Went to pick up my new 2024 TRD ORP and.........

Two word for you bro: Lemon Law.

Document everything. I mean everything. The problem, the date(s) you first noticed the problem, the date (and persons) you spoke with. The address & name of the dealership. How long they said it would be in the shop. The miles your truck had on it when it happened.

Get copies of all paperwork and keep it in a safe place. Get business cards from the Service manager, Salesman, General Manager, Dealership owner.

The more information, the better. Lemon laws vary (a little bit) from state to state. But all will appreciate a detailed accounting of what has occurred.

 

Lemon Law? dont you have to have repeat issues with the same problem to even begin to file a lemon law arbitration/suit??

The OP hasnt even brought the thing home yet, he found a vibration/noise on a test drive right before buying it. Hardly a lemon law situation IMO.

Also, this happened right before Christmas. I know its a $50k 4Runner and we all love them but this all sounds like a pretty unremarkable timeline here.

Shit happens. They are replacing the entire front diffy. Get some free stuff from the dealer, have them throw in some additional warranty, but many owners have the needle bearing issue right after buying their new 4R and everything worked out fine.

Disclaimer: I am a paid Toyota Bot. My real name is ChatGPTAI or something like that IOIOIOIOIOIO

 

You are correct about Lemon Law, my street-tire-driving friend. Which is why he needs to document everything. In the event that it comes to that. He can also use the documentation to compel the dealership to give him a new vehicle.

 

Yeah I’d be getting a different ride.

 

Hahhaha Im sooo gonna beat you at the first 4runners.com meetup. Wherever they hold it, meet me at the bike rack

And of course, agree on the documentation.

 

sounds like they should get you a different vehicle and chalk this one up as a parts cars. Lol.

 

Lemon laws don’t require multiple visits necessarily. Sometimes it’s just about the amount of time spent in the service department.

 

Ok, that makes sense. Well its been like 7 days for the OP so we are still pretty far away from a lemon law claim, no?

 

Lemon laws usually apply to vehicles purchased that need multiple attempts at repairing the same issue, usually without any resolution, over a fixed period of time. My point with this 4R is, was it actually purchased? The OP mentioned the paperwork was "started" while he went for the test drive, where he discovered the noise and vibration. I'd like to know if that discovery led to the paperwork being stopped...why would one complete the purchase of a vehicle with such an obvious defect?

 

From a TSB for Lexus SUV but it shows the Differential Dynamic Damper

http://www.alflash.com.ua/avtovideo/2005l/L-DL001-08.pdf

 

Mine had 3 miles when I took my first test drive, had almost 40 by the time we got back, we even had to stop and put 10 in the tank. Salesman wasn't happy but I wasn't dropping 50 grand on a 2 mile test drive

 

TSB is for a GX470, which is the same generation as the 4th gen 4Runner. The 5th gen 4Runner never had it, while the GX460 has a smaller mass there.

 

Did you check if the sound/vibration went away in 4hi?

 

Exactly

 

I cant say Ive ever seen this on the (3) 4Runners ive had.

 

At this point what they owe you is redoing the paperwork with a different VIN number. This car isn’t yours, nor is this problem.

Tell them they screwed up the paperwork, and stick to the paperwork as your actual problem. Let the car be their problem.

 

They gave @WCVT a loaner to drive. Usually that wouldn't happen unless he closed on the deal.

 

True, that. This is a very odd situation.

They also might have given him a loaner in the hopes that he would still want to buy this vehicle in spite of the issue and the delay in getting it resolved.

These types of threads tend to have a lot of speculation happening in between actual updates by the OP...

 

Personally, given Toyotas dead-ass reliablity, I would not pass on this vehicle just because of this issue. I am sure it's a one-time issue, and a complete outlier at that. There aren't many reports (or any that I have ever read at least) of 4R's being "lemons" with repeat issues. The Dealer is taking care of the problem right away, there has been no bull shittery, etc..

But that is my opinion, and you know what they say about those

 

He also stated in his original post that everything was "finalized". That usually means he signed the finance paperwork for the vehicle. Once you do that, the truck is yours, for better or for worse.

 

Myself I would tell them you simply want another vehicle and have them find you what you want in the pipeline.

There is simply no reason you should be required to keep a vehicle like this with only a few miles. It’s just not worth the risk in my opinion on a $45k plus purchase. No way in hell

 

Meh, knowing the vehicle you drive off the lot is just a "starter's package", there's no need to get hung up on small issues like this. For example, if the vibration is caused by the front diff needle bearing, nothing the dealer does (including switching to a different vehicle) will conclusively fix the issue.

 

I don't know about you, but I don't consider a brand new close to $50k 4Runner that hasn't even been able to leave the dealership, is having the front differential replaced (with no real assurance that will resolve the issue), and has been in the shop for a week a small issue.

I have no idea what a "starter's package" is.

 

Some humming/vibration is a small issue. Different person might not even notice it. Hell, if it's the front diff needle bearing issue, no amount of vehicle-swapping will change it, because the solution would be installing an aftermarket part (clamshell bushing) that the dealer won't be authorized to do. End of the day it's a rough SUV on a two-decade old platform.

Starter's package is the stock 4Runner. Remember you're on a forum where people have $6k "stage 7" suspension and sawzalls lined up before taking delivery. Common to regear these vehicles which involves pulling the front diff. We aren't driving Camry appliances here.

 

No way in hell I would accept that "new" vehicle now under such circumstances. Fight like hell to refuse it and get another new vehicle that actually works off the lot, from that dealer if possible but move on if not. Something tells me this one is just jinxed somehow and will have future related problems. Lemon law is not going to help now, takes way too long into ownership with multiple unfixable repairs.

 

How can you claim toyota has "deadass reliability" when this guy has drivetrain issues right out of the box

 

There was a thread long ago about thing to check before you sign. One was to drive it a bit. Which even myself forgot to do. You get caught up in the excitement of a new vehicle.

Toyota and the dealer have an obligation thought in my opinion to make this right for you. Clearly toyota did something wrong at the factory, and the second miss is the dealer clearly did not do a proper PDI otherwise they would have caught this. That’s two big misses that the customer should not have to be exposed to further risk from.

 

Final update- they replaced the front differential (part number 41110-35A92). Part came in on Thursday morning and it was ready to be picked up Friday afternoon. Took it for a long test drive to include highway speeds and there were no issues. Also put it into 4wd a few times and still fine

dealer was great through the whole situation. Threw in the accessories I was looking at (roof rails, all weather floor mats, door guards and exhaust tip). Also gave me a 10 year 125k platinum Toyota warranty for my troubles and knocked 1800 off the msrp.

they were willing to swap it out but the one they had on the lot was white (not a fan) and the next one they had coming in wasn’t until February.

 

I am glad it all worked out to your benefit, and it sounds like you made out very well.

Enjoy your new rig!!

 

Wow, sounds like Toyota and the dealership went above and beyond:

1) The fixed it correctly and promptly.
2) Extended the warranty to 10yrs/125k for free (I'm assuming, you didn't specify).
3) Gave you some free accessories.
4) Deducted $1800 off the MSRP.



Now, post pictures of this fuckin' truck already. We're dying to see it.