2018 4Runner terrible in snow bad traction - Differential or Computer problem?

We have the 4WD V6 2018 4Runner and it is dangerous in the snow. The whole car shifts like the rear wheels spin at different rates and it loses traction. We tried turning off traction control, and running in 2WD vs. 4WD.


Anyway the dealership couldn't find anything wrong, they checked out the differential and computer and then replaced tires. Then it kept happening, so we had a rep from the dealership drive with us on a snowy day, and they didn't even want to drive it back to the dealership because it wasn't safe lol. So they took it back in and now can't find anything wrong, but we are telling them to keep trying.


I'll update as we get them but I'm mainly writing this to see if anyone else has had this experience.

 

Did you buy it new or used?

 

Please explain this more.
Did you just buy this?
From a dealer?
Is this your first 4WD vehicle?
Have you driven a 4WD before this?
Explain more about the traction. Are you really hitting the gas hard when this happens?
Do the tires have good tread?
What brand/model tires?
Did the dealer rep drive the 4Runner him/herself and replicate this problem with you in the vehicle?

 

Yes bought new

Yes driven many 4wd vehices and in snow. It's bad even in 2wd though. No not hitting gas hard. They said they tested it before and couldn't find problems so they replaced all 4 tires. Still had problems after that and rep didn't drive, but experienced the 'shifting'. By that I mean the car moves like a foot side to side randomly. They've had it awhile though and can't figure it out

 

What tires are on it? What is their condition? No reason at all a 4Runner should be struggling.

 

brand new tires from the dealership. It definitely has a problem whether ABS, traction control, or differential

 

Fail on my part for not reading your original post more carefully! Are there any sounds or indicator lights going off at all when it happens? Might be worth taking it to another dealer if there's one nearby.

 

WAG - Sounds like a bad wheel sensor.

 

Electronic control malfuctioning would be my guess.

 

If it’s moving or jumping to one side or another it could be one of those systems you stated, as if a front wheel is momentarily latching up. Do you get any indicator lights on when it happens? Or pulsing noises or a feeling like when ABS kicks on when jamming the brakes?

Or does it feel like it’s steering related?

BTW, it suddenly just started doing this? And how often does it happen?

 

Locked rear differential can be pretty exciting in the snow.

 

how much snow are you driving through and is it mushy sloppy snow? I think mine has the best snow manners of any truck/SUV I've had before, in fact i'd say its a pleasure to drive in the snow. Something really sounds off with yours, does it make any odd noises, like when the ABS trips while driving?

 

This sounds very odd. Living in Upstate NY I regularly drive in snow and she handles like a dream, no complaints whatsoever. Following for updates and ideas about what's going on...

 

We just got slammed with snow in Colorado, the 4Runner is a beast!!! I have been using multi terrain select in sand mode in 4HI, and it doesn’t cut power when you want it in snow.

I drove through snow drifts that were blowing over the hood, I have never owned a truck that would go through drifts so well. Don’t know the height but I know it was deeper than knee deep. This was while using mud, sand mode in 4HI

 

The OEM tires are POS... I thought the same as you that the truck is not performing as the TC, ABS were kicking in almost every time driving the wet roads, over railroads or steel plates. There are many posts about ppl having all kind of problems and symptoms with OEM tires. I was even struggling to climb a 30 degrees incline on 4L with deflated tires... Soon as I swapped the tires with AT3W, it was a totally different truck.

 

This is an odd issue. When I put mine into 4H I can barely make it do anything "fun." It plows around in snow like a mountain goat.

 

What’s being supplied as OEM tires now? In 2018 my ORP came with Bridgestone Dueler H/T 684 II. Not a good performing tire at all.

 

I've had these tires on other vehicles........awful. Probably the least expensive for the manufacturer to purchase.

 

Mine balanced well and rode nicely on dry roads at all speeds but they had trouble cornering on wet pavement.
I read somewhere that auto mnfctrs typically supply tires on new cars that ride the nicest and get the best MPG for that vehicle. They buy massive quantities and get big discounts.

 

Looks like these Bridgestone tires are hit or miss... as I said I was struggling on Peters Mill Run and on wet pavement. With Whildpeaks had no issues going to Quebec City and back...

 

I think they should be illegal on anything but dry pavement lol. Been in a couple snowstorms with them. ABS on even gentle slow speed stops. Accelerating through snow, even up grades, was fine. But I see that as a testament to how good the 4WD system is at extracting every bit of the little traction they have. It's also possible that the tread design is better suited to acceleration than braking.

Regardless, when a tire slips easily when it's not under power -- that's when you know the tire sucks.

At one point the truck started sliding half sideways on a tiny downhill grade while idling. But I had no problem accelerating up the same grade. Conclusion: the tires are shit.

 

Anything else I could think of that could cause that, would also present itself in some form (to a lessor degree) on dry pavement. So I agree that it's likely tire related.

I would try airing down, if even just to like 30psi, and see if that helps some. I'm guessing from the dealership they're likely over inflated, contributing further to the woes.

 

Lol. That’s the only acceptable answer

 

Driver error?

 

The OP has posted 3 times. I don't believe there is any help to be had here.
My $0.02
Ryan

 

There is a problem, the Toyota rep said it was dangerous to drive. That in itself should be enough for Toyota to diagnose, and either fix or replace the vehicle.

 

any update have the dealer found the problem or fix for your Issue please post back

 

4 month update: So they wouldn't do anything to the car and made us drive the dangerous car the rest of winter. Then we tried towing a relatively light camper trailer about a month ago and all the lights came on (brake, abs, traction). Brought it in and they said bad wheel bearing. They replaced it, but we still had problems. Now they say a bent axle. Not sure which axle as it's my parents but I'll update when I find out

 

Glad you are here & sorry you are still dealing with this.
Have you researched the lemon laws in your state? It may have been said but I didn't reread the whole thread again. Also, have you considered trading it in for a new one? With what vehicles are selling for you could just get away from it.
Keep us posted,
Ryan.

 

Sorry to be that guy but I have big doubts on this post.
1 Brandnew new Toyota is highly unlikely to have these kind of problems.
2 If there is a problem it should give warning lights on dash.
3 If there's a problem that dealership unable to diagnose when you complain to Toyota USA they definitely help the customer with next steps.

Yes I have first hand experience after accident repair how Toyota treat their customers. With that experience this post is hard to believe.