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Toyota Tacoma: Problems & Solutions

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Comments

  • truckpoortruckpoor Member Posts: 4
    Thanks for all the info. I still think I'm pretty much set on a new tacoma though. Can't stop thinking about the limited badging!

    My mother is a die-hard Chevy fan. It's not that she's so much of a fan, as that she wouldn't think of buying any other brand because of the small town relationship she has with the local dealer. She has all sorts of problems with her Chevy's, though. Even had the dealer take one back under the Az lemon laws. So I guess all manufacturers have their problems. I've seen enough Toyota's to believe in them.

    But it's nice to hear other people's opinion on it. Exactly what I was wanting to hear. Again, thanks.
  • mtngalmtngal Member Posts: 1,911
    I've put off looking at a seat swap because I really would prefer to have AWD or 4x4 in my daily driver, and my Taco is only a 2WD. It is also a 4 banger which is adequate, I guess, but I get tired of having to downshift to 4th to make it up the steeper parts of my commute at 70 (and having little low end grunt - makes getting on the freeway at my entrance difficult sometimes). At the moment I just drive the Wrangler in when the roads get bad, rather than mess with chains at 4am (which also means that if I had a 2000 4x4 I would probably have at least 115,000 miles on it).

    What other seats would fit the Taco that wouldn't require drilling etc.? Next month the Wrangler is paid off so I'll have something extra at payday to do things with.
  • v6doublecabv6doublecab Member Posts: 7
    Hey folks. I've noticed that in my '02 Toyota Tacoma DoubleCab v6, when I've got the O/D off and I punch the gas at around 70, the engine pulls good to about 73, then mildly cuts back (all the while the speedo keeps rising) to about 78, then the engine feels like it's at full power again. Any thoughts? Is it something peculiar with my lock up torque converter or something? Under the exact same conditions with the O/D on, the engine just keeps pulling till I let off the gas.
  • saddaddysaddaddy Member Posts: 566
    torque converter I believe. Nothing out of the ordinary, maybe yours is just more noticeable or something. I had all that shifting stuff explained to me once but forgot it. It really gets kind of complicated when you think about O/D, then the t/c, and then with the ECT on or off. Talk about a mess to discuss via the keyboard. Hehe, have a good one.
  • v6doublecabv6doublecab Member Posts: 7
    I'm thinking that the t/c is all that it is. But before I take it to the dealer and have them mess with it, I was just looking for a second opinion. Thanks, saddaddy. I was wondering, though, if anybody actually had the problem, or is it just me?
  • tsmith16tsmith16 Member Posts: 16
    kirbyt, there is a technical service bulletin for some tacomas that deals with this (BO 011-01 seat belt tongue plate stopper-new parts).
  • thehitcherthehitcher Member Posts: 56
    I have a 99 Taco 4x4 and the only gripe I have is that the emergency parking brake light is on even though it is off. This is the second time it has happened and seems to be a winter thing. Anyway the problem is only minor and the truck has always been a reliable truck.
  • bstoutbstout Member Posts: 38
    I've got my 2000 taco in the local dealership at this moment. I took the technician for a test drive and could only make it do it once while he was along. When I'm alone I can't make it stop doing it. I notice that when I wash the truck it seems to do it less. Maybe something on the under carriage gets cleaned or unplugged or wiggled from the car wash spray such as a funky molex connector. This is going to take more than a computer geek type technician to repair, its going to take a REAL MECHANIC. Something from the past!
  • smgillessmgilles Member Posts: 252
    Are you blowing any fuel pump fuses when these things are happening? Why I ask is because I had a Nissan that would cut out everytime I washed it. I thought it was the fuel filter so I replaced it, well it kept doing it. I eventually found that the wiring harness on top of the gas tank going to the fuel pump was shorting out, which was tripping the fuses. I know it's a long shot but I think you are to the point of long shots.

