Looking at a 2011 Taco to buy, need some advice?

[JBOGGS]

Hello friends, brand new here. I am looking at a 2011 Taco, access cab 4WD, V6, that has only 12k miles on it. It is at a dealer and has been certified by Toyota, what ever that means. I read the car fax, it had two owners, not a salvage title or anything odd I can see.

My question is what are things I should look at/check before I buy. Never owned a Taco before.

Thanks for your help.

 

[bkg]

Two owners in 12k miles? May mean mouthing, but id be curious why.

 

[takesiteasy]

I too would question why 2 owners in 12,000 miles. For sure you want to do a thorough test drive. I have heard rumors of some people having problems with out-of-balance drive shafts, but I've had zero problems of any kind. I've got 25,000 miles on mine, bought new. I had the rear spring tsb done (adds an extra leaf). Unless you are getting a pretty good discount, I might buy new. These trucks seem to hold their value really well.

 

[DaVikes]

I bought an '11 DCSB with 44k on it this summer. The '11's and perhaps other years did have a few bad driveshafts installed. The prior owner of my truck lifted it before figuring out his vibration problem, so his dealer wouldn't honor the warranty. He decided to replace the two piece driveshaft with a one piece, and when they removed the two piece driveshaft found out that it was slightly bent, and apparently had been that way since new. Another weak spot is the driver's side front differential bearing, which can cause vibration both when a truck is un-lifted or lifted. That vibration is felt in the drivers floorboard, and stops as soon as you shift into 4-Hi. There is a detailed thread on this on Tacoma World. An company manufactures a bushing to replace the bearing and solves the vibration problem. The other issue I've had is that the blower fan makes a ticking sound when on at less than full speed. Toyota used a bushing instead of a bearing, and the bushing makes the noise. In either '12 or '13 Toyota started making the fan with a bearing. If you buy the truck, get the fan replaced under warranty before it expires. Also, if the truck is lifted, have them put in writing that they will honor the warranty including anything affected by the lift. Many people with lifted trucks have been denied warranty coverage on drivetrain issues. If you are going to lift it, make sure you have the drivetrain has no issues first. Hope all this helps.

 

[Plannerman]

I bought an '11 DCSB with 44k on it this summer. The '11's and perhaps other years did have a few bad driveshafts installed. The prior owner of my truck lifted it before figuring out his vibration problem, so his dealer wouldn't honor the warranty. He decided to replace the two piece driveshaft with a one piece, and when they removed the two piece driveshaft found out that it was slightly bent, and apparently had been that way since new. Another weak spot is the driver's side front differential bearing, which can cause vibration both when a truck is un-lifted or lifted. That vibration is felt in the drivers floorboard, and stops as soon as you shift into 4-Hi. There is a detailed thread on this on Tacoma World. An company manufactures a bushing to replace the bearing and solves the vibration problem. The other issue I've had is that the blower fan makes a ticking sound when on at less than full speed. Toyota used a bushing instead of a bearing, and the bushing makes the noise. In either '12 or '13 Toyota started making the fan with a bearing. If you buy the truck, get the fan replaced under warranty before it expires. Also, if the truck is lifted, have them put in writing that they will honor the warranty including anything affected by the lift. Many people with lifted trucks have been denied warranty coverage on drivetrain issues. If you are going to lift it, make sure you have the drivetrain has no issues first. Hope all this helps.

Good summary! One additional question: is it a manual or automatic transmission? I don't know that this was figured out for the 2011 model year, but there was a bad run of clutch pedals and throw out bearings (two different issues). The clutch pedal would make a creaking sound but didn't otherwise seem to be defective. The throw out bearing seemed to go bad early. Otherwise, these are very stout, reliable vehicles!


Sent via fat thumb

 

[JBOGGS]

Thanks for the help fellows. 12K with two owners was a red flag for me also. I forgot to mention that it is an auto transmition. I am going to take it for a long test drive this weekend.

Thanks again.

 

[5280transplant]

Check for rust around the engine mount. This is crucial.

 

[voodoojk]

was it 2 legit owners or was it the dealers buying it. If somone bought it new then traded it in the dealer that has it now is the 2nd owner. Gets kinda strange how titles work pending on the state and how the buisness is set up.

As mentioned above. My 09 has the blower motor tick and i am pretty sure diff bearing is bad. I love my truck so far though!

 

[takesiteasy]

I forgot about the heater motor ticking thing. The dealer replaced the motor in mine under warranty. No other issues.

 

[JBOGGS]

Thanks for all the advice, I ended up passing on the 2011. I went over the edge and bought a new 2014 DC. You will see me around more now asking dumb questions.

Thanks again.