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Toyota is encountering significant challenges this year. Known for its exceptional reliability, the manufacturer has announced the replacement of approximately 102,000 Tundra and Lexus LX engines that are susceptible to failure. The troubles continue, as new owners of the 2024 Tacoma began reporting issues with their transmissions starting in June, often after driving less than 1,000 miles. Over a month later, these complaints remain ongoing.
Numerous complaints have been formally reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with additional concerns shared by Reddit users and members of various forums. A few of these reports come from mechanics who have observed multiple Tacoma trucks in their workshops with failed transmissions. Compounding the situation, issues have been reported in both automatic and manual transmissions, suggesting a widespread problem.
Forum member Fostuhh shared a particularly frustrating experience. They ordered their ideal Tacoma TRD Pro shortly after its announcement and traveled from Arizona to a dealer in Northern California to collect it. Unfortunately, during the drive home, they suffered a transmission failure with just 342 miles on the vehicle. After extensive communication among various dealerships, Toyota agreed to replace the transmission under warranty. However, this incident has not boosted the confidence of other potential customers.
Fostuhh’s situation reflects a broader trend, with 13 complaints regarding Tacoma transmission issues submitted to the NHTSA as of the time of this report, many involving trucks that have fewer than 1,000 miles. Common themes in these complaints include transmissions unexpectedly locking out of gears, with problems sometimes resolving momentarily after restarting the vehicle. While the NHTSA complaints predominantly point to automatic transmissions, reports suggest that manual transmissions are also experiencing similar challenges.
A recent video from Truck King highlighted the breaking of a six-speed transmission when one host attempted to shift from fifth to third gear. Although the cause is unclear, Toyota’s engineering team indicated that user error was to blame, stating the host inadvertently shifted from fifth to first, leading to an over-rev that damaged the clutch. However, the video did not exhibit the usual signs of a “money shift.”
Despite several complaints emerging over a month ago, and it being common for new models to encounter initial issues, the situation is still unfolding. Pickup Truck Plus SUV Talk aired its first customer stories video in late June, followed by another two weeks ago outlining a technical service bulletin from Toyota specifically addressing manual Tacoma issues. This bulletin mentions difficulties when shifting into second, fourth, or sixth gear, citing a cracked retainer within the shift control lever sub-assembly, though this does not apply to owners of automatic Tacomas like Fostuhh.
The situation is complicated by the fact that there are insufficient replacement transmissions available in the United States. Customers have reported waiting periods of two to four months. While some dealerships are offering rental vehicles, the lengthy wait times for repairs on brand-new trucks are less than ideal. The Drive contacted Toyota to clarify the extent of these issues, and the company responded by advising customers experiencing problems to reach out to the Toyota Brand Engagement Center at 1-800-331-4331.
While it is commendable that Toyota is honoring warranties and facilitating transmission replacements, the situation is concerning for a brand renowned for its durability and reliability, especially following the recent engine issues with the Tundra.
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