Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!

Toyota 4Runner Vibrations

24

Comments

  • mike805mike805 Member Posts: 33
    Just a suggestion you may have already considered. I once had a car with a similar vibration that was caused by undercoating overspray that had gotten on one side of the driveshaft. I doesn't take much to get it out of balance.
  • jokol2jokol2 Member Posts: 27
    I never thought about something like that, but that could not be the problem. If it was the driveline, the driveline continues to turn at 30 miles an hour and letting off of the gas pedal would not totally eliminate the vibration, which is what happens to us. The minute you step back on the gas pedal, the vibration reappears. Can't be the driveline because the driveline would continue to turn even when you release the gas pedal. This vibration is present when I am sitting at a dead stop also, and that tells me that it is definitely engine vibration. The service manager at my dealership, who has driven several of them now, agrees. Toyota does not agree. Toyota still maintains that this is just a "characteristic" of the vehicle!!!!!!!!Very frustrating and if you read this forum, you can see that we are not the only ones with this chronic problem. Thanks for your posting. Joe
  • petemattpetematt Member Posts: 8
    Last week i got in touch with KahnandAssociates,Lemon law attorney.
    Lawyer said that because of Law company's "reputation" toyota first of all would not want to fight the case and even if they do then 99% chances are that this lawyer would win this case.
    So if Toyota buysback my shimmying junk(4 runner)then i would pay 1/3rd of (settlement money-market value of vehicle).But in 99% cases manufacturer ends up paying the legal fee as well. So that is where i stand now. I think i am going to hire Kahnandassociates and file a case against Toyota.
  • jokol2jokol2 Member Posts: 27
    I have not contacted the Oregon State Attorney General's office of Consumer Protection yet, but that is what my first step is going to be. They may tell me that I have to hire a private law firm, but I am first going to find out because the State Attorney is free. This problem is not confined to me alone; it involves all of the 2006 4runners!!Please keep posting here so we know what is happening. There is strength in numbers!! Thanks. Joe
  • 2006sr5v82006sr5v8 Member Posts: 6
    :lemon: :lemon: :lemon: :lemon:
    I thought that would appropriately represent my car. I was just checking in to see if anyone had any luck on this topic as far as a resolution. I am still driving my brand spanking new 2006 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V8 hunk-of-junk! YAY for me! haha My dealer has no idea what to do for me nor do they really care I'm sure. The last thing they came up with is maybe it vibrates when your tires are cold.....Don't you think I would have figured that out by now!? They are so helpful. I'm so bummed to be out $32k for a sucky car.
  • mike805mike805 Member Posts: 33
    Since the problem stop when you let off the gas pedal it cannot be a balance problem in the engine, drive train, or wheels. It has to be either an intake air or spark problem causing a misfire. I would look at the wiring to each plug and inspect each plug for carbon buildup to try to identify which cylinder is causing the problem. It could be something like the throttle position sensor or timing pickoff on the crankshaft damper that are changing the timing or air/fuel mixture. I don't have any problem on my 2006 V6 so it isn't characteristic of all 4Runners.
    Mike
  • pec1970pec1970 Member Posts: 11
    I have a 2006 Limited V-8 with the same issue. I can feel the vibration in the steering wheel but only between 1500 and 2000 rpm. It stops at 2000 (or when I take my foot off the gas) but it seems the engine spends a lot of time in the 1500-2000 range. Since the weather has turned colder, the severity has decreased but it is still a nuisance. I will have it looked at when I take the car in for its first oil change.
  • jokol2jokol2 Member Posts: 27
    Mike: Thanks for your thoughts. I will pass this along to my dealer, but judging from their attitude so far, they will do nothing. They keep telling me that this vibration is present in all of the 4runners (so far I have driven a total of 9 new ones and it IS there!) and so it is just a "characteristic of the vehicle", not a defect. That is just so much BS it isn't even funny. There have been a couple of other people post here that say they also do not have this problem so I don't have any explanation why all of the ones that I have test driven do. Just getting the dealer to admit that it is there was amazing to me!!!!!! They have the attitude that Toyota can do no wrong. Thanks again. Joe
  • robm2robm2 Member Posts: 53
    Is it possible you're over-reacting to a little vibration? I've had lots of vehicles that vibrated for a number of different reasons, (bent rim, unbalanced tire, warped rotors, etc). What's wrong with a little vibration?

