Newbie question that's been bugging me but afraid to ask...

Bought 2023 OR brand new late last year, has 5500 miles atm, have done all recommended Toyota-care servicing, and I have mostly babied it aside from very light off-roading and towing my teardrop camper (1800lbs).

So here it goes, please go easy on me...
I feel the engine vibration more than any vehicle I've ever owned. It feels smooth when I'm coasting at any speed, idling, and when revved park. It's only when applying the throttle while driving and as it works through the gears for more or less power. I notice this more than any vehicle I've ever owned, but I've only ever owned 4 cylinder cars, never a V6 truck.

Am I just not used to the engine size, and what I am experiencing is normal for a truck? Or is there something to be concerned about? I have searched and searched, but found little to explain it. I don't have a friend with a similar model to ask or drive to compare.

So I guess, I'm just trying to figure out if the engine feeling is just the size and lack of experience with a V6. I love this truck and want it to last me.

Thank you

 

It's normal. I drive a lot of different types of rentals for work. When I get back in my truck to drive home, it reminds me it's a bit rough around the edges. That said, it's still way better than the 2000 Ranger I had with a 3.0 V6. If you don't have a history of driving older model midsize trucks with a V6, I can understand. Welcome to the party.

 

Sounds just like mine..

 

Thank you, I had my Dad drive it and he said it felt like just normal throttle vibration, but did say it's more noticeable than his head duty trucks (he's only ever driven domestic trucks). I kinda had the sense I was being over sensitive to it, but at nearly $50k it's literally the most expensive thing I've ever bought so it's easy to over analyze when I've had nothing to compare it to I guess.

 

I've owned a bunch of different trucks over the years and thought I'd weigh in.... I've owned Fords, GMCs, Chevys, and Toyotas, all trucks, for reference. The Tacomas I've owned, including my current one, have all had a certain "feel" to them where you just feel more vibration, they make a bit more noise, etc compared to the American trucks I've owned. I love how my Tacoma drives but the Tacomas are just a bit more "raw"... even compared to other Toyota/Lexus products IMO. For example, friend has a Highlander with the same 3.5 v6 as our trucks and even it feels smoother and makes less noise than my Tacoma lol. With that said, the Tacoma is rock solid compared to other trucks I've owned and feels like it's built well... plus you factor in "Toyota Reliability" and it's easy to look past a minimal lack of driving refinement.

 

I also bought a brand new 23. The thing sounds like a rattle box at red lights. I think it’s just how they are. Not worried about it

 

It'll probably smooth out a bit for ya in another 10,000 miles...

I got a small camper myself - was a bit amused that it didn't handle it much better than my 7 year old Forester.
But then the Tacoma is much heavier and boxier ( as is the camper... just a box ).

The only advice I'd give is find a good independent shop to service your truck.
Oil/Filter/Tire rotation every 5k and that truck will last a long time.
Oversized wheels and tires and lifts are cool but in my pea-brain-opinion can be the root of a lot of issues.

The last year of the Gen3 will be a worthy investment down the line.

 

I have a 2023 TRD Sport and it had a rough idle that started at around 7,000 miles and finally smoothed out at around 15,000 miles. Otherwise my truck has been smooth as glass in every way. I will say these trucks are very fuel sensitive and mine only likes top tier premium.

Try running a couple tanks of top tier premium fuel and see if that smooths out your vibrations.

 

I got rid of mine for that exact reason . The vibrations were completely ridiculous for being a 2023 brand new truck. At idle in gear the truck would shimmy shake so bad you could visually see the dash and steering wheel shaking. (All normal according to Toyota) the engine vibrations while accelerating would make my hands and right foot go numb. So yeah I think some are worse then others and some notice it worse then others . Last and final visit to the dealer was it started shaking when hitting the brakes at speeds above 45mph, dealer called me next day and said the drums had excessive run out. (Truck was babied and only had 6k miles) went right to the sales department and traded it in for a 2024 sr5. That was my last hoorah with owning 3rd gens

 

I see you finally resolved your vibration issue with a new truck. You are braver than myself I don’t know if I could have bought another Tacoma after all the problems with vibrations you had on your 2023. Well, good luck and I hope the gen4 serves you well.

 

Normal according to the book of Toyota Tacoma...
Search you will find many threads on vibration.

 

Gen 4 fixed all these issues, Toyota has known about the issues that plagued the 3rd gen and even 2nd gen. End of the day what other brand is there to buy? There all complete garbage. On my 4th gen you can’t even feel the engine running in gear or in park perfectly smooth, just how it should be for the price we pay. Zero driveline vibrations so far. Very minimal buzzing from the engine when accelerating to a level that is completely tolerable. I’ll take my chances with a 4th gen. I could never go back to owning a 3rd gen again that is for sure.

 

That’s good to hear I may have to upgrade to the gen4.

 

Test drive one you’ll love it man

 

Thanks, good to know!

 

Thank for the reassurance. It really just bothered me out of concern that something was already going bad.

 

Thankfully my vibration doesn’t seem to be nearly as bad as yours. It’s noticeable but mild in comparison. I might go test drive another low mileage ‘23 to alleviate my concern. Afraid to drive a ‘24 bc I just can afford to trade a new truck so soon after buying.

 

Well to put it in perspective I got 36,500 trade in for my 2023 and I paid 38500 for my 2024(discounted 4k off msrp)

 

This just reminded me of this thread from years ago. Some of the vibration is exhaust pipe resonance that Toyota didn't spend R&D to dampen out like on a Lexus or Highlander/Sienna, because they didn't figure soccer moms were their customer base on this model.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/buzzy-vibration-at-certain-rpms-read-before-buying.397620/

You can buy Toyota exhaust pipe dampeners, and do the R&D yourself. It's buried somewhere in the thread above.

 

The things discussed in that thread were exactly how my 2023 sr5 was, unbearable vibrations 5x worse then my previous 3rd gens. 7-8 trips to the dealer and no resolve. Sad really