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

Just picked up the little taco back from the dealership. After speaking with the manager, he admitted Toyota knows of the low fluid from the factory, and is working to fix that, as it sounds like the fill is done by a robot. Also about the hesitation from R to D, they don't know exactly what is going on and will most likely have a software update after a while. He said if we wanted to contact him every month to check on any updates he would be happy to let us know anything coming down the pipe. A TSB may also be forthcoming.
So we shall see. I'm hoping Toyota will give piece of mind with an extended warranty in the mean time. That would make me believe Toyota does want to keep me as a customer and is confident in their product, despite after the factory and dealer failed to make basic fluid checks. Here's hoping!

 

That would be "peace of mind." "Piece of mind" has a whole 'nother meaning, lol.

 

Oops, peace of mind. Lol

iPad typing......

 

Try another dealer...yours was built before mine, so it's bound to need at least half a quart. My service guys were patient and made a point to wait until it got to temp before doing the check and fill. No issues since.

 

Thanks for posting your build dates .
Trying to find out if the trucks built in May and April of 2016 are still being sent to dealerships with low fluid
Last I heard , both plants were still shipping transmissions low on fluid as of March 16 / 2016 .

 

Earlier today, I talked to a 2015 Tacoma owner that had gotten a letter from Toyota which also mentioned the 16's possibly being low on fluid.
He knew all about the issue some of the 2016s are having after reading it here and elsewhere on the internet.
And yet the local dealership service tech I called knew nothing about it.

 

Build date: April 2016
Location: Texas
Fluid Level: 1/2 QT low

 

Thanks !! I will update the first post

 

DCSB OR V6 Tow Package
Built: April 2016
Location: Texas
Fluid Level: 1/2 quart low

Dealer topped it off. Still delays from reverse to drive....

 

Hey guys, first time poster here. Wanted to say hey and thanks for all the info I've picked up perusing the site the past couple of weeks. I bought my first truck May 11th and have been pretty upset about the quality control of my Tacoma. I have taken it to the dealership three times for the transmission issue and differentials. Finally today after taking it to a different dealership than I purchased from, they confirmed my suspicions of being low on fluids. 1 quart low in the transmission! I have opened a case with Toyota and asked for an extended warranty as well as my first month's payment back since I have had to go to the service department multiple times in the first month.

All in all I wouldn't have thought anything was wrong with the jerking and stalling as I thought that's how trucks drive. Thanks to everyone!

 

I'm going to give them a call tomorrow. I was in a hurry to pick up the truck before work. They said they will send the info in the mail.

 

Welcome to TW!

It really is a great truck - sorry you got the tranny run-around out the gate. The quality control was more on the part of the tranny manufacturer than Toyota, and IIRC they figured out it was a measurement that was off with the robot filling the fluid. If you've seen the new Colorado or Canyon, then you will have clearly seen the difference in total quality control.

Good luck with the case, hope you get the warranty, and that this is the last issue you have with your new truck!

 

Thanks! I love the truck in all honesty. I do not ever see myself having anything other than a truck. Had nothing but fast cars my whole driving life and this is a definite change for me. I'm looking forward to a long and lasting relationship with this truck. My parents have a 4Runner and a RX and those two have lasted forever so I do not expect anything less than that.
Thanks again and I hope to be an active member of this community!

 

Welcome also! I know the frustration you feel as this is my first truck and new vehicle too, and nobody likes problems with a new car! I think Toyota will make it right, as I believe they want to keep customers. All manufacturers are gonna have issues, so I try not to get too upset. Having owned 2 older used toyotas, they have stood the test of time with very minimal problems and very reliable. I love my truck and have no doubt it will last too. A friend recently dropped 52k on a new GMC Sierra, only to have the dealer call him a week later and tell him they were sending a rollback to pick up his truck - it's not safe to drive because the factory didn't bolt the truck to the frame and it could fly apart any given moment! Talk about QC issues!

Hate you got the run around so quickly....I wouldn't go back to that dealer. IMO. These trucks will be ok in the long run, just have to work the bugs out. Enjoy your sweet ride!

 

Hello TW,

After reading much of this thread, I too also had concerns about my Tacoma. This is my first Automatic vehicle, and based off of the first post, I believed I was having some of the symptoms described. The first thing I did was contact a local dealership and inform them of the problem and what I wanted checked. They immediately put me in contact with the Assistant Service Manager to work it out. I scheduled my appointment and then called Toyota Corporate to open a case number and discuss my concerns. The representative at corporate said he had heard of the issue, but was not aware of it being a large scale problem. Either way, I was given a case number via email.

When I took my truck in, I had to leave it there all day essentially. Here in SD it is hot, so I guess it took awhile to cool down to the proper temps needed to check the vehicle. At the end of it all, I guess I was 1/2 quart low. I just bought the truck in May before it even arrived at the dealership in Washington, so I am assuming it was just built, however I am not sure where to check this. Below you can find my service record. They did not charge me for any service and took my corporate case number and classified it under warranty coverage.

I am debating on calling corporate back and requesting an extended warranty from them based off of these issues, but I only just hit 300 miles on the truck, so it is unlikely that I caused any significant damage with regard to the symptoms. My truck still has a delay from R to D, but it is very minimal (.5 second at best). I am also only getting consistently 15.5 MPG too; I mainly only do city driving though. I see a lot of others getting the rated 18 MPG or above however. My significant other's Mazda CX-5 transmission from R to D is instantaneous, so I am just assuming it is the difference between the vehicles. According to recent developments on here, Toyota is aware of the issue though.

 

This information is written on the truck body?

 

Can we get verification from anyone that Toyota factories are using robots to fill their transmissions and the low fluid issue was due to inadequate fill levels ? I would like to update the first post

On another note : I heard Scan gauge has recently released the codes for the 2016 transmission . This means you are now able to monitor transmission temps with your new truck during towing

 

2016 Tacoma TRD Off Road w/ tow package

Mexico built, not sure date.
about 2/3 qt low on AT
5 out of 8 u bolts not torqued
all zirts needed 2-4 pumps of grease

 

ok... I open my eyes....

Transport Canada Tag in the driver door

 

• 2016 Tacoma TRD Sport DCSB 4x4 with Tow package
• Built 10/2015 TMMBC/Mexico
• 1/2 quart low

Took me 11,000 miles to get it checked after reading so much about it here. Not too bad but not perfect either. Service guy said Toyota knows about it with some transmissions early on, but with some of you all having such recent build dates, I'm not sure how accurate that is.

Also getting my gauge cluster replaced due to resetting trip ODO and MPG avg at random (also a known issue to Toyota) plus a new hood scoop and fender flare that weren't staying down, LCA plugs, window seal thickener (tube), and greased driveshaft. U bolts were OK at least.

Day 4 at the dealer and might be till Monday when the gauge cluster comes in. Stuck with a dang 4 banger Chevy Malibu Eco rental. If anyone calls the Tacoma underpowered they should drive this thing. Great under 45, not so great on the highway. It does get good MPG though for what it's worth.