Failing Transmission- 2019 Taco @ 78k miles

2019 truck, purchased brand new, very diligent on maintenance schedule, etc. Maintained all work at the dealership while under warranty then went for regular Walmart oil changes after 60k miles. Truck is on a 3" lift with 33" wheels, cold air intake, no major engine modifications.

Took the truck in for a clunky engine (transmission) at low speeds, low RPM. Typically around 22/23 MPH and 1250 RPM it would rumble pretty badly. They drove it around and came back saying POSSIBLE glycol contamination, recommending new transmission and replacing both oil coolers.

Funny thing, the truck was totally fine until the day or so AFTER I took it in for a factory recall on the 3rd brake light...

Currently waiting on Toyota corporate to investigate further and then if they don't fix it, I will take it elsewhere for a second opinion. In general, I bought a new Tacoma because I wanted to avoid having any major complications for at least 100k and ideally more like 200k miles.

Anyone else experience this? Any advice.

/frustrated

 

Did you have your oil changed right before this happened? Wouldnt be the first hard shift trans issue that was caused by someone accidentally draining the trans pan.

 

Negative- I was several thousand miles out from my last oil change. Actually came due for my next oil change a few hundred miles after this started.

 

This!

NM

 

Stuff happens. My 2010 had zero problems before I sold it at 60,000 miles (moved overseas and didn't want to store it). 2018 was taken in at 26K when the engine light came on. Had to replace valves and an entire head but under warranty. Light came on again at 43K due to faulty O2 sensor on the side prior work was done but it was an emission part not under warranty.

 

Next step for me would be to follow the trans fluid level check procedure and confirm it is full. then send some trans fluid to blackstone for analysis. They will test for glycol. But you will have to have another car to drive in the meantime.

 

I thought emission parts are required by law to be covered under a 100k mile warranty

 

It’s only 8yr/80,000 miles for certain emission parts. My bank 1 catalytic converter failed at 98k miles and it’s currently at Toyota being fixed for $1600…

 

Some are covered 8yr/80k through Toyota like catalytic converters and some other items, but most parts are not covered by that. All emission parts are required by law to be warranted for 2/24k so the factory technically upgrades this with the 3/36K.

Source is the factory warranty guide that comes with the vehicle.

 

Was the trans serviced ever?

 

Agree with the above, its a known issue that some 3rd gens came low on ATF from the factory. That being said I wouldn't jump to conclusions about the issue being in the trans.. A "clunky engine" and a "rumble" at low speeds could be other things too. A bad u-joint or one that needs grease or maybe a bad needle bearing with your lift are the first things that jump into my mind

 

@PaulCT7 I get the same trans shudder at low rpm low speed. Originally thought it was my carrier bearing or ujoint until I replace them all and still had the shudder. It wasn't until after I got the trans flushed at 110k miles that it got about 70% better. My new fear is that its the clutches in the trans or torque converter that are causing the shudder so I'll be attempting Lucas Oil Transmission Fix and probably another flush as a last attempt to avoid a new transmission. Hope that helps.

 

I had a similar shudder affecting my overdrive. My trans had 120k when started.

If I kept it out of overdrive, the shudder was non existent. Once I got past the shudder ‘sweet spot’, I could manually go into overdrive without any issue, so thats what I did for a few mos. All driveline parts were good.

Toyota doesn’t fix transmissions , replacement only. For me, they offered to replace it for almost 8k, so thats why they gave you that option.

Id get a second opinion from a good transmission shop and see what they say. My trans shop had said most likely torque converter lockup issue..

I traded my truck in so I walked away from the repair .

 

no joke I had to completely replace my dashcam after I had my 3rd brake light recall done. When I got the truck back the dashcam never turned back on lol. I actually removed the SD card and wire for the dashcam (its plugged directly into the rearview mirror) before giving them the truck so I don't think it was their fault. I replaced the camera a week later and all has been well.

^ I removed the SD card for personal privacy reasons and I removed the wire because its not uncommon for techs to unplug them for their own privacy

 

Get a second opinion.

 

Lucas is very thick and basically just raises the pressure in the trans (when trans shifted based on pressure valves etc) i believe we are electrically controlled so not sure how much of an improvement you will see.

 

it's possible they used an ozone treatment for mold which is not good for the electronics

 

If your down to last resorts, I'd try the Lubeguard shudder fix. Sounds like the torque converter clutch...flex lockup.

 

Luckily they didn't have to do that because I didn't have any leaks. That is a good suggestion though

 

The torque converter was specifically called out as the culprit for the rumbling in the head tech's assessment. Honestly, it seems to have subsided a bit since it was inspected. I have been trying not to drive much, but I have had several things that required getting there and it is my only vehicle.

Right now, I am still talking with Toyota corporate and they are running it up the chain to see if they will pay for all or part of it. Should hear back from them tomorrow and will also be scheduling an inspection with an independent shop for a second opinion. Normally I would not have gone back to the dealership, but because it started within a couple days of being in their shop, I started there.

May be a good idea to do the full transmission flush, as several folks mentioned and just see how that fairs.