2017 Land Cruiser - Transmission Needs Replaced

[JohnJB]

Have you looked at the lemon law? Do you have records of how many days its been in the shop? You have rights that they can't simply ignore. Your experience doesn't reflex that of others here. Toyota builds lemons too and they are allowed that to some extent.

So much this! The problematic vehicle is also located in CA, which has some of the most consumer friendly lemon laws in the entire country.

There has to be an amicable solution to this, doesn't mean that it isn't still a headache to resolve though.

 

[onemanarmy]

If you're shifting from reverse to drive with enough wreckless abandon to cause an odd noises and physical vibrations in the floor board, then I'm not surprised the trans crapped out. They're not bulletproof. Have some mechanical empathy. The way I see and witness some people abusing their cars, I'm amazed they hold together as long as they do.

 

[ohsix]

My 2017 Land Cruiser pulled right really bad after a tire rotation. Try rotating tires to see if the pull moves.

I'm at almost 20,000 miles on my 2017 Land Cruiser with no transmission problems. About 2,000 of those miles are pulling a 5,000# travel trailer and working the transmission in the higher gears.

 

[TeCKis300]

Are you sure about that? Most transmission controls are located at the bottom specifically so they are easy to access. Generally changing a solenoid only requires drain, removal of pan/filter, change solenoid, reinstall pan, fill. It would take a good tech less than an hour.

Even if it needed a whole valve body it’s not that big of a deal.

Now diaphragms or clutches.. yes, transmission out. But control systems are quite quick and easy to work on.

Edit: now that I think about it my Touareg had an Aisin 8-speed and when I changed the filter on it the solenoids were lined up there above the filter on the bottom of the valve body just like any traditional computer controlled automatic. Might not be the same transmission but it is Aisin and most likely the control systems are similar.

I don't disagree with you. The solenoids are indeed accessible via the cover. Dealerships are not known to go down below the functional part to fix things. Personally, I would much rather have them change the whole transmission than to debug and fix lower in the component level, which is a more sensitive operation. Transmissions swaps are quick, easy, and relatively foolproof. If the dealer is offering a tranny, that's the preferable route.

 

[TeCKis300]

So much this! The problematic vehicle is also located in CA, which has some of the most consumer friendly lemon laws in the entire country.

There has to be an amicable solution to this, doesn't mean that it isn't still a headache to resolve though.

Yes, you deserve better than the experience and treatment you've had! No doubt. That's why we buy Toyota's like you said. If they can't deliver on that front, there are sexier options out there that might be worth the headaches.

Tell us more about the symptoms in your other threat. We'll help you diagnose what the dealer can't. What you've described is absolutely not normal.

 

[aznxfactor]

8 speed transmission has been used in lexus for a while so they finally moved it into the land cruiser. Like the LC500 has a 10 speed automatic transmission which in the near future im sure will be in the newest land cruiser platform when it goes through redesign. From working at a Toyota dealership, here is my 2 cents:

1. With all the electronics and creature comforts going into Toyotas now, you never know and might be that one rare instance where something had to be replaced. You probably got unlucky with the rare bad transmission. I have a 2016 with 33k miles on it and no problems whatsoever.

2. Your land cruiser is probably under warranty still or you have a vehicle service contract (aka extended warranty.) What that means is that they would rather just replace it than fix it for a couple reasons: Number 1 reason is money. They charge Toyota or the warranty company for a brand new transmission plus labor: So to the dealership they will get like over $8000 in order to get it replaced which is gross for the dealership. No cost to you of course other than concern.

With that being said, keep in mind that all businesses are in the money making business so your land cruiser was a great opportunity for one and it wouldnt cost you a dime which isnt bad nor should it be a concern.

Plus you're also getting a brand new transmission so that is not a bad thing too.