    I mean, if you really wanted a super-smooth drive, why would you buy a 4x4 truck?
  • jokol2jokol2 Member Posts: 27
    I find this posting almost unbelieveable!!! Over-reacting to constant vibration in a brand new $36,000 automobile!??? Bent rims, tires out of balance, warped rotors.? What kind of vehicles do you drive? I have personally owned 3 Chevrolet Suburbans, 2 full size blazers, 2 cj5 jeeps, a Chevrolet pickup, and 2 Isuzu troopers, all of which were 4 wheel drive!!! I raced a cj5 for 3 years and have never had a "vibration" problem that could not be fixed. You sound like the kind of customer that Toyota is depending on to purchase these new "vibrators" and accept it as "normal". Owning a 4 wheel drive does not mean that you have to have any kind of vibration or other annoyance that should not be there. Over-reacting??????????????? Come on.
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    Bent rims, tires out of balance, warped rotors.?

    I don't believe you ever mentioned bent rims, tires out of balance or warped rotors in any of your previous 22 postings on your issue so I'm having a hard time understanding why you're dumping on robm2 for asking a simple question. He likely has not followed your saga from beginning to end and most of our members are not mindreaders!

    His question was simply "Is it possible you're over-reacting to a little vibration?" which was a great opportunity for you to provide newcomers to the discussion with the full details of your plight. There is no need to overreact to an innocent question. :)

    tidester, host
  • jokol2jokol2 Member Posts: 27
    I respectfully suggest that you go back and read the posting again. He clearly stated "What's wrong with a little vibration?" and then chides all of us who are having this problem with a brand new $36m vehicle by stating " I mean, if you really wanted a super-smooth drive, why would you buy a 4x4 truck?" Having driven 4x4's exclusively since 1969 I find these statements completely out of the realm of sensibility. Apparently I read this posting in a different light than you did and I would be very surprised if the other people who have posted here regarding their problems with this vibration would disagree with my interpretation of his meaning. Poking fun at those of us who are suffering thru this nightmare only adds to the frustration. I also take exception with your comments regarding the fact that I did not ever specifically mention warped rotors, bent rims, etc. I have continually mentioned the fact that the vibration disappears when you let off the gas pedal and then reappears when you step back on the gas pedal. If I had a bent rim, warped rotors, unbalanced tires ( which I have continually said I do not have and the dealer has confirmed this) letting off the gas would not eliminate the problem immediately, which is what I have continually stated. I could go on and on, but It appears that this fellows posting was read differently by you than it was by me.
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    I respectfully suggest that you go back and read the posting again.

    Actually, I did before I posted. :)

    I also take exception with your comments regarding the fact that I did not ever specifically mention warped rotors, bent rims, etc.

    It's still unclear to me why you mentioned them in your last message. No matter.

    He clearly stated "What's wrong with a little vibration?"

    Yes, he did, but only after he asked "Is it possible you're over-reacting to a little vibration?". If the premise is "it's only a little vibration" then the follow-up question is equally innocuous.

    In any case, you may avail yourself of the opportunity to spell out in greater detail just what the problem is for the benefit of those who have only recently joined the discussion.

