It was the best and worst test drive

So my wife and I are out running some errands and decide to go test drive a 3rd gen. We like my 07, but just want to see what how the 3rd gen compares. The salesman was nice and we selected a red 2017 TRD off road to drive. I pulled out of the dealer lot and the first thing we both noticed was how much quieter inside it was and how much better the ride was compared to my 07. So we were pretty impressed at this point.

About 1.5 miles into the test drive (retail area with 35 to 45mph speed limit) we are sitting at a stop light and I noticed the engine vibrating more than it was before. Well, the light turned green and I accelerated up to speed. The engine started vibrating more and then starting losing power. The exclamation mark with the triangle around it (I think that’s what it looked like) came on and the engine was dead. I got the truck to the side of the road and a warning on the dash read A/T Temp High or something like that. So I’m thinking they didn’t check the A/T fluid level and this thing is low on fluid. Wow, this is the stuff people have been writing about on Tacoma World.

We get out of the truck and stand on the side of the road and call the dealership. I tell the salesman where we are (we are very close to the dealership at this point) and I hear someone in the background talking to him as he repeats what I say. He then tells me to try and start it. I asked are you sure and the guy in the back says, “Ya, just let it sit for a minute and then start it back up.” So I did and it started fine and no warnings on the dash.

Well, we finally got back to the dealership and the salesman says “I guess that kinda turned you off on the truck huh?” After reading all the 3rd gen trans stories and about the trans reflash, then this happens, I actually thought it was kind of funny for some reason. I don’t know why?

I’ve been driving for almost 40 years and that is the first time I have had a vehicle mess up on a test drive. The truck felt so damn good and then ran so damn bad. At the beginning of the test drive, my wife even said “You ask him to find you a blue one and buy it.” Holy Crap! I just got the green light! But that changed quickly. It was quite interesting and an afternoon my wife and I will never forget.

 

Bummer, that's a rare thing to happen. Even issues with the 3rd gen are rare. The internet phenomenon is strong with these trucks. I know lots of local people that have them including myself and the trucks are good to go.

 

Put your flame suit on, the Tacoma fanboys will come at you because the Tacoma can never do any wrong. Ever. No matter what.

 

This is why I am most likely waiting on the 4th Gen in 2025. So far this Turd Gen Roll Out to me has been one of the most embarrassing things I have seen in a new model year. The original Toyota guys are probably rolling over in their graves with disgust.

 

Lots of fanbois for sure. I'm not one but I understand the limitations of this truck which really isn't much. Then again I have no issues either. But nobody can argue the internet phenomenon going on with the Tacoma.

 

Seems like the dealership knew the truck had issues! Or maybe they read about it on TW!

 

The fan boys are coming with their pitchforks OP.

I'm out of here

 

Well, if you go ahead with a purchase, now no one can accuse you of not test driving one.

 

2nd gen for the win again

 

Wow...I see you're in Northern LA, I'm wondering if it's one of the 2 dealerships close to me. That sucks for sure but I'd think something like that would be extremely rare.

 

That's a 2-way street. The cynics are just as passionate as any fanboy

 

All vehicles have their issues. Some more than others. Most of issues are also usually with the first year release of that generation.

No vehicle is immune...That's why we have warranties.

 

I bet they get all the issues worked out in a few years, and the 3rd gens will be solid like the previous gen Tacomas. It's very disconcerning to hear this is happening on the 2017s. Come on Toyota, get your shit together and at least get these trasmissions filled with the right amount of fluid!!

Stories like this make me glad I bought a 2nd gen .

 

From everything I've read the two main showstoppers are the AT Temp issue you just had and the CPS Sensor issue that's rare but has happened a few times here.

One you can at least have checked. Had mine done about 10K in on an October 2015 produced truck and it was only 1/2 QT low. So not too bad.

I'm 26,000 miles in and have yet to have anything stop it from running perfectly. Just squeaky springs and noisy seals. But nothing powertrain related if that's if any solace.

 

I've had people come up to me, looking like I just pulled up with a chevy vega-swapped maserati biturbo shaking their head a bit, "so, what's the damage report, so far??" "er, nothing, it's awesome."

 

Compared to the 5th gen 4Runner rollout in 2010, the forums on t4r.org and tacomaworld are completely opposite.

There were some complaints about the power delivery in 2010 on the 4Runner forums, but it's nothing like the failures, stalled vehicles, and safety hazards when a CPS fails on the Tacomaworld 3rd gen forum. I've lost count how many 3rd gens got towed in 2016. As for 2010 4Runners I can't recall any that got towed.

 

That actually is pretty funny

 

Yup the fanboys are going to be all over this soon, but they seem slow to respond this morning .....maybe they are at church???



Pretty sad the truck breaks down on a test drive..... Now I've heard everything....

 

The best warranty is one you do not have to use! It seems like they keep telling everyone they cannot replicate issues or the problems are normal and send them on their way.

 

This "internet phenomenon" you are referring to is a pretty ridiculous counter-argument for the 3rd gen being a bit of a fuck up. This new-fangled internet you are referring to has been around for a while now, and its not the reason the truck sucks. Toyota Corporate is the reason this truck sucks. The internet is just exposing it.

I know its probably hard for Toyota loyalists, especially guys and gals that have had rock solid previous generations, to admit that the 3rd gen needs work. But you can't discount the volume of issues coming out of this truck vs past trucks just because anecdotally "Me and a bunch of others dont have issues!" doesn't mean that there is a large percentage of people with very real, very serious issues with the truck.

The AT issue this guy had has been reported on here probably a half dozen times. There are hundreds (if not thousands) more that have had issues with the AT and low fluid. There is a poll thread thats right about 50% for people with rear-diff howling noises. 50% is REALLY high for a powertrain issues.