In February 2024, Roman Mica and Andre Smirnov from The Fast Lane took delivery of a 2024 Toyota Tacoma. Less than a month later, while navigating sub-zero off-road conditions, Roman heard a loud noise, leading to a 4WD system failure, rendering the truck rear-wheel drive.
Dubbed Blueberry for its striking blue paint, the Tacoma TRD Off-Road had only 3,569 miles on the odometer at the time of the incident. Despite no visible leaks or damage underneath, warning lights related to the 4WD system remained dormant.
Further inspection confirmed the integrity of the drive shaft connecting the transfer case to the front differential. Ultimately, the issue was traced back to a component within the automatic disconnecting differential (ADD) system, designed to fail under extreme conditions without compromising the driveline.
Tacoma’s chief engineer, Sheldon Brown, acknowledged the unexpected failure, attributing it to rigorous off-road conditions. With around 20 engineers addressing the problem, the dealership anticipates fixing the truck within two days.
The involvement of Tacoma’s chief engineer underscores its association with the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser and the Lexus GX J250. Swift resolution of the issue before the launch of the 2025 Toyota 4Runner is crucial to maintaining Toyota’s reputation for reliability.
Just as Volvo prioritizes safety, Toyota aims to uphold its reputation for dependable vehicles, essential for its standing in the US market.