5th Gen 4Runner Engine or Transmission Vibration (brand new 2016 Trail Premium)

[Cytronus]

Please help 5th Gen owners! I just bought my first brand new car ever yesterday - a 2016 4Runner Trail Premium and having a bitter sweet moment.

Upon driving the car home yesterday, I noticed a definite engine or transmission vibration at a certain RPM range (speed is irrelevant as it happens at all speeds). It feels like the engine is struggling to deliver power. I drove it again today and it's definitely still there. Warm, cold, the vibration is the same. It's hard to tell if it's engine or tranny but the sensation I feel is that perhaps the crankshaft is out of balance, engine mounts are loose or cylinders are misfiring.

I'm curious if anyone has experienced anything like this with their 5th Gen 4Runner and if so, what the cause was?

I'll be taking the car into the Dealership today or tomorrow but I'm extremely concerned the dealership will drive the car and say nothing is wrong - something I experienced before with an ex-girlfriend's Acura when the tranny was slipping bad.

Thanks in advance for any advice or input guys.

 

[Storm Runner]

I didn't experience anything like that when I drove my new TEP home in January. Did you test drive a new 4R before you bought one and know it's not normal? Also, you could check to make sure it's in 2WD and none of the multi-terrain features are turned on or anything.

 

[Cytronus]

I test drove it before buying but didn't really notice the vibration on the test drive because the roads around the dealer were pretty bumpy and the nose of the Trail Premium with KDSS is pretty stiff and bumpy. I first noticed the vibration on the way home on a smooth part of the highway and in my neighborhood.

I just drove it around the neighborhood again today on my lunch break and noticed the vibration/power struggle hits in 3rd gear at about 1.2 to 1.5 thousand RPM. 1st and 2nd gear seem unaffected. I'll have to try 4th and up again and see if it hits at the same RPM but I believe it does. The vibration feeling can be felt most through the gas peddle and mildly through the steering wheel.

The 4 Wheel Drive gear shift is on H2 and all traction/crawl control/multi-terrain select are off.

 

[smokeatrr]

I am having a vibration at idle. It seems like it there hot or cold while it is in park or drive. I drove a corolla before and it was smooth. I thought maybe this was normal. I have a 2015 TE.

 

[05Rrunner]

My new 2016 actually has a weird vibration at idle that my 2015 did not have. It does feel like the engine is out of balance.

 

[niko9317]

When you take it to the dealer ask to drive a like 4runner. Most likely it is a normal and no repair will be required.

Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

 

[hikenbike]

Please help 5th Gen owners! I just bought my first brand new car ever yesterday - a 2016 4Runner Trail Premium and having a bitter sweet moment.

Upon driving the car home yesterday, I noticed a definite engine or transmission vibration at a certain RPM range (speed is irrelevant as it happens at all speeds). It feels like the engine is struggling to deliver power. I drove it again today and it's definitely still there. Warm, cold, the vibration is the same. It's hard to tell if it's engine or tranny but the sensation I feel is that perhaps the crankshaft is out of balance, engine mounts are loose or cylinders are misfiring.

I'm curious if anyone has experienced anything like this with their 5th Gen 4Runner and if so, what the cause was?

I'll be taking the car into the Dealership today or tomorrow but I'm extremely concerned the dealership will drive the car and say nothing is wrong - something I experienced before with an ex-girlfriend's Acura when the tranny was slipping bad.

Thanks in advance for any advice or input guys.

OP, did you ever find out what caused this? Are you still experiencing it? I think I have the same issue. After just under a year of owning my 16 TEP, I just recently tested the crawl control and multi Terrain features very briefly just to ensure they even turned on. Since then, I've had a vibration.....but I've also just installed nfab nerf bars too but it seems like something from under the truck. No clue and curious if you found out more. Thanks.

 

[Craigers]

Does it happen in 4WD?

