TSB: Hybrid Tacoma Now Included in Transmission Failure Issues & Replacement (October 2024)

[TacoFreak]

@Gfenza89 Yep - I think poor gas mileage is another symptom of a damaged transmission, along with poor shift quality. I drove mine about 50 miles today and it mostly worked well, with just one clunky downshift as I was stopping. But it never gets anywhere near the rated mileage and it would be interesting to see what Toyota says about that.

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[tacorancher]

That is true, but there is no guarantee that more VINs won't be added to the TSB, since it has already happened once. But I also agree that buying one well past the TSB VIN range is probably safe.

@Gfenza89 and @tacorancher What kind of fuel mileage are you getting. My hybrid has never topped 17.3 mpg, and I am NOT driving at all aggressively or fast with the engine still breaking in.

Couple things. The newer hybrid I drove did not do the little weird lurching thing at a stop so I feel like they fixed something.

For gas mileage, when I crossed 2,000 miles something happened .. it got smoother and more efficient. I am absolutely crushing on mileage right now. I think I’m about to get 350 miles from 16 gallons. I’ll post it right here when I run the tank down which will be soon. Mind you I’ve been in eco the whole time and driving very gently and I’m on stock tires.

 

[tacorancher]

What all did you say to brand engagement? Curious to see if it lines up with my statement?

I noted the TSB and that I am stuck with a transmission that’s acting weird (I gave them the detailed symptoms). I mentioned how far my ranch is from civilization and how much money I spent on the truck and how it just simply sucks. She said document everything with the dealership and she was documenting on her end.

If it doesn’t fail and it gets progressively shittier, I probably will get more aggressive. If it becomes clear they know what the issue is I’ll want it fixed. I don’t want to be in limbo. The whole reason I bought this truck is to go out into the middle of nowhere and that’s exactly the only thing I’m afraid to do with it.

Anyway next step is take it into the dealership and document the issue.

 

[Gfenza89]

I noted the TSB and that I am stuck with a transmission that’s acting weird (I gave them the detailed symptoms). I mentioned how far my ranch is from civilization and how much money I spent on the truck and how it just simply sucks. She said document everything with the dealership and she was documenting on her end.

If it doesn’t fail and it gets progressively shittier, I probably will get more aggressive. If it becomes clear they know what the issue is I’ll want it fixed. I don’t want to be in limbo. The whole reason I bought this truck is to go out into the middle of nowhere and that’s exactly the only thing I’m afraid to do with it.

Anyway next step is take it into the dealership and document the issue.

Good! I just really hope they come up with something soon for us

 

[TacoFreak]

Couple things. The newer hybrid I drove did not do the little weird lurching thing at a stop so I feel like they fixed something.

For gas mileage, when I crossed 2,000 miles something happened .. it got smoother and more efficient. I am absolutely crushing on mileage right now. I think I’m about to get 350 miles from 16 gallons. I’ll post it right here when I run the tank down which will be soon. Mind you I’ve been in eco the whole time and driving very gently and I’m on stock tires.

I am not checking mileage manually, but going by what the truck reports. I may have only been seeing a total average, although it shows trip time, length and mileage every time I shut it off, and so far 17.4 is my record high. I did figure out how to clear that all out, so the next time I drive it I may see something different. I am at just under 600 miles so far, so maybe it will still improve.

I think a lot of us have transmissions that are damaged to some degree and Toyota just doesn't want to deal with that. They are hoping that we will be satisfied to pay top dollar for trucks that don't work right. I will contact them soon and add my complaints, but I honestly don't expect them to do anything about it.

If it fails they will replace it, but we seem stuck in limbo, at least for now.

 

[TacoFreak]

@tacorancher It sounds like you laid out your position with Toyota well, and not feeling comfortable using these trucks for what they were built for is my major complaint. I guess at this point all we can do is tell them we are not happy and see if they ever do more than they have so far.

@Gfenza89 I agree that they need to do something beyond telling us to just drive them and hope. As long as mine worked normally I could pretend it was somehow alright. But now there is clearly something wrong and Toyota seems to be hoping that we will just shut up and go away. That could happen because if I get near the end of the drivetrain warranty and nothing has changed I will feel like I have to sell it and move on. I don't want to - the truck is great - but what good is an offroad adventure vehicle that might not bring you home?

 

[Gfenza89]

@tacorancher It sounds like you laid out your position with Toyota well, and not feeling comfortable using these trucks for what they were built for is my major complaint. I guess at this point all we can do is tell them we are not happy and see if they ever do more than they have so far.

@Gfenza89 I agree that they need to do something beyond telling us to just drive them and hope. As long as mine worked normally I could pretend it was somehow alright. But now there is clearly something wrong and Toyota seems to be hoping that we will just shut up and go away. That could happen because if I get near the end of the drivetrain warranty and nothing has changed I will feel like I have to sell it and move on. I don't want to - the truck is great - but what good is an offroad adventure vehicle that might not bring you home?

Exactly please call and voice your concern! I absolutely love my 4th gen it’s the best Tacoma yet, but to have to worry about breaking down everyday is getting really old and the worst part is I know it’s coming. Doesn’t Toyota realize the severity of this?? People could be hurt or killed because their trucks don’t accelerate, or leave folks stranded in middle of no where

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