 

[bloc]

I don't disagree with you. The solenoids are indeed accessible via the cover. Dealerships are not known to go down below the functional part to fix things. Personally, I would much rather have them change the whole transmission than to debug and fix lower in the component level, which is a more sensitive operation. Transmissions swaps are quick, easy, and relatively foolproof. If the dealer is offering a tranny, that's the preferable route.

I'm most likely in the minority here but without a bunch of other transmission failures, assuming it could be confidently isolated down to a single solenoid and no other damage had occurred, I'd almost rather them just change the solenoid. There's a LOT less going on with that job, and I've learned over the years that retaining the factory's build quality as much as possible is the recipe for avoiding workmanship problems in the future. I've seen FAR too many QC issues like fasteners not torqued to spec to have much confidence in dealer service departments. Not that there aren't good techs, and in all likelihood a transmission swap on an eighty thousand dollar toyota will be assigned to one of their best techs.. but there is a lot going on with a transmission swap, and IMO that leaves a lot of room for error.

But that's just my (rather OCD) opinion, and a huge hypothetical because it sounds like these 8-speeds are having problems.

Either way.. good on toyota for making this situation right and throwing an extended warranty on to boot. As any reasonable person would expect.

 

[NMNORSSE]

Are you sure about that? Most transmission controls are located at the bottom specifically so they are easy to access.

You could be right. Last time I changed a tranny valve body the solenoids were easy to get to.

I'm still pleased Toyota opted to r&r the tranny rather than just replacing the solenoid, fluid, filter and gasket.

 

[jefo13]

Thanks for sharing your experience and I’m glad they stepped up with the warranty to make it right, I would be happy too

My almost 40k miles ‘06 has interesting behavior I just chose to ignore out of fear of having issues. Aside ftom ocasional clunky shifting, the oddest thing I experience is sometimes right after shifting into drive the transmission Is really weak, like it’s on 8th gear. I shut into neutral or park and right back to Drive and all goes back to normal

Who knows...

 

[TeCKis300]

I'm most likely in the minority here but without a bunch of other transmission failures, assuming it could be confidently isolated down to a single solenoid and no other damage had occurred, I'd almost rather them just change the solenoid. There's a LOT less going on with that job, and I've learned over the years that retaining the factory's build quality as much as possible is the recipe for avoiding workmanship problems in the future. I've seen FAR too many QC issues like fasteners not torqued to spec to have much confidence in dealer service departments. Not that there aren't good techs, and in all likelihood a transmission swap on an eighty thousand dollar toyota will be assigned to one of their best techs.. but there is a lot going on with a transmission swap, and IMO that leaves a lot of room for error.

But that's just my (rather OCD) opinion, and a huge hypothetical because it sounds like these 8-speeds are having problems.

Either way.. good on toyota for making this situation right and throwing an extended warranty on to boot. As any reasonable person would expect.

I'm on the same page in regards to workmanship and quality issues from the dealership. Which I avoid like the plague as I've seen way too many shotty jobs even from the likes of Lexus.

In my experience personally swapping trannies on pretty complex vehicles, it's a more foolproof operation that has less to go wrong. It's less sensitive work, than going into the bowels of the tranny. Neither are 1 banana jobs, but I would have less confidence in general mechanics working within the transmission, than swapping it. Opening a transmission is a specialist job that these guys just don't do. But they do drop enough of transmissions to get that done right.

 

[Redbull]

It's a chink in the armor for sure, but that armor is still far stronger than any other cars being sold new. I know it's easy to get disappointed because that is the ONE thing one buys a Landcruiser for - the last word in durability and reliability. But it's good to have a little perspective compared to what else you can buy. I'd still trust a Landcruiser especially with Toyota's response to this whole matter.

Porsche got it wrong on the 991.1 GT3 engines blowing up. Their response was a stop sale and now a huge warranty on 2014 cars. Faith restored.

