3rd Gen Poll: Rear End Noise howling when feathering throttle

I haven’t taken mine back to the dealer yet, but have it on record at 3k and filed an issue online.

My 2018 off-road had the whine. Changed the body mounts, pads and dampness with no change. Changed the 3rd and it helped, but still there.

Have had two off-road 4Runners since with no issues.

Had a 2021 tundra offroad crewmax. It had whine at 3500miles. Service manager stated there was a rear bulletin for incorrectly cut gears and they would replace it no issue, had to wait 7 months for the replacement and got rid of it before hand. Yes, stupid move.

Now my 2023 has the rear end whine as well. I’m calling bs on the frame design suspension, etc claim. Haven’t seen many second gen’s complain and it’s supposed to be the same frame. I can see poorly cut gears causing this, but why don’t 4runners have the same unless those thirds come from Japan and American trucks come from US.

Really tired of spending this much money on vehicles just to have issues with them. And to make my matter worse is I have a dealer less than a mile from my house and getting them to even schedule an appt is like pulling teeth. Filed a complaint against them and Toyota stated three times they would have brand management contact me. Months later and nothing. So I have to drive an hour to have a reputable Toyota dealer look at it.

 

I had the howl on my 21 TRD Sport and on a 23 loaner I had for a few weeks.

I just got a 4th gen TRD sport and it also has the howl while lightly on the throttle on the highway. Only difference between 3rd and 4th gen are that the 3rd gen it was between 55-60mph and the 4th gen it’s between 70-75mph

 

FWIW I recently had the tsb done that addresses this issue (I forgot the tsb number) and I can honestly say that the howl is gone, 99-100% gone. The dealership wanted to replace my rear end for the second time, I had to pump the brakes on that. I told them we should try the tsb and they were surprised it wasn’t recommended from corporate, they didn’t even know that there was one for this particular problem. Anyways, the Tsb worked for me, the cab mount bushings and some bullshit foam in the back and the dreaded howl is gone. Mine screamed right around 53mph. It’s definitely worth a shot if it’s bothering you that much.

 

I have a 2023 Tacoma and noticed the howl at around 50 mph. This past weekend I installed a 2 inch lift (Bilstein 6112/5160) and surprisingly the howl has went away. It didn't really bother me, but I did notice it and I'm glad it's gone.

 

I had the TSB done and it got rid of the howl for a few days, then it slowly came back. It's just as loud now as it was before.

 

I bought the parts to do the TSB myself and that is exactly my experience. It stopped for a few days then slowly built back to the same volume

 

What lift did you use in the rear? New leaf pack, helper spring, or block?

 

Icon add a leaf. I took out the overload on the stock set. Maybe the gap between the overload and other springs was causing the noise?

 

What does it sound like? High pitch screetching? Does it stop as soon as you let off the gas?

 

Mine does it sometimes but not always and not very loud and it didn't do it for years.............

Ima try something I did before. I know it may not be the ticket..........

 

Is this issue ongoing? My dad's 23 OR has it we think. What was the remedy? we told dealer and they blamed it on fenders

 

well my 4th gen is currently at the dealership getting a new differential with 700 miles on the ODO. Ive seen two other 24 owners complain of the same symptoms (howling at 70-75mph) while feathering the gas. Basically exactly the same as the 3rd gen but the speed range changed (maybe due to the new 8 speed transmission?) The other guy I saw who had his differential replaced had the noise come back a week later. Im currently waiting on parts to come in but Im not very hopeful that it will fix the problem.

its mind blowing to me how this has been an issue with tacomas for 20 years now and they have not been able to fix this.

 

My 23 tacoma is having this problem. DC offroad truck with around 21k miles. Similar noise to the rest of you guys: a high pitched metallic grinding noise, not super loud. I can only hear it with the back slider window open. Took a dealer tech for a drive and after they confirmed its the diff making the noise. I can hear it from around 10 mph up.

Replacing the diff doesnt sound like it fixes anything either which sucks. Idk what to do because if this noise is normal (which i doubt it should be) thats fine, but I really do not want to pay to have a differential replaced out of warranty. I would have to pay for that with my arms im sure. I understand that this is a body on frame truck and it will make more noise than a prius, but a brand new truck with 20k miles should not be doing this.

EDIT: I guess there are two different kinds of noises: one is a slight metallic noise you can hear at any speed (what my truck has) and the howling noises at a certain speed. I have not noticed the howling noises with my truck. So idk what the heck is going on.

 

My 16 SR5 definitely had a howl from day one and dealer said it was normal. Drove it about 65K miles and it never changed. My 23 OR is quiet, but only has 4600 miles. I guess time will tell.

 

FWIW, 2014 AC TRD-OR 6MT with 80K miles here -- 2.5gen -- I don't hear any diff howl. I wonder what changed in the 3rd gen back-half drivetrain.

Are there different part numbers for the ring & pinions inside the 3rd gen rear diff? If yes, perhaps a design flaw. If no, manufacturing issues.

 

Not from ring and pinion. People use a variety of aftermarket gears and noise still around.

 

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10241402-9999.pdf

Link above to the latest TSB on this issue. My 2023 OR starting displaying this issue around 4k miles. This was published July 21st 2023

 

I just got my truck back from the dealership after they completed the TSB, and I can confirm that the vibration noise is indeed coming from the cab. While it’s not completely gone, I'd say about 90% of the noise has been eliminated. You won’t notice it unless the radio and AC are off, and you really make an effort to listen closely.

 

good to know, thanks for posting this. I haven't had the chance to call them. Some days the humming is worse than others but it really isnt horrible, just sometimes annoying. I'm surprised its really coming from the cab it definitely sounds like its coming from the rear of the truck.

 

https://youtube.com/shorts/trrIyIOanRk?feature=shared

2017 4x4 TRD Offroad - 110kmiles

Installed brand new front rotors and pads, checked and replaced all of my idle pulleys and serpentine belt. There's no play in the wheel movements vertical or horizontal when checking the wheel bearing. I'm kinda losing my mind trying to figure this out, short of taking it to a shop. Any ideas?