2016 Tacoma Possible Rear Diff Leak??? HELP

Hey guys, I just joined this community, I wanted to see if I can get some input from anyone!
Let me make this short and sweet..
Got 2016 Tacoma SR5, currently 50k miles, no offroading, no lift, no accidents (that I know of..), bought used at about 15k miles, regularly maintained, has had the transmission software update.Toyota informed me about 2 years ago about a rear differential leak recall, so I took the baby in to get fixed- as far as I know, my truck was not leaking, but still it got "replaced".
Okay so fast forward 2 years later 2019, and Im noticing my truck behaving sluggishly. For example if I come to a complete stop at a light, I need to step on the gas HARD to pick up speed, im not talking racing, im talking like if I dont step on it my truck will be going UNDER the speed limit... She feels very hesitant to even pick up. My air intake and exhaust are aftermarket, K&N and Flowmaster, but the've been installed for 2 years now everything has been fine), I also rechecked and looks to me like they're installed properly. I looked at my rear dif becuase I had remembered that it had been recalled and replaced and I noticed what looks to be dried up oil leak- although I'm no expert lol, it looks like the leak dried up, or perhaps im trippin?? Anyways I called 2 Toyota dealerships and they WILL not look at it without me paying $145 diagnosis fee. Look I know nothing is free, but I dont want to pay for that lol. My argument to service manager was that Toyota had replaced this KNOWN issue ( and as far as I know mine was not even leaking at the time). Toyota put hands on my truck to fix this potential issue, maybe one of the mechanics did sloppy job?? I dont know. I dont feel I should pay $145 for Toyota to inspect something that should be covered under the power terrain warranty. You feel me? Or am I wrong here. PLease any input would be well appreciated, thank you guys.

 

This might fall under the powertrain warranty: 60 months/60,000 miles. I’m not too sure, but Google it or go through one of them booklets in your glove compartment.

 

Welcome to The Forum!

If a dealer does in fact repair the diff under warranty, you should not be charged for the diagnosis.

 

At 3,000 miles from new, my diff was leaking worse than yours. Dealer replaced the gasket and it was dry for about 18 months until 16,000 miles. It’s seeping again.
I just checked the nuts and tightened them up a bit by hand with a socket and wrench today and then used some degreaser to clean up the seepage spots this time. I’ll just keep an eye on it once in a while.

 

I feel that you're jumping to a conclusion that your issue is due too the rear end. It may not be related but coincidental. They are saying that you may be billed the fee because the hesitation may not be related to a warranty item, i.e. leaking diff.

The Tacoma is drive by wire and your acceleration issue could be an electrical issue.

My diff is seeping, gasket has been replaced once. My service advisor did say the power train warranty would cover another replacement.

 

Has your fuel economy dropped? Could be a sticking brake pad/shoe, lack of rear diff fluid, or anything in between. If the rear diff seal was replaced under tsb/warranty and it’s clearly leaking again, they will very likely waive the diag fee once they get into it.

How about coasting... truck roll ok, or feel like it slows faster as well?

 

Thanks for the input guys! I noticed there is some corrosion on top of the battery, I gotta clean it really good (or perhaps even replace it). I'd be shocked if it was perhaps a dying battery causing this?
Fuel economy has been the same , if it has dropped nothing significant, but now that you mention it I noticed that the truck slows down faster when I take my foot off the pedal. Hmmm..
Looks to me like it was leaking at some point and dried off, dont see any new fluid leaking.
Boy.. Its just that in my mind Tacoma was king reliability and then stuff like this happens :/
Anyways, much appreciated my dudes