    tidester, host
  • jollygreen1jollygreen1 Member Posts: 42
    I have an 03 Limited V8 and have had no sunroof problems, no vibrations, no engine problems etc but my gas mileage is terrible. I get fluctuations from 15 to 18 on the Hwy and 12 to 16 city. I recently changed from Bridgestones (orig tires) to Goodyear Wranglers which are a little larger and heavier and that might be affecting my gas mileage somewhat, but no vibrations ever. I am looking at some performance parts such as chip and/or throttle body spacer to help the mileage.
  • jollygreen1jollygreen1 Member Posts: 42
    I forgot to mention in my last reply to check the torque on your lugs when having new tires installed. My torque is suppose to be 110psi and after having my tires installed, I had four lugs at over 150 and the rest were between 135 and 145. That could warp your wheels. Oh, one stud was broken. I fixed myself easily after getting a new stud. Tire dealer was unresponsive..
  • bobgordonbobgordon Member Posts: 156
    Tidester,
    I know you have the powers to start a new link dedicated strictly to a certain topic...say "'06 4Runner Vibrations."
    This thread is getting a little heated as you can see. I believe that these "vibrations" are real to some and no matter what, we won't be able to convince that what they are feeling doesn't exsist...nor should we.

    Not to take away from the importance of this topic, but some of us would like to see it's own thread and get on with other issues at hand.

    Thanks,
    Bob
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    Bob,

    It looks like Steve got to it first! :)

    tidester, host
  • bobgordonbobgordon Member Posts: 156
    tidester/Steve,
    The way things are going, you'll soon have hundreds of different threads... :surprise: :surprise: :cry:

    Thanks guys!
    Bob
  • sshifrinsshifrin Member Posts: 3
    I get a Shimmy/Shake/Vibration on my 2000 4 runner that is a 1 year old problem. When I purchased it, it was fine.
    I did get hit from behind while I was stopped at a light with a replacement of the back end and all body parts.

    I've taken it to multiple places including the dealer and no resolve. The shake occurs at 65 - 70 MPH. I have had an alignment done, rear shocks replaced, tire rotate and balancing, 4 replacement tires, and the front brakes replaced.
    All mechanics have said that the front suspension parts are fine.
    I have read that maybe there is a special balancing for the factory wheels for some Toyotas. the lug centric.
    Is this one of them?
    Also, I have read the thread about the problem being characteristic on 06 model but this is a 00.
    I have a 2WD 4 cylinder. I had Cooper Tires now I have winterforce tires. Both have the same problem. A smooth ride til i hit 65 MPH.
    Could it be a drive shaft?
    I am feeling it in the steering wheel and the gas pedal. It's not intense but it's bumpy and unpleasant. My passengers also feel it though not as strong.
    any one with any insight, please advise.
    thank you.
  • tom007tom007 Member Posts: 40
    i'm on 1800 miles, no vibration at 60 -75 mph i think i'm just lucky.
  • nedzelnedzel Member Posts: 787
    "I have an 03 Limited V8 and have had no sunroof problems, no vibrations, no engine problems etc but my gas mileage is terrible. I get fluctuations from 15 to 18 on the Hwy and 12 to 16 city."

    I've got 53,000 miles on my 03 Limited 4WD. I've had no sunroof problems, no vibrations or engine problems.

    As for the mileage you are getting, that's about what you can expect. My overall mileage is 17-18. If I'm very gentle on acceleration, keep my highway speed to 65 mph, and use cruise control, I can get about 19 mph on the highway.

    I don't think any performance parts will improve your mileage.
  • gpm100gpm100 Member Posts: 2
    my 06 limited has had 3 radio's replaced for the popping/cracking sound and they cant find what is making the radio unit go out. did they tell you what the problem was with yours?
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    Try the main Toyota 4Runner discussion or Toyota 4Runner Accessories.

