Buzzing noise during phone calls

I have a new 2023 Tacoma TRD Sport Double Cab which has the dreaded "buzzing" noise during phone calls. Looking for any practical guidance on pinpointing the problem and any pointers to potential solutions. I did take the initial step and called Toyota, opening a case with the Toyota Brand Engagement Center (but the representative would not even acknowledge that this is a well known problem). She simply encouraged me to bring it to a Toyota dealer for service and have Toyota do some troubleshooting. Admittedly, I have not taken this step (yet), but from what I have read in other forum threads, this step will likely yield no improvement. I do plan to bring it in for service.

I have tried the following:
- iPhone 13 Pro Bluetooth connected phone call - Buzzing persists
- iPhone 13 Pro Wired Apple CarPlay connected phone call - Buzzing persists
- Adjusting the microphone "transmit volume" setting down (on bluetooth connected iPhone 13 Pro phone call) - Buzzing decreased (but still present), however voice quality was diminished
- Adjusting the microphone "transmit volume" setting up (on bluetooth connected iPhone 13 Pro phone call) - Buzzing increased significantly and voice quality was "horrible"
- iPhone 12 Pro Max Bluetooth connected phone call - Buzzing persists
- iPhone 12 Pro Max Wired Apple CarPlay connected phone call - Buzzing persists
- HD Radio software update - Nothing available (up to date)

There are many threads on this topic, and I believe the list above incorporates most of the suggestions (so my apologies for starting yet another thread). If I have missed one, please let me know...

Sadly, this seemingly little issue is ruining what has otherwise been a great experience with this new Toyota. Any help or guidance is greatly appreciated!

Thank you, Brad

 

Sound like some kinda Freq interference or a bad ground.
How is the quality of music played from your phone with a bluetooth connection?

 

You skipped a step, take it to the dealer first.

 

Have you tried the following:

Using the iPhone(s) in another vehicle to see if the problem can be replicated?
Using an Android phone in your Tacoma to see if the problem can be replicated?

Others who have had this issue figured out it was the actual microphone. The dealership had to replace it. Set up an appt with your local dealership so they can see/hear the problem for themselves and schedule service to be done.

 

I thought I saw a fairly recent thread where someone figured out the solution for this? Some sort of microphone setting that was only accessible when a phone call was happening. Do some scrolling, it was not that long ago.

 

Hang up and drive?





.

 

Thanks for the replies....

Sound quality using radio, bluetooth streamed music, etc. has all been fine. I agree, it definitely sounds like interference of some kind.

WRT using Android, I have not tried this, but have tried two different iPhone generations with the same results. These same 2 phones work fine in other vehicles. Make me fairly certain it is the vehicle.

WRT an appoint. Yep. I definitely skipped this step, but I do have a dealer appointment scheduled. This is not my first rodeo and I am trying to avoid multiple visits where the dealer says, "we did X, let us know if it is still a problem". I became instantly suspicious of how a Toyota deal may approach this problem when the Toyota rep I spoke with on the phone had never heard of this issue (despite hundreds of folks complaining about it). That usually means Toyota is simply not acknowledging this as an actual issue.

Thanks again, Brad

 

Check out this thread too: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/carplay-phone-call-quality-and-music-playback-issue.788663/

 

The solution referenced by Buck Henry was adjusting the transmit volume. It was more of a Band Aid while on a bluetooth connected call. This can lower the level of the buzzing sound, but it diminishes call quality.

 

Did you ever find a solution? We just got our 2023 Tacoma yesterday and it has the same issue!

 

Sorry to hear about your issue. It’s so aggravating and it appears to be entirely random. Unfortunately, this is still a problem for me. And, like I suspected, the dealer has been completely unhelpful by encouraging me to check with Apple (really?). Seems silly, but there appears to be nothing “practical” I can do, other than insist on having Toyota replace the head unit. I have not attempted this, but I am going to “shut up and drive” (as suggested by “Irons”) and wait for my next appointment.

Lastly, I have tried all the suggestions noted above with no satisfactory outcome and I am still open to other suggestions.

 

I have this issue on a new 2023 TRD OR, found out the day after delivery. I just took it into servicing today and they said it was working fine, which i know is lies. I am going to schedule another appointment and be there for it this time, they were so unhelpful. Mine only does it when the engine is running in idle or driving, i think its something with the build not insulated properly or something cause without vehicle running it is much less noticeable if at all.

 

Is the sound on your end in the truck or for the person listening? Mine sounds fine on my end while driving but people that I’m talking to say they can hear a buzzing.

 

Receiving callers, perfectly fine in the truck.

 

I’ll stay around to hear if there’s a solution. I’ll share too if I find one.

 

When did you take delivery? Make sure to call and take it in to get a case going on it so there’s a track record on it so we can get a fix.

 

I got mine in February off the truck. It came from the other factory, not Baja, if that helps. Did you start a case at the dealer or over the phone?

 

Yup, another 23 TRD OR owner with the same issue . Left the dealer first day with the truck. Phoned my son on my way home, and the first thing he said to me is “what’s that horrible noise”
I couldn’t hear anything on my end .
Had the truck about 6 weeks now.
I figured I’d mention it when it goes in for its first service . But I know how dealers operate, and I’m already expecting the “we can’t seem to replicate the problem”
I also have a driveline shudder on acceleration that I’m also not looking forward to sorting out with multiple trips to the dealer. My solution so far is just don’t call anyone while driving . Lol.
And I’ll probably also likely end up living with driveline vibe/shudder. Because I already know how that’ll go.. and I don’t have time to be taking my truck in multiple times and getting no results . Been down that road before with a couple fords. love the truck otherwise .. but these two little issues are disappointing.

 

Same February delivery also not Baja. I’ve taken it in and have a case open and called and reported and complained to corporate because dealership refuses to fix it. But jokes on them cause it’s going in tomorrow for a different problem and I have it in the notes to look at it again lol

 

What’s your driveline doing? What speeds? These trucks make us work to love them.