A recent issue requiring the replacement of some Tacoma automatic transmissions sheds some doubt on the automaker’s reputation for dependability.

Don’t call it a recall, but Toyota will replace the eight-speed transmissions in certain Tacomas. If you frequently visit Toyota forums, then you probably noticed that a not insignificant number of owners of the new 2024 Toyota Tacoma have been complaining about transmission gremlins.

Toyota has a hard-earned reputation for reliability, but when you sell over ten million units a year, every major recall is a record-breaker.

It became official when Jeep announced on Wednesday that the Gladiator will now come exclusively with the eight-speed automatic. Really, it’s only the latest in a long line of trucks that have followed the same path. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a manual Gladiator, which could explain why Jeep did away with it.

A service bulletin says affected Tacomas will get a new eight-speed auto.

Dealers will replace failed eight-speed automatic transmissions in the mid-size trucks if they have a specific set of problems listed on a technical service bulletin from Toyota.

Toyota will replace the truck’s eight-speed automatic gearbox if certain diagnostic codes are present. Toyota has issued a technical service bulletin for the 2024 Toyota Tacoma's eight-speed automatic transmission.