Buzzy Vibration at certain RPM's..read before buying!

Toyota is going to find out it is due to the Atkinson cycle and after reading on when the vibrations occur and the RPM's and load it happens at, that is my personal belief.

 

Your theory is certainly not without it's merits; however, unfortunately doesn't explain why some trucks have the vibration while others don't.....

 

Hey everyone, just wanted to update with what Toyota Customer Care responded with. I called into the hotline referencing the issue and was told that there are no TSB's for this issue. In addition, they said they are not aware of any upcoming software flashes or updates to resolve the issue either.

I mentioned that other 2016 Tacoma owners are experiencing this issue and have reported on this forum and others. The lady I spoke to was very polite and genuinely concerned, so I'm satisfied with the call, however it still doesn't get me anywhere. I doubt she had access or the ability to query if other owners have reported this particular issue.

In summary, she said I needed to visit a dealer and have a case opened with them and a field engineer from the region would come to check out my truck when they're in town. Not exactly what I was hoping for, but I'll probably take it in within the next 2-300 miles if it doesn't improve.

Has anyone received any update either from the dealer or from Toyota regarding a resolution or at least something in-progress?

Also, I looked into this issue at Tacoma Forum and the same guy (Taco Cruiser) is adamant that a software update for the tranny is what will fix this issue, but I've yet to hear that story from anyone else, so I'm skeptical. Thoughts?

 

I read that from TacoCruiser and have also seen nothing else anywhere else regarding some mystical software update that will fix this (we can always hope it will be that easy!). I confirmed my appointment with field engineering for January 13th and was advised there is "nothing new at this time." I believe that at least one of the engineers coming to Flagstaff has also tested DRBANE's truck based upon the exchanges I've had with both Toyota and reading DRBANE's correspondence.

I have read a few that say their vibrations have gone completely away. Mine certainly haven't. Felt it in the steering wheel and floorboard my entire ride home last night from work. DRBANE's got worse after they re-torque'd his engine mounts.

I will certainly update once they've driven my ride for a day.

 

I checked out the linked thread and post from Taco Cruiser. I don't think that thread is talking about the same issue we're having with the resonant vibrations. Moreover, that poster mentions the name of the very same field technical specialist (from the same regional corporate office) who evaluated my truck. That same FTS said nothing about any software update that would fix our problem when I saw him in late November.

If you take your truck to the dealer, be sure that the FTS will be there when you take it and be sure that you ride with him or her.

 

Hey all, pretty new here, waiting on my DCSB TRD Sport 4x4 AT to arrive at my dealer... just read this ENTIRE thread. Have emailed my dealer checking if they will allow an on-road test drive to check for this issue before signing.

Few thoughts:
I just sold my 2008 TL Type-S 6-spd manual a month or so ago to get this new Taco, and I'm intrigued by some things I'm reading in the last couple pages. On my Acura, I had modified it a bit, including the full exhaust rear of the pre-cats (that car has a traditional v6 with 2 banks of 3 cyl each, with 1 cat on each bank, and a third cat in the middle which I removed). 2 things on that car caused a rattling noise that drove me insane - 1) the cat went bad and had a rattle within it which only occured at certain rpm, and 2) the flexpipe in the J-pipe I had in the new exhaust likely had some loosening of the sound deadening material inside it after time/being scraped on speed bumps which also created a nasty rattling sound b/t 2600 - 3000 rpm. Now, I of course know that these engines/cars/trans are all not the same... However, if Toyota put a crap cat or exhaust joint in the new trucks that were perhaps torqued differently off the assembly line, that could cause resonating at certain RPM given varying torque specs and resonant frequencies of different materials.
Another thing that was complete sh*T on my Acura were the OEM engine mounts they elected to use. MANY people replaced them with aftermarket b/c they had a particular propensity for failure. Mine failed twice with less than 50k mi on each set, and were replaced each time under warranty (luckily). loosening and re-torquing the engine mounts neither worked to fix the vibration in the new Tacos, nor is it a good idea unless they have failed, but is it possible that the engine mounts Toyota have spec'd in the new trucks are crap and are allowing vibration?

