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

My 2019 was 3/4 quart low also. Truck felt heavy, best way to describe it, but so much better now. I did not think it would have made as much difference as it did. Have not checked my 2018 yet but transmission shifts great so I do not think it is low but will be verifying. My 19 now drives like my 18.

 

Checked my 18 this weekend. It was a few ounces low but not bad and still red with slight brown tint.

 

Oh my....., I just got mine last friday but have already put 600 miles or so on it.... going to check it tonight. Would like to get 200k plus out of this truck....

EDIT: So for some reason I thought checking the transmission fluid was with a dipstick like days past but I would be wrong if I thought like that....

So now I am buying a qt of transmission fluid (Toyota OEM) and crush washer and some tubing and mini pump going through this during the weekend.

Is it me and my old(ish) age or is shit just getting more and more complicated?

 

Kenstogie: you are right on the money.

When I took delivery of "my" SR a few days ago, I knew I was embarking on a journey.

I had no idea how "close to the shoals I was running" already when I was driving home. I wish I'd had this knowledge prior to finalizing my "deal". I would have certainly used it as leverage to get a chance to ask some very probing questions about what's done to assure that vehicles leaving the lot are truly consumer ready! My fault. Lesson learned.

I did ask my salesman at the STEALERship before the purchase as I peered under the hood where I might find the transmission fluid dipstick (blissfully ignorant at that time of Toyota's "ATF-gate" which was simmering away on some cosmic back-burner.)

My reason for asking -- as I explained to him -- being that my previous vehicle, a Saturn with a 3.5L V6 also "dis-included" an easy way to check the ATF level (same basic setup -- "overfill" with ATF, follow warming procedure, remove overflow plug and observe flow "waiting for dribble".)

When he didn't have a ready answer (no surprise there) he was at least kind enough to run in and ask a tech and returned with the answer confirming my suspicion: this is a "sealed unit, and doesn't require checking". Utterly ridiculous.

I told him since I'd already had the experience, that it wasn't a "deal breaker", but was stupid nonetheless to think that there shouldn't be a simple way for an OWNER to check the ATF fluid level.

Since I am no engineer or designer of hydra-electric transmissions, I will get off my high horse and say that perhaps the design is perfectly acceptable -- as it's documented after all, albeit to the "PROFESSIONALS."

What IS unacceptable however, is the negligent attitude of the manufacturer and STEALERships in not being certain that vehicles sold to consumers aren't being checked.

There is no way I will drive the Tacoma very much more (still have less than 200mi on the odo) until I satisfy myself that I don't have this problem too. And it's a damned SHAME that I have to take the time to do this.

There is no way for the average consumer to easily deal with issues like this. If this fluid check were documented in the OWNER'S manual, then it would be reasonable to place the onus on the vehicle owner for making sure that they don't drive around with a transmission low on fluid.

Fortunately, enthusiast forums like Tacomaworld.com exist that allow information that crosses the line between what the OWNER'S manual contains and what's only available to the "PROFESSIONALS".

Many, many thanks to this site's operators and especially members like gearcruncher for taking their time to share with all us lowly OWNERS** such vital information!

Best regards,

Joe

** (paying off our vehicles and hoping that the hefty INVESTMENT means we'll have a reliable vehicle for more years than it takes to pay back the loan)

 

Mine turned out to be maybe 4 oz empty but I consider that with in spec range.... plus that 4 oz may have been part what was left in the container on the bottom and part what was left in the collection pan.... Good to go, plus at least it was checked and always had the correct (or at least darn near the correct) amount in it since new....

