Low transmission fluid level

I bet you still have the R-D delay though, right?

 

If they didn't do the manual check process then they didn't check it.

You can't check the ATF level w/ tech-stream.

 

I was so disgusted with the problems exhibited by my 2016 TRD Offroad, and Toyota's complete lack of integrity in addressing those problems (according to Toyota they were all "characteristics" of the truck), that I sold it back to a dealership (different from the dealership I purchased from).

My TRD (a/t model) exhibited:

• Very noticeable hesitation between R and D (when cold, transmission would audibly clunk and the truck would physically lurch prior to proceeding in Drive),
• A noticeable hesitation between 1st and 2nd gear while upshifting (Also Hesitation occurred when transmission was cold. The hesitation was noticeable approximately 50% of the time between 2nd and 3rd gear while upshifting),
• A kazoo noise emanating from driver's and passenger's side of vehicle while driving in a crosswind,
• Driveline, grease zerk fittings were bone dry when I checked them at approximately the 5,500 mile mark. I greased them well, but in retrospect I should have demanded they be greased by Toyota so there would be a paper trail of this problem, and
• Starting around 4,500 miles a rumble became noticeable (Could be felt more than heard. Like driving over a rumble strip on the shoulder along the edge of a highway) when driving at a steady speed below 30 mph or below 30 mph when slowing to a stop. This problem increased in severity as miles on the truck increased. It was easily felt through the steering wheel and floorboard, on both the driver's and passenger's side. I took Toyota employees on ride-alongs more than once and each time the Toyota "passenger" could feel the vibration.

I took the truck in numerous times for each of these problems, but not necessarily during the same appointment. Toyota's response to my complaints was these were "normal characteristics" of the truck.

There is also an ongoing issue with Toyota's refusal to check the a/t fluid in accordance with the WARRANTY & MAINTENANCE GUIDE and their "ToyotaCare : No Cost Maintenance & Roadside Assistance" service plan. A plan Toyota states, "[C]overs normal factory scheduled service for 2 years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first."

Toyota's refusal to honor an expressed warranty is precisely why this issue has been brought to the attention of the Kansas Attorney General. Actions taken by his office could determine whether or not a class action lawsuit is pursued against Toyota for violating Kansas consumer law.

Toyota's response to the Attorney General's inquiry (attached), speaks for itself.

To those that have purchased a 2016 and don't have any problems, or choose to ignore them, I say good on you. For those many individuals that do have problems, be glad that this situation will not get swept under the rug.

 

Wonder if they will be fixed on 2017 models...

 

One four letter word starting with an F (Ford)

 

It won't. It normally takes 3 to 4 years for Toyota to fix an issue.

What Toyota may do:
2016: Customers complain about tranny issues
2017 or 2018: Toyota comes up with a resolution for the issue
2018 or 2019: Toyota implements fix on new models

Previous example on the FJ Cruiser:
2007: Customers complain about grenading rear differential in heavy off-roading
2008-2009: Toyota comes up with a fix
2010: FJ Cruiser now came with larger rear differential on new models

 

Go for it man...!! Take them down..!!
I'm with ya...

 

[USER=187005]@TRDinOhio[/USER], you are absolutely correct on having your ducks in a row. I have the original copies of every "service" visit I had, including the handwritten notes of Toyota's "Field Specialist" that allegedly checked my truck over. I also have notes of every phone conversation and email exchange I had with the Toyota "Executive Analyst" assigned to my case. I'm with you on seeing this through to the bitter end, in spite of the fact Toyota bought that P-O-S back.
Toyota is in a bind. If they come out with any fixes for any of the issues I was advised were "normal characteristics" of the truck that would simply further erode their credibility, as far as their claim the 2016 Tacoma was mechanically sound, and free of problems, when it was released.

I'm anxious to discover if the Kansas Attorney General is going to pursue a violation of Kansas consumer law against Toyota or not.

Two interesting readings are KSA (Kansas Statute Annotated) 50-626 and 50-627. Just plug "ksa 50-626" or "ksa 50-627" into Google and read to your hearts content.

