Why not?

With respect to the auto trans issue, would you think it prudent for the dealerships to drop the transmission pans on our “ Toyota - care “ services? Pretty sure none of the trucks should be over 20 k yet. I’m sure that not all the bad transmissions would show contamination but it may identify trucks likely to fail. Now that it’s a known issue, failure of a vehicle you you invested in heavily, and who knows where or when it dies, ought be prevented for the benefit of the customer as well as Toyota’s reputation. In other words if there’s any clue put them on the list to replace the trans.FWIW my TRD O/R has a Feb. build date and near 8 k miles

 

No. They should not be doing this.

 

That would be a wonderful opportunity to introduce contaminants

 

True there would be some risk exposure, but likely no more than when it’s due for service. But I’m old maybe you don’t pull the pan anymore when you service a transmission

 

No man, these guys working at the dealership- no offense- don't ask them to make any "judgement call". They do it by the book. Toyota won't say 'take a look and predict based on this fluid if it looks like this will fail'...

 

They'll probably do something like this if they decide to do an actual recall. Right now, it's just a TSB. As in, "if this particular thing has gone wrong and these conditions are met, this is the solution."

It's maybe worth mentioning that if this doesn't become a recall, performing this TSB won't be free if it happens after the warranty expires. I'd rather a recall happen and all the trucks in the VIN ranges just get new transmissions and torque converters. As long as the owners actually bring them by for service, anyway. They probably won't do this unless forced to, as they'll be replacing transmissions that very well may be perfectly fine and that costs big money. It's also worth mentioning that the NHTSA can't actually force a recall. They can recommend it, but manufacturers aren't legally required to follow that recommendation.

What'll probably happen is they'll issue a warranty extension for them for this particular issue. That is, "if this particular thing has gone wrong and your truck's VIN is in these ranges, plus you're under (say) 100k or 10yrs, we'll replace the transmission and torque converter for free." It'll likely catch most of them over time.

 

I see and I believe you I guess it was wishful thinking on my part. But it sure will bite if it dies far from home or on a busy highway. Clearly they will make it right but they are hoping it won’t die as much as we are

 

You're right, but it's a matter of practicality. Bringing in 100k trucks to take off the transmission pan and inspect them for debris would cost a ton of money and time for very little benefit over the population. Sure, it's great for you if they find out yours is going to blow up, but for everybody else they wasted both their own and the customer's time.

Hopefully anyone who is affected by this will be showered with affection. Free tow from wherever back home to get it fixed, loaner to get you in wheels while you wait, that sort of thing. I'm sure a few vacations will be ruined here and there, but they can only do so much. Besides, you take that risk every time you go someplace no matter what you drive. Toyotas may be known for their monument-like reliability, but even monuments fall sometimes. Shelley reminds us with the immortal words "look upon my works, ye mighty, and despair!"

 

as a transmission tech at GM dealer... what your recommending is not going to find anything . any "debris" would be caught by the filter. the filter sucks up fluid before it goes to any part of the transmission/ pump valve body clutches.. transmissions are not like engines. the fluid doesnt cook down like oil if you dont change it. unless its been overheated.
if you pulled a transmission pan down and the fluid was black and full of "debris" and smelled burnt, there was already something wrong with the transmission. say shifting bad/slipping / bangs into gear.
so pulling a pan on a transmission with low miles and no complaints is going to find nothing.. and the magnet in the pan is always going to have some dust/fuzz on it no matter how well they manufacture it.

the problem they are prolly having with these is valves sticking in the valve body or solenoids going bad or a combination of these.

GM is having this bad with their 10spd transmissions right now. i have done like 10 in last 3 months ... and just got 2 more this week. every single one is on backorder and most people have to wait at least a month to get it repaired.

 

Thanks for a little updating , last tranny I rebuilt was a 727 torque flite in the mid 80s , anything with fuel injection was still under warranty. lol so I haven’t worked on cars in a bit. Besides this is my fourth Tacoma and I hope the trend continues