New member, soon to be Tacoma owner, question about TSBs

Hello everyone! I'm excited to purchase a Tacoma very soon and had a question about TSBs. I have heard some conflicting information regarding TSBs, even here on Tacoma World. My main question is: are dealerships (or manufacturers) required to complete all TSBs before selling a new vehicle?

I ask because I am about to purchase a 2018 TRD OR and I want to make sure all appropriate TSBs are addressed. The most important TSB to me is the one regarding transmission/ECU tuning to lessen the gear hunting.

I hope someone on here can provide a definitive answer! Thanks!

 

I have an 18 built in July and don’t feel like I need the TSB after the “learning.”

You may have different results though.

 

Ex dealer tech here. No they are not required to perform any tsb before the sale unless it has been deemed unsafe on the fatal level.

 

Tell em to apply the TSB if they want you to buy the vehicle.

 

Do you know if the gear hunting TSB will be completed on 2018 models?

 

Don't worry about anything. Just enjoy the truck. And if you have any issues you have warranty.

 

TSBs are not automatic fixes, the truck has to exhibit the symptom first before it applies. I've only had two done to my truck in the 2.5 years of ownership because I only had two problems.

Test drive the truck and if you really like it, buy it and if not, look for something else. If you have problems down the road use the warranty to get it corrected, if it falls under a TSB symptom it will be applied then.

 

I have an 18 Sport and I feel like I do not have the transmission issues others have felt. I have 1300mi so far. I may or may not ask for the update on the 5000mi service.

Right now I think it’s more important for them to change the oil at 5000mi. So there’s that. Just enjoy your truck.

 

They have lifetime free oil changes at my dealership if you buy the truck there so I can set the interval as I see fit.

Or you can just do it yourself if you want it more frequently if you dont want to pay the dealership.

 

I have an ‘18 that I bought early in the year, so I knew it wasn’t done on mine. I did not feel like I had the issues that many people report on here.
But....
I took my truck in for the tsb, and I’m REALLY glad I did. Made the truck much more enjoyable to drive.
OP, check out the thread on here about it. Great trucks, regardless!

 

Another vote for test drive it first worry about TSB's later. If you don't like it now then move on to something else or pretend you never found this forum that's got you all worried about TSB's you may never need.
Have you already determined that your truck is gear hunting? Not all of us have this issue.
If I test drove a truck that didn't shift to my satisfaction I wouldn't be buying it!

 

Just because there is a TSB does not mean your truck has that problem. Why apply a fix if it is not broke?

 

I purchased mine last month an now has 2k miles . Noticed it more as time went on . The hills in Colorado makes it noticeable so as I’m writing this I’m at dealer waiting to see if they are gonna do it .

 

Thanks everyone for the info. I'll make sure to see if I can feel it during the test drive. What situations would make it more apparent?

Very excited to be joining the Tacoma family soon.

 

right on!

 

My 2017 has no TSB's and I am very happy with it. Wouldn't change a thing. Don't read too much into this forum.

 

A LOT of threads for this one, as posted in those... My experience was with my 2018 TRD OR and on the SHORT test drive I chalked it up to coming from a V8 Tundra. After joining here I knew it was something more after a 100mile trip over roads with lots of hills at highway speeds...e.g. gear hunting, dropping significant RPM's on hills and losing power due to kicking up to higher gears... and forgot about putting the AC on... Took it in and explained what was happening, showed them the TSB, and explained I had a 700 mile road trip planned up North and wanted it applied. Was much better for it and glad I did it, maybe Toyota will now start to code the software which controls the tranny based on all those coming in.

 

This is the bad thing with forums. Someone posts up a TSB and you have guys printing them off and walking into dealerships demanding it be addressed. This is why most dealers either cringe or laugh at anyone who mentions a forum. I’ve personally seen and dealt with a lot of misinformed and ignorant people thinking they know everything because the follow a forum. I put most of them in the same category as the people who think someone placed a bug or tracking device in their vehicle, or who think the government is out to get them. Most are just kinda strange people.

There is a big difference between a recall, and a TSB (technical service bulletin) manufactures release recalls because there is a safety concern, or defect. I’m not 100% sure if all states require any recalls to be done prior to any new vehicle sale, but here in NY it is. If there isn’t a current fix or parts need to be ordered, then it’s a complete stop sale. We’ve had vehicles we’ve had to hold for a few months waiting for a fix.

A TSB (technical service bulletin), are recommended procedures for repairing vehicles. Problems that have been found or known issues and how to address them. These are listed for service technicians as well as service advisors. So when a customer comes in with a complaint they can search through to see if perhaps one of these matches the type of problem, issue, or concern a customer is having. As already stated they don’t apply to every single vehicle. They aren’t usually vin specific, like most recalls. There usually is no set or determined number of vehicles effected or covered under a TSB. When a vehicle is sold, unless a customer, or sales person notices a problem and brings it to a service members attention before delivery no TSB’s will be performed. Just because someone has a TSB in hand doesn’t mean the service dept. has to perform the service. First and foremost they have to be able to duplicate the concern. Then they look to see if it’s even applicable.

Hopefully that clears up some misinformation for some members, and saves a few dealers a headache

 

My Service Guys know me, and I’m laid back about “issues” it’s just a truck. With that said, rolling off a lot with an almost $40K truck you expect better. My truck was manufactured/ordered by the dealership on 02/18, I purchased it in 06/18 and the TSB made a big difference. Just my real life personal experience.

 

No they're not required to apply TSB's before selling a truck.

You could however use it as leverage: Tell them you will only make the purchase if they apply the TSB and show you proof that it has been applied (Not just "TSB applied" on a receipt).

All trucks are different however. Mine has terrible gear hunting and even after the dealership applied the TSB (Could have lied to me about applying it), it feels no different.