New Tacoma, crap transmission, sorry dealer. Shoot me now.

So, here’s my story. I’ve sure you’ve heard it before...

Bought a new ‘19 Tacoma SR5 Labor Day weekend, 3.5, 2WD, Automatic. I’d read the reviews about the transmission, but I’m a Toyota guy, the test drive didn’t seem “that” bad, so I bought it.

Within a few days, I knew it was a flaming turd. The transmission constantly searching for gears, bogging down, lags...just horrible.

So, called the service department, told them my issues. Guy on the phone says there’s been two TSB’s issued since my trucks build date (7-19), bring it in, should take an hour.

Arrived at the dealership, service guy met me at the truck, explained my issue and phone conversation...and it was downhill from there. Both the service guy and manager act totally befuddled at my bad transmission talk, like it’s a new revelation...and there’s no new TSB’s. Now I’m pissed.

Service manager goes on a ride with me, truck does the problems, and he tells me that’s just how it is, and I’ll get used to it.

I’m so disappointed. This is my first new vehicle in 17 years, my wife and I saved for years for this truck.

So, perhaps I’ll do the OVTune, perhaps I’ll just ditch the truck. This has been such a disappointing experience, I don’t know what to think. I feel duped.

Anybody else been in this boat?

So, so bummed.

 

May want to ask them to check the fluid level in the transmission.
Can they check their system to see who you spoke with on the phone?

 

Never buy vehicle that you didn't seem "that" bad... Its a big purchase bro.

 

Get the OVTune and if that doesn’t make you happy then you can ditch the truck

 

did you read his post?

 

I did, and have since edited my post.
High fives all around

 

No, I did a test drive. It’s my fault that I didn’t drive it in a variety of traffic scenarios. In hindsight, my test drive was much too brief. That’s my fault.

 

All good. I took my friends Tacoma around then I test drove 3 more at the dealer.

 

Yes Sir, agreed. I came out of a ‘02 Tacoma that I bought new. I was so excited about a new truck, it affected my judgement.

 

As much as they talk about OVtune here, that might be your only option. I dont have one on my M/T because I am fine with it, I might consider it only if I test drive an OVtuned M/T and see an improvement.

 

Thank you, Brother. Sound advise.

 

It is seriously my life's mission to get people to buy the manual. Just buy the manual. This is another hard learned lesson, just buy the manual. Toyota will eventually learn to build more manuals if the autos are all dying on the lots.

 

Sounds like buyer's remorse. You read, you test drove, you bought it anyway. Tone down your expectations or trade it.
However, they sell about 250K of them a year and records are being set. Seems like you are in the minority dude. Also, people even trade them in and get new ones! And love them. Imagine that.

 

This place can be a festering cesspool of shit that will make you hate the truck.

 

It's actually a pretty decent tranny when you understand why it shifts the way it does (to maximize fuel economy). It does take some getting used to, but you will eventually learn its shifting habits and adjust how you use the gas pedal to make it smoother.

Good luck though, whatever you decide to do

 

Yep. I drive a Tundra now, very seldom go to Tundra forum for exactly that reason. I liked my Tacoma, I like my Tundra. Imagine that.

 

for me when i bought my 2019, i was coming from a 2015 Subaru Outback with automatic transmission 3.6R motor. To me the two were very similar, but maybe in retrospect they both aren't the best. Both seem "shifty" and perhaps a big laggy until you hit the right rev. Hind sight after driving a v8 hemi for me. I was just used to it and I wanted a truck instead of a car and always wanted a Tacoma (resale value, reliability, kewl ass rig, etc). Well I hit a deer with my truck just recently and now my insurance provided rental is Dodge Ram 1500 with the Hemi, and I can now appreciate how weak ass my truck is when it comes to power. I don't care for a lot about the Dodge, but it certainly doesn't lack power. A v8 hemi will do that I guess. I also have done all the crap a lot of people here have done as far as saddling the truck up with armor and racks and canopy and bigger tires (biggest you can put on with stock suspension, not huge).

The hemi is also averaging 12.9 mpg, with none of the shit I've saddled the Tacoma with, so there is that. My Tacoma still gets around 18 even with all the weight. Anyway, its not a full sized truck, its got an economy focused tune from the factory. So I don't know what people are expecting. Yeah its not perfect. I am waiting to afford the OVTune, to see if that makes things better for me, and I may even regear down the road. Not sure if I will wait for the regear till my new tires wear out and I look at bigger ones, or if the extra weight I have put on the truck will make me do that...but I'm actually fine with my pig for now. I wouldn't mind a Tundra, but I live in the city so I just don't want a full sized for that reason, so I'm very happy with the Tacoma.

 

Ha! Tough love, I get it.

There’s truth in what you say, though. That makes it even worse, LOL

 

You should at least give it enough time to go thru the learning period.