Transmission 2016-2023- 6 SPEED AUTOMATICS COULD BE LOW ON FLUID DIRECTLY FROM FACTORY

Just heard back from the dealer, mine was .6 low. They topped it off and reset the transmission learning. I should have it back tomorrow and we will see if it made any difference.

 

I had my 5k service and insisted on them checking out the tranny fluid level and u-joints per the Newsletter guidelines from this forum. They looked at me like I had two heads and afterwards insisted everything was A-Ok. At least I have service documentation now in case they were wrong.

 

Pretty much the same thing happened to me when I first went in. I brought up that there are reports of many other people having issues and that the transmission is shifting quite rough and I'm getting pretty poor gas mileage. When I spoke with them today, they did finally check it after they spoke with the regional service manager based out of Kansas City. Seems the issue is known about, once you get it pushed high enough up the chain. Mine was .6 low.

 

I'm going to check my fluid this weekend, does anyone have a picture of the overflow bolt? I see the fill plug, I don't want to screw this up. Thanks

 

Never mind, found it

 

Yep, low on fluid. Called the dealership and told them my transmission was "slipping" on hills, and they immediately said that they "know exactly how to fix the issue". Service guy said they were aware that the trucks (especially the trucks with tow packages, which is what I have) are being delivered from the factory low on ATF and to bring it in and they will top it off. He said they have had to do it to about a half dozen trucks they've sold already. When I went in, the service manager explained that they have to manually check the fluid and it would take 1.5-2 hours. Had them grease the U joints while it was there and it took about an hour and a half. Happy to know that the dealership (Santa Maria, CA) wasn't going to send me away with "couldn't replicate the problem" B.S. that others are reporting. Now they have my business for life and I don't mind driving an additional 50 miles for a honest dealership with great service as well as a fair purchase price for both parties vs. getting kung-fu hustled by my local shady dealership in San Luis Obispo.

 

My service appointment had come and gone, but I figured I'd hold off on posting until I had a chance to check the ATF level myself. Dealer used scanner and found no issues. After test drive they relayed the all-too-common "vehicle is operating as designed". I bought 2 quarts of WS and followed the procedure outlined above. The vehicle took 3/4 of one quart before I saw my first drop come from the overflow. It's a shame that after a week of ownership I've lost so much faith in the dealer. Glad I like to work on my own stuff. This board is great, thanks for all the knowledge. If it helps anyone else, I attached an image of the actual fill plug and, how I used the existing retaining clip to hold my fill tube in place.

 

Well done... my man..!!

 

Added about half a quart and unplugged the battery to reset it. I can't believe the difference in how it feels. It's like a different truck

 

If anyone's interested in not repeating the mistake I made:
Harbor Freight stores have the same Pittsburg Automotive transfer pump as O'Reilly's Auto Parts.
I paid $17 and change for it at O'Reilly's. Today, I saw the same, exact one at Harbor Freight for $6.99.
It's a good pump & moved a full quart of ATF very quickly.
It doesn't screw onto a bottle like the smaller, low-capacity pumps, though.
First, I removed the cap from the ATF bottle, then I took a pocket knife and cut an "X" in the cap
and pushed the pickup hose into the X-shaped hole. The plastic "gasket" under the cap popped free when I did. So, I put it aside for later.
I propped the ATF bottle up in a small, square bucket using what I had on hand - six boxes of .40S&W ammo sealed inside two 1 gallon Ziploc bags.
Go ahead and laugh. I couldn't find two bricks when I needed 'em.
Done topping off the transmission, I removed the pickup tube from the bottle very gently to allow what was remaining in the tube to run back into the bottle.
Then I put the gasket from earlier back inside the cap and sealed the bottle up again.

 

Add me to the list of:
1. Dealer "checked" fluid
2. Dealer said the transmission was a "sealed unit"
3. Dealer also said they checked the fluid level with their finger and a "dip stick tool"
4. Did it my damn self and found it 600cc (over a 1/2 quart) low

Built in Mexico, with tow package, TRD Sport.

Love the truck, not so sure about my dealer.

Thanks TacomaWorld for the heads up!

