Do I have a Lemon? I am not impressed by my first Toyota

[rpmspeedyblue]

Sorry to hear about your bad experience with your truck. UnfortunatelyToyota does occasionly produce some lemons. There have been a few toyota owners that had gone through similar problems with their trucks, which ended up being a lemon. Hopefully you will be able to resolve your problems.

[da808fokai]

Im also sorry to hear about your problems.... I had a 3 of those issues that I had resolved through my dealership...

1) The wind noise: Push on your windshield at various places when driving +50/60mph and see if the noise gets louder/softer. I had to take mine in and they replaced the whole windshield due to it not being sealed right from the factory (not enough to leak, but enough to make that irritating noise). Another place that makes noise is that rubber seal on the outside top of the window. Try and put a piece of carpenter tape over the whole top to try and narrow down where the sound is coming from. That noise also is heard is some tacoma's through the A/C vents... switch from recirculate to vented, dash vents to front vents and see if the noise goes away (All while going +50. I recommend you take someone along for the ride to do this while your driving).

2) Exhaust noise: There is a TSB on the manifolds for the ticking sound. I had my manifolds changed and the noise quieted down quite a bit. As someone else said, the valvetrain does make a lot of noise in this motor, which is normal.

3) Rear leaf pack TSB. Not sure what the issue is here with yours, but have it done. The truck rides much nicer with it (and doesn't bottom out).

Goodluck, sorry to hear about your your troubles....

[mateo613]

I assume a TSB is a support bulletin, right? Can someone explain the process to me? Will my dealer automatically fix the issues when it's in for service? Please explain. I have an 08 Tacoma V6 dbl cab long bed, just wondering if any open issues are in a TSB?

Thanks,
Matthew

[shawnd2]

Here is what Toyota said to me regarding TSB's:

Please be advised that Technical Service Bulletins (TSB) describes
specific symptoms that some vehicles may experience, and outline the
procedure for repairing the condition. They are meant to cut down on
unnecessary and expensive diagnostic time by pinpointing a probable
cause.

For example, if a manufacturer has found that a particular noise or
vibration at a certain speed is usually caused by a specific component,
the TSB will tell the technician to consider this first before looking
at other possibilities.

Technicians will check for TSB's on the vehicle if the customer has
complained about a specific condition. However, since they are used only
as a diagnostic tool, it's not routine to look for all TSB's when a
vehicle comes in for service.

Because the TSB is used only as a diagnostic tool, repairs done using
them are not considered warranty if the vehicle's original warranty has
run out, or the repair is not covered by any manufacturer or aftermarket
extended warranty.

TSB's should not be confused with recalls, which are done at no charge
regardless of the vehicle's warranty coverage. As well, campaigns are
done to avoid potential problems, while the purpose of a TSB is to aid
in diagnosing a condition.

Unfortunately we are unable to inform you if there is a TSB on the
vehicle, as this is as tool that is strictly used by the dealership. For
any inquiries regarding a possible TSB on the vehicle, please speak to
your local Toyota dealership's Service Manager.

Thank you for taking the time to write.

You can check out the Toyota TIS site for TSB's. I just had the rear springs replaced on my 08' Tacoma.

SHawn

[nhparrot]

Originally Posted by mateo613

I assume a TSB is a support bulletin, right? Can someone explain the process to me? Will my dealer automatically fix the issues when it's in for service? Please explain. I have an 08 Tacoma V6 dbl cab long bed, just wondering if any open issues are in a TSB?

Thanks,
Matthew

A Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) is a communication between Toyota and its dealerships that can serve as an update to Toyota publications, describe parts updates, or relay enhanced or new service procedures. Service procedures may explain diagnostic steps, implementation of recommended updates, or how to perform certain repairs.

Repairs that are outlined in a TSB are usually only performed when a customer reports a specific problem with their vehicle and the TSB identifies a fix/solution to that specific problem. Warranty repair is covered under the applicable Toyota Warranty if in effect.

[mateo613]

Originally Posted by shawnd2

You can check out the Toyota TIS site for TSB's. I just had the rear springs replaced on my 08' Tacoma.