See this thread:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/229956-2016-tep-hummingbird-noise.html

 

[Cytronus]

Hey guys, here's an update: I've been to 2 dealerships and test drove 2 other TEPs (one new and one pre-owned 2015) and they are IDENTICAL to mine where the slight vibration occurs in the RPM range in any gear, most prominently in 2nd and 3rd. exists in both 2WD and 4WD. I've concluded that this is normal for the Trail model. I rented an SR5 for a week and a Limited for several days and they didn't have the same problem at all. I'm curious what could be that different in the drive train of the Trail vs. SR5 and Limited.

The dealership I purchased my vehicle from has 2 visits on record for the issue and a Sr. Tech ride along where the tech mentioned it was normal, which very well could be. The issue is miner and somewhat annoying, given my old 3rd Gen doesn't have any vibration at 167 K, but I don't believe it's detrimental to the drive train. Time will tell. For now, I'm considering this case closed.

 

[twilkos203]

Same Problem with 2016 Trail Edition

This is the 5th Silver 4Runner that I've owned and I've never felt this type of vibration that feels like its coming from the transmission. If I had to guess, I think it feels like the 4wd system is still partially engaged while its in 2wd. If I shift it fully into 4wd, the vibration goes away. I'm going to bring it to the dealer and have them check it out. Just doesn't fell normal to me.

 

[lbro23]

Now that you're saying it's only the trail, I think I know what is happening. The trail is the only model with a direct linkage shifter for the transfer case in the cab, as opposed to the electronically controlled knobs in the SR5 and LE. This shifter will vibrate with certain throttle inputs at low RPM's in the 4runner. This vibration will happen in any vehicle with a shifter directly linked to a transmission or transfer case (the gear shifter in my TJ would shake like crazy if I took off with too few RPM's) This is completely normal, and can be annoying if you have a nearby cable touching it and making noise. Next time you drive, feel or watch the tcase shifter when you know the vibration is happening to confirm it. Hope this helps!

 

[LandCruiser]

Now that you're saying it's only the trail, I think I know what is happening. The trail is the only model with a direct linkage shifter for the transfer case in the cab, as opposed to the electronically controlled knobs in the SR5 and LE. This shifter will vibrate with certain throttle inputs at low RPM's in the 4runner. This vibration will happen in any vehicle with a shifter directly linked to a transmission or transfer case (the gear shifter in my TJ would shake like crazy if I took off with too few RPM's) This is completely normal, and can be annoying if you have a nearby cable touching it and making noise. Next time you drive, feel or watch the tcase shifter when you know the vibration is happening to confirm it. Hope this helps!

If the charging cable of my iphone is touching the t-case shifter it will vibrate like crazy at certain speeds.

 

[Gt4r]

It's a design flaw in the front differential. Usually it becomes apparent after lifting the truck. Look up 4runner and tacoma needle bearing issues and you'll find your problem. There is a TSB out on all Toyota trucks that use the specific front differential. ECGS makes a replacement bearing that solves the issue, Toyota will replace it under warrantee but will use a faulty part over and over again.

 

[twilkos203]

Vibration Continued

I know about the 2wd-4wd shifter vibrating and know that its normal. The problem that I'm feeling is a vibration in the front part of my seat and a kinda dull sound only when its in 2wd. I put it in 4wd High and it went away. I have no clue how the transmission changes from 2wd to 4 wd, but my only guess is that its still partially engaged in 4wd when I'm in 2wd if at all possible. Again this is my 5th 4Runner and I've never felt this before in a 5th generation. I owned a 2010,2011 and now a 2016. I'm going to have the Toyota service manager take a ride and will let everyone know what he thinks it is.
Just found this TSB in another thread TSB T-SB-0026-15 and refers to the sound disappearing when being put into 4wd and this is what happens with my 4runner. I just visited the dealer and he printed out a May, 2017 revised service bulletin that includes model years 2010-2017. Replacing the Needle Bearing on the left side of the front differential will correct the noise problem.
Front Differential Groaning/Grinding Cyclical Noise
Some 2004 – 2015 model year Tacoma, FJ Cruiser, and 4Runner vehicles may exhibit a cyclical
grinding or groaning noise coming from the front differential in 2WD that goes away when operated
in 4WD. This noise can be addressed by replacing the needle bearing on the left side of the front
differential. Refer to the Repair Procedure for Needle Bearing Roller replacement instructions.