RIP my 2016 Taco

So I took my truck to the local dealership today to have a stuttering under load issue addressed. The phone call I had a few hours later was heartbreaking. Apparently another dealership had botched the fuel line service performed previously which resulted in a fuel leak. I thought 'great! that was likely causing my issue and it'll be a covered repair!' Then I got the bad news. My transmission is slipping between 3rd and 4th gear and according to the shop this would need a full transmission rebuild and cost around 6k. I had been having the typical '16 tacoma issues and chalked it up to shitty ECU design for that year but this was awful news to hear. I love this truck but absolutely cannot afford that service cost. Should I take it somewhere else to get a second opinion after having the fuel line serviced? Thoughts and prayers appreciated.

 

New transmission isn't exactly a RIP dead forever truck. Especially when it's only 5 years old and has crazy resale value. Get the transmission rebuilt and continue driving your truck, Problem solved.

If you really can't afford the repair sell it at a loss and let the next guy fix it. Either way the truck isn't dead forever.

Not sure what kind of advice you're looking for here. Sure get a second opinion and quote, that's always a good idea before a major service anyway.

 

If you are in a position to get a second opinion, always do that. Is this your only means of transportation? can you let the truck sit while you come up with the funds? I would get the funds and then fix it long before I ditched the truck. Also, price out a used remanufactured tranny as well so you know all options.

 

Grab a transmission from the Junkyard.

 

Get a second estimate.

 

Are you out of warranty? I know it's a slim chance but isn't powertrain 5 years 60k milkes?

 

I have my doubts on the diagnosis. I would get a second opinion

 

If I could afford it I would trade it on a new vehicle, but that's just me. I need my daily driver to be dependable and reliable. Fuel and transmission issues to me are pretty big deals, not that they can't be replaced/ fixed.

 

A transmission shop might be able to fix it by replacing a solenoid or some other cheap part without even taking it out of the truck. Go to a good tranny shop.

 

Yup. My friend had been told by 3 general shops she needed a new trans for her old Saturn. She brought it to my guy who only does transmissions and he replaced the valve body, $400 out the door. She had it 4 more years and the trans never gave her an ounce of trouble

 

How has a fuel leak caused the transmission to start slipping/need rebuilding? This raises some red flags for me. I'd get a second opinion

 

Depends on date of first use. My 2017 is already out of that warranty since first use was in 2016.

 

My 2017 will be completely out of warranty at the end of the month.

 

Get the second opinion, never trust the service department when it’s your dime.

Get the fuel line issue fixed, take it to a reputable trans shop for service.

 

I don't think the OP meant it as a cause and effect. I think it was more a he took it in for the issue of shuddering under load and they found two separate issues.

 

That's how I read it.

 

Get the fuel issue fixed first. If the current dealership is going to charge you to fix the other dealership's mistake, I'd take it to the original dealership if possible.

Personally, I would give very little merit to a dealer telling me I needed a transmission rebuild when I didn't even bring the truck in for that issue. It could be 100% fine....?!? I would drive it and see if you can feel a slip. I would definitely get a second opinion if you want to pursue it, and certainly not from a Toyota dealership. For this type of repair, a trusted transmission mechanic is your best bet. Worst case, if you had to rebuild, I'd wager a guess it would be less than half of what they quoted you.

Good luck, not a best case scenario but your truck is certainly not in a RIP situation.

 

Lots of good suggestions made here. 1) Def get a second opinion. 2)Find a reputable trans shop for the diagnosis. 3) I would not shy away from a good used transmission with a warranty (30, 60 days...whatever they are offering). 4) Rebuild would be my very last option. Tell us where you are located and members may be able to point you to a good trans shop. Good luck!

 

Everyone knows you need to shop around for tranny service…

 

I would say get a second opinion on the transmission especially only with it being about 5 years old. Take it to a transmission shop not a dealer or chain place if you can. my personal experience tells me that's what id do.

I was in a situation where the trans in my last vehicle went out on vacation and it was my only vehicle. you want more options than I had because I had only one. I had to have the shop AAA towed it to replace the transmission with a Jasper reman one for $3400.towing it home at my expense 200 miles would have cost too much. that was in 2014 on a jeep. I found out later it was likely just the torque converter and even if it needed a full rebuild I could have had a local ase certified master transmission mechanic do that for $1000 less. I took out a 24 month loan to pay for it because it would have cleared most of my saving then. I was still worth fixing the transmission because the vehicle was otherwise paid off and it lasted over 6 more years before I sold it and assume it's still going.