LOWER BALL JOINT PROBLEMS

Lower ball joint issues are one of the big challenges facing some models of Toyota vehicles these days, including the Tacoma. This is a known issue where the ball joint begins to wear prematurely, causing excessive vibration and other problems for the vehicle. Typically this is a fairly noticeable problem because the ball joint can cause a lot of vibration in the cabin, making driving more uncomfortable.
Here are some of the signs and symptoms that your lower ball joints need replacement:
1. Clunking and rattling while driving
2. Steering feeling loose or unresponsive
3. Uneven tire wear and tear, particularly on the front tires
4. Excessive cabin vibration while driving.
Like with other Toyota models that have the same issue, including the Toyota Sequoia, it’s important to get your Tacoma to the mechanic as quickly as possible if you notice any of these problems. The longer you wait to get lower ball joint issues fixed the more likely it is that the part will cause additional damage and the more expensive repairs can become.

FAULTY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

The Tacoma’s automatic transmission is widely considered one of the weakest parts not just in the Tacoma, but in the entire Toyota lineup. This is a common problem not just with the Tacoma, but also with several other recent Toyota releases, though not every vehicle is affected. The main problem is transmission slipping, changing gears unexpectedly, and in rare cases causing unintentional acceleration. Depending on the exact problem you might be able to get a repair to the throttle position sensor or related components to resolve the issue, but often a transmission rebuild or replacement is the only solution.

CRACKED AMBER FRONT PARKING LIGHT LENS

This is a slightly rarer problem, but still, one that Tacoma owners should be aware of. On some vehicles, the amber front parking lights can crack because of the heat from the light. In some cases, weather and temperature differences inside and outside the headlight may contribute to this problem. Unfortunately, the lenses aren’t replaceable, so the primary fix is to replace the entire headlight assembly on the affected side
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FAULTY AIR FLOW METER

The mass airflow sensor is one of the most important sensors for normal engine function, and helps ensure that there is enough air in the engine, and not too much at the same time. This sensor can develop problems in any vehicle, but the Tacoma seems to be prone to mass airflow sensor failures. Replacing the sensor is the best fix.
Symptoms of a bad mass airflow sensor can include:
1. Engine difficult to turnover
2. Loss of power while driving
3. Slow acceleration
4. Engine hiccups
5. Idling too rich or too lean
There are other symptoms, but these are usually the first ones people notice, and the clearest indications of a mass airflow sensor failure.
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THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR PROBLEMS

We already mentioned that the throttle position sensor can be involved in some of the Tacoma’s transmission problems, particularly in the automatic transmission. However, it’s worth mentioning this as a separate problem because a bad transmission and a bad throttle position sensor aren’t quite the same. Fixing the throttle position sensor is a much easier repair than replacing or rebuilding the transmission for one thing, and there are some slight differences in transmission symptoms. You should expect your mechanic to talk to you about the exact symptoms you’re experiencing to help narrow down your transmission trouble and make diagnosing the problem easier. Ready to get your Tacoma some TLC? Trust Precision Auto Care to take care of all the details and call us to schedule an appointment, today!

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