. Cleared right out. Crap builds up in them.

The diff is an issue. It needs to be addressed.
I use

$11 Permatex 81182 Gear Oil RTV Gasket Maker, 3 oz (Packaging May Vary)

Permatex 81182 specifically designed for this on my other vehicles and it is the shi*. Would never take a cover off without it. I would be amazed if you had a leak using this stuff.