What is Toyota thinking?

conflictingintentions

conflictingintentions

Well-Known Member
I hate to say it, but I’ve given this engine / transmission all the chances I think it deserves. I’ve had 4 Toyota trucks (22re, 4.0x2, 3.5) and this is the worst driving of them all. The brakes are grabby, the transmission is confused, and the engine either misfires or axel wraps (honestly not mechanically inclined enough to figure out why it sputters under low and mid rpm acceleration).

Don’t get me wrong, I’m a loyal Tacoma guy. I think they nailed the interior and the body lines are pretty good once you get rid of the horrid stock grill. My point and question: is anyone else experiencing the same issues (I know most have)? If so, are there fixes? For example, did they over think the brakes and transmission and assume people would put bigger, heavier tires on it and both work better under higher stress? Is the computer getting in the way of it being good off road?

Or is this a matter of taking it to the dealer and getting some things reset. The engine / computer is the big concern here. Just doesn’t seem normal.

Thanks in advance. Not trying to piss off the forum, just want to find some fixes.
 
^ yep all of that and... that engine misfire and sputter feeling is the Atkinson motor kicking in. It pushes fuel/air back into the intake before the valve closes to improve efficiency.
You’ll go through the stages of grief with this truck. I did. I’m now on acceptance after almost a year, 5k Miles, way to many trips to the dealer and being without my truck for almost 3 weeks total. Watch this it might help you understand what the engine is doing and the feeling of sputtering and hesitation.
 
conflictingintentions said:
I hate to say it, but I’ve given this engine / transmission all the chances I think it deserves. I’ve had 4 Toyota trucks (22re, 4.0x2, 3.5) and this is the worst driving of them all. The brakes are grabby, the transmission is confused, and the engine either misfires or axel wraps (honestly not mechanically inclined enough to figure out why it sputters under low and mid rpm acceleration).

Don’t get me wrong, I’m a loyal Tacoma guy. I think they nailed the interior and the body lines are pretty good once you get rid of the horrid stock grill. My point and question: is anyone else experiencing the same issues (I know most have)? If so, are there fixes? For example, did they over think the brakes and transmission and assume people would put bigger, heavier tires on it and both work better under higher stress? Is the computer getting in the way of it being good off road?

Or is this a matter of taking it to the dealer and getting some things reset. The engine / computer is the big concern here. Just doesn’t seem normal.

Thanks in advance. Not trying to piss off the forum, just want to find some fixes.
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No worries , your concerns & questions are legit. with a little over 2800 miles I'm sure you are starting to feel sick to your stomach, I know I would if I'd drop that kind of coin on any vehicle that started giving me the kind of woes I'm hearing about with the '17, but un fortunantly most these issues have been around for a while. soft suspension since 1st gen tacomas (1995.5, yes a half year just like ford) & countinuing to today, the axle wrap is easy to get rid of just get some springs with some backbone (5 leaf) & the thump at stop goes away, I've done too many to think otherwise, as far as the brakes, maybe a piston in caliper or wheel cylinder is seizing a little , hell I don't know Toyota's got everything so ****ing tied in with creature pussy comforts & ECU & ECM & TVI & BFD, computers, electronics, AWD, NO WD, traction assist, ABS, A-TRAC NO TRAC.. It drives me batshit.. so theres your answer for axle wrap anyway , sorry couldn't give ya more...

Don't even get me started on that POS auto trans. or factory tight U bolts at 37ft.lbs...


I need a drink...


whippersnapper02 said:
Sounds like all normal stuff. Axle wrap has been an issue since 05. The brake issue will have to be learned by your foot. The confused trans has an update that still leaves it confused.

Try slamming on your brakes only to have ABS let the pedal fall to the floor.
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whippersnapper02 said:
Sounds like all normal stuff. Axle wrap has been an issue since 05. The brake issue will have to be learned by your foot. The confused trans has an update that still leaves it confused.

Try slamming on your brakes only to have ABS let the pedal fall to the floor.
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Oh HELL YEAH !! I'm glad I'm not the only one thats lived thru that seat sucking ass moment to tell about it,

I still say ABS has caused more wrecks than it prevented . (in socal anyway)
 
4wd said:


Oh HELL YEAH !! I'm glad I'm not the only one thats lived thru that seat sucking ass moment to tell about it,

I still say ABS has caused more wrecks than it prevented . (in socal anyway)
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Yep. Has happened to me too. Will definitely make you pucker up.
 
My brakes grab. It seems to be common on Off Road models. The brake booster apparently is the cause of it.
 
Some of it is a matter of context and perspective. I’ve gone: taco 2005.5, Ford 500 ( company car that actually kicked ass in the snow), x5 4.4, taco 2007, x5 3.5 diesel (still my favorite engine), this taco. My wife has a very clever Volvo XC90 with the little four banger that has a super charger and a turbocharger. The computers might go out one day and the whole thing will suck, but until that time it’s quick, far smaller engine, more powerful and smooth. It also gets about 22 mpg in a heavier car. Turning into a bit of a rant, but some of these basic problems make me wonder if the engineers actually drive what they make. It’s not bad, it’s just not what it should be. And yes, abs is **** for people that know how to drive.
 
I think what set this thread off was the guy having issues in the sand. If you can’t nail the rev limiter just for **** and giggles then go buy a Prius. Computers = no fun
 
OR17TRD said:
TacoRick out of no where... did the dealer end up fixing that 3rd brake light under warranty?
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Haha yep, just lurking in the shadows lately. It turned out that my brake light was cracked all the way through. My dealer determined it was due to a screw being over tightened, it was replaced under warranty.
 
whippersnapper02 said:
Problem is Toyota is riding that quality wave that has reduced over the years. They could literally slap a Toyota emblem on a log of poop and people would still buy it.
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Can't like that statement enough whip, yeah, riding the wave is right, the bar that was set originally by Datsun (Nissan for you youngsters) trucks with the 1600, then Toyota started paying attention, got the ball & never looked back, couple years in & they took over the mini truck world with rock solid 20 & 22R engines setting the bar so high that the Datsun trade name was traded in for Nissan (which it was always nissan motor company)

& that wave has def. diminished over the years & it seems to be about the time that Toyota corp. was no longer considered an import company , moved a lot of their operations/manufacturing into the U.S. ,makes me wonder if they'd just stay where they were .(japan) what it'd be, but they out grew japan most likely....
 
whippersnapper02 said:
Problem is Toyota is riding that quality wave that has reduced over the years. They could literally slap a Toyota emblem on a log of poop and people would still buy it.
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Agreed. They are riding the wave of past quality and they know that a Toyota badge will sell anything. But I think there’s still more quality with Toyota compared to the other auto makers. Believe me, I had a 1500 Chevy as my last vehicle and I didn’t know a truck could have so many recalls or problems.

4wd said:


Can't like that statement enough whip, yeah, riding the wave is right, the bar that was set originally by Datsun (Nissan for you youngsters) trucks with the 1600, then Toyota started paying attention, got the ball & never looked back, couple years in & they took over the mini truck world with rock solid 20 & 22R engines setting the bar so high that the Datsun trade name was traded in for Nissan (which it was always nissan motor company) & that wave has def. diminished over the years & it seems to be about the time that Toyota corp. was no longer considered an import company , moved a lot of their operations/manufacturing into the U.S. ,makes me wonder if they'd just stay where they were .(japan) what it'd be, but they out grew japan most likely....
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Well put.
 
My truck rides super nice, no missfires etc. Only thing I have problems with are the low shift points but when I push the ext pwr button it seems to change it to my liking but also is annoying that I have to push in the button every time I start my truck.
 
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