Transmission rear seal

I just purchased my first Toyota Tacoma. It's a 2023 dark gray 4 cylinder with 546 miles. I noticed red fluid on my garage floor that was coming from my new truck. So, it was towed to the dealership and after inspection it is a bad rear seal in the transmission. Has anybody else had this issue? I know things happen, but I bought this vehicle because of the Toyota quality reputation. Just hoping this isn't a bad omen.

 

Never heard/read of even one, but as you mentioned,,, things happen. They’ll get it fixed up and you’ll probably have a great truck for many Year’s to come.


There’s a couple techs here, they could probably give you a more accurate estimate of how common this is. I trust their firsthand experience/opinion more than what I read on the net.
I’m pretty sure @Bishop84 is a tech??? (Forgive me if I’m wrong).

 

We dont sell 4 cylinders up here haha.

Anything can happen, they'll take care of this no issue, likely just a bad seal or it was knicked on install. I've never seen it on any truck, but it's semi common on the v6 highlanders/siennas in 2018.

 

Just a mishap during assembly.

 

Sorry to hear the bad news OP

This affects all of us owners as a bad reputation can destroy resale values. It's real bad

TOYOTA is letting TOYOTA OF NORTH AMERICA take pristine build quality and reputation go to the dogs.

 

This happened to my 2020 tacoma at about 25,000 miles. For some reason they don’t sell just the rear trans seal itself, they replaced that section of the driveline. Done under warranty.

 

Here is an update on my Tacoma. Took vehicle to dealer at 564 miles. They replaced the extension house seal. The truck started leaking trans fluid again and much worse this time. Took to dealer second time at 1349 miles. They found a poor weld at the driveshaft yoke causing fluid to bypass and leak.They replaced the driveshaft assembly. Received vehicle from shop on 1/13/2023 and been placing a tote pan lid under the truck and it has leaked each day. Not sure what to think at this point. They have fixed at no charge each time, but can't seem to stop the leak. Thinking I have a lemon.

 

Replaced the seal and driveshaft…that leaves the tail housing

 

sorry, but sounds like (more like a lack thereof) of shop diagnosing than a lemon. Still, that doesn't get your truck fixed or alleviate the time and frustrations. You may see if you can get another Toyota dealership to look at it and hopefully get it fixed right in one more stop.

 

Need to continue the dealer route because enough fix attempts and it triggers certain protections for you under federal and state laws.

 

They will get you squared away. You are doing everything right and documenting everything. If you ever have transmission troubles in the future, you will be covered. Keep taking it back. Hopefully they have a loaner for you to use while they have the truck. Maybe ask them to keep it for a few days and drive it to make sure the leak is actually fixed to help save you some time?