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

[Ray T]

I was in the same boat as you I traded my 2011 rock warrior with 86k on it and it was in great condition

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[TacoFreak]

@Ray T Yeah - I had a 2011 Limited with some nice upgrades including the Off-Road package. Loved that truck but thought I should get something newer that I could count on. lol

Good luck pushing it with corporate. I talked to a brand engagement clown who did absolutely nothing for me. But you have a documented case now, so I hope they follow up with you. Since I have no current bad behavior my dealer can't make a report that would start a case and I am just stuck waiting.

 

[Ray T]

I get it I’m not just going to keep pushing for me I’m pushing for everyone and hopefully get results I’ll keep posting whatever transpires the wait and unknown feeling sure is a let down

 

[32spoke]

The issue involves casting sand remaining in the torque converter, apparently due to improper flushing. Given the pressures within the transmission and the size of the sand grains, it's unlikely the particles will settle; the filter may or may not capture all of them. However, the grains are large enough to lodge in the solenoids, leading to shifting problems. This may partially explain why not everyone is experiencing the exact same issue—some individuals report no problems, others experience intermittent issues, and some face complete transmission failure.

Every automotive hydraulic system in an automotive application, will have a pressure side and return side. Pressure is developed by a pump with spikes the pressure from nothing to a specified pressure by an engineered requirement. Creating the pressure creates heat and hydraulic force to address the requirements of the design of the system- this applies to all circulating fluid hydraulic systems. The transmission pump, behind the torque converter, generates the required pressures specified by an engineer. After the fluid passes though the transmission, or the demand side of the hydraulic system, this applies to air conditioning, hydraulic power steering, engine cooling system, and an automatic Transmission. After the fluid address the “demand” or hydraulic force demands, the fluid heats up and usually passes though a heat exchange unit- at this point, the pressure has already dropped, and in the case of an automatic transmission, by the time the fluid passes back into the transmission, after flowing though the heat
Exchanger, the fluid pressure will be much lower, reduced by 90%. The fluid is returned to the pan, a reservoir for the fluid to be pick up/suction to be recirculated into the transmission pump, which again,
Creates somewhere around 200-250psi. Therefore the 20-25 psi on the return side, as it flows into the expanse of the pan/reservoir, contaminants WILL collect in low flow areas within the low pressure area. Put your thumb over the end of a garden hose and spray, wait. To remove contaminants from the paint of a vehicle, the fastest way, not advised- the faster way to removed dirt and bird merde, pressure is utilized… in other words, respectfully, the pan will collect debris. And if the contamination is ferrous, it will also congregate around any magnetic source, where the hydraulic force is secondary to the electromagnetic force of the shift control solenoids

 

[hadelson]

Just read this and my Trailhunter is on the latest TSB. Owned just shy of two months with 1600 miles.

I am not going to worry about this. I do have Premium extended warranty so remain confident it will be replaced if the trans grenades.

Observations:

1. Really like the truck coming from a Tundra.
2. Since owning. When cold, does have occasional rough 1-2, 2-3 shift. It also shudders slightly below 35 MPH. This all goes away when trans temps reach +100 (I have a Scan Guage 3)
3. No codes yet, but I check weekly

 

[BorealTaco]

My 2024 Trailhunter had a transmission failure this morning with 750 miles on it, and my VIN was almost 3,000 after the published VIN on T-SB. The hybrid module assembly was included in the estimate (that alone is priced at over $19,000).

Shifted the car into R following a very cold morning start and the truck shuddered for a few seconds. Following the shudder, no backward movement even though truck was still in R. Finally got it to back up and no transmission engagement when shifted to D. Shifted to P and then D and transmission engaged but would not shift out of 1st gear - tried accelerating to 4500 rpm and still no shift. Following a bit of a meltdown/venting call to the dealership, I turned the car off and on 2-3 times and the transmission started shifting. I was 1.5 hours away from the nearest Toyota dealership and drove it there with every warning message under the sun cycling through my instrument cluster - they got my truck in right away and gave me the bad news. Thankfully it's obviously under warranty because they told me the entire repair will cost north of $27k!

Never posted here before and haven't read through this entire thread. Just wanted to share my experience with the failure. I love the Trailhunter and am hoping that this is the last catastrophic event with it.

 

[TacoFreak]

@BorealTaco That is terrible news, but thanks for sharing. The more information that owners have the better we can prepare for what might happen to our trucks.

That TSB covered the trucks Toyota admits might have problems, but there have been other transmission failures in trucks outside the range. So obviously the failing transmission events are still happening and you have to wonder how many more there will be. At this point you have to wonder if even Toyota knows exactly what is going on.

That cost is amazing and you would think that alone would make Toyota want to get to the bottom of this. But so far they are playing their cards very close to their vests and leaving us in the dark.

Good luck with getting your truck fixed. Did your dealer give you an estimate of how long it will take to fix your truck and did you get something to drive in the meantime?

I love my Pro but I wonder if one day, out of the blue my truck will do exactly the same thing.

