Died and Limped Home - 2023 TRD OR 4x4 w 15k ODO

NEDMAC ( Camden) a great place to fill up your ride. My buddy was jumped and robbed at gunpoint at that station 25 years ago.

 

That’s some shady shit. Do you get a printout of them not diagnosing anything? I’d get that and complain to the corporate.

also the whole app subscription needed to pull codes is a pile of horseshit as well.

also in the future, you can get a Bluetooth dongle and a free app and you should be able to pull codes yourself. Or stop by AutoZone and they can do it too.

 

I prefer this video for plug changes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPEAMNNSLj0

 

What is more common in Alaska is not necessarily bad fuel at the pump, but moisture that accumulates in the tank because the change in temperature, and then for this moisture to freeze in the fuel line. The red color cans of Heet and also Seafoam are readily available, Heet at the pump, and Seafoam at the local automobile parts stores. But I have heard a time or two about bad fuel being sold at some of the stores, not recently, but in the late '80s.
Explained in here:
https://www.fuellogic.net/water-in-gas-tank-symptoms/

By the way, if you have a kerosene or diesel fuel forced-air heater (the ones you use outdoors to thaw a frozen vehicle, or for worksite temporary heat, read the manual about storage of these heaters and the likelihood of water in the fuel during storage.

Something else for the OP:
a. Every complain you make, and the work performed on your Tacoma at the dealer's shop is recorded and transmitted to Toyota. You can have the records printed at the dealership, or you can read and print them yourself from "my Toyota website", but you have to register it at "my toyota"
https://www.toyota.com/owners/my-vehicle/service-history

b. Why haven't you reported the problem to Toyota USA?

c. You don't have to download and use the Toyota app if you don't want to. That is an optional service, which includes paying for the remote-start feature in your key fob, and applies after the 2-year "Toyota Care" that's included for your new Tacoma. During those two years you can use the remote start free of charge, but the remote only works within a few feet of distance, not like the 1/2 to 1-mile Compustar remotes.

c. Report the problem to Toyota to establish a history (recurring problem) now that your truck is under the Toyota warranty, and document everything.

d. Don't mess around with any mechanical work such as spark-plug inspection or change, because the shop can blame you for creating the problem. But you can consult with Toyota to take your truck for a diagnostics to an independent shop, or to another dealership far from the one you have mentioned.

e. Buy a Bluedriver or any other brand OBD II reader and perform the diagnostics yourself whenever the truck's ECU records any code. Also, if you can pull the codes yourself on the screen, take a photo of it, or even get a witness that can attest to the truth for you (make it as legal as you can). There are two types of codes as follows: temporary codes, and permanent codes. The temporary codes can be erased to an OB II tool, but not if the codes have been permanently stored by the ECU.

 

Had hoped to avoid that need by turning over my vehicles around 5 years before they take a major depreciation but after the 2019 Ford Ranger Debacle that lead me to buy the 2023 Tacoma, I'm now thinking there really is no way around needing to get one of those and bone up on my auto knowledge that I've let lapse.

 

OP is it fixed?

 

Nah - Just got it home on Thursday and had fam in for the weekend. I'm not rushing into it because I work from home so It may be this coming weekend or next before I get into it.

 

Nah - Because when I said the words they blew me off and dismissed it. When I typed them in to the "request service app" they dismissed me and cancelled the service. So all I have is one complaint for MPG in before this issue when I had the tires rotated a month ago.

Doing that today.

Mine was free for a year and yeah, I know that was bull shit he was spreading.

C again? Ok. I'm cool like that. ;-)
That's the plan.

That thought has crossed my mind - and what if the problem is a bad plug and then I fix it? Toyota isn't held accountable and all I can do is go have a shit fit on the service manager for no benefit.

THANK YOU! Was trying to remember the brand of the OBDII that people here were recommending. I'm putting that one in the Amazon basket now.

 

To the OP. Have you taken a fuel sample and tested for water? I can confirm "bad gas" exists and can be a tough thing to diagnose.

I used to regularly fill up at one gas station - mainly because I worked there when I was a teenager and during my university years. Fairly busy gas station so fuel deliveries are regular - every week for sure. Two years ago in the fall, I started having intermittent problems with my truck that got worse as the temps dropped. Truck had a rough idle, hard starts (truck would crank for a long period), and then finally it did not start one morning. After the temps warmed up a bit, the truck started. I brought it into the dealer (still under warranty) and they suspected a leaky injector and kept it overnight. Their diagnosis was water in the gas after taking a fue sample. I should have asked for the fuel but didn't because I thought they were BS'ing me.

So after several fuel treatments (6 or 7) the problem went away. I used STP Water Remover because it was one of the few additives available near me. 2 bottles per tanks seemed to be most effective.

It may not be your problem but would be worth checking. I haven't filled up at that gas station in 2 years and haven't had the problem since.

Good luck.

 

OP, this may not help get your trucked fixed, but IIWY I'd keep an OBD2 Code Reader in the truck.

If you get into the same situation again (car dies on the side of the road), it would give you the ability to read the codes yourself, note them, AND RESET THEM TO GET OUT OF LIMP MODE.

I had to take my youngest kid to Rochester, Minnesota spring before last. I say "spring" but in Rochester it's cold as hell until May. Anyway, I dropped him off for a campus visit and went back to our motel to wait several hours. When he called, I jumped in my vehicle and hauled ass towards the Mayo Clinic. Within a mile, my Subbie went into limp mode. I was able to get off the road, check the code (Unexpectedly low coolant temperature) reset that that crap which put the car back into normal mode, get back on the road and was only about 5 minutes late picking him up.

