Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see May lease deals!
Options
Toyota Tacoma: Problems & Solutions
This discussion has been closed.
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
I'm here to report that I have many of the same on my
2002 Taco Xtnded Cab. Mine is 4wd, V6 Auto, no TRD, no Antilock brakes.
I have the "clunk" after releasing the brake petal after a stop.
It seems much, much less now that I disconnected the rear brake equalizing
valve rod (temp for xperimenting).
I also have "howl" noise when A/C is on, most noticeable at 1500 rpm.
And thirdly the power steering "whine" at low rpm manuvering (no the wheel isn't locked to the stop). A guy I work with also has the P/S whine on his V6 TRD.
I haven't been to the dealer about any of these worrys, they may be nothing.
Has anyone had any luck with their dealer getting any of these things fixed?
So far the Tundra is wonderful.
My $0.02.
I wish that this truck would give me a good reason for getting rid of it - it is still the most uncomfortable vehicle I've ever owned!
And yes, I've also dealt with the loose weather stripping / molding on the fender flares (gone through !!2!! replacement sets and the annoying axle wrap. It was suggested that I grease the slip yoke to reduce the wrap, but I just think that creates an undue burden on the bearing surfaces from the tranny to the axle. At this point - I just live with it. I don't want to make the ride stiffer than it already is with AAL's - although if anyone has any suggestions about replacing the shocks/struts with something that'll offer more 'onroad' comfort would be appreciated. Thanks -don.
fenders: I guess you have 2001 DoubleCab. It's been fixed on 2002s, see if you can talk to your dealer about it.
Axle wrap: live with it. If you put AAL on the rear, your truck will not be level and you'll have to put a lift upfront too. An expensive way to fix something that happens to everyone, if you ask me.
As far as softer suspension goes: replace those Tohicos with Ranchos (although you may do a little bit of research first: Tohicos are there because Xtracab V6 Bilsteins can't support extra 500 lbs of DC weight without sagging) or other shocks and you should be fine. You can try using Bilsteins, although I don't know what the result will be. Probably lose a little height in the front, thats all.
One thing I did find peculiar with the power steering pump fluid is that the factory fluid was tan, and the new stuff looks like red ATF. I'll have to go back to the dealership and open a bottle of steering pump fluid and check it out.
Last but not least - anybody installed the Powertrax No-slip locker? Been looking into and though quite a few folks dismantle the whole pumpkin - I thought you could just slide out the axles and install the components. Anyhow -don
PS pump fluid is ATF, if you look in your owners manual.
and loud around 2,800 to 3,200 rpm? Mine does
and I'll say I'm a little surprized by this
because my 3.0 in my Sienna is silky smooth from
idle to 5,000 rpm.
And on the axle wrap or whatever.. I notice that
if I throw my automatic into neutral just before
I come to a complete stop the "clunk" is completely
gone! Wouldn't the springs still wrap under braking
or is the tension relieved from being in neutral?
You posted a message (#280) about fixing a rattle from the passenger side airbag. I have a 02 DC with the same rattle. Problem is that I don't have a Menards (internet shows it as a hardware store) and can't find the "window foam" that you used to fix your problem.
I looked at a local Home Depot, and found several different window foam possibility, but nothing that matched what I think you had. Was the stuff you used, glued on one side? soft foam, or a dense type? Did it come in a roll, or one single strip?
Any help would be appreciated. I love my truck, but would like to be rid of the rattle.
phil
Knoxville, TN
The foam is soft and is a single strip with no tape on either side. It was a 3 foot strip (rolled up in the package). The dimensions were 1.5" x 1.5". I stuffed it between the windshield and dash the best I could with my fingers and then pushed it the rest of the way in with a ruler.
If you have anymore questions just ask!
My email address is in my profile.