 

[BorealTaco]

@BorealTaco That is terrible news, but thanks for sharing. The more information that owners have the better we can prepare for what might happen to our trucks.

That TSB covered the trucks Toyota admits might have problems, but there have been other transmission failures in trucks outside the range. So obviously the failing transmission events are still happening and you have to wonder how many more there will be. At this point you have to wonder if even Toyota knows exactly what is going on.

That cost is amazing and you would think that alone would make Toyota want to get to the bottom of this. But so far they are playing their cards very close to their vests and leaving us in the dark.

Good luck with getting your truck fixed. Did your dealer give you an estimate of how long it will take to fix your truck and did you get something to drive in the meantime?

I love my Pro but I wonder if one day, out of the blue my truck will do exactly the same thing.

TacoFreak, I agree that Toyota probably doesn't have a handle on the scope of the problem. The cost made my stomach turn. I chose not to get the extended warranty, and I'm thinking that I might have to unload my Trailhunter before the factory coverage expires (if I continue to have problems after the repair).

My dealer is going to let me know the time frame tomorrow or Friday.... I'll be sure to update you guys when I know more. I got a Sienna as a loaner - I'm going to test its overlanding abilities this weekend

 

[MT-Taco]

My 2024 Trailhunter had a transmission failure this morning with 750 miles on it, and my VIN was almost 3,000 after the published VIN on T-SB. The hybrid module assembly was included in the estimate (that alone is priced at over $19,000).

Shifted the car into R following a very cold morning start and the truck shuddered for a few seconds. Following the shudder, no backward movement even though truck was still in R. Finally got it to back up and no transmission engagement when shifted to D. Shifted to P and then D and transmission engaged but would not shift out of 1st gear - tried accelerating to 4500 rpm and still no shift. Following a bit of a meltdown/venting call to the dealership, I turned the car off and on 2-3 times and the transmission started shifting. I was 1.5 hours away from the nearest Toyota dealership and drove it there with every warning message under the sun cycling through my instrument cluster - they got my truck in right away and gave me the bad news. Thankfully it's obviously under warranty because they told me the entire repair will cost north of $27k!

Never posted here before and haven't read through this entire thread. Just wanted to share my experience with the failure. I love the Trailhunter and am hoping that this is the last catastrophic event with it.

Hopefully Toyota gets you on the road in a matter of weeks vs months! I think Toyota dropped the ball with the early failures, many were nearly 2 months.

 

[Gfenza89]

This is crazy, it means they simply don’t have the transmission debris issue figured out. I honestly hate to say this, but I hope more and more start failing because Toyota needs to give us answers on wtf is going on.

 

[BorealTaco]

Quick update: I just opened a "case" with Toyota Brand Engagement Center. After my truck had the codes cleared at the initial dealership that I stopped at, I drove it to a dealer in my town on Wednesday evening. I called today and they told me that they haven't been able to get the truck to throw the codes again, so they haven't done anything yet (no parts ordered, etc.). So I called Brand Engagement and opened a case. Not sure that it'll matter. It would be nice if they would expedite things, but from what I understand - these are not big money makers for the dealership.

 

[TacoFreak]

Stupid dealer BS, but not a surprise. The TSB states that once the codes have been set the transmission assembly must be replaced. I guess because your truck is out of the TSB VIN range they can now do anything they want. Resetting the ECU and waiting to see if it happens again is bs and leaves you with a truck that could go tits up at any time. That is not the procedure clearly outlined in the TSB, so you were smart to contact Toyota.

I think your dealer is jerking you around and Brand Engagement has never really helped anyone that I have heard about. IMO you are in a bad place and will just have to ride this out. The old Toyota that stood solidly behind their products appears to be gone.

 

[SilverSurfer]

Sorry for your situation, definitely want to take photos of codes if they are thrown visibly. Hope it works out and T will take care of you no matter what so don’t worry. Dealers often are oblivious and get the details and process wrong. Hang tight and it’ll work out.

I just put my f350 in for a new tie rod due to observed wear at 25k miles. The Service Advisor still showed a cost to replace the parts and alignment. He explained that it’s not covered under warranty until he “files” the paperwork to cover it. It will be covered, but the Process makes them submit all the details, first.

While we have new trucks, it’s important to remember any vehicle, new or old, can fail at any time. The difference with new is that the cost will be covered, but we’re not immune to failures.

Good luck.

 

[Gfenza89]

The more frequently this happens the better for all of us.. it’s what pushes these giant business to finally make things right

 

[CrispyTacoLover]

Quick update: I just opened a "case" with Toyota Brand Engagement Center. After my truck had the codes cleared at the initial dealership that I stopped at, I drove it to a dealer in my town on Wednesday evening. I called today and they told me that they haven't been able to get the truck to throw the codes again, so they haven't done anything yet (no parts ordered, etc.). So I called Brand Engagement and opened a case. Not sure that it'll matter. It would be nice if they would expedite things, but from what I understand - these are not big money makers for the dealership.

A $27,000 repair bill isn’t a money maker?

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