Owners complain about transmission trouble in 2024 Toyota Tacoma (2024)

The U.S. NHTSA has received ten complaints of failure, but forums suggest the problems may be more widespread

Author of the article:

Jil McIntosh

Published Aug 06, 20242 minute read

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Owners complain about transmission trouble in 2024 Toyota Tacoma (1)
  • The U.S. NHTSA has received at least ten complaints over 2024 Toyota Tacoma gearboxes
  • Dealers who plan to swap out the defective transmissions will have to wait for their replacements
  • Owners are reporting problems affecting both automatic and manual transmissions

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We recently covered news of Toyota recalling its full-size Tundra pickup truck for engine issues, and now the midsize 2024 Tacoma may be experiencing some troubles of its own. While it hasn’t announced a recall or an indication that one may be coming, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has published ten consumers’ complaints about their trucks’ transmissions, on new trucks with low mileage. Two other powertrain-related complaints were for the engine stalling and not restarting; and for a failed universal joint bearing and subsequent driveshaft damage.

In some of the complaints, the owners stated their dealerships said the transmissions had failed and required replacement, including one where the technician “found metal shavings in (the) transmission fluid.” In addition, getting those replacement units appears to be a problem — that same person said the dealer reported that “there are no spare transmissions in the U.S. and that it could take 3 months or longer to replace.”

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  1. 2024 Toyota Tacoma 3.13out of 5 MSRP $46,950 to $48,540

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The Tacoma is an all-new model for 2024, and it’s often tough enough to make enough transmissions for the assembly lines, without having to build more as replacements for them.

In a report from The Drive, it looks like NHTSA’s complaints file is just the start. That outlet compiled a number of complaints from social media and online forums, including “mechanics reporting multiple trucks in their shops with failed transmissions.” It appears drivers are having issues with both the automatic and manual transmissions.

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The story also references a video from Canada’s Truck King, where a Tacoma with manual transmission fails on camera as the hosts illustrate the truck’s rev-matching feature. An engineer with Toyota Canada blamed it on operator error. Watch the video yourself and see what you think.

It’s not the only video out there: Untamed Motors talks about issues with the transmissions. Another video from Pickup Truck Plus SUV Talk takes a balanced approach with the NHTSA complaints, along with an attempt to find if someone making videos about the transmissions actually exists (and apparently does not).

Whether the complaints to the U.S. agency will actually result in a recall has yet to be determined; so far, the 2024 Tacoma doesn’t have any recalls issued by NHTSA, nor with Transport Canada. Of course, if any emerge, we’ll let you know. In the meantime, no matter what you drive, you can check to see if it has any recalls by visiting Transport Canada’s website, or by contacting the auto manufacturer, either online or through its customer service number. You’ll need the vehicle information number, or VIN, which is that 17-digit mash of letters and numbers that’s on your ownership, or visible on the driver’s side of the dash through the windshield.

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Owners complain about transmission trouble in 2024 Toyota Tacoma (12)

Jil McIntosh

Jil McIntosh specializes in new-car reviews, auto technology and antique cars, including the two 1940s vehicles in her garage. She is currently a freelance Writer at Driving.ca since 2016

Summary

· Professional writer for more than 35 years, appearing in some of the top publications in Canada and the U.S.

· Specialties include new-vehicle reviews, old cars and automotive history, automotive news, and “How It Works” columns that explain vehicle features and technology

· Member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) since 2003; voting member for AJAC Canadian Car of the Year Awards; juror on the Women’s World Car of the Year Awards

Education

Jil McIntosh graduated from East York Collegiate in Toronto, and then continued her education at the School of Hard Knocks. Her early jobs including driving a taxi in Toronto; and warranty administration in a new-vehicle dealership, where she also held information classes for customers, explaining the inner mechanical workings of vehicles and their features.

Experience

Jil McIntosh is a freelance writer who has been writing for Driving.ca since 2016, but she’s been a professional writer starting when most cars still had carburetors. At the age of eleven, she had a story published in the defunct Toronto Telegram newspaper, for which she was paid $25; given the short length of the story and the dollar’s buying power at the time, that might have been the relatively best-paid piece she’s ever written.

An old-car enthusiast who owns a 1947 Cadillac and 1949 Studebaker truck, she began her writing career crafting stories for antique-car and hot-rod car club magazines. When the Ontario-based newspaper Old Autos started up in 1987, dedicated to the antique-car hobby, she became a columnist starting with its second issue; the newspaper is still around and she still writes for it. Not long after the Toronto Star launched its Wheels section in 1986 – the first Canadian newspaper to include an auto section – she became one of its regular writers. She started out writing feature stories, and then added “new-vehicle reviewer” to her resume in 1999. She stayed with Wheels, in print and later digital as well, until the publication made a cost-cutting decision to shed its freelance writers. She joined Driving.ca the very next day.

In addition to Driving.ca, she writes for industry-focused publications, including Automotive News Canada and Autosphere. Over the years, her automotive work also appeared in such publications as Cars & Parts, Street Rodder, Canadian Hot Rods, AutoTrader, Sharp, Taxi News, Maclean’s, The Chicago Tribune, Forbes Wheels, Canadian Driver, Sympatico Autos, and Reader’s Digest. Her non-automotive work, covering such topics as travel, food and drink, rural living, fountain pen collecting, and celebrity interviews, has appeared in publications including Harrowsmith, Where New Orleans, Pen World, The Book for Men, Rural Delivery, and Gambit.

