Toyota is Desperately Trying to Stop Their Brand Image From Taking a Straight Dumpster Dive, Now The Tacoma Transmissions Are Failing

"I Bought a 2024 Tacoma a month ago, and my transmission has been slipping since week two; I know I'm not imagining it."

That's what one 2024 Toyota Tacoma customer says about the all-new Tacoma pickup. With its new redesigns, is Toyota having reliability issues with two of its new-generation trucks? I'll explore the question here, but first, imagine this scenario.   

Imagine buying a new 2024 or 2025 Toyota Tacoma pickup. You know about Toyota's reputation for building reliable vehicles. So, when you pay well over $40,000 for the truck, you expect it to last forever. 

You plan on keeping the truck for a long time and aren't expecting it to break down right out of the gate. However, you start having issues with the truck's transmission. Your new truck is fewer than 2,000 miles old, and you feel the transmission slip.

You call the dealer where you bought the pickup to get it into the shop. You can't believe it when the Toyota dealer tells you your new Tacoma transmission must be replaced. 

To make matters worse, the service department tells you they will need your new Tacoma for two weeks while they order the new 8-speed automatic transmission. You would not be happy. 

What's going on with Toyota?

Christopher Pearce (@thechristopherpearce) says that the Toyota brand is becoming unreliable. He reports that the new generation Toyota Tacoma is now experiencing transmission problems. 

Christopher's report explains why the quality of the new generation Toyota Tacoma could be dropping. 

Christopher says, "Owners of the new Toyota Tacoma are reporting that their cars are breaking down with less than 1,000 miles. A problem reportedly stems from the truck's new eight-speed automatic transmission." 

"It's obviously a huge red flag when you consider the last generation Tacoma was regularly getting over half a million miles." 

"2024 has been hell for the Japanese automaker with the massive recall of the Toyota Tundra pickup." 

In my recent report on the new Toyota Tundra truck, I reported that Toyota USA is confronted with a monumental task.

Due to a new recall in December, Toyota is gearing up to replace a staggering 100,000 engines in Tundra pickups and Lexus LX SUVs. I said, "If you own a 2022 or 2023 Tundra pickup, brace yourself for a potentially lengthy wait."

What caused the Tundra recall?

In the 2022 and 2023 Tundra pickup and Lexus LX SUV models with the V35A twin-turbo 3.4-liter V-6 engine, internal passages in either block or cylinder heads were improperly cleaned. Small chips of metal, called "swarf," a result of the machining process, remained inside the engine after assembly. 

The presence of these metal chips poses a serious risk. If they break loose, they can contaminate the engine's oil, leading to severe internal damage and potentially causing the engine to seize. It's a safety concern, especially if the vehicle stalls in traffic. Nearly 1,000 engines made in two Toyota plants have already failed due to this issue.

Customers may have a long wait.

Toyota has to replace the defective engines with new ones. Each engine replacement will require between 13 to 21 hours to complete. With 100,000 engines having to be replaced, many customers will wait in line to finish the work. Read my report here for more information on the Tundra recall.

Is the Toyota Tacoma having reliability issues as well? 

Christopher says, "Now, Toyota's crown jewel, the Tacoma, is also in trouble. This model year (2024), Toyota refreshed pretty much its entire lineup: the Tacoma, Tundra, 4Runner, and Sequoia. Pretty much every truck got a new look and also a new powertrain."

"Unfortunately, the new engines and transmissions are smaller but more efficient, and now they have been plagued with problems." 

"Now, the brand has just announced that they'll replace all the transmissions for affected trucks. Toyota has not released an official number of how many owners are actually affected by the issue, and they are not calling this an official recall even though it sounds like it should be." 

"If your Tacoma has the affected eight-speed transmission, you will be notified by Toyota, and you will be able to get it replaced for free," Christopher says. 

"I'm curious if this changes your opinion on the new Tacoma?" 

Here are a few comments from Christopher's post. 

Meowmeow mf - I just got rid of my 23 Highlander. I had it for less than 10 months, with transmission problems since week two. It drove like an old car. Never again, Toyota. I'm so done.

Miss Suspish - They're also insanely expensive for what they offer now. I love Toyota, but there is no reason a midsized truck should be going for nearly 60k (at least here anyway)

Dark Christmas - My brother had a newer 2024 Tacoma and had to have it lemon-lawed.

100PoundsDown - My 2023 Tundra Platinum needed a new transfer case at 500 miles. PLUS, the engine is recalled and needs to be replaced!

AD - I bought a 24 Tacoma a month ago, and I felt like my transmission had been slipping since week two. I knew I didn't imagine it.

user9517259468510 - I'm glad I have the 2020 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro 4X4, V8 5.7 L. I almost fell for it and got a 2023 Toyota TRD Pro Tundra with a V6. I love the truck, but not the payments.

Should you be concerned about the Toyota Tacoma and Tundra truck quality? 

There will be issues whenever any automaker gives a vehicle a complete redesign, like the new Tundra and Tacoma. The longer a model is in production, it is generally the case that the vehicle will have fewer problems.  

However, it is unusual for Toyota to have to recall over 100,000 trucks to replace the entire engine. The Toyota Tundra has a major design flaw with its V35A twin-turbo 3.4-liter V-6 engine. 

Does Toyota have another design flaw with the 2024 Tacoma pickup's 8-speed automatic transmission? Recent reports say it's a possibility. I will continue to follow this story. Stay tuned. 

We want to hear from you.

Have you purchased a 2024 Toyota Tacoma? Have you experienced any issues with the transmission in your new truck? Click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

Check out this Toyota Tundra story.

“You Hear That?” Michael Says Over the Sound Of a Rattling Engine, “That’s Another Dead 2024 Toyota Tundra, Owners Are Selling Before the Warranty Expires” Read my report here. 

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Toyota dealer