2021 brand new Tacoma doesn’t start on 1st try

Hi, I recently purchased a brand new 2021 Tacoma SR5. After about 200 miles I it didn’t start on the first try when I turned the key over. Didn’t think much of it as it started instantly on the following try, but then it would do the same thing multiple times afterwards in the following days. Took it to the dealership and they said they couldn’t replicate it and everything was fine. Picked it up and it did it again. Went to trade it in for another SR5 truck and it did it twice on the dealer lot and one of their salesman noticed it. Another brand new truck that I tested did the same thing: didn’t start on the first try. I still went ahead and traded mine for another brand new SR5 (as stated above) and it also did the same thing at about 200 - 300 miles and has done it only a couple more times. The starting action/sequence.. whatever you wanna call it doesn’t feel the same every time. Sometimes it takes longer to start sometimes it takes less, but never does it start instantly like my 97 camaro or any other car. They start instantly. ilI called Toyota and they said they never heard of this and there’s no recalls. I took to another mechanic and they said everything checks out fine (starter etc.) but did mention maybe not enough fuel is being supplied when the car initially starts. Has anyone else experienced this? Should I be worried. It hasn’t done it recently, but again the starting of the truck doesn’t feel the same every time. Thanks!

 

I wouldn't worry. My 1991 collector plated Tercel starts with less cranking than my 2009 2.7 Tacoma which takes 2 or 3 cranks before it starts. If it drives well, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

My 2021 has started up exactly the same way since it rolled out of the showroom in May. 1-2 seconds of crank and starts right up. No problems at all.

 

Welcome to the forum! Post a picture of your new truck(s)!

 

try holding the key till it starts. Works for me!

Welcome aboard!

 

Has happened to me a few times too but always hit on the second try.

My sequence now is:
Insert the key and turn to accessory position.
Count to 2.
Start her up.

Seems to work.

 

I heard an explanation that newer cars take slightly longer to start than old cars. On old cars you hit the key, the starter spins and spark is sent. It starts up fast. On modern cars the computers are looking for all the sensors to be perfectly ready to start, so it may take a cycle or two.

 

Happened to you on two different trucks? Did the dealer you trade it in have it not start or were you driving it? Sounds like user error to me

 

Hmm. Strange. My 1 year old 2020 TRD Sport, V6 with push button start, starts perfectly every time. It starts the same exact way since I first drove it off the lot. Local fuel supply contamination? Isolated factory flaw of some sort? Fuel pump issue?

 

My understanding is the direct injection engines require a LOT higher fuel pressure than port injection engines. It takes time to build up fuel pressure.

https://professionalautomotiveinc.com/2015/02/16/gdi-gasoline-direct-injection/

 

@Kicker18 , This makes sense. Give time for the fuel pump to prime . Try this I’m sure this would work

 

SR, so key I’m assuming?

some vehicles have contact start, bumping the key forward engages the starter until it starts, the Tacoma does not. The starter runs when the key is turned all the way, it stops when you let it back. Make sure to hold it forward until it starts

they do take a moment to fire up. A solid ONE count of starter spinning.

turn key to second spot and pause, then turn it to start and give it a solid second, bet it starts up every time

 

sounds like you are turning key and not holding forward long enough.

 

So let me get this perfectly clear. You traded your few hundred mile new truck for another new truck because you didn't like the way it started?

Yes.

I see an F150 or Ranger in your future.

In the meantime, thanks for stimulating the economy!

 

How long are you holding the key to the "start" position?

It's not instantaneously, the fuel has to pressurize in the rail, the squirt it into the cylinders before it will fire a cylinder off the get it going....

 

that's normal. the ECU is still learning all the fuel trims and whatnot. also, you probably aren't holding the key long enough in the "ignition" stage. can't believe the dealership didn't explain that to you. this isn't a push to start vehicle. you have to hold the key until the engine is started.

i did the same thing a few times when i first got my taco since my last vehicle was push to start.

go get your first truck back...there was nothing wrong with it. what a bunch of morons.

 

Doesn't sound right, does it

 

Vacuum also pulled fuel in immediately. A lot of modern cars have gone away from vacuum systems.

 

I have had a lot of key starting Toys and never had issues like that my last one was 2014 Venza. My new 2021 push starts great every time.

 

Doesn't surprise me either. With the market the way it is he probably got close to what he paid for the trade-in new, plus a lot of people are flush with cash right now. You or I may not do it, but it's his money and it makes him happy. Unfortunately it didn't resolve the OP's original problem apparently.