Transmission 2016-2023- 6 SPEED AUTOMATICS COULD BE LOW ON FLUID DIRECTLY FROM FACTORY

Took my 3rd Gen TRD OR to the dealer today. They admitted that they have had "several" 3rd gen TRD OR's in for early service due to low ATF. They also admitted it was isolated to the TOW PACKAGE as many have suspected. I was 1 quart low. I did not have any signs of low ATF but thanks to this thread I got it checked and sure enough I was low.

 

Even with all the issues and wondering if I was gonna have buyers remorse.... This truck is growing on me.
I was going to trade it for a 4Runner but I'm learning more and more about it thanks to people like you @gearcruncher. I appreciate your "now how" and your willingness to help out newbies like me. And I must say I appreciate the ECT button too! I don't know. Maybe it's just me but it just feels like it should ride when I have that button on. The tranny doesn't hunt for gears as much going up hill it seems.
Still taking it to another dealer to have the rear diff and the atf fluid levels checked for reassurance though.

 

It isn't isolated to the ORs. Mine was low and is an sr5 4x4. I think the suspicion has been that it is related to the tow package.

 

Other info. I had my atf corrected last week. I still have the delay from reverse to drive. I'm coming to a full stop after reverse, then shifting to drive. It hesitates. Last night on a whim, I pressed the ect button before I put it in reverse. The delay seemed less when I shifted into drive.

 

you are correct drwx. I meant to say Tow Package not OR. Its the additional rez on the tow package that caused the issue.

 

So....
At the dealership getting my cocked steering wheel fixed and asked for a memory reset cause I adjusted my own fluid.
Now they want to finally check the level.
Idiots...lol

 

Just picked up my DCLB TRD sport and the level was fine. The dealer changed the transmission fluid (said its easier to just drain and check for the proper amount. Then they added the proper amount, no charge) after I pointed out this issue. The service tech said he herd of this problem (from this site) and has checked 3 trucks and none of them had low levels. These are Canadian Spec trucks which are from TX and tow package is standard up here.

 

Sounds like a cop-out by the dealer...Why would they drain out 3+ liters of good fluid and replace it with new stuff... That makes NO sense.

I call BS on them... If that was the case, Toyota would not cover the cost.... IF the tranny was low.. Toyota would cover the cost..!!

Sounds like they did not want you to know that it WAS low...!!

 

I don't think that was the case. I was talking to my sales guy before I took possession and he basically booked the truck in for a transmission fluid change as a favour to me. He gave me all the work orders and receipts so there is a record with toyota. If the fluid was low, I'm sure Toyota Canada would have covered the cost.

 

Made a appointment for fluid check next week. Mine has a hesitation from reverse to drive when cold. Hope this goes well.

 

OK , so here is another issue that seems to be popping up .
At this time , I am not positive that its related to the low fluid problem that most of us are aware of but I will post this concern in a few places at Tacoma world so the word gets out .
Some members with 2016 trucks are feeling the transmission slip between 2nd and 3rd gear .
Members reading this need to pay attention to the upshift from 2nd to 3rd gear . You will feel the engine rev up before the transmission upshifts to 3rd
I will link you guys to the post so you can read on your own and what to look for .
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ssue-not-hunting-or-vibration-related.427172/

 

Went to the dealer I bought my truck from and told them the transmision slipped once in a while when it was cold. The service manager told me to drop it off and if they don't feel the problem there's nothing they can do. So I called Toyota and started the case they told me the dealer would call me back in 2 days, service manager never called me I called Toyota back again then the third day he finally called. Reluctantly he said bring it in and we'll see what is happening and check the oil. I told him other dealers found this issue with the Tacoma's that have the tow package added to them from the factory are running low on trans fluid, he didn't believe me. Well let me tell you there's mud on his face now, he explain the procedure to me what they did to check the oil level and it was the same as what the guys on here have said and found the transmission to be 1/2 to 3/4 of a quart low. Thank guys who have figured this out. I hope toyota fixes this on newly built tacos.

 

Add me to the list fellas. 2WD TRD offroad with tow package, Baja build. Typical delay and clunk when shifting from reverse to drive first thing in the AM.

The dealer tried to tell me this was normal for these transmissions. I ignored that and showed up with the procedure printed out and a dollar of nail polish on the fill plug. The service manager convinced me they would use the full procedure and adequately described the process to me.

Low and behold, I was 0.8 quarts low.

IMPORTANT: I specifically asked him to confirm that this was covered under warranty, and he hummed and hawed and finally said that "since I reported a problem it would be covered." I am sure that if you do not state a problem (e.g you just want it checked to make sure), you will get charged. So, make sure you state that you are having an issue and don't let them tell you this is normal.

I will update tomorrow on the clunk and whether or not it is gone.

UPDATE: Morning clunk is totally gone and the transmission behaves so much better! The transmission is no longer vague on the freeway. Very crisp, and not busy at all. I am actually very surprised that 3/4 quart makes that big of a difference. There is nothing different or unique about these transmissions, they are just low on fluid. It now feels like it should. So deny-ers keep on denying and haters keep on hating, but I sure am glad I got mine topped off...thanks GearCruncher!

 

Mine does the exact same thing....even after a 750 mL top-off problems still exist.....Just spoke to Toyota Care and he's going to send me a extended warranty of 8 years or 125,000 miles at no cost for being a loyal customer.

 

Is Toyota Care your local dealer, or "Corporate?"

 

TAG

 

I wasn't going to post again but after reading this I had to. As I posted earlier, took mine to the dealership, they lied and said it was fine. Did my own check no fluid came out (and I had to crack the bolt open which let me know they never opened it at the dealership). Did my own fill and was about 3/4 qt low as well. Just like everyone else.

What I wasn't expecting was the immediate difference I felt. I couldn't describe my experience any better than @poppy510 . Super crisp delivery of power, no more vague shifting, no more delays when I put the gas down before it finally downshifts to give power, no more engine revving randomly between 2nd and 3rd gear etc...

I'm so surprised that 3/4 of a quart can make that kind of difference. I've actually chirped my tires two different times pulling out of parking lots into traffic which totally took my by surprise. Before I'd hit the gas and the truck would do nothing for a second and then grudgingly downshift and give me power. I finally feel like I'm getting the extra 42 horses they put into the engine.

I didn't do a memory reset or anything. I know a lot of people have filled to proper levels and haven't noticed a difference. I am beyond shocked how big a difference I've felt. I'm so glad I found TW!

 

Just got off the phone with my salesman regarding my concerns raised in this forum (~May 5 delivery TRD OR 4x4 AC with tow)... he was aware of the issues and the forum and asked me to email a list of things i would like them to check... he assured me that they would perform the checks i request and agreed to provide the service write-up...

my list...

1. ATF manual fluid level check
2. Front and Rear Differential fluid level check
3. Transfer Case fluid level check
4. Drive Line U-Joint lubrication
5. Rear Axel U-Bolt torque check

what else...?

 

I hope for your sake they really do all of those checks, good luck

 

thanks smugly... i appreciate your skepticism... i too take nothing for granted... so i will require a complete write-up addressing everything i am asking for... documented in writing...

he says they are interested in my "peace of mind..." and i take him at his word... but only to a point...

if i'm not satisfied, i'll demand my deposit and walk... it's too much money to not feel completely comfortable...