Hybrid Drivetrain/Transmission Vibration

[Briosauce]

Hello! First post here.

Sorry for the long spiel that I have, but I have a few Tacoma/4Runner questions, and I’d greatly appreciate any feedback available. I have a 2024 Tacoma TRD off road hybrid I’m looking to trade in on a new 2025 4Runner. I really like this new gen, but the storage situation with our dog just isn’t working out with the truck. I’ve noticed in my hybrid over the last few thousand miles that I have some driveline vibration at very low RPMs. Like it’ll lock in the torque converter around 40 mph and try to hold the low rpm (1250-1400). If you encounter a small incline or give it just a little gas, I start feeling vibration in the pedal, steering wheel, and elsewhere. It drives me absolutely nuts!!! It’s not crazy shanking the heck out of everything, but it’s there and I feel like it shouldn’t be. It’s honestly a small part of the reason I want to get rid of the truck. I’ve driven two other non-hybrid Tacomas of the new gen and they don’t seem to do that. They never seem to want to run at that low of a rpm, probably because they don’t have the electric motor to help out. Makes sense to me. They’re trying to maximize fuel economy or something. So that leads me to my new 4Runner. I have a deposit on a new hybrid. I love the power and everything about driving my truck, minus the vibration. I’m super nervous about buying it because I don’t want to end up with that same vibration again. I’ve totally been bitten by the techs and “characteristic of the vehicle” bs before. My Tacoma is in the window for the transmission issue TSB, but I feel like it’s statistically unlikely to be the problem. I’ve seen a few others with TRD Pros having this issue on Tacomg4G, but nobody posted any resolution, just complaints. So what is it here... Is it a characteristic of the hybrids, or am I maybe actually having a transmission issue so this new 4Runner will likely be fine. Any info folks could share would be helpful.

Thanks all!

 

[Mudbath]

I think it's just the programming of the transmission. Push it left into Sport mode, and it will keep it a gear or two higher, and that annoying low frequency drone will disappear.

 

[Burgi]

I know exactly what you're talking about. I'm coming from a 24 TRD Sport Tacoma to a 25 sr5 4runner both gas versions. Just cruising with the foot lightly on the gas and it almost kind of feels like engine lugging/sputtering and then you really step on the gas and it smoothens out. Once you notice it and its in your head, it's hard to not pay attention to it. When I first noticed it on the tacoma I went to the dealer and test drove 2 other tacomas and they both felt more or less the same. The 4runner honestly feels the same as well. The sr5 suspension is softer so I think it masks it a little better but it's still there. I think it’s just a resonance/harmonics thing from the drivetrain and the new frame. Toyota could probably address it with different engine/transmission tuning.

 

[zgreen]

Hello! First post here.

Sorry for the long spiel that I have, but I have a few Tacoma/4Runner questions, and I’d greatly appreciate any feedback available. I have a 2024 Tacoma TRD off road hybrid I’m looking to trade in on a new 2025 4Runner. I really like this new gen, but the storage situation with our dog just isn’t working out with the truck. I’ve noticed in my hybrid over the last few thousand miles that I have some driveline vibration at very low RPMs. Like it’ll lock in the torque converter around 40 mph and try to hold the low rpm (1250-1400). If you encounter a small incline or give it just a little gas, I start feeling vibration in the pedal, steering wheel, and elsewhere. It drives me absolutely nuts!!! It’s not crazy shanking the heck out of everything, but it’s there and I feel like it shouldn’t be. It’s honestly a small part of the reason I want to get rid of the truck. I’ve driven two other non-hybrid Tacomas of the new gen and they don’t seem to do that. They never seem to want to run at that low of a rpm, probably because they don’t have the electric motor to help out. Makes sense to me. They’re trying to maximize fuel economy or something. So that leads me to my new 4Runner. I have a deposit on a new hybrid. I love the power and everything about driving my truck, minus the vibration. I’m super nervous about buying it because I don’t want to end up with that same vibration again. I’ve totally been bitten by the techs and “characteristic of the vehicle” bs before. My Tacoma is in the window for the transmission issue TSB, but I feel like it’s statistically unlikely to be the problem. I’ve seen a few others with TRD Pros having this issue on Tacomg4G, but nobody posted any resolution, just complaints. So what is it here... Is it a characteristic of the hybrids, or am I maybe actually having a transmission issue so this new 4Runner will likely be fine. Any info folks could share would be helpful.

