Automatic Transmission issues

I have read that there were various Automatic Transmission problems and they may only last 120,000 miles or even less.
What safeguards can be taken to increase life expectancy.

 

Very true! most problems are gone by 120k miles.

 

Where did you hear that???
Key to making things last is maintenance and not abusing stuff.

 

Did I stumble into a Ford forum?

 

The only 'problem' I'm aware of is the B2 (low/reverse clutch) shitting out under high load conditions in reverse.
But, this is with their global diesel application.

 

No, gm

 

Keep up on maintenance

 

Stay off TW and you'll feel a lot better about your truck lol.

Most of the transmission complaints have more to do with the shift logic than the durability of the components. Given the number of 3rd gens built so far, the engine and transmission seem to be pretty reliable. You're much more likely to have the rear diff howl or a leaking third brake light than a transmission failure. Don't abuse it, keep up with maintenance, and use ECT and S5 or lower when towing. Common sense stuff really. I'm not sure what else you could really do.

 

I had one of those aisin auto transmissions in my 2001 tundra for nearly 300k miles. Long as you do the recommended drain, and flush at the required intervals...i never had an issue. That transmission worked just as well as it did when new. Even many shops acknowledge the drivetrain toyota's have are very reliable.

 

I am wondering if I have a rear diff howl. I hear a howl at specific speeds cruising like 45mph. Toyota techs have been clueless. Is there a fix?

 

May not be the diff. If you have aggressive tread tires, they will have a tendency to howl at highway speeds. Some speeds will aggravate the howl due to a resonance effect.

Rear diff will howl at any speed. Just get louder.

 

People perceive the tranny as having an issue, I'm not so sure there is one.
https://vftuner.com/blogs/news/here...-tacoma-transmission-and-how-we-are-fixing-it

 

I had a TSB done on my 2017 for the rear diff howl. It helped a little, but didn't eliminate it. I don't know that there's a 100% effective way to get rid of it. Most of the time the howling is when you let off the throttle or you're just barely touching it. Mine did it between about 54-60 mph. I could get up to 62 and let off the gas and the howl would start at 60 and was loudest at about 57. Below 54-55mph it was quiet. It was pretty easy to reproduce, so the dealership did the TSB on it. Like I said, it helped, but didn't completely eliminate it. I'm glad my 2020 doesn't have it.

The thread below has a lot of info on it and what people have tried.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...oise-howling-when-feathering-throttle.442341/

 

My transmission was struggling to go into third gear and the whole truck would vibrate real bad. I had it serviced for 300 bucks and it runs just fine now. I’ve got 231k on it.

 

Thats the speed/situation mine is doing as well. Any diff between running 4 or 2 wf?

 

I never tried running 4wd at that speed. I'm assuming it would still be there, since the howl seems to be a harmonic resonance coming from the rear diff and transferred through the leaf springs.

 

Thanks for the link. The article requires a second and most likely a 3rd read. Very informative.

 

I just had a TSB performed on mine (2019) that re-flashed it and it drives more like I would expect a truck to drive. It was annoying before. I do think the manic shifting, lugging, etc could impact long term longevity (but probably wouldn't make much difference before 120k).

 

Mine really doesn't shift around that much, to be honest. I don't know if I have the latest software or not. I thought about checking into it, but the truck drives great so I figured there wasn't much need. I think these newer transmissions are designed to shift more from the get go, so I'm not overly concerned that it will have too much of an impact on longevity. Now, folks that hook up their 4k lb travel trailer and throw it in drive for their trip through the mountains, I could see having some problems. I'm not a transmission mechanic by any means, I'm just going off the fact that there a quite a few high mileage 3rd gens on here and we don't have a lot of transmission failure threads.

 

https://www.amsoil.com/p/severe-gear-75w-110-svt/