Vibrations Issue with Third Generation Tacoma truck

This is the text of the email I sent to my dealer where I just bought my 2021 RS 4x4 Tocoma:

Thank you for your last minute accommodation yesterday to examine the vibration issue on my new 2021 Tacoma. I was impressed with your prompted attention and service you provided me. I had some time this morning to look into the cause and history of this vibration issue that I am experiencing with my truck . I was dismayed to find that this has been an issue with the third generation Tacoma since 2016 and Toyota has not fixed it.


The issue comes from ailment issue with the drive shafts. Apparently factory specs are not precise enough to provide a normal driving experience. Vibrations like this are not normal for any vehicle, and certainly not for a brand with the prestige of Toyota.


I request that the angles of the two drive shafts angles be check to find out of how far they are out of specifications (to zero). Then a proper shim be added under the leaf springs to tilt the differential to correct the angle. This appears to be the easiest way to correct the problem.


I have attached a PDF illustrating this corrective procedure for your review. Greg please forward this email to Doug as he did not give me his card. I look forward to working with to correct this defect in a timely manner.


Yours truly,

 

With a nice letter written to the Stealership like that , I have a feeling they will come back with a prompt reply after a test drive .

This is considered " Normal " for the tacoma

 

The issue is, it may not be the cause, but you decided that on your own.

Even with a 100% proper adjustment you may not be happy with how the truck drives.

The driveshaft angle tsb doesn't apply to the 2021 model year.

 

Are they not identical designs with 19,20,21 model years?

 

These irritating issues don’t deserve a “general” diagnosis which ends up with being told “you just gotta live with it”.

If this was a medical problem what would your course of action be? Obvious course is to see your general practitioner who would then suggest you see a SPECIALIST. Your dr should never tell you to just live with it without sending to someone educated in that area of concern.

In this case, once you got that first diagnosis from the general tech and told to live with it, go to a specialist. In this case, find a driveline specialist that will put your vehicle up on rollers, hook up the sensors and computers, run it and tell you where the problem is coming from. Take that report back to the general tech and tell them to fix it.

You have to pay for the specialist report but OH WELL, you get real answers and a solid solution to a fix. These irritations will only drive us mad and hate the general techs that can’t help you.

 

Nothing like self diagnosing vibes online. Love it.

 

Wouldn't it be cool to see Boeing or West Jet get on forums like this to figure out mechanical or wiring problems like this to guess at their repairs.

 

I'm not even going to ask.

If the current dealer doesn't find an issue it may not hurt to get a 2nd opinion.

 

How many miles?

 

Well said. I am getting the feeling (I have not heard from Toyota corporate from my email) that I could go to the specialist and Toyota will fix it.

 

Brand new, less than 200 miles.

 

To those guys in the bleachers chastising this thread's discussion of my vibration issue; your point taken that a evaluation by a specialist is the proper course of action. This is new vehicle without aftermarket drivetrain modifications. I am pushing back on Toyota by pointing to possible remedies to what is a production quality problem in the assembly of the vehicle. I think now I should ask Toyota to send the truck to drivetrain specialist for evaluation. Thanks to all for advice and encouragement.

 

Back in 2016 when the 3rd gen came out , there were some quality control issues with many of the trucks .
We were pushing owners to phone the corporate office at that time .
It worked well for a lot of members . Some even received extended warranty .
I am one of those guys who is sitting back in the bleachers waiting for a new Tacoma to come out with no vibrations issues . Been waiting 10 years and feeling very sorry for what you are going through . You paid good money for your truck .Try calling corporate .
Phone: 800-331-4331
Fax: 310-468-7814
Mon - Fri: 5:00 am - 6:00 pm PT
Sat: 7:00 am - 4:00 pm PT

You are not alone . There are hundreds of newer Tacomas with similar issues
Here is just one example
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...celeration-tsb-warranty-service.610697/page-4

 

And 16, 17 18.
Nothing has changed but addons and gizmos.

 

You can ask and be disappointed again, and again...
As long as you have the will, strength, time and endurance, I wish you luck, ...we all wish you luck.
I was about to take my truck in to Pat’s Driveline in Calgary to have it scanned for the low speed vibration and they said it’ll take 3 hours, $300 and I would have the report. For me $300 is a business write off and you have to consider what your sanity is worth. You can have a report in your hand in 3 hours or visit the dealership a half dozen times or more and listen to them tell you they can’t duplicate the problem or that there’s no TSB or maybe they change something and you still have the issue etc, etc.

 

I got the kit on stand by, Justin Case.

 

737 Max problems all resolved. Boeing setup a forum and anonymous users made suggestions. The most plausible was copy/pasted to the FAA.

Modern problems require modern solutions?

Edit: sorry for your vibes OP. I think a nicely worded letter is always a useful step in resolving business problems. If it doesn't work it sure documents a good faith effort.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/mysterious-vibes.629750/

My 2019 with 6k miles still numbs my hand and Rt. foot... all normal characteristics ...

 

They read that their going to think you have a lift. Imo, must be something else going on. I can't speak for everyone, but every bone stock taco i've ridden in didn't have any serious vibrations related to what you ask to check. I had a driveshaft vibration on my 2001 tundra similar to that where the driveshaft carrier assembly was aligned off a bit. They corrected in a matter of less than 20 minutes. I've now got a 2020 sr5 taco all stock except for similar size a/t tires. That truck has zero vibrations of any kind. Only real beef it rides harsher than my tundras did.