Toyota said they cannot advise a dealership to check transmission fluid level on my truck...

I called Toyota Customer Service earlier today. I had brought my truck in for it's first service a few weeks ago and noted that the transmission was not acting right, intermittently experiencing a 'clunk' when slowing down and shifting from 2nd to 1st gear, and once when I pulled away from my house it wouldn't go into gear once I shifted into drive, and would rev in neutral a few seconds before actually going into gear. We went on a short test drive with the tech and of course nothing happened. Fast forward a few weeks, well it's becoming worse and in addition to the above mentioned symptoms twice now the truck has just slipped into neutral while I was driving, causing the RPM's to race. Absolutely unacceptable. I made an appointment at the same dealership a few days ago and called Toyota Customer Service to make sue they would check my fluid level. They called the dealership and apparently the service manager said they WILL NOT check the fluid level unless it's symptomatic on a test drive, and Toyota Customer Service said there's nothing more they can do.

So I called another dealership expressing my frustration and situation and they said to come by first thing in the morning and they'll check it. I'll have to hang out for a while while the truck cools down, but anything is better than going to that other dealership.

As my first Toyota it really seems like Toyota really doesn't care much about it's customers. Hopefully this other dealership comes through because if it continues to be a hassle this truck is gone. I really like ti otherwise, but no way will I put up with this kind of treatment for the life of a vehicle.

 

Transmission fluid levels are checked while engine is running, and hot (either in park or neutral), in order to verify fluid level. I havent had the chance to see a 3rd gen yet but im sure its like the second gen, no trans fluid dip stick, you check it from underneath where there is a check/fill plug on the trans

 

Not true. It has to apparently be checked at a certain temp, but not while at full operating temp/hot.

 

Yeah this is what other people are saying in the big thread about this.

 

@Sbpark Really? What specific temperature are they claiming it has to be checked at? Operating temp i believe is roughly 184-190.

 

@The Tarvis no kidding? Do you have a link to this thread?

 

My truck was shifting funny also when i first bought it. I work at a service shop and when I had it checked it was 3/4 a quart low from the factory. I had to have it hooked to a scan tool to make sure it was the right temp. I walked to Toyota which is across the street and told them and they said they've never heard of it being under filled from the factory but gave me a free quart as they should have. Haven't had any problems since

 

They really did change things on the 3rd gen it appears. Ive come across other threads with people having trans issues and stuck oil dip sticks, wind noise related issues with the LCA's, etc

 

But @Sbpark, Id like to know what temp they want it checked at for future reference. I am now curious.

 

I'm not a tech. Ask a dealership.

 

Trying to find out now. Ill see if Mitchell has it on there yet

 

Theres nothing on Mitchell or alldata. Probably gona have to call the dealership for the temp

 

I think the reason they want the OP's truck to cool off when he brings it in is so they can replicate the problems he is having driving it while it is cold. That gives the dealer the documentation to get it covered by Toyota as a warranty repair when they go to check the fluid level.

If your dealer refuses to check it, just make them a deal. Ask them to check it while you watch. Tell them you will pay for them to check it if it is full, and they will pay for it if it needs fluid added.

 

Here are two:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2016-transmission-update-and-fluid-levels.418424/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...be-low-on-fluid-directly-from-factory.405642/

 

Nope. No way I should pay for it. Either way the transmission is not right. If it's not the fluid level, it's something else. Why should i have to barter and beg to have it checked? The fact that the truck has thrown itself into neutral twice now while I was driving now makes it a safety issue in my opinion.

 

It sucks that they are giving you such a hard time about it, at the very least I would make sure that you have it very well documented with an authorized dealer describing the issues you are having and I would keep that documentation safe so that when something does go wrong you can prove you reported it and the dealer knew about it and did not fix the problem.

A little disconcerting that the truck has shifted into neutral twice while you have been on the highway, that is weird.

 

I was on a residential street twice when it happened. Luckily not on the highway. Was driving along, stepped on the gas to accelerate and it slipped into neutral and just rev'd. I was like, wtf?!

 

And eventually it will get you into an accident .
Did you read the poll ?
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...be-low-on-fluid-directly-from-factory.405642/

 

I mentioned that to the first dealership and their response was, "Anyone can post anything on the internet. Doesn't mean it's true."

 

You are correct .
The dealership will try their hardest to get out of checking your transmission fluid and we already know from your explanation that your fluid is very very low .
You have two options .
1- Continue driving your truck the way it is and the transmission will grenade . It will be towed to the dealer and you will be without a truck for minimum 2 weeks while they find you a replacement transmission . Thats if you dont get into an accident first .

2 - find a dealership who is willing to work with you and it looks as if you found one
Get the transmission filled properly or do it yourself .