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2018 Tundra 20k mikes transmission issues

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by danmiller369, Feb 11, 2020.

  1. Feb 11, 2020 at 9:56 AM
    #1
    danmiller369

    danmiller369 [OP] New Member

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    Hey y’all, got a 2018 tundra SR5 crewmax 4x4 that’s have some minor tranny issues.

    when I shift into and out of drive/reverse its sometimes a little hard than what I think it should be but not a major clunk or anything. The transmission seems to also shift poorly around 35-40mph. Finally sometimes the transmission really whines out when I’m getting on the highway and not getting on it too hard at that.

    I think it’s valuable to note that I have a 3-1” level kit and I did install the spacer that came with it.


    My questions...
    1) am I being too critical of a trucks transmission?
    2) What is the likelyhood or possibility that my lift is causing these issues?
    3) are there any known issues with this transmission?
    4) should I report this to the dealer?
    5) anyother thoughts or recommendations?
     
  2. Feb 11, 2020 at 10:26 AM
    #2
    timsp8

    timsp8 Former Tundra owner for 13 years

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    1. Never know if it'll go out until it does.
    2. Maybe heavier tires play in to more wear, but others have bigger tires and no issues.
    3. Not really. Mine went out in my 2010 at 59k miles, but i drove it hard and it was SC. My 2018 shifts smooth except rare clunk going from cruising to downshift around 50-60 mph.
    4. Yes. Its under warranty. See if they can reproduce it and document it.
    5. Should be too early to have to change fluid. Do you tow or offroad? How many miles?
     
  3. Feb 11, 2020 at 10:30 AM
    #3
    danmiller369

    danmiller369 [OP] New Member

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    I’m still running my factory tires despite the lift. I was planning on larger ones come summer.

    I put in/pull out a boat once a year.

    20k babies miles. Any reason a lift would void my warranty?
     
  4. Feb 11, 2020 at 10:35 AM
    #4
    timsp8

    timsp8 Former Tundra owner for 13 years

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    Magnussen Moss Act. They have to prove that the lift directly caused the issue. Most dealers are pretty good about working with people and submitting to Toyota for warranty repair even with aftermarket modifications. At least in my experience. Most likely they wont do anything unless you get a CEL. You probably wouldn't want them to touch it anyway if they don't have to. But at least you'd get their opinion.

    When my 2010 trans went out, it was shifting hard, hesitating to shift from park to other gears, and holding gears. It still pulled a 4000lb UHaul over 1000 miles from MO to TX and made it.
     
    Black Wolf likes this.
  5. Feb 11, 2020 at 5:37 PM
    #5
    1engineer

    1engineer New Member

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    Not true. They don't have to prove anything initially.
    If the dealer declines, and then Toyota declines, you have to lawyer up. At this point, even if you eventually win you lose because chances are you will be several months without your truck and several thousand dollars poorer.
    What it DOES do is not allow the manufacturer to, say deny warranty on your radio because you modded your tailgate for example. If they decline warranty they will give you the reasoning but they don't have to prove it.
    The good news is Toyota is pretty fair.
     
  6. Feb 11, 2020 at 5:46 PM
    #6
    Linuxmale

    Linuxmale 2018 Tundra 2003 Tj

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    Could it be a u-joint? Have you checked for play? Does 2 vs 4wd make a difference?
     
  7. Feb 11, 2020 at 5:51 PM
    #7
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    This^^^^^
     
  8. Feb 11, 2020 at 5:53 PM
    #8
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    A 3/1 lift is not going to affect the tranny. Just sayin....
     
    1engineer[QUOTED] likes this.
  9. Feb 11, 2020 at 6:51 PM
    #9
    timsp8

    timsp8 Former Tundra owner for 13 years

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    This is the first link that I found in my quick search.

    “The burden is on the dealer to prove the aftermarket parts caused the failure.”

    https://www.autoanything.com/resources/magnuson-moss-warranty-act-explained/

    Do you have a link saying that’s not true? Cause I’ve never that it wasn’t.
     
    1engineer[QUOTED] likes this.
  10. Feb 11, 2020 at 7:12 PM
    #10
    MotoTundra

    MotoTundra The Ocho

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    -TRS Mini D2S Retrofit on TRD Pro Headlights (Apollo 2.0 Shrouds, 35w XB Ballasts, 5500k Bulbs) -Baja Designs Squadron R Sport Aux lights. -TRD Pro Grill -TRD Rear Sway Bar -BakFlip VP Tonneau w/BakBox -Dipped wheels & bumpers -Iron Cross HD steps -Undercover Swingcase -SunTek Paint Protection film -Tinted glass -Bedmat -OEM Towing Mirrors
    My transmission went at just over 2,000 miles babied and pampered by me (my luck). I knew how to duplicate it, went to the dealer and requested a Tech ride along with me. Within 2 minutes of being in the truck he said, yeah, you need a new transmission. I will bring it in and go through the process of diagnosing for the warrant work but you'll ultimately end up needing a new transmission.

    I knew the RPM's and the speed it would act up, saved the Tech a bunch of driving around trying to duplicate it.

    Warranty. All good.

    I would request the same and see what the Tech says.
     
  11. Feb 11, 2020 at 8:37 PM
    #11
    1engineer

    1engineer New Member

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    There is an extensive write up on Tacomaworld about this.
    There is no way a dealer can prove or disprove anything really, except obvious things. Toyota has the ability though.
    For example, let's say your engine has problems. The only thing you did was added an aftermarket air filter. The dealer can tear it down and speculate but they do not have the expertise to definitively say that the filter was substandard and let in too much dust. Toyota however do have the engineers that can make that determination.
    Like I said, the MM Act keeps them honest from blaming obvious stupid things, like they can't blame your radio install messed up the rear diff.
     
  12. Feb 11, 2020 at 9:07 PM
    #12
    Rider0120

    Rider0120 New Member

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    I’m at 32,000 and I have the clunk at 35-40. If only really does it in stop and go traffic but won’t do it when it’s cold, which is when the dealer checked it.
     
  13. Feb 11, 2020 at 9:17 PM
    #13
    Jpneely

    Jpneely New Member

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    still take it to the dealer and at least have it on file that youre having tranny troubles so that its documented. then at least youll have a marker saying that you brought up the problem at xxx miles well within warranty period and that the dealer dropped the ball on not recognizing that it was a problem. anything that you do to show that you tried to remedy the problem early on will help your case further down the road.
     
  14. Feb 12, 2020 at 5:03 AM
    #14
    JeremyGSU

    JeremyGSU New Member

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    Agreed.
    I had an '06 F-150 years back and my Cats went out. Ford denied my claim because I had an exhaust on it but it was a CAT back. I said how did my catback cause the cats to fail that are before the exhaust? They said you modified it so it's denied, period. I can see that but didn't agree they caused them to fail. Ford said tough. The cost to fix it was less than $1000 so I ate it.

    I think in most instances you would have to get a lawyer to really get a dealers attention on a failure, and most probably don't unless the repair is a ridiculous cost. I don't think you can just say but but what about Magnusson Moss and they are miraculously going to fix something now. It's internet hype IMO.
     
    1engineer[QUOTED] likes this.

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