Brand New 4 Runner Needs Front Differential

New to the forum. I recently purchased a 2019 4 Runner and after 100 miles started getting the whining/cyclical noise at 40 mph. Took back to dealer and they said I need a new front diff per a TSB. This vehicle was shipped defective from the factory. Anybody hear of this before? I seen other posts where this happens at 20,000 miles, but not right off the showroom floor. Did the new front diff solve the issue? What happened to Toyota quality????

 

Honestly being a mechanic I can say that I’ve gotten brand new parts that failed right out of the box. You’re just the unlucky person that got a bad diff put in a stellar vehicle. I’d let them fix it and go forget about it.

 

Although it’s very rare with Toyota, it happens. A few years ago, I bought a brand new Tundra with only 5 miles on it. Three days later, I felt a bad vibration each time the transmission shifted. I also heard grinding whenever the truck shifted gears. So, I took it back to the dealership. They checked it and told me that they had to replace the transmission due to a TSB for a bad batch of trannies. They replaced the tranny and added an extra year of warranty on the drivetrain. My truck has not had any problems since then.

Don’t be discouraged by this minor problem. It happens to anything that is man-made. Plus, Toyota stands behind their products. Enjoy your T4R.

 

This almost never happens. You are just the lucky one. Toyota quality on the 4runner is excellent imo.

 

Welcome! Sorry for the bad luck.

 

I had mine replaced along with the driver side CV. Although mine was caused by a rock entering through the lower control arm and striking right where the axle and diff meet. Haven't had an issue since if you are worried about if it will be done correctly. Only issue is they are usually on back order they dont have spare front diffs just lying around.

 

Thanks for all the replies. The front diff is ordered and the dealer said it would be 2 weeks until the parts arrive. I am just uncomfortable with someone disassembling a new vehicle, but I believe it should be a fairly straight forward repair. I will keep you posted.

 

Prediction - They are going to tear your rig apart, rip out the old junkie defective differential, install a new shiny differential, put it all back together with proper torque specs on all the fasteners and you are going to drive that rig for thousands and thousands of miles with no other problems.

 

I almost bet it's not the diff, but the needle bearings. Common problem and easy fix with a replacement bushing. Some dealers are replacing the whole diff which seems wasteful, but if it's free to you, rock on.

 

id be interested to see the tsb number

 

Hello. The TSB that I printed and took to the dealer was TSB 0026-15, which only replaces the needle bearing. There must be a subsequent TSB that replaces the entire front differential, which I cannot locate. I wanted to find it to see the parts being replaced and the time to do the repair.

 

Yes. mine had the same problem. My front diff was replaced at 18 K because the driver's side needle bearing shredded the diff. That bearing lasts about 20 K and it was replaced at 40 and again at 59 K. I expect it will need to be replaced again at 80 K. I drive 24 K per year. Of note, when my front diff was ordered, I was number 80 something on the "waitlist around the country." The dealer told me this new diff was an updated part, but it too continues to fail every 20 k of mostly highway driving. Off road use only on a flat sandy beach.

Also, the rear diff was also replaced at 20 K. That's been quiet since...at 67K now.

 

Are you all stock? Or do you have a lift?

 

All stock, no lift. Warranty covered all the repairs.

 

Here's the most recent TSB I've found for this problem...

 

What was wrong with your rear diff?

 

I should of went with my first instinct and bought another Honda.

 

Lol

 

My mom's brand new Honda CRV with less than 20,000 miles had 2 transmissions go out before she traded it in for a Lexus GX.

 

Howl/whine noise at 59-62 when coasting.

 

Yes this is what's stapled to my repair order every 20 K.