 

Ok , after 4 years and countiing .Toyota has done nothing to rectify the problem
What can we do at this point ?
Scream at the dealerships to guartantee the trans fluid is filled properly at the time of purchase .
There is no TSB from Toyota at this point to indicate there are any isuues with low fluid and this is after 4 years of customers bringing their trucks in to the dealer to have their transmission fluid level checked .
These transmissions need to be filled correctly ! They do not function propelry even at a quart low
Sad times gentlemen

 

Why would they want to fix it if it happens after the factory warranty is over. Sounds like the usual car industry to me. Everything fails right after the warranty ends, this just speeds it up a bit. Think about haw many people actually own these trucks then think about how many people are on here and actually find things out about the trucks. That's just easy money for them from ignorant people that with hand over the money.

 

Just had my 5000 and requested an ATF check. Received what is apparently the standard answer. “This is a sealed system and can’t be checked.” Going to be calling them tomorrow and they will check it eventually.

 

Yesterday I purchased a 2020 TRD Sport DCLB that was built in Baja, MX. After reading this thread I insisted the dealer check the ATF during the PDI. When I picked up the truck, my salesman said this was not a standard check during the PDI. However, he humored me (we have a good long relationship) and they checked the tranny fluid. The tech reported that fluid level was 100% at the correct level from the factory. Peace of mind!

 

I guess I'll have this done when I have my dealership program a new spare key for me (they lost the original before I bought the truck). Hopefully I can get them to apply the transmission TSB as well.

 

More than likely they will not check it the correct way as posted on here, but they say that it's fine. Only way is to mark drain bolt to see if it was done. Dealerships don't care, that's why they push that extended warranty crap on us when the whole thing with Toyota is they last forever.

 

How do I pin the thermostat open? can I press it in with at screwdriver then insert the pin?

 

After reading this post, a month after I purchased a used 2017 taco trd off road with the tow package and 17k on the odometer, I spoke to the Toyota dealer that sold me the truck about having the tranny level checked. I received a cookie cutter answer after I explained the concern I had about this matter - no problems with the tranny yet.
They said that they don't check the fluid level but for about 300 bucks and change they would drain the tranny and put new fluid in the tranny thus ensuring correct level.

I plan to go a different Toyota dealer to see if they have options that are not cookie cutter solutions.

I appreciate this forum. Plan to be a contributing member. This is my first post.

 

Just another data point. 2019 SR5 4x4 V6, Baja-made, ATF checked properly (confirmed) during 10k maintenance and level was dead on.

[edit: previous text removed]

 

Sooo this would be my first post on this forum.. after about 53k miles on my 17 OR/w Tow package. After having a mild panic attack after reading threw this thread. I figure this is a good way to break in my first post.. I Was looking for info on tranny flushes when I found this forum. I scheduled an appointment with my local dealership to have the tranny flushed as regular maintenance. Having them check the rest of the goods while I’m there, propeller shaft regrease, Re torque the leafs springs & while they are at it making sure the tranny update is.. up to date. I’m gonna do the diff fluid changes myself. Surprisingly they are telling me since this is sealed unit that the flush at such low mileage would be in their words “throwing away my money” should I flush it or just have them check the level? As far as the mentioned problems stated my tranny seems fine to be honest aside from the slight clunking on cold starts when shifting from P to R or D. When it warms up it’s gone just initially when cold. No abnormal shifting or slips. I do have to mention I’m the second owner I bought the truck used from the original owner at 23k miles. Maybe he had all this work done. One can only hope. anyways Any info helps thanks.

 

I would just have them check the level

 

Type in your vin # and see what the dealer has done to your truck before you owned it .
https://www.toyota.com/owners/home

This thread was not created to give members panic attacks hehehe . Sorry dude , i am only the messenger
It was created to make you aware that there were issues with the fluid level and in most cases the symptoms of low fluid are fairly noticeable especially when the truck is cold and you select 1st or reverse .

 

I completely understand, I’m just glad there’s people who care & wanna hell others who’s going threw the same dilemma. I signed up & looked threw all the previous write ups & service done. Nothing relative to what we are talking about. Soo what would you recommend? Have the tranny flushed at my current 53k mileage or just have it checked?

 

What would I do ?
You are 7 k away from a pan drop .
Change the fluid

 

Checking the fluid sounds complicated