Dealer said my transmission is shot

My 2011 Tacoma transmission started slipping on Monday of this week. I never noticed any slipping prior to that. I took it to my local dealer, where I have had all my service done. They called and said the transmission (automatic) is shot and not worth repairing. They said there are metal shavings in the fluid, and it will cost about $5000 to replace it. I told them to go ahead and replace it under my Toyota Platinum extended warranty. They said uh, I’ll call you back. They called back and said they have to get an inspector in to look at the truck before they can honor the warranty.


My truck has less than 70,000 miles on it. It has always been serviced only by that dealer. They had it three weeks earlier (for a different problem) and did a complete analysis, from battery to brakes and everything else, and didn’t find a problem with the transmission. I pull a small utility trailer (like you can get a Lowe’s) maybe 3-4 times a year with a mower on it, roundtrip about 20 miles. I’m 70+ years old and drive the truck like I’m, well 70+ years old. My truck looks and runs (except for the transmission) like brand new, inside and outside.


What should I expect when the dealer calls me back? If they deny the claim, what should I say. And what should I NOT say? I’m hoping for the best, but I want to plan for the worst. Thanks for and advice you can give me.

 

I'm no automatic transmission expert, but I'm pretty sure an independant TRANSMISSION shop would rebuild your trans for well under $5,000. If the dealer won't fix it under your double throw me down warranty, tell them to bolt the pan back on and do nothing else. Have it towed to a respected transmission shop(not AAMCO). I really wonder if it needs a rebuild, or if it was just low on fluid. After all, the dealers are the ones that spread the stuff about it being a "sealed transmission".

 

I have had a trans rebuilt by a transmission shop for around 3000 and the shop warrantied it for 5 years

 

I would see if low on fluid first. Many shipped low from the factory.

Shavings could have been there since day one.

 

Well, to start with, 70,000 miles is very low for a transmission to pop.

Presuming that this is what you're referring to; https://www.sc.toyotafinancial.com/web/tfs/pub/contents/vsa/TFS_VSA_Platinum_VSA_eBrochure.pdf

This is what it says under "AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION":
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Transfer Case Components (All internally lubricated components) and: Hoses, Lines and Tubes; Seals and Gaskets; Shift Linkage and Cables; Solenoids; Torque Converter; Transfer/Transmission Case; Transmission Mounts; Vacuum Modulator; Shift Lever Knob

Based on that, I don't see any coverage of internal transmission components.

If it were a MANUAL transmission, they specifically mention that it covers "Gears and Shafts".


I can't imagine that it would help to say this to someone with 70+ years experience dealing with people, but for any hotheaded kids who happen to read this thread.... keep an even head talking to them, don't threaten lawyers or anything of the sort, etc. Piss them off and they won't want to work with you.

 

If they don't replace it under warranty, don't have them work on it. Take it away immediately and go to a real transmission shop. Toyota will just install a new (remanufactured) Toyota transmission and charge you the extra premium labor rates (which is why it's $5000).

I paid under $3k for a full transmission rebuild, new torque convertor and 2 year warranty at an ATRA shop that the warranty is good nationwide.
https://members.atra.com/shopfinder

 

I'd say since they serviced it your have a good shot at the warranty.
Stand your ground best you can and let them know u bought the warranty and serviced it per the manual and they did it.
If they find a loop hole have it towed to an independent shop with good reviews.

 

I would think since you have a Toyota warranty you should have it done at Toyota. That way if anything else goes wrong with the transmission at a later date, you just take it back. They have to honor your warranty, they sold it to you.

Plus, you had all prior work done at that same dealer. That’s as good as it gets.

 

Not really man search the internet.
They have found loop holes to denie all sorts stuff these days. Cost my bro $11 k on an engine.

 

It says, "All internally lubricated components," so it should be covered. I work at a dealership and sell service policies. Maybe they forgot that you had a policy and were trying to see if they could scare you into a new transmission. You could always take it to another dealership or repair shop to see what they say about it. I wouldn't lose any sleep over it since you have a policy.

 

No. It doesn't say "all internally lubricated components". It says "Transfer Case Components (All internally lubricated components)". As in the TRANSFER CASE internal components. The transfer case is BEHIND the transmission.

 

Maybe, but he had all prior work maintenance performed at that same dealer. That will go a long way whit his claim.

 

^^^ That. Because the dealer won't be able to claim failure due to lack of maintenance.

 

OP, I bet your happier then a fox in a chicken coop for buying that extended warranty now. Not many of us do, but your as smart as that fox now!

 

That's only if it gets covered. They're already hinting that they're trying to weasel out of it.
As a consequence, OP is probably more stressed out right now than he would be with just a repair bill.

 

Doesn't this mean anything in the transmission case?

 

No. As I've already explained, it means anything in the TRANSFER CASE, which is BEHIND the transmission.

 

I dont see it in exclusions list.

It will be covered. Stop pushing the paniac button for the poor guy. Geez

 

If it really isn't covered than that is the worst policy I've seen in a long time. Any power-train or basic policy should cover a transmission failure. Something listed as "Platinum" coverage should cover it. If it doesn't I'd cancel that and get my money back and buy one that covers more.

 

It doesn't have to be in the exclusions list unless a superset of it is in the INCLUSIONS list.
For instance, *IF* they said something like "Automatic transmission assembly" in the INCLUSIONS list, then they could add to the EXCLUSIONS list "torque converter". That would mean that the transmission is covered EXCEPT for the torque converter.

But the problem is that the real guts of the AT are NOT in the inclusions list.