Thanks all!

I agree with the two post above. I drive my TRD Pro in "eco mode" and the computer tries to keep it in the lowest gear, which does cause some vibration.

 

[BitShifted]

So I actually ended up getting a Land Cruiser instead of the Trailhunter like I planned, but I JUST started noticing this yesterday. I'll just be cruising at 50+ in a high gear, give is some gas (not enough to cause a gear change) and I feel a vibration or shudder. Sucks that it's happening, but I guess we can feel better knowing we're not the only ones!

 

[Briosauce]

So, it seems like we're sitting firmly in the characteristic of the hybrid drivetrain camp. I figured, and that's why I was so hesitant with this new 4Runner. You could stick it in sport or tow/haul, but I think it's kind of BS to have to do that. I had to do that with my 3rd gen Tacoma to get it to stop kicking around. I don't need to be cursing around at 2000+ for no reason. I'm also sure a quick tune with OTT would probably fix it, but then there's the concerns that come with that. I'm not going to do it this time. Gas only it is.

 

[BitShifted]

So, it seems like we're sitting firmly in the characteristic of the hybrid drivetrain camp. I figured, and that's why I was so hesitant with this new 4Runner. You could stick it in sport or tow/haul, but I think it's kind of BS to have to do that. I had to do that with my 3rd gen Tacoma to get it to stop kicking around. I don't need to be cursing around at 2000+ for no reason. I'm also sure a quick tune with OTT would probably fix it, but then there's the concerns that come with that. I'm not going to do it this time. Gas only it is.

Unless I misunderstood, Burgi said his is a gas version and happens to him. I don't really see it being a huge deal, but I guess if you can't deal with it.

 

[zgreen]

So I actually ended up getting a Land Cruiser instead of the Trailhunter like I planned, but I JUST started noticing this yesterday. I'll just be cruising at 50+ in a high gear, give is some gas (not enough to cause a gear change) and I feel a vibration or shudder. Sucks that it's happening, but I guess we can feel better knowing we're not the only ones!

How are you liking the LC? Happy with decision? Was it a timing thing?

 

[zgreen]

So, it seems like we're sitting firmly in the characteristic of the hybrid drivetrain camp. I figured, and that's why I was so hesitant with this new 4Runner. You could stick it in sport or tow/haul, but I think it's kind of BS to have to do that. I had to do that with my 3rd gen Tacoma to get it to stop kicking around. I don't need to be cursing around at 2000+ for no reason. I'm also sure a quick tune with OTT would probably fix it, but then there's the concerns that come with that. I'm not going to do it this time. Gas only it is.

Echo the other post about the gas only. I will say Chris, the hybrid engine is amazing. The torque is incredible, the MPG is better and you get the 2400 Watt inverter. I'd give it a chance...

 

[Briosauce]

I've spent a week+ in two different gas Tacomas, and test driven like 6 new gas 4Runners, and I haven't been able to duplicate this in any of those vehicles. I did drive a used first edition LC and noticed it there as well.

And yeah, I can't deal with it. I notice something like that and it drives me nuts every time I get in the car.

Haha, and in regard to milage... I live in Michigan. I'm sure some of this is because of the cool climate. But there are so many trips to the store and I get home and see 14.6mpg. Lots of trips around town under 17. I agree, I love the power part. That's great. But my experience is that the estimated city milage number isn't achieved 95% of the time. But that powertrain wasn't really designed for milage anyway.

 

[BitShifted]

How are you liking the LC? Happy with decision? Was it a timing thing?

I was afraid I was going to regret it, but I haven't. It came down to headroom honestly. I was initially going to a 4R TRD Pro, but I sat in a sport model with the sunroof and my head was in the headliner, which is wild to me. So, I was pretty disappointed to find that out and decided to go with the Trailhunter instead because of no sunroof.