    Also, have you checked your plug wires or had them tested?
  • bstoutbstout Member Posts: 38
    Shane: I picked my truck up Friday night and they can't find the problem. You once made a comment about cleaning the massive air flow gismo right after the air cleaner before the throttle body. The mechanic at the dealership said this component was just outside its range and that changing it probably would not fix the problem.

    There are no fuses blowing or check engine lights coming on or anything other than crappy performance which makes the vehicle much less fun to drive and extremely unsafe in a passing situation.

    I don't know what to do. Neither does anyone else especially the dealerships!
  • bstoutbstout Member Posts: 38
    Since the factory authorized dealerships are unable to help I've contacted Toyota. I want to give them every chance to repair this potenially dangerous condition. They tell me they'll get back to me before 04/17/03. They gave me a number 200304140193. I asked the Toyota Rep (Sylvia) to e-mail me a confirmation of our discussion and she does not have the ability to do that. Toyota's e-mail system is limited to inside the company only and they can not e-mail out.
  • smgillessmgilles Member Posts: 252
    The only other thing I could think of is that you have a bad injector along the fuel rail. Let me know what Toyota does for you. Sorry I haven't been much help to you.
  • bstoutbstout Member Posts: 38
    Shane: Quite the contrary! You and everyone else one this board have been extremely helpful and best of all "Damn Straight!" Its great to have the support from you folks. I'll post any nuances as things move along.

    I'm hoping Toyota will send out some cracker jack mechanic. You know the type, they hardly ever say anything just smile!
  • davedave1davedave1 Member Posts: 45
    Some time ago i posted a message about some low-idle engine noise in my 2002 4 cyl 2.4L tacoma. It now has about 9000 miles on it and on it's third oil change. Started at about 5000 miles. Thought I'd ask opinions again.
      The noise sounds a bit like a diesel but only at low idle when hot. No other problems, just noisy.
      Dealer 1 couldn't hear it (maybe not hot enough); dealer 2 could and said maybe it was a problem and documented it. Said either valve train noise or exhaust noise, maybe. Couldn't see a reason to tear the engine down at that point. No noise when the engine revs up or when cold.
      Do any tacoma owners have such 'noise' in your 4 cyls.??
      Thanks...
  • smgillessmgilles Member Posts: 252
    Does it sound like a ticking sound..? I know the V6's make this sound at low idle and is due to the fuel injectors. Some people mistake the sound for valves or an exhaust leak. I have a 2001 and put a stethescope on it and sure enough the sound was coming from the injectors. I don't know if it is the same for the 2.4's or not, but it sounds awful familiar.
  • bstoutbstout Member Posts: 38
    This morning on the way into work I went to pass a hay wagon and the engine died entirely once again except this time the "Check Engine" light finally, yes finally came on! I contacted the authorized servicer who has been trying to locate the problem. He is going to call me back. I also contacted Toyota last Monday and they're going to call me back also.
  • bstoutbstout Member Posts: 38
    Authorized servicer called back. He's to busy to look at it again this week. I called yet another(3rd one) authorized servicer and he can look at it tomorrow (Friday) morning. Hope someone can figure it out.
  • davedave1davedave1 Member Posts: 45
    Thanks smgilles,
      No, the noise can best be described as the same type of sound a 4 cyl diesel like some of the vw's. When i park next to a building wall, it really echoes and is noticable.
      When i first heard it, i was looking around at the stop light for the diesel i was near! It is not as bad (rattly) as a diesel but the same low-engine noise at idle (sort of a light rumble); it goes away on the taco as you rev the engine.
      I did ask the toyota mechanic if it could be low oil pressure at hot idle and he laughed... he'd never heard of a toyota losing oil pressure.
      I do hear light injector noise, but it's a higher pitched sound, i think...
       Appreciate your's (and everyones) feedback
  • bstoutbstout Member Posts: 38
    I took my truck into the last authorized Toyota dealership in our area this morning and it appears to be repaired. I'll know for sure by Monday after driving it over the weekend.

