Squeaking suspension in new Tacoma w/ less than 1,000 miles

Hello everyone! My first post here. Other than owning a Mazda B2200 when I was in college, I have never owned a pickup. I have had several SUVs, but have always said my next purchase would be a pickup truck. I don't do any off roading or haul any sort of cargo. My only requirement was that it be able to pull a bass boat and trailer that weighs around 3k lbs. I wanted to also stay in the mid-size truck range. I looked at the new Colorado's which did look impressive especially the roomy interior, but was aware of the reliability issues, so I just put on blinders and refused to seriously look at anything other than the new Tacoma. I ended up buying a new 2016 Tacoma 4WD in the TRD Off Road trim and picked it up on Saturday. I was surprised that the seats had very minimal manual adjustments and it's a tight squeeze getting in with the steering wheel adjusted all the way up, but I could live with that. After all, maybe there's a reason the Z71 has power seats that adjust every direction and is more roomy overall but costs less. I told myself the Tacoma doesn't need all these little bells and whistles to attract buyers - it has reliability!

I'm on my fifth day of owning it and it only has 700 miles on it (400 of which came from the dealer picking it up from a dealer trade out of state) and I'm already noticing a very loud suspension squeak on the passenger side. I've only driven it on paved roads to and from work and the only "offroading" being the set of railroad tracks I have to cross on the way to work. I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this in their new Tacoma? I've read of others having leaf suspension issues, but certainly wouldn't expect this in a truck with less than a 1,000 miles that's never been taken offroad or even on a dirt road.

There's also a noticeable rattling coming somewhere from the headliner either around the Terrain select controls or the passenger side sun visor. Haven't been able to pinpoint the exact location yet but it's annoying as hell. I know that no vehicle is perfect but certainly wasn't expecting to have these issues on a vehicle with less than 1,000 miles and one that has such a stellar reputation. Maybe I just got a bad one, but already starting to second guess myself.

 

I'd immediately take it back to the dealer and demand them to fix it. There's no reason for that to be happening already.

 

Welcome, now post a pic of your truck.

 

The problem is the dealer I purchased it from is 3 hours away from me. I live in the Charleston SC area and neither one of the local dealers had any 4wd Tacomas and when they do get them in stock, they're selling them as fast as they get them in. So, I found a Tacoma in the trim and color I wanted at an upstate SC dealer and they made me an incredible deal. I've emailed them about the issues but have not heard back yet.

 

Hmmm. Try contacting a local dealer and see if they're able to help you out.

 

Sounds like a lemon law case. You wanted a Honda pilot, anyway.

 

Awesome! I actually test drove a 2wd at Fred Anderson, but they didn't have any 4WD's at the time. They could get an SR5 with the XP package from the FA in Sanford NC, but we just couldn't agree on the amount for my trade in and I ended up walking out. The salesperson's last words were, "You mean you're just going to get up and leave?" And I responded by walking out, getting in my vehicle and driving away.

 

My truck makes noises.. I just turn up the radio

 

Not hardly (on the Honda Pilot comment). I may indeed have a lemon law case.

 

Well if the speakers were loud enough to drown it out that would be great, but stereo in mine sounds like you're yelling into a coffee can. Starting to wonder if I should've taken a more serious look at the Colorado. At least it does have a 7 speaker Bose system that would probably drown out the squeaks and rattles

 

Lol I have a single cab.. Terrible stereo system.. Been on my list to change for awhile

 

Thanks, I'll give him a call. The salesman's name was Ryan Spence. He was a new guy who just moved here recently. He was doing the typical going back and forth with his sales manager, deal or no deal thing. Turned out to be "no deal."

 

Dealer probably tell you it's normal for the truck. Any toyota dealer has to honor warranty. You don't need to take back to original dealer where purchased

 

You didn't get a bad one... but it looks like you're gonna have to get under there and get dirty.

It's part of the hazing ritual around here.

Welcome!

 

For those wanting a photo, here's one I took when I pulled over at the rest area driving it home. It came with the tonneau cover and predator step bars.

 

LOL ^^^^^ first name basis with the entire sales AND service team

 

Will do. I work in Mt Pleasant and live in Hanahan right next to the reservoir, so I'm up and down 26 everyday. May see me pulling a Blue and Silver Stratos 275 ProXL bass boat, if this Tacoma can manage it!

 

OP, welcome to TW.

I love(ed) my Taco until my tranny started to shift up and down like a rocking horse when trying to maintain posted 75mph here in Texas. I posted lots of threads about my whining, and then I did a 1500 mile trip documenting ... that if I drive 70mph instead of 75mph ... the tranny shifted from 6,5,4,5,4,5,6,5 etc only 4 times in 220 miles as compared to 100 plus times at 75mph coming back the same 220 miles.

Point being .... I forgot I did a TON of research before I bought my Taco. I made the right decision. The 4x4 system absolutely rocks ... the 3.5 Liter engine seems to lag on the highway at 75mph because of the power band and gearing. If I push on the throttle it will take off like a rocket.

OP, enjoy your new truck .... so a few squeaks here and there .... you will get it fixed and it will settle in. My stereo is not JBL and is not loud enough as well, but I will get that upgraded at sometime in the future. Ask the people on this forum if they think your Taco will last to 200,000 miles .... then ask the Colorado people if theirs will?

The Taco is a midsize and fits nice in parking spots AND it passes nicely between the trees on the backroads and really shines in 4x4.

Again ... Welcome OP, and tell us what you LOVE about your Taco!

 

Your truck is under warranty from Toyota

Take it to your local dealership and have it fixed

End of story