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

Went to the dealership today to get my 2018 checked, although I haven't really experienced any problems with shifting or delayed engagement (just somewhat harsh downshifts when slowing down to a stop), but I reported that I did to get it checked under warranty. I was there for about 3 hours and they told me everything was good. I have no idea if they properly checked it, but at least I have it documented that they did, just in case something goes wrong in the future. I might just do it myself when I can for a piece of mind.

Also, I test drove a 4runner TRD off road (premium-package w. kdss) while I was waiting, and I was extremely impressed. Transmission is smoother, more low-end torque, much more comfortable, and the ride was better. Damn I want one now. I may have to trade in my Tacoma for that next year, it is simply a superior vehicle (although the Tacoma looks sharper).

 

@gearcruncher My dealer just called to say they found the fluid "0.2" low via Techstream and have topped it off. I had asked them to check manually, but this obviously didn't happen. If they're finding it this low via techstream what is the chance that it actually needs more via a manual check?
Thanks all.

 

Checking in here with my 2018. It had felt fine until this weekend. The truck has ~600 miles on it and shifting started feeling noticeably rougher when cold vs warmed up. I had it checked today and found out it was ~3/4 quart low. Appreciate the knowledge in these forums as I kind of knew to target this right away.

 

2018 TRD DCSB OR 4x4 build date 02/18 in Mexico with delivery date of 03/19. Finally some warm weather for me to crawl on the garage floor. At 530 miles, AT trans fluid fine.

 

I also have a 2018 DCSB TRD OR 4x4 with a build date of 02/18 in Mexico. I am currently at 580 miles. I just got done checking the ATF level for the second time in two days. The first time I forgot to pin the cooler thermostat, and it ended up being 2-3 oz. low which I would characterize as being full for all intents and purposes. The second time I pinned the thermostat, added 4 oz in advance, and drained 4 oz once to temp.

So it appears that if you run the vehicle and cause the ATF cooler to operate before running the check, you do not need to pin the thermostat as the cooler lines will already be full. Although, I suppose if you are really low, the cooler lines might not be full before had, so YMMV.

I don't have any clunks in shifting to speak of, but I do have somewhat hard downshifts (engine braking) between 3-2 (around 30 mph) and 2-1 (around 18 mph) when coasting to a stop. Otherwise, the shifting is relatively decent, but it still will downshift too soon when accelerating unless in ECT mode. Interestingly, I don't have a hard downshift from 3-2 when in ECT mode and coasting to a stop, and the downshift at 2-1 seems less severe but still detectable. So yeah, the ECU programming is still wonky even with full ATF.

 

Got my 2017 back from second (16000km) service and had them check the fluid in the trans. At first they tried to say it wasnt necessary but I managed to get them to do it. I never had any big problems with the vehicle, just some jittery downshifts and not-really-but-kinda delayed P-D/R-D shifts.

Truck was built Feb/17 in the US and, if Im reading the P/O right, was .3L low.

Could be just me but I find the P/R-D shift way faster and the shift points much smoother.

 

My dealer found mine 0.25L low last week and reset the shift memory. I was hoping this would give me smoother shifts, but now shifts are even more aggressive than before. I’m at a complete loss.

 

So I am picking up a new AC TRD OR in about a week, about 1000 miles from here. Supposed to be delivered to the dealership in a day or so. Flying out and driving back. This thread has me a little concerned. So, some questions. Sorry if they've been answered, but 52 pages is a LOT to read, and I've read enough to know it's possible there MAY be an issue. Of course, I don't want to put 1000 miles on quickly with low ATF, and the transmission 'learning' based on it.

If I specifically request that they do a manual check for the (what is it called,... PDI) pre-delivery check, instead of on the computer, must they?

If they say it's not necessary, or we did it that way, how would I know?

Can I get them to do it again, and how? (Not sign the paperwork until it's done I assume.) I'm guessing I would loose my deposit, if I jumped on a plane back and went home.

I assume the tranny fluid would be cold when I arrive, and not take long to warm up to temp (If I get them do it before a pre purchase test drive, correct?

If, for whatever reason (dealer test drive, I would assume), the tranny is hot before I make the request to check manually, approximately how long should it take to cool to correct temp?

How can I verify that they actually do it that way? It's not like I can crawl under there with a crayon/or nail polish and color/paint the drain plug.

I'm told the sales department at this dealership is great (and has been my experience so far), but the service department .... not so much. Advice, please.

Thanks all!!

 

This is B.S. Techstream does not provide fluid level of transmission, only has a very-low/empty sensor. Only way to tell if it's filled properly is to run the drip test.

 

It's my third time in to the dealer for shifting problems

a few months back I left the truck overnight so they could drip-test the transmission. I was told the level was good, written on the paperwork.