Anyway....in your situation, that's what I'd do. Sometimes you can clear codes (like the time mentioned above) and you will never see them again. If they keep coming back...then obviously you have a problem.

Good luck!

 

No way around it with newer vehicles. That and documenting everything.
I used to work at a dealer turning wrenches and that experience was the main reason I left the industry altogether.

 

Maybe I am a grumpy old man, but if a Toyota dealership won't accept to service my Toyota vehicle, then I take it to another Toyota dealership. If there isn't another Toyota dealership, then I get in touch with Toyota USA and tell them the problem with the dealership about my vehicle.
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What HoosierBuddy tells in his post about haven a OB II code reader makes a lot of sense. In addition to what he says, I would take photos of the Tacoma display panel showing the malfunction. Even better if you have witnesses that can attest for you. Some of the OB II readers don't have a display. The Bluedriver I have connects to my phone, tablet, or laptop, wirelessly via Bluetooth. The table or phone's screen becomes the Bluedriver's display. If it finds any fault codes, the data is recorded and saved in the Bluedriver app in you phone. In this case you can print it and have it as proof. That's the way it work with my 2013 Tundra.

Disclaimer: I have no idea if Bluedriver works with any other truck than my 2013 Tundra TRD Off Road. I have no associations with this company in any form and shape.

 

They sent me this...

Brand Engagement Advocate
December 20, 2024 at 06:14 AM
Dear GTGallop,

Thank you for contacting us.
We're genuinely sorry to learn you are experiencing issues with the gas mileage for your 2023 Toyota Tacoma. We are glad to hear after your vehicle died that you are okay, we're sorry this even happened to you.
To ensure your case is thoroughly evaluated, we’ve forwarded your comment to a Case Manager. Your Case Manager will be your point of contact during the review of your specific situation.

We’ve shared your contact information with your Case Manager, and they will follow up with you by 12/23/2023. If you’d like them to contact you at a specific time or use a preferred telephone number, please reply to this comment to let us know.

Please know, we have documented your experience here at Toyota National Headquarters. If you have any other questions, please contact us.

Sincerely,

Mia

Toyota Brand Engagement Center ​

To which I responded:

GTGallop
December 21, 2024 at 09:55 AM
The MPG was just the back story. It was the original concern. My foremost concern is "WHY DOES THE TRUCK DIE IN TRAFFIC." Bold for emphasis - not yelling. You did see that part, right? The part where a truck with 15k miles on it stopped running in traffic and then went into limp mode? That, I feel, is the key part of this.​

 

Got a call from Bell Road Toyota this AM - Just a salesman wanting to sell me a Toyota. Told him no way in hell and if I did - not from them. Good luck selling toyotas with the way your service department "took care" of me last time. Told him I had an issue working with Corporate regarding Bell Road Service. He sheepishly thanked me for my time and said they would do what ever it took to make it right. He's going to let the Svc Mgr know to call me.

Then had Jennifer from Toyota Corp call and LVM with me today. I called back and got Jeff? He was great! Took all sorts of details and notes and looked stuff up. Really built a solid case for me and then read it all back to make sure we agreed on the issue. He's going to get with the service department and see what they should have done. This guy was good. I got more attention and service from him than all of my previous visits to Toyota combined.

 

Stay away from Roger Haddad who is now one of the current sales managers at Bell Road Toyota.

When I bought my 2017 new in December of 2016 from Bell Road Toyota Roger was just starting out on the sales floor. He was a complete toad with a miserable disposition and rude attitude.

I walked the first day. The second day I came back and ended up negotiating the deal directly with a sales manager who has since moved on.

About a couple years ago I placed a $500 deposit on a new lunar rock Tacoma with the intention of trading my 2017 in. Roger was now a sales manager. Roger remembered his loss of commission on my 2017 and was very vocal about it carrying a chip on his shoulder. When he went out front to look at my 2017 he grabbed the drivers side ditch light bracket with two fingers and pulled as hard as he could bending the bracket while asking "what is this?" I explained those were ditch light brackets and were bolted to the hood and not to pull on them.

I ended up keeping my 2017 as their lowball trade offer was over 10k less than book value and had to file a dispute with my cc company to get my $500 deposit back. They kept giving me excuses about needing to wait for a specific employee to return to process the refund. That employee's name and their job position changed three times.

I still haven't replaced the bent ditch light bracket, but I have thought about writing my review into the side of Roger's personal vehicle with the bracket.

Maybe I should take them over there with a bow for Christmas and personally hand them to Roger? What a jerk.

 

Bent driver's side ditch light bracket...

 

And the lunar rock that got away...

 

I had a similar experience at the Toyota dealer in 2019 when I bought my Sport. The "online sales rep" met me, and was training a new sales guy. The online rep was hovering over me, asking me why I was "checking out" the brand new vehicle, and giving me all kinds of attitude. I found paint damage, and items on the invoice, not on the truck. The guy became even more belligerent, when I crawled out from under the truck because I found out it had been taken to a "demo trail ride", I finally told the new guy, go get me your manager, I would like to speak with him. The manager came with the new guy, and both witnessed some of the berating. With all of them standing there, I told the manager, if you want to sell me a Tacoma, you need to keep this douchebag away from me. The guy was removed from the scene, the manager said if you dont want this 19 sport, I have a 2020 Pro, new, zero miles, no stories, I will sell at the same price you were quoted. I looked at both, and asked the mgr to knock a few hundred off the price, for the damage, we all shook on it, and I took the Sport. I told the new guy in training, you are way better than the guy training you. And wished him good luck. I have never been back to that dealer, for anything. Ski