A blemish on Toyota’s reputation for reliability appeared last month as reports poured in from 2024 Tacoma owners about the truck’s transmission failing. In response, Toyota issued a technical service bulletin last week stating the eight-speed automatic transmission should be replaced if it exhibits one of six diagnostic trouble codes. While not directly stating the failure’s cause like a recall, most of the trouble codes point towards a stuck pressure control solenoid actuator.
While the issue and the subsequent technical service bulletin doesn’t impact every 2024 Toyota Tacoma, check the VIN if you own the pickup. The Tacoma fitted with the manual transmission weren’t issued the same bulletin despite similar problems reported by owners. However, both two- and four-wheel-drive automatic versions should be inspected. Service center technicians will replace the transmission assembly and torque converter on impacted models.
This service bulletin comes on the back of a significant recall for the Toyota Tundra and the Lexus LX. Over 100,000 twin-turbo 3.4-liter V6 engines have to be replaced due to numerous failures. Toyota said the issue was caused by a manufacturing process where the oil passages weren’t properly cleaned out after machining. Metal shaving debris would then clog up the lubrication system. I wonder if Toyota will sure up it’s reputation or if this is start of a permanent slide.