My 2024 Tundra Transmission Was Rattling, Toyota Tried to Fix It With a Software Update, But Now I Need A Whole New Hybrid Motor System

There is a rattling noise coming from underneath my 2024 Toyota Tundra. Is anyone else having this problem?

Are you a 2024 Toyota Tundra owner experiencing a rattling noise from underneath your truck? You're not alone. This article discusses a common issue with the Tundra's transmission system and shares experiences from fellow owners.

That's what happened to Don Navi on his new 2024 Toyota Tundra truck. I found his story while looking at the Tundra Facebook owner's page. He says that after a few weeks of the annoying rattle, he finally got it into the Toyota dealer to have it checked out. Here is Don's troubling story.

Don says,

"My 2024 Toyota Tundra's transmission was rattling, so I took it to the Toyota dealer. They said it was a software update, which they installed, and it helped for a while, but now the rattle is back. Now they say I need a whole new hybrid motor system." 

Imagine the frustration Don felt. He had just purchased a 2024 Toyota Tundra, and now it's making a strange noise from underneath it. It doesn't happen all the time, so he's hoping it goes away, but it keeps coming back. So, he makes an appointment with the Toyota dealer. 

Here is Don's story.

Don says, "For those having a rattling noise coming from the transmission bay, there's software to fix that problem. My truck had the rattle for several weeks, and I finally decided to take the truck to the dealership, and they were able to fix the issue with the software update."

"I heard a rattle coming from under the truck. It happens when it's stationary. When the truck is in drive, a rattling noise starts, and it's coming from underneath the truck from the transmission bay." 

Here is the Report from the Toyota Tech

The Toyota technician said, "I started the truck and aligned the truck next to the building to hear any noise reflecting back to me. And put the truck into drive and let it idle." 

"I could confirm that a rattling noise was coming from what sounded like it was directly below me. I performed a health check, and no codes were found in any system. I lifted the truck on the hoist inside the service bay with another technician and listened again for the rattle while in gear and idling."

"We confirmed the noise occurred again, and it sounded like it was coming in between the engine and transmission from the one drive/hybrid module. I checked for Tech tips and a TSBS and found T-SB-0086-24 for a rattle from the hybrid module when in drive or reverse when idling after the vehicle has reached operating temperature." 

"This meets all the parameters that the truck is having. The remedy is an ECM software update." 

"I performed the software update for the ECM from 896630CS2301 to 896630CS2401. I started the truck, put it into drive, idling while listening for several minutes, and could not have the noise occur as before." 

"The ECM software update needs to change the parameters and tolerances between the ECM and the one drive unit. The vehicle is operating as designed at this time."  

Don Takes the Truck Home, But It Still Isn't Fixed

Don warns Tundra owners, "Make sure the Toyota service tech drives it around to bring the transmission to operating temperature. They claimed to fix my Tundra but never brought the transmission to temp." 

"I drove it for 5-10 minutes, stopped, and could hear the rattling almost immediately."

Don Has To Take His Truck Back to the Dealer

Now, he finds out the software update did not fix the issue, and the dealer must replace the hybrid motor system. 

Don concludes, "The dealer replaced my whole hybrid motor system on my Tundra to try and fix it. I have yet to pick up the truck to determine if the problem is fixed." 

Is There A Toyota Tundra Rattling Issue?

Comments on the Tundra Facebook page reveal a shared experience among many owners who have faced this issue. 

Garett Caldwell says, My 2024 1794 hybrid is making a loud rattle noise when I am stopped but not in the park. Has anyone else experienced this? I am going to take it to the dealer. I'm curious if anyone else has had this issue and would know the cause.  

Mark Wimberley - I've had the same issue and thought it was the transmission. Then, one day, while sitting in a drive-thru listening to that noise, I turned my AC off. The noise went away. I turned the AC back on; the noise came back. I did that a couple more times before I got my food, and the AC is definitely causing that. It only happens in drive but while not moving. The strange thing is it has seemed to go away. The last couple of times I was in a drive-thru, I rolled my window down to listen for it, and it wasn't there.

Roland Fein - There have been several transmission failures in 2024, and the rattle seems to be the common symptom.

What Should Toyota Tundra Truck Owners Do?

You should take your truck to the Toyota dealer and have them perform tests to see if you need a new hybrid motor system like Don. If the truck is still under warranty, Toyota will replace it at no charge. 

Final Thoughts and Questions for Tundra Owners

The Toyota Tundra has experienced multiple issues with engine failure, which are well documented. You can read my complete report here. Now, there are reports of a transmission issue with the Tundra Hybrid models. Stay tuned. 

Have you experienced a transmission rattle on your Toyota Tundra? If so, we want to hear from you. Click the red Add New Comment link below and share your story with us and other Tundra owners.

Check out my Toyota Tundra story titled; “You Hear That?” Michael Says Over the Sound Of a Rattling Engine, “That’s Another Dead 2024 Toyota Tundra, Owners Are Selling Before the Warranty Expires”

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl