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

My apologies sir. Embarrassed here. Yes I found what I was looking for. I read your informative posts BEFORE I bought truck. That is THE reason I discussed the "condition of sale" with Service and Sales Mgr before purchase. Both Mgrs (service and sales) acknowledged the trust issue from factory because they already replaced a transmission with only 1300 miles on it, authorized by Toyota. Gearcruncher, I really think you nailed it when you said the dealers need to learn about issue. They asked me "if this is keeping you from buying a truck, no problem". I appreciate your efforts and those contributing to the thread. I also encourage others who have not purchased a truck yet to do what I did-make them agree in writing even if no symptoms. My buyers order said to do it at my request (no other reason). They only asked could I do it within 100 days. The Sales dept will pay Service for the procedure. Sales just wants to close their books w/in 100 days. Tech said 1 hour time and 1 quart minimum , to top off what comes out overflow tube, even if properly filled. Thanks

 

Hey Mike .
Great post !!
There have been a few members here who have used your technique and it worked well while purchasing their new trucks . I used some of their knowledge within the poll .
There are more of us here as members and guests than the average dealer gets in their doors throughout a year . Its easier for us as members of a large website like this to track problems down .
What is nice to hear is that maybe Toyota is actually listening to their customers .
I pushed you guys hard in the poll to call corporate and I believe the message was heard .
Time will tell

 

False.

 

They finally had luck replicating the tranny problem after having my truck for 2 days. Verdict.....1/2 qt low! So now the fun begins with another call to corporate tomorrow to now first file another complaint against my selling dealer for not checking the level in the first place,I still have a text from my salesman that this was going to be done, and second trying to get one of them to pay for an extended warranty as I've driven 800+ miles with low fluid. I probably won't get anywhere with the second but I'm going to be the biggest pain in their ass and call every damn day until I get someone to listen. That's what it took this time just to get them to agree to have a dealer look at it and not be charged. My only advise to those who are getting the run round from either corporate or your dealer is be persistent and keep calling until you get someone who will help you. It took me almost 2 months of back and forth calls to corporate when I finally got a guy named Mike who called the dealership of my choice and requested that the service manager contact me about this issue and filled them in on everything. 5 days later and hopefully this is resolved.

 

Had my transmission fluid check this AM. After truck cooled for 15 min the temp was 140F (drove 10 miles, 37F outside). Truck sat for a while to cool off. Tech gave me procedure. Says to check between 95-113F. He said it was just barely dripping thru overflow tube. Good level from factory! I was impressed about 3 things: they let it cool down, gave me procedure and told me what he observed. I guess there is some flexibility between the level at 95 vs 113. The procedure says once above 113 start over. I need to cast my vote on Gearcruncher's thread. They had truck about 1 hour 20 min. Busy at 700 am.

 

Sad but true. Many times you have to become a complete pain in their ass to
get anything done. Pathetic.

 

I was experiencing the 2nd to 1st gear intermittent mild thunk that a few others have mentioned. I learned how to make it happen so I could repeat it.......get up to a least 35mph....slow down normally. About every 4th time it would happen. Went for ride with a mechanic at my dealer and they agreed to check trans level. It was over a quart low. They also torqued spring shackles and greased u joints and anything else they could find. They reset computer and want me to drive it for a week and let me know how it goes. Day 3 and I still have had a little thunk but the jury's out till at least a week. I am happy with my dealer and other than that thunk I love my truck.
My truck is from Texas 4WD DBCB Sport w/TO

 

Just got my truck back today. It has the Tow Package and the transmission slipped intermittently when cold on occasion. Took it to the dealer...couldn't duplicate...it's getting warmer, live in Florida. Told the dealer what I've read, they checked the fluid correctly...it was over a quart low! These trucks are definitely not at the correct fluid level, I expect a recall for Tow Package specific models as the problems continue.

 

That little thunk could be axle wrap/slip spline bind.
See if you can get your shop to drop the shaft and relube with

$19 Ford XG-8 PTFE Lubricant - 3 oz.

Ford XG-8.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/check-your-u-joints.409042/page-12#post-11551710

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/check-your-u-joints.409042/page-20#post-11728974

 

I have been arguing with one of my service centers for about a month over this. as others have stated, Toyota customer service was useless, as was the dealership. The best I got from the OWNER of the dealership, was that he could get a Field Tech to schedule an apt at sometime. I told him yes, but then just called a different dealership (first call, no problems), and they asked me to bring it in tomorrow. If they can replicate the problem, they will check the fluid....Also as I wrote this, I got a call from another dealership in my area that said they would check the fluid from me for free also.

To sum up:
For anyone that is getting backlash from their dealer, don't even try fighting; it will get you nowhere. Instead just try a different dealer. Specifically, mention that dealer A refused, because dealer B will want to try and earn your business.

 

I have the delay from R to D. I checked mine last weekend. It was about a quart low. I topped it off. Funny thing is that I still have the same delay in R to D and I can tell no difference in the shifting. Every few days I get a delay in shifting from 3 to 4, which causes the engine to rev or rpm hang, then shift. The added ATF seems to have not corrected the observed behavior. So it may be how this transmission operates.

Has anyone topped their transmission off and it corrected the issues?

 

^^^
Most have reported that it solved the issue...I have been following this closely and I am about to try a 2nd dealer to get mine checked...

 

Thank you for your info. I mentioned to my mechanic and he was very aware of that procedure......said it was done on other Toyota's truck and SUV's and that it was to be a "next step" if the noise persists.

 

How did you check it and verify you were at the correct fluid temp range?

 

Update: the new service center checked the fluid, and it turned out to be fine.

 

Great news!

 

My only concern is the longevity of the transmission after close to 4K on the odometer. Running low on transmission fluid cannot be a good thing when it's over a quart low. Fortunately, I haven't done any towing whatsoever. I have documentation now that it was low by over a quart, paperwork charged Toyota for 2 quarts. I really hope that this isn't a can of worms. My past 1st and 2nd Generations transmission had "0" problems.

 

This is my concern also and the reason why I've been calling corporate until I finally found a supervisor who'd listen. She documented everything and then put me in touch with another super higher up when I requested either they or the dealer should pay for an extended warranty because I don't feel confident there wasn't any damage done driving like this. I told the 2nd super today I have several text messages still saved from my dealer confirming they'd check the tranny which they didn't. I bought a Toyota based on a lot of other peoples recommendation on the trucks quality and reliability and it's not my fault the truck left the factory and the dealership with the tranny not being full. I'll know the outcome on Friday but even if she denies me the extended warranty I want something in writing for as long as I own this truck the trans. is covered because of their negligence.

 

Ill be picking up my 2016 dcsb sport 2wd with tow either thursday/friday or sunday. It may not be the most "ethical to me" option but I intend to bet them the cost of the check to give me peace of mind on my 40k purchase and if its low they will cover the cost. I will provide results when it comes and try and be as thorough as I can. I will bringing the the TSB 0079-15 and the procedure to manually check the transmission fluid.

I will be going to earnhardt in pheonix/mesa if anyone has had experience with their service dept. please let me know about it.