4R TRD Sport - Issues Resolved

Picked up 2022 4Runner TRD Sport with Tech Package
Seem Selling Dealer didnt test drive and look over vehicle PDI
Only 3Miles at pickup

(1) 2WD mode - occasional clanking noise.. Like metal against metal
(2) 4WD mode - When i turn wheel completely 90 deg, seems the truck doesn't want to move. Rear wheels straining spinning. Till i straightening wheel.
Seem truck is struggling to move under weight. I compared acceleration with my 2018 Highlander. Difference was day and night
(3) No Remote Start option. Called Toyota. Said dealer didn't add option. Can this still be added. Cost and effort involved.
(4) Looked under real wheel well. Saw screws popping up underneath. This isn't normal
Pictures attached

Sold a fine Pilot truck. Last thing i need now is sitting at service department on my days off.

Can i dump it. and get my money back. Advise please

 

This doesn't sound normal. I would have the dealer look at it.

Are you in 4WD on pavement?

Part time 4WD is not like AWD. Both axles are locked together, so when you turn, the tires must slip or it will bind.

Only use 4WD in situations where wheels can slip like snow, gravel, mud, etc. And, if you cycle it on pavement to test, do it in a straight line.

You can damage drivetrain parts by using 4WD on pavement.

This seems like something you would have known before you bought it.

I believe it can be added.

Actually, totally normal. It's the rear seatbelt retainer bolt. I wasn't impressed, either. You could spray it with paint or sealant if it bugs you. I was very annoyed when I noticed it, and now I don't think even about it anymore.

 

Another person expects 4 wheel drive to turn on tight cement and not expect it to bind... ugh

 

I have always driven AWD trucks till now. Never 4WD.
Cheers

 

You would think when selling somebody a $50,000 vehicle, as a salesman you would take the time to explain the features of the vehicle and how they work. I guess that's just me.

Or maybe there should be a little test you give potential customers at the Toyota showroom, if they don't can't answer a few basic off-roading questions, you walk them over to the Highlander, haha.

 

Everything here is normal except your 2wd mode. When does it make this sound? Not enough info

 

I would take some time to sit down and read the owner's manual. There's a lot of information about the four-wheel drive system in these and how and when to use it.

It's pretty basic and old tech, so it's not at all like driving an all-wheel drive vehicle.

If for whatever reason you decide you're not happy with this vehicle and try to take it back, if you still want a 4Runner look at the Limited model. The Limited model is full-time 4WD, (the equivalent of AWD) Toyota so you never have to even touch the 4wd selector.

The exposed screw in the wheel well is totally normal, looks terrible but apparently Toyota figured it was "good enough".

The clanking in two-wheel drive is definitely not normal though.

 

Yes.... It was delivered to me in 4WD mode by the dealers...

 

Quote: Does this mean I have to drive around on 2WD all the time. Can i select any of the 4WD H or L for permanent use in inclement weather?

@LuLu - Yes. 2wd only unless it's very slippery, like snow or ice. The full time 4wd models (Limited) have a center differential. They're more similar to AWD in that you can always have the benefit of 4wd.

I tend to agree. Many consumers don't know the difference between AWD, Full time 4WD, and part time 4WD. I would think a good salesman would make it a point to explain, or at least ask the customer if they understand.

 

Seriously?? Wow. Yikes. After you get this sorted out, definitely find a new dealer.

How many miles were on the odo when they delivered it? Not to alarm you, but if they had been driving it around in 4WD for an extensive amount of time, that clanking could be something damaged inside the transfer case.

 

@LuLu also, to comment on your observation about it feeling slower than your Highlander. Yes, that is normal as well. The 4Runner is just slow. It feels very sluggish compared to pretty much any other vehicle I've driven. It's very heavy, it has a lazy transmission, and the engine doesn't make any more power than the one that was in your Highlander, which was most likely a lot lighter and has a more modern transmission with more gears.

Also, if you keep this and find that you are only getting 17 MPG, that too is normal.

One thing to keep in mind about the 4Runner is that while you may have bought a 2022 model year vehicle, the design dates back to 2010, and the engine and transmission in it date back to the early '00s.

 

Get a Pedal Commander or less expensive option HikeIt. Also 14-15 mpg is also normal.

 

Then, as @Trail Runnah mentioned, they could have damaged something driving it around in 4wd. I would make sure they sort it out.

And, yes, they feel slow compared to a lot of other vehicles. They require more pedal input to move quickly. Some use a throttle manipulation device like a Pedal Commander, etc. Otherwise, get used to giving it more gas.