 

Lol cmon man

 

Below is a copy of my service record from Toyota owners:
2/20/17

Dealer

Prime Toyota

19221,

Repair Order Number: 0472463

DIFF CARRIER ASSSY &/OR GSKT R&R,REFERENCE TAS CASE #170100821, SPOKE TO John, ADVISED TO REPLACE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL

2/03/17

Dealer

Prime Toyota

21,322

Repair Order Number: 0474306

RADIO TUNER ASSEMBLY R&R

3/29/17

Dealer

Prime Toyota

19,132

Repair Order Number: 027135

REAR DIFFERENTIAL ASSY,REFERENCE TAS CASE 18075432, REMOVED REAR DRIVESHAFT AND DROVE WITH CHASSIS EARS TO VERIFY NOISE, CUT FRONT BRAKE ROTOR WITH ON CAR BRAKE LATHE,MACHINE OPPOSITE SIDE ROTOR WITH ON THE CAR BRAKE LATHE



12/10/17

Dealer

Prime Toyota

40,215

Repair Order Number: 053475

REPLACE NEEDLE BEARING ON LEFT SIDE OF FRONT DIFFERENTIAL





11/1/18

Dealer

Prime Toyota

59,990

Repair Order Number: 045754

REPLACE NEEDLE BEARING ON LEFT SIDE OF FRONT DIFFERENTIAL

 

Yeah unfortunately you'll always find one bad apple over all our Honda's in the family (currently 3) have run flawless. I kept my '09 Accord when I bought my '18 4R so far the Toyota has sat in the garage and I drive the Honda way more. Took delivery of the 4R in September haven't hit 5,000 miles yet. Had they not changed the body on the Pilot I'd own one of them now instead of the Toyota. I like(d) the "boxy" look of the older Pilots which is what caught my eye on the 4R.

 

Sorry but the 4 and any Honda product are not even comparable. And..The 4 is the most reliable vehicle in the USA. It is body on frame and is basically a truck. The Honda (any Honda) is a unibody chassis. The Pilot's is based on the odyssey minivan and is more comfortable, refined, and excellent for visiting the mall or long road trips.

The Honda has an AWD system that has most of it's power to the front wheels until slippage happens and it will send power to the rear, while the 4 is a true 4x4. The Pilot is compared to the Highlander, not a body on frame SUV like the 4.

 

Well ok I guess your right well other than...Hmmm lets see now...
- Recent posts about braking issues/"concerns."
- Numerous threads and discussions concerning front and rear Diff's.
- Lots of "wind" noise from all the front "plastic."
- Lack of power and the need/want for "pedal commander."
- front end "nose dive" under heavy breaking, need for improved suspension.
- Really sucky gas mileage complaints.

Don't get me wrong I "don't mind" the vehicle, I own one...Is it my favorite purchase ever? hell no... I have and will never claim Honda makes the best product out there and I agree with everything you said but I've had good luck with any Honda's I've owned that's all. I do not own (or have the need for) a crazy lifted vehicle I do like 90% of the 4x4's on the road today use it as a "daily driver" (when I drive it.) I currently own or have owned Boats, Wave Runners, Dirt Bikes and Four Wheelers and my accord never mind the Pilot could tow all of them, My boat is a 19 ft inboard/outboard.
The wife took the 4R to work and drove it for the fist time last week, a little big for her but she liked it. I may give it to her possibly this year and go find something else, not sure yet what we're doing. She has a Accord Coupe she wants to get out of.

 

The complaints that you mention above should be taken with a grain of salt. Most of those things are not issues for the vast majority of 4Runner owners. Also take into consideration, you're reading these problems on the internet......the medium that most people go to complain about something vs. the few that actually say something positive. Those issues are similar to my mom having 2 transmissions go out on her Honda.......not typical of the brand, but things still happen occasionally.

 

I hope you realize I was not putting down Honda, just saying the two vehicles are not really comparable. I have owned many Hondas and they are good vehicles. The last one believe it or not was a Honda Fit. My first one was a 1991 Civic with a early CRV and an Odyssey thrown in there also. All good vehicles with the Civic being my favorite. It was like a 4 wheel motorcycle. Had to have the valves manually adjusted every so often like an old motorcycle.

Anyway all vehicles have issues, there is no perfect vehicle. After all these things are man made. Good luck finding one that fits you and that you like. I hope your search is short because I have done this search and it can get expensive.

 

So here’s an update...the front differential carrier finally came in last Thursday after about 6 weeks. Apparently the dealer told me there are over 200 needed in the US and Toyota is shipping them over 40 at a time. The dealer installed the new part and everything is good to go for now. The only weird thing about the repair was the dealership took it on a 40 mile test drive! WTF??? Seems excessive to me. Sounds like someone took it home for the weekend!