Hello,
I recently bought a brand new 2021 Tacoma SR5 V6 AT. I have had the truck for just about 3 months.
After a couple weeks, and around 900 miles I noticed the shifting become much rougher, and even lurch from time to time. I also started to notice a grinding/whistling sound happening near shifts both up and down. I immediately took it to a Toyota dealer, but they could not find an issue.
I'm now at 4750 miles and have had it looked at numerous times. Both by a different dealer, and most recently a Toyota corporate Technician. I have officially created a case with Toyota, but at this point they are no longer helping me.
My issues are:
Rough shifts up and down - lurching
High pitched grinding/whistling noise near shifts
Rough engagement of accelerator pedal - going from coasting to foot on gas causes rough jolt
Rough vibrations in foot well and under driver seat
I am considering pursuing legal action or just selling the truck for a big loss since I don't have the time or energy to deal with this.
I bought this truck because I thought Toyota was reliable. Well, that is apparently not as true as it once was. Toyota as a brand is ruined for me, and I'm just looking for a way to either get this truck fixed or just sell it for a loss.
I went with Toyota because I trusted you Scotty. Is there anything you can do to help me?
I have taken videos of the grinding/whistling noise, but Toyota does not consider that "evidence". Toyota denies all of my reported issues with the truck. I'm shocked by how Toyota wants to take zero accountability. This is not how a brand new truck should drive.
Video was short but I heard it. I understand how difficult it is to record noises on the phone, trust me.
So when you went to the dealer(s), it didn't make the same noise or produce the same issues? Did you happen to ride along with the tech? Dealers hate when you ask to do that, but sometimes that's the best way to point out problems you may have.
I have to say I'm not impressed with the build quality on those new Tacomas. A friend of mine has a 2021 as well and it has been do the dealer for multiple issues, and the online forums even have their fair share of customer issues which is rare for a Toyota product.
If I were you, I would go back to the dealer and ask to ride with the lead tech to show him/her what the problems are. If it is happening all the time you should have no issues duplicating it there. Make sure to document everything and keep paper copies of all your visits.
I can't tell you what the issue is exactly, but it does not sound normal in my opinion. I hope you can get them to figure it out. This is exactly what warranties are for. Good luck to you.
Thank you for the response!
I've gotten labeled as a remorse buyer, and as someone who knows nothing about vehicles.
But then other people like you agree with me that it isn't normal or acceptable, so I'm very appreciative of that. Toyota has essentially just told me that I don't know anything and that my video is not enough.
Unfortunately, I've had to drop the truck off each time so I haven't been able to ride along.
I called Toyota corporate about having enotuer dealer look at it, and they said it wouldn't matter. Since they looked at it and didn't find anything wrong.
So I've escalated this to the BBB and will most likely be looking at lemon attorneys. It's one thing to have a bad quality vehicle get sold, but another to treat your customer so poorly.
Thank you for the response!
I've gotten labeled as a remorse buyer, and as someone who knows nothing about vehicles.
But then other people like you agree with me that it isn't normal or acceptable, so I'm very appreciative of that. Toyota has essentially just told me that I don't know anything and that my video is not enough.
Unfortunately, I've had to drop the truck off each time so I haven't been able to ride along.
I called Toyota corporate about having another dealer look at it, and they said it wouldn't matter. Since they looked at it and didn't find anything wrong.
So I've escalated this to the BBB and will most likely be looking at lemon attorneys. It's one thing to have a bad quality vehicle get sold, but another to treat your customer so poorly.
I had to sue Ford via the Lemon Law to buy back my 2018 F150 I bought new. The process sucks but sometimes it is the only option. Good luck and remember to document everything.
The video was so short I didn't hear anything
It is a short video. I will have to record more, but it is not super easy. Noise isnt very easy to pickup on video but is awful in person
Where was it made? Check the driver side door to find out I believe.
Where it's made matters a lot, not just the brand, since QC is not the same in different regions.
One of the big reasons why I went with the CX-5 when looking for a SUV, MADE IN JAPAN (also the manual transmission and great handling too).
There's a big difference in workmanship when comparing the work ethic of an entitled, first-world union worker in North America looking only to clock hours, a slave laborer in a third world country, and the Japanese, who have a well known culture of pride in doing anything, however small or insignificant, very well.
In a big production line, it only takes one lazy worker to ruin the final product.
It's all about trying to minimize the risk of a lemon.
For example, my dad's new Tacoma back in 2018 (first year of latest design I think) was made with a subtle yet noticeable, uneven, large, off-angled-gap on the rear passenger-side bumper connecting to the body, it was flush and proper on the driver-side, and when we went to the dealer, every single one on the lot had the same issue.
The dealer had to make some phone calls to get them all fixed.
This is the 2021 Tacoma, so made in Mexico. All the production is there now.
Mine was made in the Texas plant. Vin starts with 5
It might help if you could post some of the videos.
Is this not covered under Warranty? What did the dealership say when you took it in?
He took it to the dealership including a different one as well - they could not find anything and/or were not helpful.
Dealer says that the truck drives fine as did the Toyota corporate Technician. Yet, I pick the truck up and have grinding noises happen a handful of times just on the drive home.
Does Scotty ever view or respond to these questions? I only went with Toyota because of his advocacy. Feel like I got scammed
Scotty does look over some of the questions, and picks some to talk about in-depth on his YouTube channel. Sometimes he also answers here directly on the forum, but usually only if no one else has already answered. Did you show the video to the dealer/technician? If so, did they just brush it off as being “normal”? You could also try emailing Scotty at scottykilmer@gmail.com for response and/or if you are close to Rhode Island (he is back there for next few months) you can make appointment to see him and maybe he might put it on YouTube and pressure Toyota to act.
Yes, I sent the video link to the dealership. They don't consider it as evidence because one of their techs didn't hear it in person.
I will forsure be emailing Scotty. Unfortunately, I'm west coast so a trip to Rhode island is not in the cards
Yes, I sent the video link to the dealership. They don't consider it as evidence because one of their techs didn't hear it in person.
I will forsure be emailing Scotty. Unfortunately, I'm west coast so a trip to Rhode island is not in the cards
Rough shifts, high pitched grinding would seem to be pretty obvious to hear, I didnt hear anything in that video.
You have plenty of time on the warranty, just see what happens and continue to try to capture it on video. If it's something you can't cope with sell it right before the warranty expires. I wouldn't sell it now and take the huge hit.
I have a 2005 Tacoma with 225K. it's had annoying sounds coming from it since it was new
I did not hear anything either. Tacomas are supposed to be jam up trucks.
If all Toyota's are made in Mexico I'll never buy another one. These companies make so much money and yet they have to try and make more by going to countries where they can pay less and less. It's really sickening.