    tidester, host
  • vkhangvkhang Member Posts: 1
    I just bought a 2007 4 Runner and notice a vibration when driving between 55-60 mph as well. I wish I would have research this first. Love the car, but wonder about the vibration. I was told it too was a common characteristic of Toyota. The service manager told me they too drove other 4Runner and have the same noise.
  • dirtdriverdirtdriver Member Posts: 12
    Topic Discussion: Toyota 4Runner: Problems and Solutions
    Msg # #2076 Re: Clunking when accelerating and stopping
    *I have met the my Regional Customer Service Representative on this issue and on the drive train vibration and moaning sound.
    The rep told me Toyota considers these issues "normal operation characteristics" of the 4Runner. The rep also indicated that new company 4Runner they were driving had the same issues.
    *Read "Truck Trend" January/February 2007,pp 88 re:"Good Vibrations Gone".
  • petemattpetematt Member Posts: 8
    Vibration comes standard with 4 runner.I own 2006 4 runner and i also worried a lot about it. I got it repaired 3 times but the vibration could nt be removed. Then i asked for a buy back by toyota and then they sent a regional representative who inspected the car. Then dealership kept the car for a day and did something.On the other hand I lost arbitration hearing to Toyota because it was all paid for by toyota. Now my car vibrates between 65-75 mph.Toyota says it is quite an achievement on their behalf.
    Dude i am not buying Toyota in rest of my life. :sick:
  • bumbarbumbar Member Posts: 2
    I've had my 4runner for 2 years now, it's my second one, the first being a '91 V6 manual with off-road package, the one I have now is a limited '96 and I have never had vibrations at high speed. or at any really.
  • chuck1chuck1 Member Posts: 1,405
    i have quickly read through these posts, and I don't know if this has been covered.

    But the wheels on a 4Runner have to be balanced using a lug centric balancing machine. One of the manufacturers is HUNTER. You can search for their website.

    Also, when brakes are done the "runout" is something like .005. This is very exact. If the rotors are turned and not kept to this spec you will get vibration as well upon braking.

    For sturdy vehicles they are rather "fussy" in some regards!
  • driveshafteddriveshafted Member Posts: 2
    Hi – I’ve been tracking all the vibration posts, and can sympathize. I have a 95 4Runner with 160K miles on it. Great car/truck except for the vibration that started a couple of months after having the transmission rebuilt. The vibration starts about 65 mph and goes on thru 78 mph (in which range all my frequent freeway driving is done.) The worst vibration occurs when coasting downhill. Have had the car into several dealers in GA, including one in Atlanta whose running gear man is legendary, having come from a racing background. He could not locate the source. The Michelins are Hunter balanced and verified by several others. Had the transmission rear bushing checked, even checked it myself while they had it out – no sloppiness. (I was told the two-element driveshaft was bent, and was told a new, straight balanced driveshaft is better than a bent, balanced one, so had a new, one-piece driveshaft made & installed by a drivetrain specialist in Savannah – and it still made no difference. Took the driveshaft out and towed the car down the road up through the critical speed range, with no vibration at all. I put the car in neutral while sitting still and revved the engine through the critical range, but no vibration. The ujoint is properly clocked. Have replaced the ujoint several times, all to no avail. (This saga has been going on now for two years, and I forget exactly in what order all of this happened, but tried to do it in a logical fashion, so as to use a process of elimination of the most logical things first.) I have sort of accepted it, and plan to drive it until the wheels fall off, since it wouldn’t be worth much on the open market. P.S. - I now have an unexplainable pull to the right when braking at low speeds. The brake man, who is normally competent, is baffled. :confuse:
  • mike805mike805 Member Posts: 33
    Sounds like you have isolated it to the transmission which may be the same problem people are having with the 2006 models. Would it be possible to rev the engine to the critical speed range while it is sitting still after removing the drive shaft? This would confirm it is the transmission since the problem was not there when the transmission was in neutral under the same conditions.
  • lexusmom1lexusmom1 Member Posts: 1
    Am considering a 4Runner 2WD, 6cyl. Am reading abuot the vibration problems and am wondering if they occur in both 2 and 4WD? Appreciate any comments.
  • nfishernfisher Member Posts: 2
    I plan on buying a 2007 limited v6 with 4wd. Does anyone have any information as to vibration in this model and year?
  • driveshafteddriveshafted Member Posts: 2
    2WD
  • toyotabuyernottoyotabuyernot Member Posts: 1
    Up until a couple of hours ago I was buying a 2007 4R Limited with most options. Had made an offer and they called today to tell me it was accepted. Now I will call and cancel. No way do I want the vibration headaches you guys are talking about. Also looks like transmission problems with stuck solenoids or something. I rented one for 2 days and it is sitting out front now. Thanks for the heads up guys. TOYOTA TAKE NOTE; YOU JUST LOST A CUSTOMER.
    :lemon: :lemon:
  • roadrunner70roadrunner70 Member Posts: 241
    i was considering a 2007 4runner. what is the status of this problem. are the 2007s also vibrating. thanks. rr70
  • bobgordonbobgordon Member Posts: 156
    RR70 and others,
    I can't comment on the '07 model and not to make light of this problem that some are having....but I have an '06 4Runner 4WD Sport and no vibration whatsoever.
    I've got almost 10k miles, have traveled across the country in it and I think it's a great truck!

