Toyota Recalls 228,000 Tacomas in U.S. Over Potential Rear-wheel Lockup
Toyota of North America is recalling 228,000 Tacoma midsize pickups from the 2016 and 2017 model years. The affected vehicles may be leaking oil from their rear differentials. If left unchecked, the affected component could eventually seize — opening the driver up to a sudden flurry of new problems, like losing control of the vehicle moments before a horrific crash.
However, these leaks seem to cause only a gradual depletion of lubricant, giving owners plenty of time to enjoy some unpleasant warning noises as their truck’s differential slowly destroys itself.
While public complaints on the issue haven’t been overwhelming, checking in with enthusiast forum TacomaWorld led to a posting where owners reported an unpleasant howling noise coming from the rear of third-generation trucks. Several also admitted to having their differentials replaced prematurely after visiting service centers, with no information from Toyota as to why.
There is no guarantee the two issues are related, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recalls page includes complaints of a nearly identical nature. Some of those troubles were diagnosed as software glitches, while others resulted in the installation of new differentials. There are also numerous reports of the problem returning, even after repairs were made.
The issue seems to stem from a lapse in quality control. For the most part, Toyota hasn’t been replacing parts so much as it has been shoring them up — and the recall seems to offer the same solution.
In the recall notice, Toyota says “dealers will check the rear differential for any oil leakage. If no leaks are found, all fasteners will be re-tightened. If leakage is found, the rear differential carrier gasket will be replaced with a new one, and new fasteners will be installed. If rear differential components are damaged, the rear differential carrier assembly will be replaced with a new one.”
Obviously, this will be done at no cost to Tacoma owners — who Toyota says it will notify by mail beginning in the middle of June.
[Image: Toyota]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
More by Matt Posky
Comments
Join the conversation
I'm not an expert. But I have to ask this question: Are they sure the root cause is with the differential? Perhaps something going on with the drive shaft is causing the symptoms (the symptoms being gasket and/or bolt/nut failures which are leading to leaks which are then causing potential damage to the differential). This might possibly explain why folks are reporting that the newly replaced differentials supposedly eventually again fail. Or, then again, maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree with the above notion (because I'm not an expert in this area). And, by-the-way, I personally plan to stick my head under my Tacoma tomorrow to check for signs of any leaks/seepage (although I'm not exactly sure what I'll be looking at...I'll just do the best I can to figure it out). I've been using the truck lately for long trips. I'd hate to run into any trouble.
A lapse in quality control is sure what I would call the latest edition of these trucks. Looking at several brand new 4 door TRD models with stickers crawling up to 39K revealed lots of cost cutting cheapness everywhere I looked. The door sheetmetal sounds like they went to the same paper thin sheet metal that encases a Yaris! The entire front grille assembly is very flimsy and is literally being held on by two pieces of small plastic so watch out for those low flying birds or you may need to replace your entire frontal grille assembly! The interior is also rubbish. Everywhere I touched felt cheap and flimsy and in fact the entire front dash bezel came right off in my hand with just a slight tug. The driver's seat has zero up and down adjustment and no power option and the driver's seat position was very lacking. Ironically right next door where Ford F-150's in various trims on sale for about the same price these Tacoma TRD's were stickering for. It doesn't take a rocket scientists to see why the F-150, Silverado and Ram continue to outsell these toy trucks, even when fuel prices are high. Surprise! Many of the F-150's were rated for the same combined mileage as the Tacoma, despite being much larger and having far more power in the 2.7 EB V6! They are also considerably better built both inside and out.