Having second thoughts.

I love my truck. I have enjoyed this truck more than any truck I have ever owned and it was exactly what I wanted. I don't have any regrets at this time BUT that could easily change at my next service visit. My rear diff started howling around 1,000 miles. I am now at 2,600 miles and it has passed a slight howl and is now loud enough to be irritating - very irritating. If this doesn't get fixed then yes, I have regrets, big regrets. If it gets fixed then I will forget it ever happened and move on because I have had no other issues.

If I were you, I would wait unless a truck is an absolute need at this time. I think Toyota will work this out because they have to. They have no choice. Tacoma owners are vocal and educated. You cannot pull the wool over our eyes for long. But, I would wait until all of this rear diff mess is worked out. My truck was perfect for the first 1,000 miles so an overnight test drive will not do you much good but it could reveal other issues. Best of luck OP - it sounds like you have a decision to make.

 

Genuine question here. Have you ever had a vehicle with it?

 

i have one now and i f'ing hate it. i seriously f'ing hate it. the smart key and push button start, that is. it's a 2017 Tiguan awd, got it for my wife.

 

Really? That's pretty surprising. I find it extremely convenient, but that's just me. Sorry to hear that! What do you hate about it?

 

If they put that engine in a ranger, it'd bet it would do more than just keep up with the GM twins.. holy crap.


EDIT: In the F-150, this little mill makes 325HP @ 5750, and more importantly 375 ft-lbs at 3000.. that's right, 3000.

Fuck, I'd try one!

Frank

 

I'm upgrading from an 02 FX4 Ranger. Loved that little truck.

Also the Tacoma in looking at getting is a TRD off-road DCSB in Quicksand. I thought I read that the OR is not effected by the rear diff issues?

 

After 6000 miles I gave up the ghost and traded it with $750 for a 16 4Runner Premium same miles. I really wanted to like the Tacoma but too many issues and no real Dealer help. Now I learned about the rear end recall and that was the straw that broke my back. I received a great number for the truck at our Honda Dealer.

I had too many Tacomas that were far better from 0 miles. This one just seems to have a lot of niggle issues. I defended this truck as a fanboy but I cannot do so anymore. Even though I was a Tacoma junky.

If I was buying today I would be looking at 4Runners or another pick up realizing I am not an off road type. The Tacoma will require a lot of patience while Toyota tries to "fix" all the noises. Plus I am not fond of the Atkinson motor. It did not do as well for MPGs to the 4.0. I am getting about 18.5 on the 4Runner around town. Tacoma was around 20.5 So that is not a big hit.

 

Love my '17 TRD Sport DCSB 6spd MT with ~6700mi. I have not had any problems. Here is a pic pulling 2-yards of loam/manure mix no problem. This recall I will admit has me a bit rattled, but eh.

I highly reccomend this truck. This forum calls me white knight or pink lantern - shit can't remember... Anyhoo I have yet to have any issues.

 

I hope yours stays that way! I didn't have much to complain about aside from the annoying and widespread gas pedal vibe in certain RPM ranges which was deemed "normal" and I just tried to live with it (keep it in cruise so my foot isn't on the gas @ 2,000 RPMs where it always vibrates.) That now seems like such a minuscule issue given that once I passed 5k miles vibes started to grow bigger and bigger all over the place!

 

Key to start is more tactile than the push button start and I miss that. I've had two vehicles now with push button start and I don't care that much for it. It is low on the priority list of "convenience" Now the touch to lock/unlock door is NICE to have.

 

i guess i'm some kinda 'old school analog guy' or something. i like things that connect, like, with wires, you know. i put my key in and turn it, then i know where it is, what to do. is the key in my pocket? i don't really relate to a lot of the virtual things nowadays. i have a key, put it in, turn it, i know where it is, i can look at things and see the status.

i walk up to my wife's car and try to open it... will it open? is my key in my pocket, my gym bag, her purse? i don't know, let's find out. oh, car's running, where's the key? i don't know. can i walk away from it while it's running? i don't know. will it die if i do? i don't know. where's the key again? i don't know... here's the tip of the iceberg.

don't even get me started on encrypted ECU's lol

 

I like my truck so far, but with everything I've read here l would not recommend someone buying it without a long test drive and reading the many threads here. I am concerned about the reliability and long term value of my truck. That shouldn't happen when buying a Toyota.

 

No complaints as of yet...I am happy with my purchase.

 

There are people with ALL trims having leaky rear diffs so far. They just aren't showing the trucks with e-Locker on the recall list but that doesn't mean they aren't leaking. We have folks here who have posted photos of their truck rear end leaking and their VIN not being on the recall list. Something is amiss here with this recall. Wouldn't be surprised to see the recall VIN list expand and be updated...

 

That's fair. It took me a bit of getting used to, but once I learned the quirks that come with it, I loved it. I don't think having it or not would be a deal breaker for me though.

 

19,500 mile in and no issues. Yes the trans hunts, but it is not a 2 speed powerglide either. I average 21-24mpg per tank. I'd buy another, but do a thorough test drive frist.

 

So worst case scenario with this is that it gets recalled and fixed? Problem solved? I should note r in leasing for 4 years with intentions of buying out the truck once lease is up. I like the lower monthly payment and I guess I always have the option to not buy out if I'm not happy with the truck after 4 years.

 

I have a 2017 TRD Sport DCSB with the manual transmission and have no problems as of yet. My only complaint is that the seat sucks for extended road trips. Not sure why they couldn't have given us the power seat option.....but other than that I am pleased. I specifically bought this truck because it was a manual, otherwise I may have gone with an F150. Was missing a manual after not owning one for 5 years. Have not driven the auto so I cannot elaborate on that. Mine is a lease so I can chose to get rid of it in 2 1/2 years or buy it. So far I am in the buy it when the lease is over category.

 

Love this truck. I do not have any regrets with it at all. If I had to do again, I would without hesitation. Might get a higher trim but really satisfied so far. Fingers crossed, none of the issues others have had. Had since September and have 7K miles. No issues. Great mileage. Hauled a lot of block for a patio. Just fantastic. If you want it, don't wait if you can afford it.

 

I don't think a recall is necessarily a bad thing. It just confirms what we've known that there are some issues with this truck and Toyota is now stepping up to fix that one particular issue. I am more concerned about the number of folks experiencing howling rear end, unhappy with the Transmission performance (automatics), low end torque lacking, vibrations, rattles, CPS sensor failures, High Pressure Fuel Pump failing, squeaky leaf springs etc.

These are issues that will eat at you on a brand new 35K to 40K truck and erode confidence as Toyota and dealers are slow to acknowledge or unwilling to accept and fix the issues. They'll tell you they can't replicate the issue or that it is "normal" for the vehicle. It can really piss you off.

They've issued two software updates in an attempt to improve transmission performance but the jury is still mixed on that.