Question for San Diego Owners With Howling When Feathering Gas Pedal

My 2017 4x4 TRDOR AT started to howl at around 2 - 3,000 miles. I took it to Mossy Toyota in PB for the 5,K service and told them about the noise. They were able to duplicate the noise, but said it was probably my Slimline rack on the shell causing the noise.

The service advisor acted like he was unaware of any issue like this and said, without a TSB, they would not proceed further without proof it is not the rack causing the noise. It does not matter that the rack was on the vehicle prior to the noise, nor the fact that many other (internet) owners have had the same issue.

Is there anybody else in SD who took their truck to Mossy Toyota for the howling problem? If so, what was your resolution? If not Mossy, what dealer in SD was able to fix your howling issue?

BTW, I am not impressed with their service department. I also mentioned to them the bed was out of alignment and asked if they could straighten it. Their response: they compared it to another truck and it was the same way (normal!) They said I would have to take it to a body shop to get it done. No thanks. I took it home, loosened the 6 bolts and straightened it myself!

Last rant: what happened to the days of the free loaner car while servicing under warranty and the complimentary car wash? +1 for Chevrolet and Saab!

 

@SDTaco4x4, @mbcnya, @2000man, @sdsurfer, @619HiluxLover, @Hoangde, @seelyartacus, @SD Quicksand, @Trah, @abarber11, @JS760, @SanDiegoRootz:

any of you guys have this problem or know somebody locally that has the howling?

 

Sorry, I didn’t get that howling noise in mine - just wanted to say that your dealer is definitely not helping you- I live on the other side of your northern border, and take my truck to Gosch Toyota in Hemet. They always give me a loaner for any warranty work that lasts more than 1 work day, they straightened my bed and gave me a loaner while they did that, and I always had to ask them not to wash my truck because I want to do it by hand at home (they stopped asking me if I wanted them to do it now because they know me and put a note about it in my service record). I also get free cafe mochas there too! You definitely have to fire Mossy.

 

I thankfully never had the howling problem. Sorry I can't be of help.

 

I’ve never had the howling diff issue, sorry I can’t really add anything to that.

FWIW
When I worked for Toyota, and a customer would complain about a gap or a fitmetment issue, or a color match not being right, I would put their car right next to another one and do the same thing.
I called it giving them the RUN DMC...cause it’s like that, and that’s just the way it is.

So for them to offer to try to make it better after that, and for free is actually a show of good service not bad.
And having the body shop do it is what they should have done. The mechanics in service know nothing about aligning body panels.
As far as the rental, did you actually have any warranty work done?
You had them diagnos a sound which they could not attribute to anything warrantable, and it sounds like they were going to goodwill you the bed adjustment.
Neither one of those really take enough time to justify giving out a rental.

And you aren’t missing anything with the car wash. I always explicitly tell them not to wash our cars. Think about how many dirty cars go thru that wash a day

 

Thanks, @JS760, for taking the time to respond. Also, your analysis of Mossy's service was enlightening. However, I must take exception to some of what you said. In regards to the alignment, they did not offer to do it, but rather told me that is where I need to take it. The part that bothers me is that it was obviously mis-aligned. The service advisor admitted it. In this case, why would you need to make a comparison, unless you are looking for justification not to do the service. How does the saying go, "two wrongs don't make a right"? By the way, the dealer has their own body shop and could have easily sent it there, if they wanted to make it right. That would have been good customer service.

Call me cynical, but I find it hard to believe that I am the first person in two years to come through their doors with the howling problem! If others had the same issue, they would know it isn't the rack. From your experience as a service advisor, what are your thoughts on wind noise caused by a rack? If the rack is causing harmonics at a certain speed, shouldn't the noise be present at that speed, no matter if you are speeding up, slowing down, or coasting?

As far as the loaner vehicle and carwash, I was simply making a comparison of what other dealers offered me whenever I came in during the warranty period. If you haven't already, read the second post made by OnHartung'sRoad. That shows the difference between mediocre and above average service!

 

Yea, I've had the issue. Ever since around 2000 miles or so. Really irritating but, nonetheless, my rear end hasn't exploded.

I've told both Toyota of Escondido and Toyota Carlsbad, and both couldn't replicate issue.

Toyota knows about it, but hasn't figured out a solution.

Just keep driving it. If it ever explodes and is outside of warranty, and you've done your part on maintenance, you will end up getting a new one. It's well known. Don't sweat it, and just drive it.

 

Who was your service advisor there? Brian is the only guy I take it too there and he always treats me very well. I refer all my friends and family to him. Another thing, any chance you can have any of the local guys listen to it? Maybe we can relate. My roof rack definitely causes wind noise. But it could definitely be several things for you. I am in Clairemont Mesa if you need a second set of ears.

 

Thanks, Dave. I'll take you up on your offer. I will IM you and we can set up a time that is convenient for you.

 

While it (whine) seems to be a widespread problem here on Tacomaworld, it is not a widespread problem in the real world. Mine had it and my dealer said it was the first one ever through their door. I believe them because they tried hard to fix it to no avail. They sell about 500 trucks a year too. I also asked a service manager (social setting so no reason to lie) from NC how big a problem it was at their dealership. They had not had a case either! This does not help but it does give a bit of credibility to your dealer.