    Toyota never returned my call as they had promised. Not a peep!

    ===========================================
  • joe99corollajoe99corolla Member Posts: 5
    To thehitcher, I also had the brake light on issue. It turned out that I just had to top off the fluid level. It was not that low but I added to the full line and the light went out. The parking brake light and the low level fluid light is the same, but use different circuits.

    davedave1, I also have the 2.4L with the ticking noise. Sounds like the valves ticking, I have a 1999 with only 18,000 miles. I figure it's not an Issue. For the most part a bullet proof engine.

    Now I have a question: When I shut my truck off and remove the key, the air bag light and the gear shift "P" (auto) lights stay on. The radio also works. It's like it stuck in ACC. position. I removed/installed the battery cable and it stops for awhile. Any ideas.
  • uaskd4ituaskd4it Member Posts: 5
    Dear scOrpio, emruzek, floydson, bugnut23, whatnow2, mtngal, 004runner and tomk14,

    I have read ( with increasing interest ) your posts as I will go to Toyota tomorrow with my 1st to 2nd shifting problem that has so correctly been described here as "notchy" or difficult shifting.Mine actually grinds a little in a "quick shift". I own a 2003 Tacoma xtra cab w/ the 4cyl. It has been lovingly broken in and now has 3K on it. Sadly, it isn't 1/2 the truck my '85 Toyota xtra was, and I may actually trade my son after the '85 is finished getting the timing chain, and re-paint done. Did anybody find out if the trannys in the 4Runner and the Tacoma are of the same type or design lineage ? This really smacks of a long-entrenched design flaw in the actual conception or execution of the synchro's in this particular trans. I discussed this and the seemingly inordinate amount of play in the drive-train which causes a ringing slap between 1 &2nd, or 2nd & 3rd sometimes. My "85 is a quieter truck at the august age of almost 20 yrs. and 280K miles. I was told by my local service rep that it was because of the "long driveshaft". Mostly I just heard shaft. I really appreciate all the info available here, and will update when I get the most updated excuse.
  • sc0rpi0sc0rpi0 Member Posts: 897
    It's true for all makes and models. And yes, Tacoma and 4Runner shared engine and drivetrain up to 2003.
  • slorenzenslorenzen Member Posts: 694
    I just changed out the original gear oil in my '02 Tacoma 4WD V6 5-speed, using Amsoil 75w-90, and the shifting, which was pretty OK anyway, is smoother.
    You may want to try that before giving up all hope.
  • bstoutbstout Member Posts: 38
    The third authorized service shop appears to have nailed it. He says that something in the throttle position sensor altered. He didn't have one in stock to replace it with so he elongated the two mounting holes with a round file so he had some adjustment, could twist it and got it back into range.

    Runs perfect!

    It has been a quite a learning experience for me as far as what to expect from an authorized service dept. and the factory.
     
    ========================================
  • mtngalmtngal Member Posts: 1,911
    Keep us informed on how it goes with you. I don't really have a noise issue, except sometimes when it occasionally grinds going into 1st at a stoplight (clutch adjustment?). Come to think of it, it hasn't done that in several months.

    I like the idea of changing the tranny fluid - I think mine is either overdue (or almost due) for its next change. I know that I had a problem (that went away) before I changed it, and then a different problem since it was changed (by a dealer).
  • b10751b10751 Member Posts: 14
    Got an '03 double cab with power lumbar on driver's seat. It has never worked. Finally had chance to take to dealer. They said it was switch, ordered new one. Installed new switch, still doesn't work. They said it was the actual lumbar mechanism in the seat. Ordered new part.
    They had to remove seat, and take it apart to install new part. Still doesn't work. They say now it needs a new switch, had to order another new one. We'll see. In the meantime, when they took the seat apart and reinstalled it, it now squeaks, rattles and the bottom of the seat feels like something is broken. I'm going to request they replace the seat with a new one.
  • oregonboyoregonboy Member Posts: 1,650
    Regardless of the seat, it sounds like you have a defective dealer service department. :)
  • rlafaverrlafaver Member Posts: 70
    My 2003 Tacoma is almost new, and the seat springs sound like a 30 year-old box spring, squeaking like crazy when the temp and humidity are right.
  • ahjrahjr Member Posts: 1
    I have same problem on 2001 PreRunner DC. Two years old, and squeaky since new. It comes and goes depending, I suppose, on temp and humidity.