    My suggestion is to drive the truck you are interested in. Get it out on the highway and see how it feels. If the dealer won't agree to this, then they don't want to sell their trucks.

    Good luck.
  • nedzelnedzel Member Posts: 787
    53,000+ miles on my 2003 4WD Limited. No vibrations.
  • thebluewavethebluewave Member Posts: 11
    I don't have any vibrations, 2005 SR5 4WD. I do have the driveshaft "clunking" issue, however.
  • alloboallobo Member Posts: 2
    Hello:

    I have a 2007 4 runner with 4000 miles, prurchaed new. The right side passenger body panel above the tire vibrates/shakes at highway speeds. I took the vehicle in to the dealer twice to have it checked out. The dealer says there is no problem with the vehicle and that that vibrations are normal. I did not buy the dealer explanation.
    Any thoughts or solutions would be welcome.

    Allan
  • c5t4rc5t4r Member Posts: 13
    Well, I've had mine for about a month...right off the lot it had a slight steering wheel shake. A week later, I took it back in to have some accessories added that were part of the deal, and asked to have the wheels/tires checked. I was told that 3 of the 4 were out of balance...drove it home that day and it seemed ok.

    I do a lot of around town driving, rarely getting up to 65+. Well today, I got out on the freeway and sure enough, the steering wheel and even the seats were shaking. I tried another road on the way back - same thing.

    The dealership supposedly has the Hunter machine, but I don't know any specifics about how they used it, the readings they got, etc....

    While surfing for some more information I came across the Centramatic system. At $199 for all 4 wheels it seems expensive, but first thoughts are maybe it will pay for itself with fewer, if any, balancing jobs needed after installation...especially if the Hunter balance is $80 or so.

    Has anybody ever used this? Opinions, thoughts?

