2005 Toyota Tacoma power train problems

“In May of 2018, I purchased a 2005 Toyota Tacoma. After arrival of new title, I received a safety recall notice from Toyota in regards to possible abnormal frame rust. I was instructed to take my Tacoma to nearest Toyota dealership for frame inspection. Prior to taking Tacoma in for frame inspection, I scoped the frame myself, and noticed abnormal rust forming throughout both sides of the frame. Therefore, I took my Tacoma to Berge Toyota in Mesa AZ. for further inspection and to have some other repairs done. Upon my arrival to Berge Toyota, l informed the service writer of the repairs that were needed done and showed him the request from Toyota for the frame inspection. My vehicle was taken to a lift, where a brief frame inspection was performed with a flashlight only and I was told the frame was fine, and the rust I had witnessed during my personal inspection was within a standard tolerance of "normal". On September 12, 2022 my frame cracked in a horseshoe formation around the driver side motor mount, causing the engine to shift and sink approx. 3/4" towards the driver side. This frame failure has caused numerous problems to occur, such as the fan to…”

“The differential drive housing failed due to corrosion resulting in the differential oil leaking out at a significant rate and in loss of lubrication of the differential gears. The condition was detected before any significant loss of material condition or function but could have lead to a loss of vehicle control if the differential had failed. The local Toyota Dealer has not reviewed the condition as of yet. A review of several Tacoma internet forum sights finds similar corrosion failures described (oil leaking from differential housing). There is no monitoring/warning indicator for the oil level condition in the differential housing in this vehicle.”

“SQUIRK-LIKE SOUND AT THE BEGINNING OF A TRIP, SPECIFICALLY WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHES 5 MPH. THIS NOISE PREVAILS AS LONG AS THE SPEED IS INCREASED, SPECIFICALLY ALONG THE RANGE OF 5 TO 15 MPH. FROM 16 MPH IT STARTS A VIBRATION ALONG THE ENTIRE VEHICLE BODY, WHICH AUGMENTS AS LONG AS THE SPEED IS INCREASED. THESE SYMPTOMS APPEARED FOR FIRST TIME 5 YEARS AGO, APPROXIMATELY. ON THAT FIRST EVENT THE PROPELLER SHAFT SPIDER ANT THEIR BEARINGS WERE REPLACED BY THE TECHNICIAN WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT. NOWADAYS I JUST SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER TOYOTA AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER FOR PROPER DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. IT IS NECESSARY TO HIGHLIGHT THAT THIS AUTOMOTIVE UNIT PRESENTED SYMPTOMS OF VIBRATION AT CRUISE SPEED (55 MPH), SINCE THE VERY FIRST TIME IT WAS DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY, FOR THE YEAR OF 2005. WHEN THAT OCCURRED, THIS DRIVER BROUGHT THE UNIT TO THE DEALER. THE RESPONSE WAS THAT THE VIBRATION DESCRIBED IS "NORMAL". THIS STRANGE "SHAKING" AT CRUISE SPEED HAS NOT DISAPPEARED. IT THINK IT IS A DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING DEFECT OF THE PROPELLER SHAFTS AND THEIR JOINTS, WHICH CAUSE A DYSFUNCTIONAL PROPELLER SHAFT RUNOUT (GREATER THAN 0.6MM…”

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG VIBRATION COMING FROM THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND THE U-JOINTS HAD NOT BEEN PROPERLY LUBRICATED FROM THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. THE DEALER (LEGACY TOYOTA, 3800 W TENNESSEE ST, TALLAHASSEE, FL 32304, (850) 688-9264) DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRES WERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE DEALER DID NOT REPLACE THE DRIVETRAIN AND THE U-JOINTS. THE CONTACT CONSTANTLY HAD TO LUBE THE U-JOINTS TO PREVENT DRYNESS, WHICH WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE DRIVETRAIN TO FRACTURE. THE CONTACT, A MECHANIC, REPLACED THE U-JOINTS AND TOOK THE DRIVESHAFT TO THE DEALER TO INSPECT THE PART, BUT NO REMEDY WAS PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A SERVICE CAMPAIGN AND INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED; THEREFORE, THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE U-JOINTS AND THE DRIVESHAFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”

“I HAVE HAD THE REAR END ON MY VEHICLE REPLACED 2X. NO HARD DRIVING. NO SIGNS OF ABUSE OR REGULAR WEAR BUT HAS COST ME OVER 2200 EACH TIME. THE HEAD GASKET HAVE NOW FAILED AND IN READING MANY ONLINE SITES THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED AND NEVER OVER HEATED. THIS JOB IS NOW GOING TO COST ME 2500. IT STARTED A GURGLING NOISE IN THE DASH AND GOT WARM ONE DAY. THE ENGINE THEN THREW A MISFIRE IN CYLINDER 4 A PRESSURE CHECK CONFIRMED THE HEAD GASKET. THE REAR END IS A CONCERN ALONG WITH THE HEAD GASKETS.”

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS SOFT. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL TURN SPRING WAS DEFECTIVE. AS A RESULT, THE CLUTCH PEDAL CAUSED THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER ROD TO BEND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER ROD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.”