    Anyone know what can be done? I haven't been able to replicate at dealer.
  • b10751b10751 Member Posts: 14
    The dealer is having me take the truck to a trim shop and see if they can fix the seat....i'll keep you posted.
  • whatnow2whatnow2 Member Posts: 24
    1st to 2nd notch - this problem has become so intermittant for me (2001 Tacoma 4wd sr5 trd 6cyl 5M, but only 8000 miles) that I can't rely on it happening if I take it in (dealer is 40 miles away). Only 1 year left on the warranty. Anyone had a complaint followed by a satisfactory dealer fix? When it happens, it is REALLY annoying. In fast left turn scenarios, it actually causes some concern.
  • dblowedblowe Member Posts: 1
    I have a 1998 Tacoma and there is water leaking onto my passenger side floorboard. I took it to an auto glass repair shop to check for leaks--none. I took up the carpet and noticed it dripping down somewhere (too far up for me to see) on the very upper part of the floor board panel that goes up towards the inside of the fender well. It only leaks when it rains. I also checked the inside of the engine wall for bad gaskets etc.--none. I have no idea where this water is coming from but I think it may be from where the water drips off the windshield and into the drip pan. Of course the water drips toward the drivers side and I cant see all the way in there even after taking off the vent piece. Any suggestions? Any one else with this problem?
  • tsmith16tsmith16 Member Posts: 16
    The service bulletin number in message #732 is not for seatbelt rattles. It is for replacing the plastic button in the belt. The dealer has ordered me a new seatbelt latch though.
  • kedrickkedrick Member Posts: 1
    I recently purchased a used 2002 Tacoma Quad Cab 4x4, automatic, 16K miles, seems brand new. I notice when driving over bumps or rough spots in the road, the auto transmission handle and 4x4 handle seem to move around a bit, shake, bounce, etc. Nothing major, maybe just a 1/8” or something. You can see it move slightly though and if you hand is on the handle you can clearly feel it move.

    I imagine this is normal and is from the entire transmission flexing a bit. Anyone else have this experience? Normal for a Tacoma 4x2 or 4x4? If not, I am headed to the shop. Thanks.
  • smgillessmgilles Member Posts: 252
    Very normal
  • rkoeslerrkoesler Member Posts: 62
    I love watching the two shifters dance with each other while driving. It reenforces the fact that I'm actually driving a truck with direct linkages to the tranny and t-case, and not some fancy new electronically induced shift set-up which will just mess up when most inappropriate.

    I'm driving a new 03 Tacoma 4x4 SR5 stepside with automatic and TRD pkg. My previous truck was a 90 Toy 4x4 SR5 with automatic tranny and electronically controlled t-case - and it caused me many problems for the first 30K miles.
  • allenkallenk Member Posts: 2
    My 2000 w/58k started randomly shifting one day while on the highyway, until finally getting stuck in 2nd gear. That's right 2nd gear, that'll wake you up on the MA. Pike. Of course when the dealer drove it, it was fine but then did act up to a lesser extent so they could experience the problem. They replaced a sensor but now 3 months later, its showing signs of trouble again. Is this documented anywhere else?
  • rkoeslerrkoesler Member Posts: 62
    my 90 truck did the same thing, and it took me about 6 months to convince the dealer that there was a problem. Finally they figured out that it was a loose solder connection at pin #9 of the tranny to computer cable connector. I don't know if a 2000 has the same set-up, but have them check the grounding wires and connectors. Once fixed, I had no more problems until 240000 miles when I traded trucks. Good luck...
  • koko164koko164 Member Posts: 29
    Hi All.
    I often see a vehicle w/rot and say, "If only one knew years ago where the rot will be...they could have sprayed oil or something on it".. So now that I have my new 02 Taco (bought it last year) I wonder "Where will the rot be?" Anyone have any Ideas on this? I plan on keeping my Taco for a long time.

