Sick and tired!

[westwind1124a]

Ok, I've had it with Toyota. I would like to record the harmonic vibration that my '06 SE makes between 65 and 75mph and blast that noise into the headquarters at Toyota for about two hours a day. Maybe then they would fix it. So far this P.O.S. has had every problem on the forum with exception of the steering wheel vibration. I aslo have had a couple problems that I haven't seen mentioned. One of them being a rattle in the right sunvisor, the other a rattle with the front seatbelt adjusters. I would be on the look out for those as well.

Don't get me wrong, I think this is a great forum and I really want to like my 4Runner. However Toyota is doing nothing to make it happen.

 

[gizmopt2002]

I'm really sorry you have had these problems. But to be honest Toyota, Honda and Mazda have been the only car manufacturers for me because of all the American made cars I've tried they were all POS. I have no idea why you have so many problems I have none. You should try to file a lemon, under the lemon law, but it varies per state.

 

[007Runner]

You need to find out if Toyota participates in binding arbitration in your state. If they do your in luck. The whole process is done without lawyers. You tell your side and Toyota tells theirs to a arbitrator. The decision is final.

 

[BuckyBadger]

Ok, I've had it with Toyota. I would like to record the harmonic vibration that my '06 SE makes between 65 and 75mph and blast that noise into the headquarters at Toyota for about two hours a day. Maybe then they would fix it. So far this P.O.S. has had every problem on the forum with exception of the steering wheel vibration. I aslo have had a couple problems that I haven't seen mentioned. One of them being a rattle in the right sunvisor, the other a rattle with the front seatbelt adjusters. I would be on the look out for those as well.

Don't get me wrong, I think this is a great forum and I really want to like my 4Runner. However Toyota is doing nothing to make it happen.

I have been lucky enough to avoid almost all of the problems, but I was not so lucky on the harmonic vibration as well. I have read the many other threads on this topic, and it seems it goes back as far as 2003, maybe earlier. Only a fix for Lexus at this time. I complained to my dealer a few weeks ago, and made the regional service manager for Toyota send in a letter for me. But there is also someone on this forum who took this matter to litigation with Toyota and lost. I also tried to get the dealer to install the dampeners that are part of the lexus service bulletin but they would not do it.

The harmonic droning did not happen for me until about 9k miles which I thought was strange. But it is definitely louder when it is cold out and it happens for me between 70-75 mph.......

But like you, I can't believe they do not address some problems that have lingered on with multiple generations.....I will be curious to see when the first person with a 2007 says something about this harmonic noise.....but then again no major redesign so there will be a few. But please say something to your regional service person for Toyota, so they can continue to hit Toyota with this complaint...

 

[westwind1124a]

Thanks guys, I'll look into that. I had the car at the dealership today. They were cool about the sunvisor rattle and ordered a new one. The harmonic vibration is another story, and when I got the mechanic alone he told me "Toyota is feeling the pinch" because of the high numbers of cars they are putting out right now, what ever that means. It sounds like crap to me.

 

[Uneek]

The harmonic vibration is another story, and when I got the mechanic alone he told me "Toyota is feeling the pinch" because of the high numbers of cars they are putting out right now, what ever that means. It sounds like crap to me.

Basically, the mechanic is probably seeing a higher number of Toyotas in for service due to quality issues. Essentially, Toyota may be suffering growing pains, since it's rapidly growing and selling more and more vehicles year over year. If you look at their total sales numbers, they haven't dropped and increased sales each year. Even though the number of recalls for 2006 has gone up, they still remain low relative to the number of cars sold. My two cents.

 

[mid9pitstop]

westwind1124a

 

[westwind1124a]

Uneek, I understand what you're saying, and understand that any vehicle is going to have mechanicle problems from time to time. My problem is them not wanting to fix it. As for the recals, just because they haven't issued a recal dosen't mean there's not a problem. I noticed you have the V6 in your limited, which doesn't seem prone to the vibration at 65-75mph. I should have gone with the V6 also. I can live with the rattles and sqweeks, I usually only hear those on cobble stone or on back roads. But when I come home after a week on the road with work and jump in my car to head to up north. The last thing I want to do is listen to my 35,000 dollar car do a bad rendition of my '88 Pontiac(Which I don't think had two tires on the whole car that matched) for two hours on the highway.