The truck behaves completely differently now. Actually now as I would expect. Uses more of the engines torque before down shifting. Actually downshifts smoothly while braking instead of the weird shudder feeling it was doing before. Shifts are overall faster and smoother.

 

I too went to the dealer for intermittent slipping trans, engine lag at slow, stop and go speeds, trans. slipping on turns, etc. as all of you have reported. They told me the same. Scanner hook up pressures are fine, all Tacoma's do this. Checked the fluid myself thanks to this forum and as usual a little less than a quart low. TRD Sport with tow package built in Mexico. Very easy to check the fluid and highly recommend every Tacoma owner to do it. Now this truck is fun to drive and trans shifts correctly. I have been in the auto industry for 40+ years and through my experience most dealers are a rip off. If you have a good one consider yourself lucky.

Thank You TacomaWorld!!!

 

^^^^^^^ What he said....+++

 

Voted

I too was having the delay problem of shifting from park to drive. 2016 Trd off road with tow package, built in Mexico plant. Approx 800 miles on it

Luckily I found this thread and all the good information within it. I did as the OP advised and opened a case with corporate (only after being told by the dealership I bought it from - Hansel Toyota in Petaluma - that it was normal). The service writer also lied to me and told me they checked it manually AND with the computer and levels were fine--- only to later read the tech's remarks on the paperwork stating that he couldn't replicate it, and the issue was not worth pursuing. He did not do any checks or tests other than comparing it to another 2016 on the lot which was he stated was comparable (also probably low on ATF). Thanks lying about checking it service writer!

I ended up taking it to a Freeman Toyota of Santa Rosa the day I got it back from the dealership I bought it from, and I could not be happier with them! They ended up actually checking it without hesitation. I left it over night, it was just under 3/4 quart low. They also checked and topped off the differentials which were low and checked the u joint grease which was fine.

I painted the bolt heads originally to make sure they checked and of course Hansel did NOT check, and Freeman did check.

You would think the dealership I just bought a 35k dollar truck at would help more than the competitor?? Nope.

Noticed a slight delay this morning still, but maybe better? Placebo? Either way, glad the low fluids got checked and fluids added-- and that it was documented.

I will be checking the ATF myself just to make sure, and also get used to the process (definitely a little more than a dipstick).

I just hope some of this dealership/corporate documentation will help myself and anyone out there in the future instead of just doing it in my garage from the start.

If you're in the North Bay Area of California go to Freeman Toyota of Santa Rosa and bypass the bullshit at Hansel Toyota in Petaluma all together.

 

Does anyone know if their is any other fluids besides the transmission that are known to be low from the manufacturer? previous post mentioned low diff fluid. Are any of the fluid levels in my brand new truck correct? Wth?

 

You'll find multiple reports of low diff fluid littered throughout this and other threads. Since mine was at the dealer already getting the ATF checked I had them check both diffs, and sure enough they were low as well (not everyone has Had this problem though).

The only way to know if yours are low is to get it checked, or check it yourself. Not something you want to (or should need to do) right after buying a brand new truck, but unfortunately it is something we are having to deal with.
Every car has its quarks and this seems to be one of the biggest complaints 3rd gen owners are having. It could be worse, but once those are checked you don't have much to worry about since you own a Tacoma might as well be safe and get it out of the way and enjoy your new ride

 

Thanks TRdoverland. Looks like another trip to the dealer for fluid.

 

status update on mine... toyota extended my powertrain warranty to 7yr/100k miles free of charge.

 

Do you mind letting everyone know how you went about getting that? I'm goin to try when corporate calls me back, because I think it is well deserved and necessary.

Also, how many miles were on your truck, what problems you were having? (I'm sure you already stated this in your original post, I just can't seem to find it). Thanks!

 

I have pretty much read this entire thread including gearcruncher's excellent intro and I am a little stressed.
My truck is due for delivery shortly after the May 24th build date. I am looking for some advice here, can I open a corporate
case now to get the fluid level checked and paid for prior to me taking possession? Or are my chances better after a few days or weeks of
ownership and discussing the advised gearcruncher symptoms (whether I have them or not)? I also would like the extended powertrain warranty to 7yr/100k miles free of charge a few have mentioned...

Thanks for any advice!