 

I had that mentality . . . at first. Then the lying and deflecting began (both Toyota AND the selling dealership). I should have learned my lesson back in 2011 because I got ROYALLY porked by Toyota when I traded in my 2010 FJ Cruiser for a 2012 Tacoma (I was receiving at least one mailer per week from Toyota promising me the moon for my FJC on trade for a new Toyota). That little transaction left a very bad impression about Toyota.

I don't necessarily want to see Toyota suffer . . . too immensely, for the 2016 Tacoma's myriad of problems, but they need to make things right with me, and with ALL new Tacoma and other Toyota model owners, reference ToyotaCare.

Speaking of ToyotaCare. If Toyota doesn't want to check automatic transmission fluid because the transmission is a sealed unit, then they need to:
1) Stop ensuring it will get checked via ToyotaCare (as outlined in their Warranty & Maintenance Guide), and
2) Rewrite the maintenance items ToyotaCare will address (this seems like a no-brainer, but apparently it is too hard for Toyota to figure out) and/or write in specific maintenance items that ARE NOT covered.

 

Got my truck back today. They said the level was OK but I was a bit confused as they definitely didn't do it the approved Toyota method listed in the PDF that circulates on here.

My witness mark on the check plug was untouched, I went to give the manager shit and he said "oh, that's not how we checked it..."

They opened the fill plug and looked in there to see if the fluid level was up to the hole.

Now, I know that was definitely a shortcut but as long as the transmission has been run to pull the fluid into all the passages (it has, for 1200 miles) and there's fluid up to the fill hole, it's not like you could magically fit any more in.

 

If it was your differentials you'd be golden.
Unfortunately, that's not how it works. They blew it off cause it takes too long and they aren't paid enough.
Find another dealer or maybe get corperate involved and try that one again.
Hope you have better luck than I did.

 

What he told you is total bullshit..!! Never deal with them again, and make sure the manager knows why..!!

 

The ASIN transmission tolerance have been reduced to far that they are getting shift quality issues. Yes I agree software is in order but that alone won't help if the adaptation point aren't set correctly.
I know with the Volvo's that adaptation test drives need to be conducted to readapt the shift point to optimal shifting.

 

I know it was a half-assed job, but I'm thinking I might have reason to still believe my transmission is properly filled. I loosened (but did not remove) the fill plug by a few turns last night and a drop of fluid started to weep from the threads very quickly. The truck was off, so this tells me that the level is up at the fill hole when stopped. According to the pdf from the service manual, the fill of the pan AND the fill to spec (with overflow closed) are both done with the truck off. I know sometimes factory service manuals are full of shit and take an overly complex route to a simple solution, but I don't know if that's what we're looking at here.

EDIT: I forgot to mention they did at least claim that the truck was on during the final level check.

Also I don't have any unusual slippage, symptoms, or even the R-D hesitation.


My other options are to print out the PDF and bring it with me to either:
1) Another Toyota dealership in the area. I can walk in and go straight to the manager and basically say "let me watch them pull the check plug and I'll bring my truck here from now on." Advantage of this is I'm my own boss so I can sit at the dealership and dick off on my laptop & get work done until it cools down.
2) A local independent transmission shop that gets rave reviews. You know how usually with any shop there's at least a few one-star reviews saying "this guy is a dickhole," but every review this guy gets is stellar. Disadvantage would be if Toyota corporate gets a stick up its ass about a third party service proving them wrong.

 

Because I like to follow instructions.
Operating temps have been reported in the 195° range.
Trans temp needs to be below 113° to attempt check procedure. 95° or below is preferable.

 

Read the direction again....it has to be between 95 and 113 degrees F...then remove the check bolt....WITH engine running...!!

Abrams65...doesn't have a clue.....!!!!

 

I think you're misunderstanding me. I know that's not the official check.

Look at this though, from the check PDF:

The fill up to Toyota specifications is done with the motor OFF.

So if the fill is while it's off, there's no way you could get more fluid in there past the level of the fill hole, cause it would all just dribble back out before you put the fill plug back in.
Since I have more fluid in there than the fill hole will hold, that must mean that it was filled more while running/checking, right?

Not that the dealer did it for me the other day, but that somewhere, somehow, someone did it, (aka the factory) and it's full.

Actually you know what, now that I think about it I have a good friend who has access to a lift. Fuck it, we'll do it live.