Just a few thoughts as I sit and wait for my new toy to come in... Feel free to tear these theories up, but I would have a listen to the entire exhaust carefully before ruling out that a rattle is developing there. I could feel that through the floor/steering/shift knob in my old car.

 

Doobiewah, you seem to be the leader in this battle. I am a member of the buzz inflicted Tacoma owners. I took it to three different dealers, who all told me it is "normal". I, however, test-drove one that did not have the issue. I test-drove another that had a very slight vibration, but not nearly as much as mine. I rode with a technician in another, who said he could feel a little vibration, so "It must be normal". I will admit that the problem is "common", not "normal". I find the comments fascinating, and helpful. I have found, with mine, the buzz starts at EXACTLY 2,000 rpm (not 1,900 - not 2,100). EXACTLY 2,000 rpm. It continues through about 2,300 rpm, then fades away. (In neutral or park, increasing the engine speed through the 2,000 range gets no vibration at all.) In driving, an increase or drop from this range makes it go away. Unfortunately, Interstate Highway speeds require driving in the 2,000 range most of the time. I noticed that, when I first leave home in the morning, I don't notice it. Then, down the road, it is prevalent. I thought this was my imagination, but reading the forum replies, I now agree that it changes with temperature. Strange.
Keep up the fight. I will be there with you and the others. The link to Toyota Support is also helpful. I simply will not agree that something being "common" or "normal" is acceptable. Oh, yes, one of the dealerships I visited told me that, "even if Toyota should address the issue, don't expect any corrective action for at least a year".

 

I, too, commend Doobiewah for leading this one. He's in my region and has been a great source of support in our direct conversations. He's made the most progress with his forthcoming visit on the 13th; therefore, whatever comes of his case will drive how I proceed. I truly hope they fix this one because I really love this truck otherwise.

 

You are experiencing pretty much what myself, DRBANE, and others are experiencing. Mine starts a little over that 2k mark; however, the range is pretty much the same. I get it in the steering wheel and in the floorboard/gas pedal; and, it goes away past like 2300ish. Passengers tell me they experience it in the passenger floorboard area, too. I found it, again, at about the 3500rpm mark, too. Also, in extremely low temps, it seems less or harder to find; however, comes right back in the high 20's and up, or if the vehicle warms up. It is certainly very consistent and, as I have pointed out in my very early posts, driving on long trips on the freeway (which I don't do, anymore in this truck), which tend to be in the RPM range indicated, the buzzing causes numbness in both my lower hands to elbows. I can't drive the truck any distance anymore without focusing on keeping out of the RPM range as I'm truly concerned about my ability to react quickly in an emergency situation, where a lack of arm mobility could create an issue. I also truly have a long-term liability concern, as this type of buzzy vibration can't be good for the structural components of the vehicle. There has to be a reason why our trucks do this and some do not. I will be riding this to the end or, like DRBANE, we will be forced to trade our trucks in, take the loss, and move on to another manufacturer. I still have faith that Toyota will find a cure as I've been buying Toys since the early 80's and have always been satisfied. Let's hope they keep their track record going.....

Thanks for your support, too!

 

Doobiewah, thanks for all your updates on this. To add to this thread, I too am also getting the vibrations holding steady at the 2k mark however mine start just right below at an estimated 1800k rpm. The vibrations I feel are only upon acceleration when the engine is under load. Doesn't matter if I'm on the highway or driving around town (with or without ECT on). The two main areas I feel the vibrations in are the steering wheel and gas pedal and correlate with a buzzing noise from the engine.