 

I have the Hikeit, I really like it. I really don't know why I would one would spend more on a Pedal Commander or Sprint booster over it. I've actually been driving it around in Eco the last couple weeks, and it actually had made a difference, though in certain situations it makes it a little painful to drive lol.

And yeah, I should have mentioned to the OP that you really need to be heavy on the pedal driving these. It's something I really never got used to. Every time I get my Volvo, I accidentally do a burnout till I reacclimate to it lol.

 

Reply It was delivered with 3Miles. Changed it to 2wd after noticing the straining during driving for a smoother ride. Even the fluids wasn't topped off after PDI delivery.

Am a newbie to Part time 4WD unfortunately. Wanted a truck that holds value. Unlike my previous Honda/Nissan AWD

 

I thought I was reading a poem for a second.

 

I'm a poet and I didn't know it!

 

Thanks for all your professional advice. I drove to another local Toyota Lot. All the brand new 4Runners has screws sticking out of the Wheel Wells.

Advice taken on the 4WD. Will now only use 4WD (H) during snow

I have booked the Truck in for service to check occasional groaning metallic noise in 2WD mode.

Cheers

 

Congrats and glad most of your issues are resolved. Especially if coming from a newish unibody crossover or car, for sure you are in for a different experience in terms of NVH.

 

IMO, my 21 4runner is much nicer in terms of noise vibration and harshness compared to my 18 Highlander. Overall at least.

With the exception of things that are wrong…. For example, my needle bearing makes noise, but that’s something actually wrong. On days when my bearing is quiet, it feels like a caddy.

The Highlander is harsher in comparison with regard to the sounds of the interior plastics on rough roads. Especially when it’s cold out.

Lulu should not be experiencing any noise in two wheel drive. Something is off.

Also, regarding acceleration, I’ve found seat position can help. Moving forward a little bit can make it easier to dip into the throttle a little deeper to make the acceleration better. This doesnt feel much slower than my highlander as long as I use the throttle.

 

The exposed bolt threads in the wheel wells bothered me too. You can cover them with anything black and flexible: RTV, plastic adhesive, rubber undercoating, etc. Or just spray some black paint on them. Don’t stress too much. If and when you crawl under your 4Runner you will see lots of uncoated nuts and bolts.

 

Dude, they're salespeople. They have a well earned reputation for being less trustworthy than Satan and for being willing to sell their mother for a couple bucks. NEVER expect anything from a salesperson other than the expectation of being screwed over, except for maybe the expectation that you'll be upsold on a more profitable way to be screwed over.

 

I remember posts about those bolts and seeing them I used vehicles when mine was being built. I was ticked and emailed corporate and called them. Obviously nothing was done but I felt better. When I had mine sprayed with fluid film i wipes fluid film on those bolts and all the black small bolts on the front wheel wells because those will look like crap too after a while.

I get it some of the trim is garbage. Hell my 90s Explorer had better trim pieces. Hopefully the engine and trans on the 4R are better.

I don’t think sales people need to explain anything anymore. Particularly now and the 4R these things sell themselves. There are some good sales people out there no doubt but just as many not.

Good customer service not just with cars but anything is really going down hill. With the economy the way it is you either want it at a high price or you don’t. Have a problem onto the next person who won’t complain and is willing to pay more.

 

My bolts are covered in factory sealant.

 

So its indeed a manufacturing defect. No Quality assurance before vehicles are shipped these days from Japan and receiving agents/dealerships (PDI) ?

 

It’s not a defect, because they new have all been coming out of the factory like that for a while now. They are manufacturing them like this on purpose.

The purpose could simply be to save money.

 

What's amazing to me is some people who are willing to spend thousands of $$ to replace perfectly good suspension/tires/wheels/skids/steps/interior lighting/exterior lighting/stereo systems/air intake/grille/(name an oem product on your 4R) aren't willing to spend maybe $5 on a can of spray bed liner to apply to some wheel well bolts, and want to take it back to the dealer or write Toyota about the glaring and heinous manufacturing problem of exposed seatbelt bolt threads.

 

Got a point there lol

 

- With no disrespect. Moding is a personal choice. Exposed bolts with a deep hole into the wheel well are serious concern. Rust and water infiltrations.
Didnt see this issue with the Highlanders/Rav4s on the lot yesterday.
I can bet there will be more defects underneath.

So the advise for every new 4Runner owner is to rush to the Auto parts store to buy - Bed liner Spray
Fluids wasn't topped up
Truck delivered in 4WD after (supposedly imaginary PDI)