2024 Toyota Tacoma

VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE MODE. WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL, IN DRIVE OR REVERSE MODE, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND FROZE VEHICLE IN PLACE. BARELY ABLE TO MANEUVER VEHICLE BY STRAIGHTENING STEERING WHEEL AS BEST I COULD TO GET IT TO PARK. AS I ACCELERATED TO GET IT TO MOVE, BRAKES ACTIVATED AGAINST IT. NO ALARM/NOTICE APPEARED ON DASHBOARD TO SWITCH TO 2-WHEEL MODE. TOW TRUCK DRIVER ARRIVED, IDENTIFIED PROBLEM, BUT WAS UNABLE TO GET IT TO 2-WHEEL MODE. TOWED TO SANTA MARIA CA TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER. THEY CORRECTED TO 2-WHEEL MODE, CHECKED TO CONFIRM NO DAMAGE, AND WROTE IT OFF AS DRIVER ERROR/LACK OF GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.

Lane keeping will kamikaze the vehicle on to exit ramps or exit only lanes when engaged at a highway speed. This seems most common when the truncated lane markers, usually used on exit-only lanes, and not the full length lane markers (the center line markings). Example: Vehicle is traveling at a static heading, freeway speed, two lane limited access freeway, driver in control, all lane keeping and adaptive features engaged. When an exit lane approaches on right, vehicle abruptly deviates to the exit lane with zero driver intent or inputs. Once vehicle system realizes the error, system alerts, notifies of a lane departure, and disables the lane keeping. Particularly problematic is that vehicle actively fights driver inputs to restore the intended course as it appears to believe the driver is in error. This is not a one-off occurrence. It is very consistent. To the point when I can anticipate, disable the system or counter steer to keep the vehicle course straight. It seems the vehicle cannot properly identify the shortened / truncated pavement markings correctly, leading to this undesirable course adjustment.

The vehicle lane departure will regularly steer the vehicle across lane dividing lines and leave the lane of travel. In one instance the truck continued to attempt to steer right even after crossing the white line. This complaint and specific instances were confirmed by the manufacturer however the manufacturer claims the vehicle is behaving as expected due to “limitations”. As such Toyota is saying the vehicle is going to regularly depart the lane automatically and they do not intend to perform nor pursue any fix.

The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently drifted to the left and jerked while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the instrument panel was not functioning properly. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the long block and torque converter had failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 188,000.