My truck let me down in a big way

I'm not looking to gripe and there's not likely anything that you guys can do for me, but I have to share what's going on with people that can understand.

My truck is 2 weeks old. It's a TRD Off Road with a manual transmission. I'm currently on vacation. We took the new truck because we are driving 3000 miles and thought it wise to take the new truck instead of the 04 4Runner with 140k miles. Big mistake.

We're 1000 plus miles from home and I honestly don't know if my brand new truck is going to get us home. As we rolled into Myrtle Beach tonight, the transmission started sticking hard and I really had to fight the stick to make the last 10 miles to my grandmother's house. The transmission is only the newest in a string of problems. The differential howls like a banshee, the rear brakes vibrate badly, the engine seems to lose all power between 1800 and 2200 rpms, and there are other annoying problems that aren't worrisome but are just annoying.

We have non-refundable reservations at Disney and the plan is to go to Orlando on Wednesday and Thursday before we trek back to Missouri. My two young girls don't even know about Disney yet, but my wife is beside herself about the thought of not being able to continue on.

I can't do anything about the truck until the local dealership opens on Monday but I really doubt that they'll be able to get a new transmission ordered and installed in time to keep our tight schedule and I really don't want to drive the truck another 1500 miles with the transmission and differential both acting the way they are.

I'm a loyal Toyota guy, but they've really put me in a bad situation.

 

Sorry that happened to you man. Out of curiosity Did you ever have a chance to check your diff fluid?

 

They should give you a free loaner through the warranty.

 

Could you call that Toyota roadside assistance, have them tow it to a dealership, bring you a rental car, have them make repairs while you head to Disney, then pick it up on your way back?

 

Sucks bad enough when your vehicle has issues close to home, sucks way worse when you are traveling. And to top it all off, it's brand new.

I would be pissed as well.

 

Yes. I checked both the differential fluid and transmission fluid at 500 miles, right before I left on the trip. Both were full and the fluid looked clean.

I'm not sure if it's the cause or not, but I personally think that the move to ultra light weight gear oil to help with fuel economy is hard on the gears. My differential went out on the 4Runner too and I replaced it with an ECGS unit that I'm very happy with. They recommend 85w-140 instead of the thin 75w-85 or whatever Toyota puts in these things now. At the rate that I've seen Toyota differentials fail recently, I'm inclined to agree with them.

 

Can you explain what 'sticking' transmission means? I know you have a manual, what are the exact symptoms?

 

'Whatever can go wrong will go wrong'
All that matters is what 'you' do to overcome the world!
You are smart, we have a great community here, and you will get through this
I can't be of much help with technical and mechanical, but hopefully these words help

I am sitting at work on the ambulance right now and just read what you posted
I worked a bad wreck not long ago, family from out of town, both parents didn't make it
It still messes with my head thinking about 2 young kids growing up without parents.

So, you at least made it to destination one safe, and your family is/ I imagine enjoying the trip and the beach. Be thankful for that.
Second, where there is a will there is a way, if Disney doesn't happen this trip, it can always happen again in the future, and it wouldn't hurt to talk it out with Disney after talking to Toyota. Who knows, they may be able to bump the tickets a day or two, or for a future trip

All I am trying to say is, this is just a minor set back. Don't let it overcome you!

Best,
Mark

 

Thanks. I had already read about the transmission sticking so I knew exactly what it was when it happened. My heart just sank. From what I've read about others that have gone through it, the only fix is a new transmission and sometimes the problem reappears even with the replacement unit.

Oh well. I guess there isn't anything I can do until Monday so I'll try not to worry about it. Even Toyota corporate is closed until then.

I'm not sure that they'll be able to pawn off the differential as normal. I've heard whines before, but this one screams and it's getting worse.

The brake vibration happens at all speeds, not just 15 to 25 mph. The whole truck shudders if I brake at 70 mph. It may be driveline related though. My u-joints were bone dry and there is a ton of rotational slop in the driveline.

 

When I'm in a gear for a while and the transmission warms up, it takes superman strength to get it out of gear and into another one.

 

I sure hope so.

 

You 'are pushing the clutch pedal in right?!
Haha

 

Yes, and I have to say that I do really like the clutch on the truck. It's much more refined than what I've had in the past.

 

I legitamately feel bad for all you 3rd gen owners with issues. I bought a 2016 Sierra as my new daily driver and was supposed to have a plethora of problems with it according to everyone here. Well 6000+ miles later and I haven't even had a hint of an issue. It has so many more gadgets that could fail compared to a Tacoma and nothing does. Toyota quality just isn't what it was in the early 2000s. Sad.

 

Drive it like you stole it. Drive that Bitch.

 

Yeah, newer generation models tend to have more problems until they work out the kinks a few years later.

You're braver than I am as I would have taken the older vehicle. ( more so that's I'd be worried of getting a new vehicle dirty, as tends to happen on long road trips with all the eating, trash, etc that builds up during driving)

 

According to everyone here I should have terrible problems with my new 3rd gen and is terrible. I tried hard to find them, not one. I feel bad for the guys here that have issues but hate that general synopsis of it being a terrible truck now, certainly not the case.

Congrats on the Sierra I had a 14 for 6 months between Tacomas, no issues just wasn't for me was a huge bang for the buck though and a nice truck.

 

Sorry to hear your troubles man. I'm in the Springfield, MO area too, so it's nice to see someone local on here!

 

Thanks. I haven't seen too many 16s around town yet. Good to know that another local guy is active in the forums.

 

Sorry to hear about your situation. Waiting until Monday seems reasonable. In case Toyota does not provide a loaner/rental, if it were me, I'll just rent one and proceed to Orlando as planned 'cause it sounds like there is still time to make a good trip out of it.