I agree with this being a long term safety issue and could also affect the life of other components of the vehicle. I look forward to hearing about your visit with the field tech on the 13th. I've dealt with vibrations in a previous BMW that I owned and it came down to simply having the dealer run an OBDII scan and finding that bad ignition coils were causing an engine misfire. After I got this replaced, no more vibration in the gas pedal and at low RPMs. Some other things to check could be the torque converter and transmission, obviously.

I'm not sure if anyone wants to volunteer, but if you get any pushback from the field tech, let him know you have others on this thread willing to conference call in during the visit if need be (to back you up)!

 

The difficult thing around here is all the local Toyota dealer service centers are always very busy. I've been to two and requested to drive with the tech to help identify the issue, they NEVER listen. By the time I find out they went on a drive on their own, only to tell me everything is "normal," two hours has gone by and I really have to get back to work. It is a huge time suck and it's tough to play the game...

Glad some of you have made more progress and I really hope to learn from whatever you all may figure out.

 

? !

 

Sorry for not contributing anything new to the cause, but I was wondering as I read somewhere previously that Toyota has started testing all trucks before shipping them out for this issue. Has anyone picked up a 2016 within the last few weeks experiencing this issue, or are at least the ones arriving as of late free from this? I'm pretty much waiting for this one issue to be resolved before committing. Thanks

 

Got mine Christmas Eve.... no issues yet after one week and a couple hundred miles. But might be an explanation of why my truck had 46 miles on the odometer when I got it. All other new vehicles I ever got had less than 10.

 

Took my 2016 TRD Sport 4x4 double cab in for 5000 mile service on Monday Toyota put about 20 miles on it said there were no problems found. I had it in for the vibration/buzzy steering wheel. Also the unintelligent transmission shifting. I am supposed to get call from service manager next week about meeting district Toyota guy when he is in town. Test drove a truck same day with 6 miles on it and had same issues... Told service manager I would email/print out all the pertinent post regarding this...

 

Ya...no problems found! Ha! A $30-40k truck is SUPPOSED to have these vibrations? Why then are there stories that the newer ones are being test driven off the assembly line and, if the vibration is found, they are held back (which has created a backlog of orders by the dealers)? Toyota just does what every big corp does...delay, deflect, deny, and then (like Volkswagon), mea culpa once there is no way out.

Keep up the complaints, Ben! They can't keep ignoring us all....WE SHALL GET THIS FIXED!

 

After reading about the hood adhesive issue on the 2016 Tacoma's and the 2015 GM SUV models adhesive issues... I think the droning, wind noise, vibration is all due to poor adhesive selection and/or improper installation in the body panel support members... for instance the hood and doors of the Tacoma use adhesive... the 2015 GM SUV lineup also uses adhesives for the support members... GM thinks the roof supports have become disconnected which is causing the noise/ vibration in the Tahoe and Escalade SUV's. What do all these models have in common you might be asking? They're manufactured in North America. Assembly adhesives sourced locally... This may sound trivial to most but the more I read about this sort of manufacturing quality control issues... the more I am leaning toward buying another 4Runner or Land Cruiser. Both of which are manufactured in Japan. Sure these two vehicles have their issues as well, but generally they are not due to manufacturing defects, but more of a design issue that is more easily diagnosed and corrected via recall. I have no doubt the Tacoma will continue to sell well and still have high resale values... buuuuut I'm not sure I'm going to buy-in.

 

I'm surprised you don't feel it in the steering wheel; however, maybe you found an adjustment point where it is not there. I have tried several positions on mine and ended up finding one where it is less; however, can't get rid of it totally at all. The pedal and floorboard buzzes in kind with the steering wheel.....and none of us are happy with it, especially for what we paid for these trucks.

 

Anybody tried changing to a different octane gasoline? Atkinson cycle is a strange animal. The vibration is occurring in the peak efficiency range of the engine. Maybe this is why it is less when cold. It's a stretch, but what the hell?

 

I shall try a tank of hi test....we even have a station here that sells pure gasoline, so I shall give that a whirl...I am willing to try anything...thanks for the suggestion...