If they would fix these problems I would say its one of the best rigs on the road. But as for right now I can't say that.

 

[Northof49]

Thanks guys, I'll look into that. I had the car at the dealership today. They were cool about the sunvisor rattle and ordered a new one. The harmonic vibration is another story, and when I got the mechanic alone he told me "Toyota is feeling the pinch" because of the high numbers of cars they are putting out right now, what ever that means. It sounds like crap to me.

Is this harmonic vibration like a high pitched whistle?

 

[BuckyBadger]

Is this harmonic vibration like a high pitched whistle?

No, not a whistle, it is a low pitched rhythmic harmonic droning noise. Sounds like you have a flat tire or are getting a flat tire. I thought I was getting a flat when I first heard it, but then I did a search on this forum for harmonic droning and couldn't believe it when I found exactly what I was hearing at 70m-75mph.......Definitely more pronounced now that is cold outside.
But it is rhythmic droning, not a constant droning, you might get from an exhaust.....


Here is a thread that talks a lot about it...

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7278&highlight=lexus+harmonic

hre814: is the user on here who went a long way with Toyota on this and then nothing......you can search his user ID and he has more posts about it..


For the Lexus, with the droning....I don't have the vibration just the drone.



A STEERING VIBRATION & DRIVELINE VIBRATION/DRONE
CAUSE: INSTALL UPDATED PARTS FOR VIBRATION
ST004-04 STEERING VIBRATION & DRIVELINE
VIBRATION/DRONE

1 41196-60010 DAMPER, DIFFERENTIAL
2 90080-10167 BOLT, WASHER BASED H
1 52380-60061 SUPPORT ASSY, DIFFER
1 51405-35101 COVER S/A, ENGINE UN
1 45219-60090 YOKE, STEERING SLIDI
1 45203-60120 SHAFT SUB-ASSY, STRG
FC: 44,99
PART#: 41196-60010
COUNT: 1
2727 DRONE NOISE, SERVICE BULLETIN ST3010

 

[MW 4Runner]

Ever since I've been on this forum for the past year I've read about this "Harmonic Vibration" and didnt really think anything of it, but about a month ago mine started making a buzzing/vibration noise when the enging is under a accelerating load starting at 2200 rpms and ending at 2500 rpms. It just starts right at 2200 and goes away right after it hits 2500, I didnt know what it was until reading the link posted by BuckyBadger. It appears I may have this or some variation of it. Mine will do it at any speed not just 70-75 as long as the engine either accelerating or I'm using the cruise control between that rpm range I listed, which at 70-75 I'm right at 2200 or a little higher, so It does do it then as well. It is quite annoying.

 

[BuckyBadger]

Ever since I've been on this forum for the past year I've read about this "Harmonic Vibration" and didnt really think anything of it, but about a month ago mine started making a buzzing/vibration noise when the enging is under a accelerating load starting at 2200 rpms and ending at 2500 rpms. It just starts right at 2200 and goes away right after it hits 2500, I didnt know what it was until reading the link posted by BuckyBadger. It appears I may have this or some variation of it. Mine will do it at any speed not just 70-75 as long as the engine either accelerating or I'm using the cruise control between that rpm range I listed, which at 70-75 I'm right at 2200 or a little higher, so It does do it then as well. It is quite annoying.

Thanks for the reminder MW 4Runner, but I forgot to mention before this does only happen when the vehicle is under load...i.e. foot on accelerator or cruise...you can take your foot off, droning goes away, accelerate....right back into droning...

 

[MW 4Runner]

Thanks for the reminder MW 4Runner, but I forgot to mention before this does only happen when the vehicle is under load...i.e. foot on accelerator or cruise...you can take your foot off, droning goes away, accelerate....right back into droning...

Mine does not have any steering wheel shake or anything other than the buzzing/vibration sound only in that rpm range when under load. It sound like it is coming from the engine area (front of the vehicle) not under it.

 

[BuckyBadger]

Mine does not have any steering wheel shake or anything other than the buzzing/vibration sound only in that rpm range when under load. It sound like it is coming from the engine area (front of the vehicle) not under it.