    Koko
  • uaskd4ituaskd4it Member Posts: 5
    The shifting / synchro difficulty from first to second was "just not there" according to the dealer when I took my 2003 Tacoma in for this recurring problem.(See #747)The slap in the driveline is "normal", but I don't see how that much play can do anything but prematurely wear or ruin universal joints. The dash vibration / rattle that I actually demo'd in front of the service writer at the dealer could not be reproduced by them, so they refused to proceed until THEY could make it happen. (The service writer agreed that I should "probably check it out yourself") BTW, the truck is still under warranty. These guys are about as useless as a half a set of pliers. Good luck to all, after 4 Toyota's, I'm ready for something new where I can get some accountability and assistance with the product.
  • twood2twood2 Member Posts: 11
    I had that recently on my 95 Tacoma 4 cyl 4X4 and one thing I noticed was that my gas station, who does the oil changes, was only putting in 5 qts of oil. If you look in the Hayes manual, this is a big engine for a 4 cyl. because it actually takes 5.7 quarts. I really only got the "diesel" sound as some put it when it just started. When I added not even a quart, the noise went away.

    My thought is that it doesn't have enough oil up in the valves and lifters?

    Any feedback on #715 (poor gas mileage?)
  • kbtoyskbtoys Member Posts: 62
    In the past I would say the bed, but I think Toyota has fixed that problem. My 99 is fine. I really can't think of a place that might start rusting away. It's weried I don't have any rust but a buddy of mine has a 99 F150 and it is rusting bad by the doors.
  • mtngalmtngal Member Posts: 1,911
    My 2000 Tacoma has now has more miles on it than my '98 Wrangler. I had been hearing a rattle when the car was under hard acceleration in 4th gear (like going up steep hills at 60 mph). I hadn't thought about checking the oil, just that it was due for an oil change. After the oil change, no rattle. Guess I'd better start keeping a close eye on the oil level now. But with 111,690 miles on it, it isn't all that surprising, is it?

    Also changed the tranny fluid (early) to see if it would help, and it seemed to help. Now if I could find such an inexpensive fix to the uncomfortable seats...
  • sc0rpi0sc0rpi0 Member Posts: 897
    You know, I don't see what the fuss about seats is....last year I drove from Austin, TX all the way to Chattanooga, TN, in one day, and had no problem with seats. My butt was stuck to the seats, yes, but my back didn't hurt...and I have 2002 buckets, which don't have any special supports.
    You could try to find some 4Runner Limited seats, they have adjustable support.
  • mtngalmtngal Member Posts: 1,911
    I think the seats were redesigned in 2001 or 2002. Part of my problem is that I'm short, so the head restraint hits me at the wrong place, forcing my head forward. I've had ankle problems, so it is more comfortable for me to sit with my feet under me, rather than stretched out in front, a position you are almost forced into with the seats being as low to the floor of the truck as they are. That means that I feel like I'm sitting with my knees around my ears, and my head hunched forward. By the time I get to work (hour and a half commute) my back is sore, sometimes my hip hurts and I can barely walk. As well as having a numb backside. My husband isn't as uncomfortable as I am, but he has occasional hip problems also. After a couple of miserable trips to Vegas and back, we decided that the Wrangler would be more comfortable when we drove to northern B.C. and back a couple of years ago (and this was when the Taco was less than a year old and only had about 20,000 miles on it).

    I sat in a new Tacoma at the LA auto show in January, and thought the seats were better than ours, but not different enough for me to want to get another Tacoma. It is hard to get committed to doing something about the seats when I plan to trade it in as soon as I get on the right side of the note. I'm hoping that we'll be able to work more on it now that the Wrangler is paid off.
  • rlafaverrlafaver Member Posts: 70
    I don't think your height is the whole problem. I am 6-2, and that serpentine, bowed-forward spring they have in the seat-back hits me about 6 or 8 inches below my shoulder blades, like a basketball. This forces me to avoid resting against the seat-back on long trips, sorta like sitting on a stool.
    I thought about trying to do something with the spring, but I think the thing to do is just replace the seats, keeping the original seats in shrink wrap. You can put them back in when you sell the truck or, lawd forbid, wreck it, then you will have your custom seats for your next vehicle. I plan to alternate my Recaros every few years to keep from wearing one more than the other (passenger and driver are interchangable with controls on both sides of each). The lightly used original seats should make the truck a little more valuable at selling time.
    When you price the Tacoma next time, just tally in $1000 for a set of Corbeau seats. If the price is then too high, buy something with better seats.
  • koko164koko164 Member Posts: 29
    Looking over the truck it looks like the rear bumper will hold the sand and salt from winter driving. I'll be giving it a light coat of oil occasionally.
  • mtngalmtngal Member Posts: 1,911
    What are the corbeau seats? I'm not sure I want to spend that much money for seats in a high mileage vehicle I dislike so much, but I might. After all, the Taco has been reasonably reliable for quite a few miles, and I'm still $2,000 on the wrong side of my note.

    It is already too late for me to have "lightly used" seats if I take the originals out, but a good idea for a possible future vehicle. And I won't worry about rotating the seats - my husband and I carpool to work (we work for the same employer). He drives down to work, I drive home, so the seats get close to equal wear (I am so lucky that way).

    Tell me more about these seats - I am interested.
  • rlafaverrlafaver Member Posts: 70
    Corbeau is reputed to be a very good seat, as are Cerullo. I did price Corbeau, and a complete set with brackets for my Tacoma would have been a bit over $900. However, after a great deal of research I learned that Recaro is probably the best brand available, in regards to comfort and durability. I have driven a few Porche cars in my day, and they had Recaro seats. So, I don't have to rely on reviews to know they are very comfortable. As to durability, I know that many people try to find them in junk yards, even if they have to be refurbished, so that speaks for the durability. You could use them in your old car, then you can move them to your new car when you get one, though you may require different brackets.
    Having said all that, I know that not everyone wants to put major dollars in seats, and the Corbeau seats might be a good happy median. Many reviews say they are comfortable, but I have not seen anything on the web about their durability.
    The Recaro Trend model will get you up there just short of $1800, but consider the additional price of leather in a new car, even if it is stretched over a crappy seat like the Tacoma. I don't like slipping and sliding on leather seats, but I will pay more for something that makes 600-800 mile trips more bearable, and I know the Recaros will do that. What's more, they should last the rest of my life.
    You might want to do a search on the web for the brands I have mentioned, and there are others. It is all a question of how important seats are TO YOU. A 20 year old with a back that can be comfortably molded to a rail is not really going to give a rat's a**, but to me the seats come in fourth behind the engine, transmission and suspension. And that makes them very important to me.
  • mtngalmtngal Member Posts: 1,911
    Thanks for the info - I'll look into them. I started to look around the web for seats about a year ago, but didn't find enough hard information to make any judgements. This at least gives me a starting point.

    It all comes down to one thing - how much do we want to keep the Taco? Putting $1,000 into new seats and then keeping it for another 3-4 years would be cheaper than taking a $2,000 hit on the loan and another $25,000 for a new car! I wonder if I can get another 150,000 miles out of it? Is it unreasonable to ask for 270,000 miles from a vehicle? Our Nissan hardbody had 290,000 on it when I sold it. The engine was in great shape, but the auto tranny couldn't handle my commute (I went through 2 of them in a year).

    Is it reasonable to think I can get that type of mileage out of this truck?
This discussion has been closed.