New automatic transmission tsb to now include hybrid.

[TacoFreak]

When did they stop building Tacoma with transmission issue?

No one knows, maybe even Toyota, since the number of trucks affected is still growing

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[tacorancher]

First off, I'm not defending anyone, but people put too much credence in what this guy says. This video is strictly his opinion; he's keeps referring to "the way things were." I'm sure he's an excellent mechanic, but he's not an engineer or a marketer, and he clearly doesn't understand how the dealer franchise system works. Yes, it would be great to go back to simpler times, but that's not going to happen if you want to stay in business. Toyota and everyone else have to respond to market forces, government regulations, and consumer demands.

Do vehicles cost too much? Absolutely. Do people neglect their vehicles? Of course. Why is this? For one, labor rates are insane. Dealers are charging upwards of $200 per hour with no guarantees that the problem will be fixed. The independent chain I used to work for is up to $160. I ran the numbers: $1,100 for a four-wheel brake job, with their cost around $300, depending on the application. The same goes for tires. While the markup isn't as bad, the cost is still high, especially without paying for the lifetime warranty package, which adds even more to the price and is pure profit. Just another form of insurance.

It's a vicious circle. If you want to retain good people, you need to pay them well; otherwise, they'll find someone who will. To pay them, you have to charge for parts and labor at a rate that covers all the costs associated with running your business while still making a profit.

Why are we at this point? Well, I could go one but that's a discussion beyond the scope of this forum.

I agree with all that and I also agree with @TacoFreak — the part of the video I thought people needed to think about is that Toyota does take care of its customers. Not perfectly and not always quickly but they do (look at their recent efforts to fix the white paint issue). Also their quality is not really going down. Their vehicles are just getting more complex. I also do not 100% agree with this guy or I would not have bought a TH. But he makes really great points. And I love his comment about how us truck guys are insane. Because we are maybe just a little crazy. We need to chill out and let Toyota do its thing. We’re all going to be fine and these trucks WILL LAST if we take care of them. I firmly believe that.

 

[Vintage38]

After a couple of visits to the dealership when "Hybrid System Malfunction visit your dealer" popped up on my dash, it looks like I hit the trifecta. Transmission assembly, torque converter and hybrid motor all need to be replaced on my 4 week old 1200 mile Trailhunter. And the cherry on top is the parts are on backorder. Oh - What - A - Feeling !

 

[Gfenza89]

After a couple of visits to the dealership when "Hybrid System Malfunction visit your dealer" popped up on my dash, it looks like I hit the trifecta. Transmission assembly, torque converter and hybrid motor all need to be replaced on my 4 week old 1200 mile Trailhunter. And the cherry on top is the parts are on backorder. Oh - What - A - Feeling !

Dam.. you’re lucky in a way! At least yours failed right away. Were you having weird shifts what were your symptoms?

 

[Vintage38]

Dam.. you’re lucky in a way! At least yours failed right away. Were you having weird shifts what were your symptoms?

I really didn't notice any weird up shifts. When I would come to a redlight or stop sign the tranmission sometimes kick down alittle abruptly, but as I was new to the truck I thought it might be was normal.
Other than this recall, the truck has absolutely exceeded my expectations on performance, handling and ride quality. Hopefully Toyota can iron out the kinks in the new Tacoma because they did a fantastic job on the redesign IMO. My dealer has been fantastic, they offered me a loaner until the parts come in and truck is fixed. I declined the loaner as the truck drives fine, other than the occasional pop up message. Plus I own a Bronco Raptor as my other vehicle, which I would prefer to drive over the Rav 4 they had available, lol.

 

[Gfenza89]

I really didn't notice any weird up shifts. When I would come to a redlight or stop sign the tranmission seemed to kick down alittle abruptly, but as I was new to the truck and thought it was normal.
Other than this recall, the truck has absolutely exceeded my expectations on performance, handling and ride quality. Hopefully Toyota can iron out the kinks in the new Tacoma because they did a fantastic job on the redesign IMO. My dealer has been fantastic, they offered me a loaner until the parts come in and truck is fixed. I declined the loaner as the truck drives fine, other than the occasional pop up message. Plus I own a Bronco Raptor as my other vehicle, which I would prefer to drive over the Rav 4 they had available, lol.

Interesting, so your trans wasn’t even acting up that bad and it through an engine light. Mines been shifting goofy for a while now with 2400 miles and it still has yet to throw a code, makes me think there’s more to this issue that we’re not being told

 

[TacoFreak]

Oh - What - A - Feeling !

Yep - You hit the jackpot!

