Hybrid Drivetrain / Transmission Vibration

[KRunner]

Hey I see this is an older thread, but have been searching for similar issues. I have an Off Road Premium hybrid and have had it since late May.

I noticed pretty early on what I call a haptic vibration in the steering column and feel it at all times in the steering wheel, save for driving less than 10 mph. I've tried different modes (eco, sport), tilting and telescoping the steering wheel, towed a trailer in tow/haul mode, driven in 4Hi...always there. It doesn't speed up the faster I drive.

The steering wheel doesn't shake like it would if it were a wheel alignment issue. It's more of a slow constant, sorta like the feeling when the dentist is cleaning your teeth lol.

Does this sound like the same issue as the OP? Never thought it might be a transmission vibration...

I was planning to take it to the dealer but If this is the normal behaviour maybe I need to just suck it up.

You might be describing the same issue that I & a few others reported here a few weeks back. Apparently one owner successfully had their dealer replicate the issue & they determined it was a defective steering column shaft. I haven’t got mine fixed yet. First time I brought it in to my dealer to review and try to replicate, they labeled it as “normal”. I need to follow up and push the issue, but the challenge like you said is the vague feeling that is constant and sort of hard to describe and get someone else to see/feel. But as an owner who drives it daily, you know it’s “there” and you can’t not notice it every time you drive. I also have a minor leveling kit which unfortunately may have clouded my dealers ability or willingness to take me serious & to pinpoint the fault on a defective OEM part.

Check out this thread and let me know if this sounds like what you’re experiencing!:

https://www.4runner6g.com/forum/thr...king-noise-issue-fixed.4013/page-2#post-52346

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[JRunner]

@KRunner Thanks for the note! It's quite similar, except I don't have a clunking noise and it's not when decelerating. It's the constant haptic vibration tho that has also been noted in the thread.

I'm thinking maybe mine is in the "early stages" of failure and will soon begin clunking, although I'm up to about 3000 kms (2000 miles) and it's been happening since early on (when I noticed it...could've been since day 1). Regardless, it's definitely in the same ballpark as this issue so I'm convinced it's not normal!!

I'll reach out to the dealer and see how it all goes down.

 

[KRunner]

@KRunner Thanks for the note! It's quite similar, except I don't have a clunking noise and it's not when decelerating. It's the constant haptic vibration tho that has also been noted in the thread.

I'm thinking maybe mine is in the "early stages" of failure and will soon begin clunking, although I'm up to about 3000 kms (2000 miles) and it's been happening since early on (when I noticed it...could've been since day 1). Regardless, it's definitely in the same ballpark as this issue so I'm convinced it's not normal!!

I'll reach out to the dealer and see how it all goes down.

You’re welcome! Funny you mention the clunking. For me that has subsided & isn’t present on most drives.

Now what I constantly experience is mostly in line now with what you described. Much more of feeling then anything audible.

Keep us posted!

I plan to bring mine back to the dealer in the next couple of weeks. I really hope this becomes a TSB if there’s enough of us out there reporting it & it being the same root cause.

P.S- I dig the user name

 

[JRunner]

Hey...so I took it to the dealer twice:

They initially said it was a wheel balance issue and claimed to have balanced the wheel and to have taken it for a test drive and the "vibration was all gone!" *eye roll* Of course the issue remained...my suspicion is they didn't do anything at all. Super frustrating.

However on the second visit they were really good. I went for a test drive with a technician and he was able to notice the vibration, but he said he owns a hybrid Camry and was "pretty sure" his does it too. They had a just delivered gas SR5 (silver) on the lot and let me and the technician take it out for a drive. The tech initially drove it on his own then let me drive it and I was able to notice that this model also had a minor haptic vibration in the steering, with only about 5 miles on the odo. I was only able to drive it for about 2 miles (extremely low on gas) so didn't get up to a sustained speed, but it was definitely there. Not nearly as pronounced as mine. Lately mine is becoming more pronounced at between 70 - 90 km/hr (45-55 mph).

So, the outcome was they didn't do anything as it seems like it's normal behaviour with the new electronic steering. If it becomes a bigger problem they will fix it under warranty. Hopefully a TSB gets issued before anything breaks.

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