SHawn

Thanks for the info, guess the TIS site requires a subscription fee...

What made you replace the springs on your 08 Tacoma? Can you tell me the symptoms.

Thanks,
Matthew

[mateo613]

OK, did a bunch of reading, and found the issue with the rear springs. Did you have to prove your issue to the dealer? Can you tell me the easiest way to see if my truck has the issue. I just bought the truck 1 week ago, and I do know it has 3 leaf springs.

Thanks,
Matthew

[shawnd2]

If it has a total of 3 springs (2 leafs plus overload) then your truck probably has the same issues. That's not to say it is a problem if you think that it is OK. If you don't carry and weight or trailer much then you may be completely happy with the 3 leaf springs.
I found with a camper top plus 240 ibs of snad bags in the bed made the truck bottom out on occasion. Once I pulled my snowmobile trailer (approx 1500 #) I then found it bottomed out quite a bit.
I'm happy with the new springs, but if they were never offered I probably would have never upgraded.

Shawn

[mateo613]

Originally Posted by shawnd2

If it has a total of 3 springs (2 leafs plus overload) then your truck probably has the same issues. That's not to say it is a problem if you think that it is OK. If you don't carry and weight or trailer much then you may be completely happy with the 3 leaf springs.
I found with a camper top plus 240 ibs of snad bags in the bed made the truck bottom out on occasion. Once I pulled my snowmobile trailer (approx 1500 #) I then found it bottomed out quite a bit.
I'm happy with the new springs, but if they were never offered I probably would have never upgraded.

Shawn

Hey Shawn,
I used my 08 Tacoma this weekend for some household chores, and experienced the issue. I had ~500-600lbs (is that too much?) in the bed of the truck. Every time I would hit a bump or any hump in the road the truck would bottom out. I immediately called the dealer, nobody answered of course, and then I took pics with my digital camera. The pics show the frame about 1 inch from the rubber bumper.
I just got off the phone with the dealer, and he stated that the TSB does not apply to the 08, it only applies through 07. He said he would love to do the work, but could not. He also gave me the number to Toyota.
How did you get yours done? Do you have any suggestions for me? I do plan on pulling a ski boat and a jet ski most of the summer, so I don't want to have this issue.
Thanks,
Matthew

[shawnd2]

Originally Posted by mateo613

Hey Shawn,
I used my 08 Tacoma this weekend for some household chores, and experienced the issue. I had ~500-600lbs (is that too much?) in the bed of the truck. Every time I would hit a bump or any hump in the road the truck would bottom out. I immediately called the dealer, nobody answered of course, and then I took pics with my digital camera. The pics show the frame about 1 inch from the rubber bumper.
I just got off the phone with the dealer, and he stated that the TSB does not apply to the 08, it only applies through 07. He said he would love to do the work, but could not. He also gave me the number to Toyota.
How did you get yours done? Do you have any suggestions for me? I do plan on pulling a ski boat and a jet ski most of the summer, so I don't want to have this issue.
Thanks,
Matthew

I'm not sure of the exact rating but I think it is around 1100 ibs (well above 500 or 600 ibs).

My dealer was aware of the situations on the 07's, but also said the 08 were not part of the TSB. From what Toyota told me a TSB is not an automatic upgrade just a guideline on where to look when a vehicle exibits certain issues.

I think when my dealer ordered the parts they just ordered them as a standard warrenty claim (the receipt indicated "Springs lost tension") then ordered the 4 leaf packs as they would have any other part.

You may be better off going the route of not mentioning the TSB since the 08's aren't on the list anyways.

Shawn

[05Moose]

^+1. Since it's not part of the TSB, it's not just a "cookie-cutter" solution. TSBs are not recalls anyway. So, if you experience the problem (which many with '08s will because Toyota is still installing the weaker springs for some reason) then just report it as the springs aren't handling the rated load. They don't need the TSB to fix it. The TSB is just a guide to lower diagnostic costs in determining a fix for a common problem.

[wheels33]

Look on the bright side. If you'd have bought an '07 ford, it would only be worth about half what you paid for already.