Shifting problems have continued and I bring it back in, this time they say it was 2 qts low... but the dealer is saying "it's no problem" and "it's documented" which means nothing.

What do I do? I don't feel comfortable taking the truck back with 7k at 2qts low on trans fluid. Call Toyota Corp?

The dealer is asking for the loaner back but I have said I don't consider the matter resolved.

 

I own a 2018 TRD OR from Tijuana. I dropped it off at the dealership today, in Vallejo, CA where I bought it.
I dropped it off he first chance I could after discovering this great thread. The truck currently has 1300 miles on it- and I have noticed some hard shifts and delayed movement patterns.

I brought it in today and the first tech I spoke to about the transmission fluid level stated that the only way to check the transmission was to hook it up to the computer and it would tell us if the levels were indeed low.
I entertained his reply for a while- then stated that I didn’t want a simple computer check; but rather a physical fluid drain/check.
He denied my request stating that he’s never heard of that procedure.
So I simply informed him that I already had made a claim to Toyota Corporate and received a claim number, as well as went over the issue and possible solutions with the person on the phone.
This made my tech nervous and he directs me to a higher up service manager named John.
He was more accepting of my statements but insisted that since it was busy that I leave the truck over night. Also noted: when I informed him of the hard shifts, the sluggish movement patterns, the slippage- John the tech said he would hook it up to the code reader, after I informed him that I made a claim to corporate, and requested a physical check and not a computer/‘sqwak’ code. It was THEN that he made a note of it on the paperwork and explained that they would bring the truck to operating temperature, fill up the transmission until the overflow started to drip and thus would be able to tell if the transmission was indeed low.

I can already see that Toyota Vallejo is aware of this on going issue and is/has actively attempted to avoid actual fluid check service.

Are there(if any) suggestions that you guys can come up with to ensure that the fluid was indeed filled and checked properly? I will push for a 7 year/100,000 mile warranty after I get the truck back and see if the fluid was low.

*suggestion - can someone post a picture of the transmission overflow/drain plug location? I had a hard time locating it and I believe it would help future Tacoma owners paint them before they visit their dealership.

Good luck everyone.

 

Document the shit out of this. I havent had time to keep taking my truck in ( they keep saying that my truck doesn't do what I say its doing ) again but when I do I am going to paint the plug leave it over night and drive with the service manager.

 

6/18/18 update

So I went back to Vallejo Toyota service dept. today for the second time.
They called me yesterday after I dropped off my Tacoma TRDOR for a transmission service, they called saying it was ready for pick up at 5:30, went in and they said it actually wasn’t ready and there must have been a paper mix up. Apologized and sent me in my way. I asked before I left if it would be done the next morning (now today) and they confirmed it would.

So today rolls in and I call this morning to see if it’s ready- again they confirm it is. So I bum a ride down to the service dept and AGAIN they said it wasn’t ready. I wait for 30 min before getting a manager, who in turn gives me my keys and says it’s all done.
What’s all done? The service? The fluid top off? No nothing.
I requested the bill of service showing what was done and he replied that it was voided and no work was done.
I was appalled.
I’m a medic in the city and have a shift for the next few days- I need my car.
So I got the service managers number, took a pic of the voided service paper and made a complaint to the manager.
Thus far all he’s offered is a service for when I get OD and a rental car.

I’ll post more when I find out more.

I understand this isn’t very helpful to anyone on this thread but I figured it was a good idea to keep all ideas and claims in the same forum post for OCD sake.

 

Maybe make a case with corporate Toyota? Sometimes people who do that actually get something done from their dealership. It sounds like your dealer is a giant POS. I like to call them a stealership, feel free to use that term as loosely as you like. Is there another dealer you can go to?

 

Well thought I would go ahead and check my fluid on my 18 trd off road this morning . Went through the procedure of getting it into temp mode and pinning the thermostat open and nothing came out of check hole. Let run for 2 minutes and still no drips. Dropped off at dealership waiting on call back. Vin starts with 3: Baja plant. Another pecuilar thing was when I looked at tag on transmission it has production date of August this year. Didn't know I bought a time machine. Date code could be 8th day 3rd month 18th year I suppose. Anyone know for sure please post.

 

Here's procedure I used.

 

Yes it has trans cooler. When I spoke to tech to pick it up he said it was just below full. As soon as he started pumping from 5 gallon jug it started flowing out the check hole. Just glad to know it wasn't way liw on fluid. Only have 340 miles on truck.

 

From what I've read I believe the hard or clunking downshift is actually a slip yoke issue unrelated to the transmission.

 

anyone know if low tranny fluid was an issue for 18's ?

 

Would like to know as well.