2024 Toyota Tacoma Owner Says, “My JBL Speaker Won’t Work At All Now, the First Time It Only Lasted 40 Minutes and Over-Heated

The 2025 Toyota Tacoma has a new JBL removable center speaker, but it may be an option to avoid. 

While searching the Toyota Tacoma pickup, I found this post from Matt Heinbaugh on Reddit exposing his discontent with his 2024 Toyota Tacoma JBL removable speaker. He likes the truck, just not the sound system. Here is what all Tacoma buyers need to know.

So, imagine owning a new Tacoma pickup and being excited to use the removable JBL speaker when you go to the beach. However, the first time you use it, it overheats and doesn’t work the rest of the day. 

Your friends aren’t too impressed with your new truck, and you aren’t happy with it because you paid for a feature that doesn’t work. 

Here is Matt’s story. 

Matt says, “So the 2024 Tacoma upgrade package comes with the JBL Premium sound system. First time I used it, it only lasted 40 minutes and then it over heated. The second time I only used it for like 30 minutes, but it worked good.”  

“I went to the beach this past week and took it out and used it on Wednesday, and it worked amazingly.” 

“However, I used it for three hours at night and then for a couple hours in the morning on Thursday. I didn’t charge it once. I got back yesterday and took it out today to use it and it will not turn on at all. I took it out and let it sit for a while to cool down before I used it again.” 

“I also tried to charge it outside of the truck and that didn’t work either. Not sure what else to try to do. It’s a really cool idea but now it only works as a speaker in the truck which I would rather it be. But now it bothers me that there’s a feature in my brand new truck that does not work as intended.”

“I’m gonna go to the dealership and make them replace it but I assume it’ll happen again. I’ve only had the truck for 3 weeks, 2000 miles.”

“It’s a really cool idea, but it’s in a terrible location, right in the direct sunlight. I’ve been trying to move it into the door when I get out of the truck but I forgot last week.”

Is there a problem with the 2024 Toyota Tacoma JBL removable center speaker?

According to several reports from Tacoma owners, the JBL speaker system in the Toyota Tacoma is often considered to be underwhelming, with complaints about sound quality, particularly regarding the center speaker being too prominent.

Some users find the overall sound not as high-end as expected, especially when paying extra for the premium system. However, as Matt discovered, the JBL center speaker is problematic, and owners find it malfunctioning.

What is the JBL Flex? 

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma has an optional JBL audio system with a center speaker that can be removed and used as a portable Bluetooth speaker. 

Toyota says it has these features:

• The JBL Flex speaker is dustproof and can be submerged in up to 3 ft of water 
• It can be paired with other JBL Flex speakers for more sound 
• It has a solid-state battery that can withstand heat and sun 
• It can be recharged by docking it back into the dash or using a standard plug-in charger 
• It has up to six hours of battery life 

Key points about the Toyota Tacoma JBL center speaker issues:

1. Sound quality: Many users report that the JBL speakers in the Tacoma lack clarity and depth, especially at higher volumes, and the soundstage might not be well balanced. 

2. Center speaker dominance: Some users find the center JBL speaker too prominent, leading to a slightly unnatural sound. 

3. Not “high-end": Compared to aftermarket speaker systems, many consider the JBL system in the Tacoma to be just average quality for the price. 

4. Potential fixes: Some users adjust the sound settings to mitigate the issues, including lowering the midrange on the center speaker. 

My Tacoma JBL Speaker Won’t Go Back in the Center Dash Slot

Another 2024 Toyota Tacoma owner says his removable JBL center speaker won’t go back into its dock.

Noah Proud (@prouddecks) recorded himself on his TikTok video attempting to put the removable JBL speaker back in the center console’s docking station. He spent so much trying to jam the speaker into its slot, that he finally gave up. 

“JBL removable speaker in my new Toyota Tacoma!!” Proud wrote in the text overlay of his clip. 

In the comments jared asks, Did you ever get it? Or you still trying?

Noah says, “I’m still trying!” 

I think Noah finally did get the JBL speaker back into the dock, but reveals yet another problem with the JBL Flex. 

Final Thoughts and Questions for Toyota Tacoma Owners

The JBL Flex center speaker on the Toyota Tacoma is a great idea, but the execution of the detachable and portable sound system is lacking. It may be a feature to avoid until Toyota and JBL fix it. 

It’s Your Turn

Have you had issues with the JBL Flex premium sound in your Toyota Tacoma or Toyota Tundra? If so, please click the red Add New Comment link below to let us know.

Check out my Toyota Tacoma story: My Wife Drove My Toyota Tacoma With 37K Miles and Accidentally Filled It Up With Diesel and It Wouldn’t Start, The Toyota Tech Saved My Truck and My Marriage

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