2021 Limited with 2k miles already headed to the dealer.... vibrations at slow speeds...

So i guess i was so happy with getting a new truck i didn't notice it but around 1500-2000k miles in i started to notice a vibration when slowing down/braking at certain speeds. Well after i noticed it i REALLY started to test things and pay attention and it looks like its multiple things. First is you can be driving and start to slow down around 17-20 mph and a slight rattle or shake goes through the truck. You really feel it in the seat and steering wheel. Then when you add braking on top of this the problem its just worse... its only around that speed though. maybe a little bit around 35-40 mph but at any other speed all is good. I can be at 80 and hit the brakes hard even and nothing... only at the slower speeds. So i took it to the dealer at the beginning of the month and they said it was a know issue so now its going in on the 20th to get new rear leaf springs and something to do with the steering dampeners or something with the steering column im not sure... long story long has anyone with ANY model 2020-21 Tacoma had this issue? its very very frustrating considering i paid 47k for a new truck lol... i came from a 15 Tacoma that i also bought brand new and put 90k miles and it and it was a flawless truck. only changed wear parts. it even had the original clutch "it was a 6 speed manual"....

Second problem is apple care play is absolute trash on this vehicle. Although it could be my phone (iphone 10s max) so im not sure, i havent done much testing on it yet but its constantly freezing up on me/people cant hear me on calls, but i can hear them, and if my phone is plugged in to that port to use carplay and i try to change the source to XM or FM it switches for about 2 seconds and then just goes right back to carplay.... so for right now ive just got carplay disabled... and yes im updated to ios 15.0.2 "latest as of today"

last thing, the tranny in this 21 is terrible lol... im not sure why they went to a 3.5 from a 4.0 but this thing is CONSTANTLY changing and trying to find the right gear... im just like dang.... i need a supercharger or something! this truck doesnt have enough power to even hold gears on almost flat ground!

Anyways if anyone could give me some feedback on the vibrations at slower speeds/braking id appreciate it!

 

It has the power to hold a gear most of the time, it is just searching for the best fuel economy.

It sounds like something got bent on your truck. Hope the get it fixed quickly. I’ll roll 70k on my Limited this weekend. Been a great truck.

 

Welcome to TW.
It does not matter why it shakes only that they fix it.
Also, nothing built by humans is perfect. Good luck.

 

I just posted here on the same problem:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/21-tacoma-still-vibrates-after-tsb.740185/page-2#post-26380652

Driving in S4 in the city will help the tranny problem. I complained about that also and they stated NPF.

 

Sometimes I feel some vibrations when braking at around those speeds. I’ve never had any issues. Usually feel after the brakes are grabbing for a few seconds though. Truck is 2017.

 

For every post in here with vibes, there are millions of trucks (over a million in US sales last 5 years approximation) on the roads with zero issues. I know that isn’t any consolation for those with issues, but we do tend to only hear about issues on the forums.

 

Way back in 2015 when the 3rd gens came out I had a 16 limited that shook the passenger seat at highway speeds. I brought it back and rebalanced it before the customer got the truck.

Now the highway is too busy and too many chances for rock chips so I stay off. But since then I haven't seen it or have had anyone complain.

 

Is your truck stock?

 

Can't help you with the vibes OP but if you want to eliminate all the gear hunting and torque issues find a KD Max tuner in your area. Its literally night and day.

 

My 2021 has a scant 4,500 miles on it. Rides fine got zero complaints. I have noticed that the 'gear-hunting' has really
smoothed out but I drive pretty conservatively, steady-as-she-goes type of driving. Not afraid to push it and I feel lately
like a good-go at the gas-pedal does create a nice pick-up-and-pass-the-idiot feel to it, better at 4,500 miles than say 1,500 miles.

Hope the good times continue as this will be the last new vehicle I ever buy for myself.

 

^^^ this

 

No issues with mine so far 7k on it still runs and drives great.

 

Did you test drive this thing before you spent trd pro money on it ?

 

sounds like dealer is doing TSB 0124-20 which has them add a steering wheel damper and measure angles to determine if they should replace leafs.
from my experience, the shop by-passes the "if they should" and just does it because that is what works.
if you read the tsb, in general, all but the off road package have the weak leafs, though it is complicated and you can read the tsb yourself to understand how it applies to your truck.
Even my shop guy was confused about applicability but together we figured it out.
imo, the weak leafs let the 2 piece driveshaft rattle around in the carrier bearing assemblage (and exciting the frame to resonate)
when decelerating since the differential rotates and pulls the driveshaft out of line. the beefier off road leafs mostly prevent that.
i had it done and it is like night and day.
there are MANY threads about this and this is the fix if braking does not contribute to the vibes. i had to demonstrate it to shop
and i just let it decelerate rolling up a slight incline and shop guy said "yep, lets fix it".
btw: service manager suggested going straight to the shop for stuff like this and by-pass customer service.
how i am supposed to do that is a mystery but, for me, that is what happened with his help. sounds like you are there already.

the tsb: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/MC-10187246-9999.pdf

edit:
with regard to power and gear hunting: with a combination of ECT and S mode and getting used
to it, like reaction to gas pedal use...it will become tolerable.
without that, it sucks because they went as far as they could to up the fuel efficiency and still sell trucks.
there have been some tranny software tweaks but basically all 3rd gens are the same.

 

yep 100% bone stock. havent touched anything yet...

 

They checked wheel balance, rotors, pads, the rear brake drums, etc. ?

It sure sounds like a brake issue, not driveline. Oh well, I hope they fix it for you this week.

 

well see... like i said its going to the dealer on wednesday so we will see and i will keep yall updated with what they say... i just want it fixed because i actually like this truck lol!

 

Sounds about normal to me, you may have a little more shaking than most it sounds like, its probably your brakes warped, it doesn't take much to warp em.

 

i would think brakes as well but you feel that vibration is felt it going up hill or down hill or even flat ground when you dont even touch the brakes so.... you can just be going around 17-21 mph and you feel it. while on the throttle or off doesnt matter, you feel it.