Yep same for me, no shake, just the noise.....and for me it always sounds like the front left side of the car....here are some more threads on the topic that have been discussed over the years.



http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2226&perpage=15&pagenumber=1

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15266&highlight=harmonic+droning+Lexus

As you can tell, well discussed, from what I gather Toyota's response is that it does not affect the life of the truck in anyway, so I think they just move it to the end of the items to address. Of course that is why we need to continue to say something to our local Toyota person, or goto the regional person like I did. Until Toyota gets a "metric" around customer dissastification with this they probably won't be too proactive in fixing it.

 

[westwind1124a]

When I was talking to the service rep. I told him that it had been taken care of with the Lexus. I think I will print out the info on it and let them take a look at it.

 

[Uneek]

Uneek, I understand what you're saying, and understand that any vehicle is going to have mechanicle problems from time to time. My problem is them not wanting to fix it. As for the recals, just because they haven't issued a recal dosen't mean there's not a problem. I noticed you have the V6 in your limited, which doesn't seem prone to the vibration at 65-75mph. I should have gone with the V6 also. I can live with the rattles and sqweeks, I usually only hear those on cobble stone or on back roads. But when I come home after a week on the road with work and jump in my car to head to up north. The last thing I want to do is listen to my 35,000 dollar car do a bad rendition of my '88 Pontiac(Which I don't think had two tires on the whole car that matched) for two hours on the highway.

If they would fix these problems I would say its one of the best rigs on the road. But as for right now I can't say that.

My apologies, if my previous post appear to discount your problem. I agree with you that no TSB, known issue or recall does not mean there isn't a problem, only that it's one Toyota has yet to acknowledge. I know how you feel when you get a dealer or rep who's reluctant to help. I have a huge beef with one of the service writers at my dealer. I hate that guy with a passion. I like to punch him square in the mouth for getting into my business when he's not even the one I'm dealing with.

Good luck, I hope Toyota will do right for you.

 

[skibama]

Ugh, I just read this posting and it brought back bad memories...I've had the drone since day 1 and no fixes. My dealer thinks I'm crazy, so I've just learned to live with it. Let me say that It still drive me nuts everytime I get on the highway.

 

[Falls]

You said you should have got the V6 instead , does the V6 vs V8 have anything to do with it ???

Some others have said to learn to live with it , I say total BS . I would be livid if I were you. Does your dealer even hear this problem on test drives ??? Do you go with them on test drives ???

My 06 SE 4x4 V8 has been great and it get pretty pounded on a daily basis. I do have the rear seat squeek/creak when the body flexes that just developed after 17k miles.

I must say this is my first Toyota and I like it a
lot so far and have had good luck. I switched from domestic trucks & SUV's. I am however disappointed in the way I hear Toyota handle some issues like this. Even though I've never had huge issues with my domestic truck or SUV's I must say they never dissed me on getting anything like that fixed. I was never blown off by any dealer or mfg. weather it be Ford or Chevy. They have always worked to a tleast try to make things right ( sometimes thats all you can ask , but they never gave up). I know you can have a good or bad vehicle with any brand , its a metal , mechanical thing and prone to problems. If I had the experience that some of you had with Toyota dealers and Toyota dist. reps , I would just as well go back to a domestic vehicle. Hopefully that will not happen.

Off topic a little but a friend has an H3 1st year of production and he wheels his truck pretty hard like I do. He had has issues and it been in the shop quite a few times , they continually try to rectify the problems he has had. Granted I'm sure there are some lemons out there, but his issues have not been huge. They even make sure he has an H3 to drive around during his problem times when they have had to keep it for a few days. Personally thats what I call customer service and they work hard at making him happy . He has never heard the phrase "thats normal".

I think your situation is unacceptable and I would keep on them like flies on you know what.....

Good luck, and you didnt pay that kind of money for that , you payed for Toyotas quality reputation and you should get it.

just my .02 and wish you the best of luck. Keep us all posted , please so we know how to handle issues in the most effective fashion.

 

[westwind1124a]

Uneek, No offense taken here, I appreciate the feedback. Don't do anything to drastic to that service rep.:bash:

Falls, The problem seems to be almost exclusively on the V8. Which makes me think it has something to do with the AWD system.

I'll be out of town for a while, so I'll have to take this up again with the dealer when I get home. I'll keep you guys posted if I make any progress.

Thanks for all the support!

 

[rook]

westwind,
Sorry to hear about the troubles, I have been problem free. First, how many miles are on the truck? Second, I am curious about which dealer you went to.