I guess having to wait on it gave me time to question it, didn't help that its so expensive either, so I almost just gave up doing anything. Was talking to my girlfriend and the LC came up in conversation. I had liked it when I sat in one at a dealership, but the GF said she didn't like the looks, so I had abandoned the idea. After some research, I found out the LC had the same or more headroom with a sunroof than the 4R did without. I also liked the all time 4WD and like the boxy look a bit better, also liked the cool box that comes with premium package. Another big win was that it was about $72k MSRP and I got it for $65k.

So I made the decision that's what I wanted, found about 5 examples of what I wanted, and headed to Illinois on at 6AM on a Saturday morning, driving on hopes and dreams they actually had it in stock haha

Turns out they had two of them and I went with the black. Got Method wheels put on it days later and have been very happy with it! Already took it off-roading and got it super muddy.

 

[zgreen]

I was afraid I was going to regret it, but I haven't. It came down to headroom honestly. I was initially going to a 4R TRD Pro, but I sat in a sport model with the sunroof and my head was in the headliner, which is wild to me. So, I was pretty disappointed to find that out and decided to go with the Trailhunter instead because of no sunroof.

I guess having to wait on it gave me time to question it, didn't help that its so expensive either, so I almost just gave up doing anything. Was talking to my girlfriend and the LC came up in conversation. I had liked it when I sat in one at a dealership, but the GF said she didn't like the looks, so I had abandoned the idea. After some research, I found out the LC had the same or more headroom with a sunroof than the 4R did without. I also liked the all time 4WD and like the boxy look a bit better, also liked the cool box that comes with premium package. Another big win was that it was about $72k MSRP and I got it for $65k.

So I made the decision that's what I wanted, found about 5 examples of what I wanted, and headed to Illinois on at 6AM on a Saturday morning, driving on hopes and dreams they actually had it in stock haha

Turns out they had two of them and I went with the black. Got Method wheels put on it days later and have been very happy with it! Already took it off-roading and got it super muddy.

Looks great! Glad you're happy with it as well!

 

[nubbins_]

I've spent a week+ in two different gas Tacomas, and test driven like 6 new gas 4Runners, and I haven't been able to duplicate this in any of those vehicles. I did drive a used first edition LC and noticed it there as well.

And yeah, I can't deal with it. I notice something like that and it drives me nuts every time I get in the car.

Haha, and in regard to milage... I live in Michigan. I'm sure some of this is because of the cool climate. But there are so many trips to the store and I get home and see 14.6mpg. Lots of trips around town under 17. I agree, I love the power part. That's great. But my experience is that the estimated city milage number isn't achieved 95% of the time. But that powertrain wasn't really designed for milage anyway.

Just curious, what was your previous frame of reference as to vehicles before the 4G taco and 6G 4R? I ask because I have driven other vehicles that lug badly due to lazy trans downshifting (5.0 gen3 coyote + 10R80, and 3.6 LGZ + 8L45)

I would expect it from the Hybrid (in the interest of using 1MHV to supplement power/tq while rpms are low), but hearing about it also being on SR5 worries me

 

[Briosauce]

Just curious, what was your previous frame of reference as to vehicles before the 4G taco and 6G 4R? I ask because I have driven other vehicles that lug badly due to lazy trans downshifting (5.0 gen3 coyote + 10R80, and 3.6 LGZ + 8L45)

I would expect it from the Hybrid (in the interest of using 1MHV to supplement power/tq while rpms are low), but hearing about it also being on SR5 worries me

I had a 3rd gen Tacoma before my 4th gen hybrid Tacoma.

I have zero complaints about any of the new gen gas only vehicles that I've driven. I feel like the new powertrain is so much better than the previous, I'll be fine with it. It's just hard to give up that hybrid boost becuase it is really awesome. That's why I bought it. But like I said before, now that everything is broken in, I can't deal with the vibration becuase of how it's programmed/tuned. And I'm not going to aftermarket tune a new vehicle right away.