 

[linuxgod]

Thanks for sharing your experience and I’m glad they stepped up with the warranty to make it right, I would be happy too

My almost 40k miles ‘06 has interesting behavior I just chose to ignore out of fear of having issues. Aside ftom ocasional clunky shifting, the oddest thing I experience is sometimes right after shifting into drive the transmission Is really weak, like it’s on 8th gear. I shut into neutral or park and right back to Drive and all goes back to normal

Who knows...

I assume you mean '16, not '06...

There are a few firmware updates for the 8 speed that are supposed to deal with shifting issues. Take it to the dealer and have them apply the firmware and this problem will likely go away.

 

[jefo13]

I assume you mean '16, not '06...

There are a few firmware updates for the 8 speed that are supposed to deal with shifting issues. Take it to the dealer and have them apply the firmware and this problem will likely go away.

Thanks for the heads up, I’ll check it out

 

[linuxgod]

Thanks for the heads up, I’ll check it out

2016+ LC TSB for Rough Shifting Transmission is out

 

[TexasHusker]

I think y'all are blowing this way out of proportion. It doesn't sound like the transmission blew up and left him stranded. Sounds like a dtc popped up and the engineers wanted to look deeper into it.

Agreed. The dealership and Toyota are probably going way over the call of duty to replace the thing as it is. No need for an execution. ***t happens.

 

[hankinid]

So much this! The problematic vehicle is also located in CA, which has some of the most consumer friendly lemon laws in the entire country.

There has to be an amicable solution to this, doesn't mean that it isn't still a headache to resolve though.

California is definitely strong on lemons...I had the displeasure (did not do my homework) and bought an Olds Wagon with the original GM 350 diesel. Crank broke at the rearmost main bearing at ~ 40K, numerous FI, head gaskets, and exhaust manifold problems followed. Dealer was absolutely no help or consolation whatsoever.

Plan B...I involved the local BBB. A week later a GM rep called me and requested a lunch meeting. His offer was to take the car to an east bay shop that did nothing but swap diesels for new gm gas engines. I requested a 401 iirc. After installation, you could NOT tell the car from an original gas wagon. No charge, free lunches, and a new Olds wagon loaner.

 

[coleAK]

These things happen. For me the big difference is how the manufactur/dealer handles it.

My wife had the first year of the SL500 convertible hard top. The roof would get stuck up, stuck down, stuck half way,... it was in the shop pretty much every month and finally after almost a year they replaced the entire roof assembly. Then we had her 2004 4-magic E blow the front diff at 53k milesand 6 years, just out of warranty. They stretched it and covered it without us asking. Both times (differnat dealers) MB customer service was top notch: Loaner cars, service priority, proactive communication.

Now the other side, I had a 2013 GC trailhawk. Constant air suspension problems, i would get a system failure message and it would go into “limp mode” drop it to park height and limit speed to 20mph. I would have to disconnect the battery and wait 5-10 min then it would be fine. In the shop 12 times in 18 months, finally I had to involve Chrysler as the dealer would keep it for 1-2 weeks every time and tell me that there was nothing wrong “they all do this”. So they finally replaced the central controller and it didn’t fail for the last 6 months I had it. Also Blew the center diff at 10k miles, took a month to repair. Every time Customer service was horrible, never gave me a loaner no priority in service, I would have to contact them for updates. This from the dealer where I purchased it.

 

[m3fan]

Interesting. As for the issue of reverse to drive and that "boinging" sound and the brief traction light-my 2015 does the same thing if I try to go too fast from reverse to drive.

Try keeping your foot on the brake, shift to drive, wait a second and then go. It won't do it if you follow those steps. I know the manual actually spells out this process as well for shifting gears, hope that helps.

My 14 does that. It's generally when you shift from R to D with the steering wheel turned a significant degree on just the right pavement type. I think it's literally the traction control taking care of the tiniest inner front wheel spin during this high-idle cold start situation. No biggie.

