2023 (brand new) 4runner gas pedal vibration when turning wheel

Hi All - I have an issue that the dealer can't figure out on a brand new 2023 4Runner (<2k miles).

There is an intermittent gas pedal vibration/sensation when moving the steering wheel (even the slightest). The problem is that this issue comes and goes and the dealer is having trouble replicating it. Some clues that might be helpful:

1. I believe I started feeling this issue when the truck hit around 1k miles, but can't say for sure as I was still getting used to it.
2. The issue is intermittent - I've noticed it appears after driving for a bit (maybe 20 mins), but goes away on an overnight cold start. Does not go away just by turning the engine on/off.
3. If the issue is present, I can feel the gas pedal vibration even after the car is off and I'm just jiggling the steering wheel. It sounds like a rubber seal/grommet is rubbing somewhere.
4. Nothing immediately stands out as loose.
5. Dealer is having a hard time replicating the issue (presumably because it needs to be driven for a bit before the problem comes back), so they are not able to "fix" it or find out what is causing this vibration.

Could this be a steering rack issue? Does something need to be greased? Something else entirely? Anyone else felt this before on their 5th gen 4Runner?

Thanks for the help!

 

Must be in the steering column. The gas pedal is not mechanically linked to anything other than it’s floor board mount.

 

Hi and welcome to the forum. This is the second topic about this issue posted within the last couple of weeks. Several people reported having the same problem so we know it’s an actual thing. I know you saw that thread as you “liked” one of my posts there, so I’ll just expand a little on what I said.

The accelerator pedal is just a sensor. It bolts to the firewall and wires get plugged into it. It makes sense, then, that if the pedal is vibrating then the firewall is vibrating.

Hypothesis 1: it’s normal for the firewall to vibrate but the pedal is not properly attached to it and transmits vibrations when it shouldn’t. Possible remedy: use a socket and wrench to loosen the 2 bolts that hold the pedal to the firewall and then re-tighten them.

Hypothesis 2: the vibration shouldn’t be there and is caused by some other component. Slopemaster may be onto something. You could try lubricating the steering shaft where it goes through the firewall. Failing that, when the phenomenon is happening you could try feeling the firewall with your left foot to see of you can zero in on the cause of the vibration.

Did you like the way I used the word hypothesis to dress up my stupid ideas?

 

If it's bothering you, and the dealer isn't willing to hunt for it, i would say rule out tire balancing. These trucks are so stinking sensitive to tire balance. I feel like before 2 of my nittos were replaced i noticed a slight shake while turning. Dealer might not be willing to do it, so you'd have to take it to Discount Tire ask them to check road force numbers of each tire; under 20 is spec, but lower is better. I just recently had to do this with my Camry for a crappy tire install by Costco. I think it was 40 bucks.

 

Sheesh...with all the weird things showing up lately in threads, I think if I hadn't bought my 4R back when I did in 2019, there's no way I would have seriously considered getting one now...

@4runner4runner4runner - good luck with the diagnosis.

 

I have noticed an unusually high number of issue/complaints with the later models too (post Covid).

 

@Slopemaster and @Captain Spalding are both correct about the 4Runner being a drive-by-wire throttle system. Something must be off with the steering rack. Check for binding against the firewall on both sides as well as the flex joints. I don't think that the 4Runners are using any type of electronic steering assist, but if they are, this could also be the source of the problem.

 

Hey @4runner4runner4runner, did you ever find out what was causing this?

Been having the same issue on my ‘22 SR5 since I bought it and haven’t been able to resolve despite the dealer’s best efforts. Gas pedal vibrates when I turn the wheel, and it’s accompanied by a squeak when I go over bumps which sounds like it’s coming from the front end.

 

I agree, some of this stuff seems to have begun post Covid. I have not experienced most of the recent complaints.