Official TSB for automatic trans failure from Toyota.

I remember the frame rot deal. If you don't think that didn't carry over into your gen, I got some bad news for you...

I hate to say it but regardless of the gen, all of these trucks were built like soda cans and were constructed in mind to have the lifespan of a modern day appliance.

 

I think it's more about your hyperbolic opinion that's just generally off putting.

It just comes off as troll like. Transmission failures in unknown numbers (likely in the low single digit percentage) and one broken transfer case from a YouTube doesn't mean the truck is junk.

But if you don't see value in Tacomas maybe it's not the truck for you.

 

I’d never go back. Not even a chance.

 

When I picked mine up back in 2012 I thought the price was a little steeper but bearable. I have watched the price creep up to what you see them going for on the lots today. $60- $70,000 for a midsize truck built out of soda can material for the body and a frame that rots in a few years is hardly what I would call "value." The price is insulting for the working class, unaffordable by most blue collar worker means and built to the quality standard of a Corolla. I've owned my truck since new. It's been okay and held up relatively decently, but by no means have I been proud of its build quality.

"They don't build them like they used to" is a saying I never thought I would be saying myself.

You could think I'm trolling here, but I stand by my original statement. Toyota's quality has been on the decline for years and they've been riding on the name that once made them famous all while charging premier pricing for subpar products. The consequences of overseas outsourcing by contracting the lowest bidder eventually catches up to you.

 

Again, your opinion on value is yours to have. But trying to justify it with 60-70 price tag claims is disingenuous. Those prices are the exception, you can get Tacomas in the mid 30's and 40's. Again, I think you're going a little over the top with everything here.

Toyota and Lexus still rank at the top in dependability. Your opinion on that doesn't change the facts. Cars and trucks being made from aluminum seems to bother you as well. If you don't know why that the case do some reading. I'm no expert but I don't think Aisin is a "lowest bidder" transmission manufacturer. Please correct me if I'm wrong on that.

Edit: Some quick Google searching tells me Aisin transmissions have been in Tacomas since Gen 1.

 

I agree but I mean, that's literally every brand and almost everything else outside of vehicles you can buy. I would have liked to see Toyota as the exception but it isn't. I will say after having owned a 2023 Tundra 1794 and a 2023 GR-Corolla, this 24 Tacoma is built worlds better than either of them even with it's short comings. I'll probably trade for another one later on in it's life span once the new model reliability isn't in question anymore because right now that's the only downside to it. I do love it but I also don't trust it which is sad because of how great it is otherwise.

 

I will add a couple things. There’s an enormous amount of speculation and “they don’t make em’ like they used to” bullshit on TW. Also, any weakness in the 4G is seized upon and magnified thousands of times over because people are either sour over the price or enjoy making people feel bad about their purchase because it’s not what they purchased or were able to purchase (my house cost 50% more than it did in 2019 by the way.. it’s called inflation.. yeah dollars lose value over time it’s true). We don’t know how much the quality went up or down and we also don’t know if the quality movements were even across the truck. I put a thousand miles on the truck and from what I can tell the materials used are mostly far better — rubber, softex, interior feels way better. How those materials were assembled? Eh.. same mexico mediocre QC as the last gen from what I can see. But there are other things. The frame is fucking solid. It blows the prior gens away.. When I go over train tracks at 50mph, I can feel that. It’s used in the Landcruiser as well. Everything mostly feels heavier and thicker (except the aluminum which is clearly for weight and not cost savings with trucks this heavy). The truck has a much heavier and thicker and more solid feel. But it’s uneven. The eyeglasses holder feels cheap. The interior handles on the doors feel far far far superior to the light thin plastic of the 3G. The frame is clearly better and has wax sprayed into it to prevent rust. But we won’t know how all of this plays out in terms of reliability for a while. The transmission issue is a supplier problem and it’s for sure a QC problem but even with that it’s too early to tell.

Also what boggles the mind is these threads are for 4G owners to talk about issues and how we are resolving them - it’s a place to exchange information. But because old gen owners cannot help themselves, they come in here and want to just crap all over the 4G and say how bad it is when they haven’t put any miles on one. It’s kind of just the pure definition of trolling because there isn’t any real point to it. It does not further the mission of the thread. It’s really a manifestation of “man it really is better if I keep my old truck — I’m not missing anything - let me crap on it and make these people know they got screwed.”

 

Well said!

 

The people who talk about the v6 being more reliable and saying they don’t want a 4cyl is comical too. The 2gr-fks was a decent motor but to do any real big work to it it practically had to be removed from the truck and put on an engine stand. Massive labor costs for things as simple as oil leaks. There’s 2 more of everything to fail opposed to a 4cyl too. Another cylinder head, another head gasket, another valve cover seal, etc. the 4cyl engine in the 4th gen is far easier to work on for service and maintence making costs cheaper long term. Toyota has made reliable 4cyl engines for decades! Just my 2cents on why I think the T24a-fts will be a better engine to have long term throughout the years.

 

Reliable 4 cylinders for decades sure, but not with a turbo (not decades) and that is the "if" still. Its still a smaller displacement engine under additional strain. There's a reason when my wife wanted a new RX we only shopped the hybrid (no turbo).

 

Thats was just the market bud, same residual, you just happened to trade in at all time highs for trade ins for your 17 and 20, my 22 is holding on just fine compared to my 16, 17, 19, and 20.

 

Aisin is TYPICALLY really good. I don't know why their stuff has been so questionable lately. In all truth it is most likely a huge reflection of the cheap/ cost cutting direction the industry has been moving to in the last decade and a half or so.

Bothered over a thin body? You bet I am. These trucks are marketed towards being off road capable and ready. The amount of denied warranties I've seen and heard about because the truck saw dirt is ridiculous when thats literally where they are in the commercials and running pretty good mind you. They are notorious for cracking radiator support bulkheads and various other areas of the body after having even a remote bit of fun off road. The fact you can take the cross support areas and twist them by hand is absolutely stupid.

This right here. They look nice, but you certainly can't trust it anymore, and they are part of an entire industry of this way of thinking now. Honestly no brand is built well anymore and I get bothered seeing the prices for all of these vehicles across all the manufacturers knowing they'll be in the shop in 3000 miles or less getting something replaced because it prematurely failed.

 

I agree, having owned a RAM HD, they were having issues with them as well. Aisin has made some bulletproof trans in the past but lately they've been struggling.

 

Putting 2 engines in a truck costs way more than one. Imo Toyota is still stress testing and building for longevity and reliability. I think the problem is more complicated and multifaceted than Toyota trying to maximize profits by cutting corners. Supply chain, work force, new facilities etc.

 

Not sure if I'm reading that document correct. Am I affected?

my VIN is 3TYLB5JN9RT015061

 

the way im reading it, yes your last #'s are before the change...

 

I guess I wait and see if anything happens and my truck throws a code. I assume Toyota isn't going to just replace transmissions unless something like this happens.

 

Correct, so just like the Tundra guys, at some point you'll be stranded on the side of the road or limping your way to the dealer. Way to go Toyota.

 

Aware, decades of Toyota/Lexus ownership, but most dealers are not accepting the Tundras yet for recall due to parts, wait list, so similar to this trans TSB alot of those owners continue driving until they can't anymore or their turn for the replacement. Toyota is covering their a** with the machine debris excuse again and this time a TSB instead of recall but at the end of the day both are issues with the powertrain and both will leave you stranded or limping to the dealer.