Chiweiho,
I am concerned about bypassing or interfering with the airbag also, but this is not close to the airbag, and isn't glued at all. I don't think it could have any bearing on them deploying at all. Thanks for the warning though. I would rather have someone remind me to be safe, then to ignorantly bypass something that I should not touch.
oops, i thought it was spray foam. My truck had the rattles near the air bag, it took the dealer 2 weeks to do it. the dealers suck, but i am going thru arbitration with some other issues with the truck. So i want to keep all my records with the dealer/factory.
sorry to hear your having to go that far to get a problem fixed. I hope it all works out ok. I just bought a Dodge van, and had problems with it right out the door, so I understand.
I am hoping that my Tacoma holds up well. I did a lot of research before making my purchase, but I know that you can get a lemon with any brand. I am also thankful that the dealer that I worked with has been exceptional. I have been back a couple of times for maintiance, and once for a repair, and was well pleased.
Your right too, I think the spray foam could cause problems.
Good luck, and let us know how it turns out.
I bought and drive a Tacoma about 10 months ago, but also bought a Dodge Grand Carryvan (family hauler) just a few weeks ago. I love and drive my truck, but needed the van for the family. I have had trouble with the van since the start, but no problems with my beloved Tacoma.
The van is now finally all fixed..... took a call to the dealership owner for some help. By the way, got a good deal on the van, with a flip down vcr/tv for the kids (for free), works great.
**The non-residue, quick drying cleaner is very important and esential. If you fry the MAF you are out $300.00.**
This is just a guess for all I know you have a Toyota OEM paper filter, but it doesn't hurt to pull the MAF and visually inspect it.
I have heard the samething as you about the fuel filters, not needing to change them, but what you describe does sound like a clogged filter.
I will keep thinking and get back to you, also try www.tacomaterritory.com as people there may have had the same issues as your now having.
Also, with the gas, the only reason you should be running 93 octance is if you are supercharged. As long as the octane is 87 or higher you are fine.
I don't think your truck cutting out would have anything to do with emissions. If you have a bad 02 sensor the engine light would trip and your truck would run rich or lean, but not cause it to cut out. A plugged catalytic converter could make it run sluggish but I highly doubt at 49,000 miles that would be the case.
Are you sure it is a "fuel starvation" problem and not a transmission problem...? Does the transmission feel like its slipping rather than just cutting out...? Since you have a manual tranny I doubt that is it either. It's hard to diagnose a problem without seeing it firsthand.
For your clutch squeak problem there is a TSB that addresses that issue. You can find it at http://www.alldata.com
It occasionally grinds when going into 1st gear, mostly when I'm at a stop sign/light. Would this intermittent problem be the clutch or tranny? I'm guessing tranny since it only does it in 1st, but I'm certainly no mechanic. Since it only does this once in a while, I haven't bothered taking it to the dealership. Last time I had tranny problems (acted like synchro rings), the dealership said "could not duplicate" and about a week after I picked it up they went away. If they can't find an active problem, they won't find this really intermittent problem!
Some of the older trucks had a problem with the slave/clutch master cylinder developing a slow leak. I haven't heard of it on the Tacoma series, but as they get older the seals DO wear a bit. You might check the fluid level on regular intervals for a while to see if you are losing any juice. If it is low, the clutch may not be completely disengaging the driveline from the engine and this could cause the phenomenon you describe. I know this is kind of an obvious possible fix, but sometimes I tend to look for something more complicated than it really is and I didn't want you to overlook it.
A tank of premium usually clears up that problem. Or a can of SeaFoam.
Could I spray carb cleaner into the throttle body with the engine running so that it gets suck inside or is that not a good idea?
I've been keeping the portion of the spring (center) where it comes in contact with the pedal arm (metal on metal) lubed with white lithium grease and it seems to work for a couple of months before I have to do it again. You have to fully depress the clutch pedal in order to access this point. Does anyone have a full time cure?
http://www.lieblweb.com/tacoma/Mechanical/ClutchPedal/ClutchBushing.htm
Oh well, I really didn't need that skin on my third knuckle anyway!!
I've had that problem, but using Redline tranny fluid fixed it for me. Another trick, I don't know how verified it is, is to adjust the clutch pedal to stick out a little more, maybe it's not aligned properly at the factory. Other than that, you didn't jinx it, maybe Tacomas are just awesome and have no problems