This is my first brand new vehicle purchase, had 4 miles on it when got it and it paid significantly more for the toyota than I would have Ford/Dodge/Chevy and got a lot less truck. My justification was the 200,000 miles I wanted out of it. Well the ticking is at low RPM 1,200 - 1,600 RPM and then when I get in it hard at 3,500. Idle is 1,000 RPM so it's still within what should be considered normal RPM range. It occurs every time it shifts, so there's annoying ticking, the other guys description is perfect. Sounds like a 10 year old vehicle and I'm now at 24,000 miles. Happens more when it hot out, I live in suburb of Phoenix so it ticks all the time. I checked with dealer to see if the recommended gas and it's 87 octane. I change my own oil every 3,000 miles, recommended every 5,000 so that's not the problem. Also, truck has tow package & sport package so it has a larger engine cooler, transmission cooler. I don't tow much but got these due to living in AZ and the heat. Trying to trade off for a Dodge 1500 for 1/2 the price/payment.

I have a new 2008 Tacoma. Just turned 1000 miles. Recently, idling in a fast food line I heard a lifter ticking-type noise with my window down on the driver's side. I have now heard it the past 2 days at the drive thru window. It is very audible; amplified by the building wall. I have gone to several Toyota discussion sites and have found that this is a common problem with much disagreement as to the actual problem.

Talked to a Toyota service department; they said that it was injector runner/pulse. It does not make this noise when cold. I work at an FFA aircraft repair center and had the techs take a listen. All thought that it was definitely lifter noise from the driver's side of the engine; probably the middle cylinder on that side. I paid a lot of money for a vehicle with an engine that sounds as if it's ten years old. Is this truly normal for a new Tacoma V6 as Toyota says it is?