    http://www.centramatic.com/index.html
  • alloboallobo Member Posts: 2
    Yes. I have a 2007 4 runner SR5 V6 2wheel drive and the right rear body panel vibrates at highway speeds. Dealler says the vibration is normal on 4 runners and they cannot find any problem.
    It is best to stay away from Toyota. Try Nissan instead or even GMC.
  • go_dawgsgo_dawgs Member Posts: 1
    My 2000 4Runner Limited (not a 4 wheel drive) has developed a vibration that feels like it is coming from the front end. It is vibrating so bad that I can't see anything in the rear view mirror while driving. It starts at around 20mph and continues through freeway speeds. If I take my foot off the gas and just coast, the vibration stops. It does not vibrate while sitting idle. Any ideas on what this could be? The tires have been balanced and rotated twice in the past two weeks because we first thought that may be the problem. Any help would be appreciated!!
  • jim58jim58 Member Posts: 20
    Well, I have the same problem exactly! Mine is a 2003 full time 4WD, high end model, over 40k new. At about 6,000 miles I started to notice the vibration on acceleration at certain RPM's. Dealer fixed it by 're-torqueing the exhaust manifold'! No change, after about 20 tries to get fixed, I filed a claim under Mississippi's Lemon Law and finally went to arbitration. Toyota did not even show up but had their 'experts' on speaker phone at the dealer with service manager present along with the "indepent" arbitrator. Now get this: he would (could) not drive the vehicle. He did ride in it but would not drive it. He said if he caused an accident that he would be liable! (duh) Anyway, long story/short story, we lost because he could not detect the vibration! I appealed but Toyota laughed at me. Said go ahead and sue. I found an attorney in Georgia who specialized in it and they refused to take the case so guess I am stuck. I did visit another dealer and drove 3 new 4 Runners and they ALL had the same vibration. Toyota reps said it was a "characteristic of that model". I think if everyone who had this problem would complain, we could make Toyota recall them all and have to eat those words!
  • jim58jim58 Member Posts: 20
    I think the ones who post that they have had no vibration problems do not understand what the vibration actually is. It is NOT a wheel balance issue or drive shaft either. It only does it at certain ENGINE speeds and in all gears! The heaver the load (uphill), the greater the vibration BUT the vibration is more like a buzz than a wheel shaking from left to right. My dealer did not even understand what I was complaining about because they kept trying to balance the tires. Real stupid in my opinion BUT they did tighten the exhaust system bolts to try to fix it so they in that, acknowledged that it was there. After months of letters and phone calls, I did talk to a regional service rep who said that they did have an issue with that and were currently working on a cure. However, after I requested replacement under Mississippi's Lemon Law, NONE of the reps were ever available for my phone calls and NONE ever called me back. Toyota knows about this for sure, and they know what will fix it but it will cost them mega bucks to do so they are hiding under the 'characteristic of that model' excuse. Let's keep after them to force a recall. . .
  • jim58jim58 Member Posts: 20
    ALL 4 Runners vibrate! If you can live with constant buzzing of the steering wheel, go for it but my hands get numb after a few minutes of this. I had heard that it was in the steering system rather than drive shaft but I wonder why Toyota keeps putting them out knowing that the defect is there?
  • swizzlestick1swizzlestick1 Member Posts: 1
    Have your transfer case and drive shaft checked by a competant mechanic. Also, make sure that all lube points are being properly greased at each servicing.
  • md4runnermanmd4runnerman Member Posts: 72
    I refute that. All 4Runners do not vibrate. My 2004 V8 Limited does not do anything that is being discussed in this thread. I did not even know what you were talking about when I started reading through this cause I had never experienced it with my vehicle. This should offer hope to those of you who are having problems.
  • batmansctsbatmanscts Member Posts: 63
    md4runnerman:
    I agree with you that "All 4Runners do not vibrate". My 2006 SR5 4WD does not vibrate at any legal speed, at least not yet with about 12,000 miles on it. I've had a number of trucks, and had a new Ford Explorer and a new Olds Bravada before the 4Runner. I'm happier with the 4Runner than I've been with any other truck or SUV.

    I understand disappointment when a new vehicle has problems that aren't quickly fixed. My Bravada was in the shop almost monthly with serious problems until it had about 60k miles on it. The Olds dealership gave up on it just before they went out of business. Finally, a team of technicians at a Chevy dealer fixed the problems and from that point to around 110k, it drove like it should have when it was new. My problems didn't mean that all Bravadas were/are lemons. Neither do the problems with a few 4Runners, no matter how frustrating they are to the individual owners.
    IMHO, bad dealer service usually is a greater problem than defects in a whole production series of a particular vehicle. I hope those of you with problems get resolutions and satisfaction. But all 4Runners are not problem vehicles.
  • drex1drex1 Member Posts: 41
    I have experienced similar problems, brought it back to the dealer during warranty several times, but he could not find the problem and only tried to rebalance the wheels - helped some, but not completely.

    Yes, there is a defect in design and Toyota has a Technical Service Bulletin (ST001R-05) concerning steering wheel vibrations. The problem has several causes/solutions. First, the P265/65R17 110S Dunlop AT20 original equipment tires produced in Japan before the production week 0905 (9th week of 2005) may experience flat spots - can be checked by the dealer. Second, involves replacing the steering control valve. The third solution involves replacing the steering wheel with an increased mass steering wheel.

    So, yes there is a problem and Toyota appears to admit this, but only if your car is in warranty will they fix this problem.
  • bobgordonbobgordon Member Posts: 156
    QUOTE from batmanscts; IMHO, bad dealer service usually is a greater problem than defects in a whole production series of a particular vehicle. I hope those of you with problems get resolutions and satisfaction. But all 4Runners are not problem vehicles.

    100% correct!
Sign In or Register to comment.