Love the Truck...but disappointed!

Let me start by saying, I've wanted a Tacoma for a long time and I do love the Truck. I am a bit disillusioned as a result of this experience however.

Last month, I bit the bullet and decided to sell my 2003 V8 Dakota and get the truck I always wanted. I lucked out and found the exact model with all the extras and even the color I wanted.

I kept driving the Dakota until I could sell it so I only have 500 miles on the Tacoma as of last Friday. I noticed when it downshifted (mostly 3-2 and 2-1) it would thump if I was coasting to a stop. I started reading threads on TW and decided to take it in to the dealer to have the transmission fluid level checked. The dealer called me back, said the Technician was able to recreate the condition and said they had a call out to Toyota and we're waiting to hear back from someone with next steps. They called back and said that Toyota wants to replace the transmission but when I asked if it was new or rebuilt he said "it's reconditioned". I advised them that wasn't acceptable for a vehicle with 500 miles on it and he said it was elevated to the Service Director. I have also called Toyota Customer Service to open a case with them. Keeping my fingers crossed that Toyota makes this right but I'm preparing for a battle.

Will update when I get more information.

4/19 - Update
I want to thank most everyone for their comments and opinions/knowledge sharing. The feedback has been valuable. This was my first post so I apologize for it being a duplicate posting.

I spoke with the dealer and they can't get a new tranny. It will be remanufactured and, from most opinions on here, that isn't necessarily bad. The warranty for the powertrain will remain the 5 year/60,000 it has as a new purchase. I will follow up with Toyota Corporate after I get the truck back, hopefully today. Thanks again everyone and I'll update if I hear more from Toyota.

4/21 - Update
Read the report from the dealer. Original transmission was 1 1/2 quarts low. Trans was filled and tested and it did the same thing so they replaced the tranny. Check those fluid levels! If your buying a new '16 make sure it's checked before you leave the lot! Thanks TW for making me aware!!

5/6 - Update
Reman Tranny has been running fine. I took the truck in for an oil change and to have them check the differential fluid. The Service advisor told me that they are checking the transmission fluid in all the Tacomas they are sending out. Great news for future customers at Claremont Toyota. I can't complain about the dealership. They have taken care of me and my concerns.

 

Welcome to the turd generation (jk, I love most things about mine too)

Hope it gets fixed. Glad you stood up for not getting a reconditioned tranny. If they won't budge then I would damn well expect the best extended warranty they offer complimentary along with it.

 

First off, "Welcome to TW"!

Hey the best of luck to you on this and I sure do hope that Toyota honors this by doing what is actually right.

Any "normal person of sound mind" would fully agree with your assessment about having to replace the transmission with a 'brand new" one instead of a "re-conditioned" one. Especially a brand new vehicle with only 500 miles on it! It appears as though Toyota knows and realizes that there is a problem with some (maybe all?) transmissions not functioning as it should on their newer model Tacoma's?

Yes keep us posted on the progress.

 

Welcome to the club!Hope your dissatisfaction turns into satisfaction!

 

Someone else was getting a "refurb" tranny on this gen 3 forum not too long ago. I would search for it but I am in a bit of a hurry now. Hope they figure this out.

 

Welcome!

But didn't I just read almost exactly the same thread starter a week or so ago?

 

Imagine that.

 

Welcome!

I've read this before.

Here we go:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/toyota-replacing-my-trans-with-a-remanufactured-trans.423638/

 

Refurb= they used the same case! It's an all new transmission. It is not an issue and all car manufacturer's do it!

 

And people make fun of Dodge

 

OP you had a new transmission and it failed. A transmission carefully rebuilt with new parts (refurbished) is likely a better bet as get gets more attention. Gen 3 transmissions are a new design so the refurbished ones came from other trucks that had transmission failures, it's not like they came from a truck found abandoned in a gravel pit. I'm assuming the transmissions are refurbished by Toyota or it's suppliers not by an independent shop. Would you be happy if the dealer rebuilt your transmission? The refurbished transmission is basically the same thing except your truck won't be waiting a month for parts.

 

At this point a refurb is probably better. It has been stripped down, all components inspected and replaced as needed, cleaned and reassembled, and will have the correct amount of fluid from the first mile on it.

 

Welcome to TW, I hope your truck gets fixed to your satisfaction!

 

I have 2gen so I feel like I can make fun of the Dodge and turd gen...

OP good luck, and yeah... new truck = new parts...
Insist on getting new parts .... otherwise they will go cheap on you..

 

Don't get me started on the issues I had with my Dakota.

 

Do explain. Are you suggesting they'll throw in Amazon bought gear sets from bootleg Chinese factories? I've read a few of your posts and they are all almost 100% choc full of dumb-as-shit responses and misinformation.

 

Same here, I loved the look of the older Dakotas (circa 2005) but holy hell was that truck ever a headache for me.

OP I agree with other people here that a refurbished transmission is a better bet than having them put a new one in, the new one will more than likely have all the same issues the other new ones are having. Good luck with everything, I'm happy to hear that Toyota is addressing the issue for you and not just trying to write it off as something that's normal like they seem to be doing with many other members on here.

 

I would go with a refurbished transmission as well. There is nothing wrong with them as they have been looked over from top to bottom.