Transmission Issue

[xgpeace]

My 2026 LC with 8000 miles on it is now at the dealer and requires a new transmission. Dealer said there are currently 29 transmission on back order for the LC and I may not get my LC back until October.
While pulling into a parking space I lost all power. I shifted back to neutral and then back to drive and it came back but I get the dreaded hybrid malfunction message. I was able to drive it to the dealer and that is when I got the bad news. I have contacted Toyota and I am looking at returning it under the lemon law as the truck will be at the dealer for over 30 days.
Heartbreaking as I had been looking forward to buying the LC for over a year.

 

[GR8Santini]

What dealer? Did you call & speak w/Toyota consumer affairs?

 

[WookieBait]

If you search the forums as well as on 4runner/tacoma forums its not a "uncommon" occurance unfortunately. Hopefully they get it taken care of quickly otherwise in the meantime make sure you understand your state buyback/lemon laws. Some forum members have been able to negotiate with Toyota to get an extended warranty to keep the car. I would look into that, at least get something out of it.

 

[xgpeace]

I bought the LC from Keyes Toyota in Van Nuys. I took it to Simi Valley Toyota which is my local dealer. I have contacted Toyota directly and I have requested a file to be opened for a possible buy back. More to come.
The dealer said they are happy to assist if I pürsue the Lemon Law. In California if the dealer has the car for 30 days it falls under the law. As they are saying a new transmission won’t be available until mid September or October I should qualify.

 

[TheMightyGoose]

Which plant was your built at?

 

[wpage]

That sucks. Seems like the 8 speed transmission has some bugs to work out by Toyota. The failure rate is reflected in the time intervals for service/replacements. Certainly the factory is busy rebuilding and refining what the causation of these transmissions.
For Toyota corporate this problem has got to be a red flag fix to work out. Even the good transmissions seem to shift rough and clearly need some polish.

 

[UCF.BSEE]

Which plant was your built at?

I'm genuinely curious about this as well. I am dealing with a similar issue with one of my LCs and based on what I've seen up to this point, most transmission issues appear to come from Hamura built trucks.

 

[TheMightyGoose]

Will be interesting to see if we ever really learn the cause of these failures. If it was an engineering flaw, it should be more widespread. But if it’s not, then will Toyota ever disclose why so many people have had an issue? Some evidence is pointing towards human or assembly failures. Which is why I ask which plant it was built at. Maybe there is some correlation?

My old 1999 4Runner shifted harsh when cold but then was fine after it warmed up. This is totally normal for a car, but my LC does the same. It makes me a bit worried though. Am I doomed or will it be fine? Makes me want an extended warranty but if we can get past the 60,000 mile power train warranty then you’d think we would be in the clear.

 

[GR8Santini]

Sorry this is happening to a few of you.

The LC appears as one of Toyotas fast selling vehicles around the world. My guess is if warranty failure happens @ higher % than forecasted there will be a part demand issue between factory demand & replacement supply support parts.

Very little overstock & high production = low support part inventory levels. I’ve been told multiple times that Toyota is the best at supply chain management, & their benchmarks & processes are shared/copied as THE standard in many other industries.

It’s a big issue w/ supporting aviation operations - I’ve seen the smallest items ground a complete platform that could become a strategic security threat - especially on legacy aircraft. For them if the maintainers can’t manage to make a new one sometimes there’s still the boneyard!

 

[Jon]

I'm genuinely curious about this as well. I am dealing with a similar issue with one of my LCs and based on what I've seen up to this point, most transmission issues appear to come from Hamura built trucks.

This will be interesting to track. I know the 11th digit of the VIN indicates plant, mine is K. Does anyone know where there's a definitive list of plant codes?

I definitely have some jankiness in some of the shifts and will mention it to the dealer, but I'm still in break-in.

 

[Esquire]

This will be interesting to track. I know the 11th digit of the VIN indicates plant, mine is K. Does anyone know where there's a definitive list of plant codes?

I definitely have some jankiness in some of the shifts and will mention it to the dealer, but I'm still in break-in.

Position 11 with a "5" indicates Tahara.

Yes. Toyota transmissions have all been a bit jerky since the beginning of time. They are typically very reliable, however, far from smooth. Obviously failure is rare, but it does happen from time to time.

Actually one of the smoothest and hardiest transmissions built is the German built ZF transmission.

 

[TheMightyGoose]

Position 11 with a "5" indicates Tahara.

Yes. Toyota transmissions have all been a bit jerky since the beginning of time. They are typically very reliable, however, far from smooth. Obviously failure is rare, but it does happen from time to time.

Actually one of the smoothest and hardiest transmissions built is the German built ZF transmission.

My ‘99 T4R shifted rough when cold, but I’ve learned that it’s normal. I was worried when I first got it, but It went 285,000 trouble free miles before I sold it. If the guy is taking care of it, I’m sure it’s still going.

 

[UCF.BSEE]

This will be interesting to track. I know the 11th digit of the VIN indicates plant, mine is K. Does anyone know where there's a definitive list of plant codes?

I definitely have some jankiness in some of the shifts and will mention it to the dealer, but I'm still in break-in.

K = Hamura built
5 = Tahara built

From what I have gathered, Trail Dust and Heritage Blue trucks are exclusively built at Hamura. The rest of the colors are a mix but are weighted more towards Hamura assembly.

 

[psycheout]

I have a 5 or Tahara built FE, I wonder if FEs were handled at one plant? Not 100% certain and I'm sure I saw a FE owner going through the same issues? Mine has 22K and it is jerky at times as well.

 

[KyLandcruiser]

The transmissions are built by Aisin and then shipped to the factory.

 

[xgpeace]

Which plant was your built at?

I have the K code in the VIN and it is heritage blue so probably Hamura

 

[LCtrek]

The transmissions are built by Aisin and then shipped to the factory.

Exactly this. It’s not factory specific. It’s a part failure within the transmission. Solenoid/ electric oil pump, whatever it may be.

 

[LRD]

Given the lack of cooling these transmissions have it’s no wonder they are failing prematurely. They need to address this poor design or suffer another exploding tundra engine fiasco.

 

[ultane]

My 2026 LC with 8000 miles on it is now at the dealer and requires a new transmission. Dealer said there are currently 29 transmission on back order for the LC and I may not get my LC back until October.
While pulling into a parking space I lost all power. I shifted back to neutral and then back to drive and it came back but I get the dreaded hybrid malfunction message. I was able to drive it to the dealer and that is when I got the bad news. I have contacted Toyota and I am looking at returning it under the lemon law as the truck will be at the dealer for over 30 days.
Heartbreaking as I had been looking forward to buying the LC for over a year.

Welcome to the asylum.

Sorry for all your problems.

 

[ultane]

Exactly this. It’s not factory specific. It’s a part failure within the transmission. Solenoid/ electric oil pump, whatever it may be.

Welcome to the asylum.