My truck is just under 700 miles and behaving like yours, including the lower than expected fuel mileage. I think that is another sign that the transmission is on its way out. Yesterday I had that abrupt downshift when stopping and my top fuel mileage so far is 17.3. Like you, I love my truck, but I no longer trust it at all. I just keep hoping I get that message while it is still driveable.

Be aware that even if it is working now, it may stop at any time and any place. Several people have stopped for a red light and when the light changed the truck was dead. So driving your other vehicle is a good call.

Great choice in the Bronco Raptor btw - I wish that is what I had bought.

 

[Gfenza89]

Yep - You hit the jackpot!

My truck is just under 700 miles and behaving like yours, including the lower than expected fuel mileage. I think that is another sign that the transmission is on its way out. Yesterday I had that abrupt downshift when stopping and my top fuel mileage so far is 17.3. Like you, I love my truck, but I no longer trust it at all. I just keep hoping I get that message while it is still driveable.

Be aware that even if it is working now, it may stop at any time and any place. Several people have stopped for a red light and when the light changed the truck was dead. So driving your other vehicle is a good call.

Great choice in the Bronco Raptor btw - I wish that is what I had bought.

Don’t you find it odd that some of these trucks are throwing codes for shift solenoid issues but shift good overall…. Yet some of us are driving trucks that have been acting up pretty bad for 1-3k miles and no codes are thrown ??

 

[tacorancher]

Dam.. you’re lucky in a way! At least yours failed right away. Were you having weird shifts what were your symptoms?

It’s on back order @Gfenza89 - do you see why toyota isn’t replacing all of them at once?

 

[Gfenza89]

It’s on back order @Gfenza89 - do you see why toyota isn’t replacing all of them at once?

Maybe they are slowly ramping up replacement transmissions behind the curtain and then they’ll issue a service campaign or recall?

 

[tacorancher]

Maybe they are slowly ramping up replacement transmissions behind the curtain and then they’ll issue a service campaign or recall?

Possibly. They have to buy time either way.

 

[Gfenza89]

Possibly. They have to buy time either way.

Well they better hurry up and figure it out, cats out of the bag, the info is out there and I’m sure lot of people are Leary of purchasing I think the sales numbers reflect that

 

[TacoFreak]

@Gfenza89 Yeah - that is strange with some trucks driving fine and throwing codes and your truck driving like crap and reporting that it is fine. Toyota no doubt knows what is happening but they are leaving owners in the dark.

@tacorancher Yep - It could just be Toyota buying time, and doing it by leaving us in a bad situation. IMO they either need to figure out a way to show us that are trucks really are OK or replace them, but no doubt coming up with thousands of replacement transmissions can't be easy. But no way is my truck going off road until I feel like I can trust it, and what good is a bad ass off road truck that you are afraid to take off road?

Toyota has really dug themselves a hole with this one. I didn't follow the Tundra engine mess closely but I bet a lot of Tundra owners drove trucks that they thought were going to die also. Even today there a many Tundras on the road that are getting replacement engines, but which are still being driven by unlucky owners.

I knew about the problem before I bought but trusted Toyota too much. I do not know that I would do that again, although my truck is just about perfect in every other way. The Tundra situation called Toyota's reputation for reliability into question, and this could be the final nail in their coffin.

 

[TacoFreak]

Maybe they are slowly ramping up replacement transmissions behind the curtain and then they’ll issue a service campaign or recall?

I think that they would have to pause production to catch up on transmission supply and I don't expect that to happen. They are already behind on producing the new 4Runner and it also takes this problem transmission.

 

[tacorancher]

@Gfenza89 Yeah - that is strange with some trucks driving fine and throwing codes and your truck driving like crap and reporting that it is fine. Toyota no doubt knows what is happening but they are leaving owners in the dark.

@tacorancher Yep - It could just be Toyota buying time, and doing it by leaving us in a bad situation. IMO they either need to figure out a way to show us that are trucks really are OK or replace them, but no doubt coming up with thousands of replacement transmissions can't be easy. But no way is my truck going off road until I feel like I can trust it, and what good is a bad ass off road truck that you are afraid to take off road?

Toyota has really dug themselves a hole with this one. I didn't follow the Tundra engine mess closely but I bet a lot of Tundra owners drove trucks that they thought were going to die also. Even today there a many Tundras on the road that are getting replacement engines, but which are still being driven by unlucky owners.

I knew about the problem before I bought but trusted Toyota too much. I do not know that I would do that again, although my truck is just about perfect in every other way. The Tundra situation called Toyota's reputation for reliability into question, and this could be the final nail in their coffin.

Agree with all that. But I am willing to wait to see how it plays out and I’m going to go off-road anyway. I’ll see how it goes.

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