Major awards won by the author

2016 AJAC Journalist of the Year; Car Care Canada / CAA Safety Journalism award winner in 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2013, runner-up in 2021; Pirelli Photography Award 2015; Environmental Journalism Award 2019; Technical Writing Award 2020; Vehicle Testing Review award 2020, runner-up in 2022; Feature Story award winner 2020; inducted into the Street Rodding Hall of Fame in 1994.

Contact info

Email: jil@ca.inter.net

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jilmcintosh/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JilMcIntosh

Learn more about Author

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Owners complain about transmission trouble in 2024 Toyota Tacoma (2024)

FAQs

Owners complain about transmission trouble in 2024 Toyota Tacoma? ›

In some of the complaints, the owners stated their dealerships said the transmissions had failed and required replacement, including one where the technician “found metal shavings in (the) transmission fluid.”

What year Tacoma has transmission problems? ›

2024 Toyota Tacoma Owners Reporting Transmission Problems to NHTSA. The trucks have been the subject of dozens of complaints filed with the feds. Bad luck may come in threes, but quality control issues can account for a lot more headaches, as exemplified by Toyota's recent spate of recalls.

What is the most common problem with a Toyota Tacoma? ›

Lower Ball Joint Failure

A common Toyota Tacoma reliability issue involves the lower ball joints. While you can expect ball joints to wear out after hundreds of thousands of miles, the Tacoma has had a pattern of premature ball joint failures.

How much does a new transmission on a Toyota Tacoma cost? ›

Toyota Tacoma Transmission Cost

The cost of a new Toyota Tacoma transmission could be over $3,500 depending on the car, nonetheless, transmission services such as fluid changes and a transmission fluid flush are considerably less expensive, in some cases costing less than $150.

Do Tacomas have good transmissions? ›

Some 2024 Toyota Tacoma owners are reporting transmission failures to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The reported failures seem to affect both manual and automatic gearboxes, with some owners reporting failure within the first 1000 miles.

What year of Tacoma to avoid? ›

The least reliable year models of Tacoma

The 2006, 2007, and 2008 Toyota Tacoma year models all have problems with their paint chipping and peeling and some concerning transmission and engine failures.

What year is the most reliable Toyota Tacoma? ›

The reliability ratings for 2005, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 are all perfect. With a nearly flawless rating, the 2005 Tacoma has the best Consumer Reports satisfaction rating of any generation. And that's why its is our pick for the best Toyota Tacoma year.

What is the least reliable Toyota Tacoma? ›

2016 Toyota Tacoma

The 2016 Tacoma holds the record for the most complaints ever received, though only four recalls were issued. This was to be expected. If you study complaints and recalls, you'll soon notice that the first year a vehicle goes on sale is almost always the worst.

What is the average lifespan of a Toyota Tacoma? ›

You can expect your Tacoma to last 200,000-300,000 miles, depending on the maintenance and care put into the vehicle. It's an excellent truck option from the Toyota name and has been around for more than two decades, making it one of the best choices from the brand.

Are Tacomas more reliable than Fords? ›

Ford F-150 vs. Toyota Tacoma dependability sees both trucks offer strong ratings. However, J.D. Power awarded the 2023 Ford F-150 a Quality & Reliability score of 86 out of 100. Meanwhile, they handed the 2023 Toyota Tacoma a Quality & Reliability score of 83 out of 100.

How often do you have to flush your transmission Tacoma? ›

Toyota Tacoma transmission fluid changes are exceptionally necessary to keep your vehicle's transmission congenial and lubricated. If you don't routinely change your fluids at least any 30,000 miles or so, you may find that your Toyota Tacoma transmission will slip.

Is it worth paying for a new transmission? ›

Because of the high costs, many drivers wonder, “Is paying for a transmission replacement worth it?” Even at $5,000+, a new transmission can be more affordable than trading in your vehicle and buying a new car, making this the most financially accessible solution for many drivers.

How much does it cost to change transmission fluid in a Tacoma? ›

The average cost for a Toyota Tacoma Transmission Fluid Change is between $130 and $148. Labor costs are estimated between $67 and $84 while parts are typically priced around $63.

Do Tacomas hold their value? ›

CarEdge has conducted research that confirms the Tacoma's excellent resale value. The website states that after five years, a Tacoma usually depreciates by 33% and has a residual value of approximately $28,011. This depreciation rate is noteworthy due to its gradual decline.

Is the Tacoma really that reliable? ›

The probability of a repair being a severe or major issue is 17% for the Toyota Tacoma, compared to an average of 13% for midsize trucks and 12% for all vehicle models. The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of a vehicle.

What transmission does the Toyota Tacoma use? ›

The transmissions come in 4-speed automatic, 5-speed automatic, 5-speed manual, and 6-speed manual.

What year do Toyotas have transmission problems? ›

The recall covers certain Toyota Tundra, Sequoia and Lexus LX 600 vehicles from the 2022-2024 model years. Owners will be notified of the issue by late April, the company said, and dealers will update the transmission software to repair the problem at no cost.

What year did Tacoma have bad frames? ›

Despite its reputation for impeccable build quality, there was a period during the production of the first generation Tacoma where things went sideways for the Big T. As we've hinted at in previous articles, the frames of 1995-2004 model year Tacos were prone to big-time rust.

What is the transmission problem on a 2011 Toyota Tacoma? ›

Chief among the complaints for the 2011 Tacoma are reports that the automatic transmission loses its ability to shift when the truck reaches high miles. The problem typically stems from improperly adjusted throttle position sensors or broken shift solenoids.

How many years should a Toyota Tacoma last? ›

With such a long average lifespan, it is no wonder why the used Toyota Tacoma for sale is so popular. You can expect to drive your pickup truck 10,000 to 15,000 every year on the road. This puts the average lifespan of a Toyota Tacoma at 20 to 25 years.

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