2019 Tacoma 1500Rpm Diagnosis

Evening All,

I recently just bought a new 2019 Sr5 Double-cab. Everything is okay and expected with the truck so far except for a knocking issue at low Rpms. At 1300-1500 RPM the engine knocks and seems as if it's missing. You can physically feel the motor knocking and vibration in the pedals. This sensation goes away the second you elevate the RPM's and because of this I've been trying to keep the truck at 2k rpms at all times. I drive with ECT on constantly and it still persists. I've burned through the standard 87 octane gas that was in the tank and put 89(station didn't have premium) and it still is an issue. To picture, imagine going down an off ramp, letting off the gas at about 35mph and you dip to 1500rpm, hit the gas slightly and engine knocks/shakes for 2-3 seconds.

To my knowledge there's no TSB for this on 2019's. Is this a typical behavior of the truck(if so it sucks a big one) and if not, any suggestions?

This is my first Tacoma and I'm new to the thread so assistance is appreciated.

 

Then bring it to a/your dealer. That's what warranties are for.

 

I would just take it to the dealership and let them diagnose it since you're still under warranty. Engine knock is definitely not good.

 

Does this happen only while moving and decelerating or does it also happen when sitting still and running in that RPM range?

 

RPMs 1500ish while moving.

If I heavy foot accelerate there is no issue, it shifts fine and picks up(other than expected lag). It's usually when I'm grandma driving it and am either letting off the gas or am lightly accelerating. It feels as if it struggles to survive in the 1300-1500 rpm range.

 

i just got mine a week ago and mine has the missing sensation at low rpms but i chalk that up to eco mode AKA ect off. I haven't had much chance yet to try with ect power on besides one time at the dealer when test driving. They all did this but the one i got did it not as bad as the 1st one i drove. to me, it'a nature of the beast. now that knocking, i have not heard. But one man's knocking could be another mans tapping. Maybe you are hearing the direct injection? they do make a tapping/knocking noise at idle, but not sure about higher rpms....

 

i have the same exact issue. i am grandma'ing it now only beacuase i am trying to be easy on it for break-in. 300 miles on it as of today. perhaps we should be a little more aggressive on them?

 

This is unfortunately normal.
Drive in S mode.
Use ECT.

 

I do use ECT and it persists. What is causing the stutter if normal? Gearing?

 

We are literally in the same boat. I'm at 400 miles I think. I've been using ECT since day 1 to try to avoid it. Now am looking at OVTune but am somewhat upset I have to look on a forum for a 400 mile old truck regarding transmission/engine issues.

 

Hard for me to say the exact technical cause. I believe it has to do with the overall design and software that runs the powertrain and the goal of gas mileage and no power at low rpms and power at high rpms. It really is very disconcerting but I've learned to live with it to some degree.
S4 helps because I dont find it exhibits this until 5th gear.

 

Hmm. I tried the sport mode once and it seemed more responsive. But I definitely have the stuttering prior to 5th.

 

Certainly you can have the dealer look at it but from my sofa I think its "normal" for the Tacoma 3rd gen.

 

i think we just have to program ourselves to accept it is normal. i think to eek every mpg toyota made the truck run very lean. just guessing. i am not going to mess with anything tune wise as 1 reason i bought this truck- and traded a 0-60 3.94 second car in on- is long term. if i wanted fast i would have kept the mustang. LOL. as long as nothing is breaking/wearing out sooner than it should i am good with it. will just use ect and sport mode- eventually.

 

Perhaps you should trade it for a Ranger. I hear they could use the sales.

 

My truck has done this for 38k miles. 93 fixes it. I have mentioned it to the dealer and got the ole "can not replicate" even though it clearly is doing it.

 

There are no issues. Please read up on the adkinson cycle design, direct injection, cleaning cycle and many more things this engine does.
If, after googling all that, you still think it's a problem then take it to the dealer. Didn't you catch it during your test drive? I wouldn't have bought it if that happened to me when testing it.

 

everytime mine does it- the bucking/jerking at low rpms- i think of my gf's 2015 pilot. it did sort of the same thing but while cruising on the highway. no worries. all 3 of the tacos i test drove new did it.

 

Dude, it’s not normal... take the truck to the dealership for diagnostics and repair. You should not need any higher octane than 86/87 to resolve engine knock. Asking for new truck repair info on this forum is less than optimal when you still have a valid warranty (verified by the responses you’ve received thus far).

If the dealer says it’s normal and/or can’t find a decent solution, then come back and ask with more details from the dealership. Most are here to help, after you help yourself... otherwise you may just keep getting armchair BS.