 

[JBHorne]

BUYERS BEWARE! I own a 2017 Land Cruiser 200. I bought it about 6 months ago (Sept of 2017 from Longo Toyota in El Monte, CA) and I have 14,000 miles on it now. I bought this car after having owned 3 Land Cruisers and 5 Range Rovers before. I went back to a Land Cruiser with the thought it was going to be reliable unlike my Range Rovers. Turns out I was wrong. I've got two major issues I feel everyone should be aware of if they are thinking of buying this vehicle. From day one, this car has pulled right during acceleration. See my other posts about this. It was so significant that on long 5 hour drives, I literally had to keep the wheel turned left just to keep it going straight. After multiple trips into the dealership they told me "This is torque steer. This is a normal operating characteristic of the new Land Cruisers. I'm sorry there is nothing we can do for you." When I showed them how my tires were already getting destroyed by 8,000 miles they just looked at me like "It's your driving." Sorry, but I can't create cupping on wheels. Then the brake issue started somewhere about 7500 miles. When I was driving down the road I could hear a really loud screeching. My brake pads were contacting the rotors. After taking it in numerous times, they said "Ya, your pads are significantly worn and your rotors are all glazed. They must have gotten really hot." I also described to them that when I come to a stop, it sounds like my brakes need to be replaced (That metal on metal scratching sound). This is highly embarrassing on a brand new vehicle that I take clients out in. They had me take a tech for a road test. It did it. I handed them video of numerous times. They took that. After a day they said "Come get your car, there's nothing we can do for it. We can't figure out why the brakes pads aren't releasing. These parts are just wearing down and are designed to that. You may want to take this LC to a dealership that sees these frequently because it's such a rare car that we don't get very many of these. Were not sure how to fix this."

For those of you contemplating buying this VERY expensive SUV I am quite sure that your time is worth something. Mine sure is. And, hence the reason I went back to the Toyota line versus Range Rover. I thought this will be a car that I can just buy and change the oil, brakes and tires and run it for a few hundred thousand miles. NOT SO. I have been into the dealerships so many times that I now have to ask myself, "Has this really been worth it???" I have tried to be a gentlemen on more than half a dozen times and tell myself, "It's a Toyota, it will go forever, it's probably just the one that I bought, suck it up and get through this." Well, it hasn't. And this Toyota is completely unlike my previous Toyota's. The time I have taken to get this $75,000 car fixed makes me feel like I am driving another Rover. BIG WASTE OF TIME.

As for the transmission problems you are speaking of, I pray thatI don't have this issue as well. The car already has very interesting shifting habits. I try to overlook them because I bought my new Land Cruiser specifically for the 4WD ruggedness. I almost bought the LX because of the trim. But the way this thing shifts does sometime give reason to look down and scratch my head. I remember when I was buying this Land Cruiser that they had one in the shop that was getting the tranny replaced.

Stay tuned folks because if Toyota doesn't make these issues right this week I will be starting a very public blog. I have just purchased the website www.2017landcruiser.com and will start putting all of this on the internet. Consumers need to know that Toyota's flagship SUV, one with a long history of reliability, may not be that anymore.

This sounds like a REALLY BAD dealer. Report them to Toyota and find another dealership STAT! Brakes, pulling, etc are such simple things to fix on ANY car...

 

[JBHorne]

I have to say, I'm actually really impressed here with Toyota. They could easily require the dealership to rip the transmission apart and fix the $100 solenoid, but instead they are offering a brand new transmission. Yes, it absolutely sucks and you have every right to consult an attorney and attempt a MMWA claim, but...I've been through it with Ford and it ain't pretty. In fact, it was over a transmission issue in a 2006 Ford Explorer as well and had the transmission worked on FOUR TIMES, the last time parked the vehicle on their lot and left it there. Took six months to get everything sorted out. I'm just saying...it could be A LOT worse. Sounds like they're doing the absolute best they can in the situation they (and you) are in. This post actually gives me more reassurance in Toyota as a brand over other makes.