My 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport With 33s Overheats When I’m Off-Road In 4HI, But the Dealer Can’t Replicate It, So Now They Say They Can’t Do Anything

"My 2024 Toyota Tacoma is overheating in 4HI when I go off-road. I want to know if anyone else has had this problem."

Imagine buying a 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport with stock 18-inch wheels. Now, picture the thrill of swapping them for a set of custom 33-inch 318 Method gloss black milled wheels and all-terrain tires. That's what Trevor did, and it looks great.

That's the thrill Trevor Spencer experienced when he modified his new Tacoma pickup. He shares his experience on the 4th Gen 2024+ Toyota Tacoma Owners Facebook page. 

Like many Tacoma owners, he couldn't wait to enhance his truck and take it off the beaten path. 

However, he isn't done yet.

Here is Trevor's build list: 

• Tires- 317/70/17 KO2s BFG’s
• Bed molle panel- @roughcountry 
• Rear shock skids- @dv8offroad 
• Engine/trans skid- @iconvehicledynamics
• Dump exhaust- SXTH ELEMENT ENG.
• Roof rack- @uptopoverland
• Bed rack- @uptopoverland
• RTT- Top oak
• Overhead lights- @auxbeamledlight 
• Rooftop storage- @Roam adventure co.
• Wheels- 318 method wheels  
• TRD pro grille- @tacoclout
• Fang lights- @tacoclout 

With his modified Tacoma ready to roll, Trevor is eagerly anticipating his first off-road adventure to the Shenandoah National Park. This is where the next part of his journey begins. 

He says,

"Ok, I have had this problem and have a 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport. I want to know if anyone else has had this problem."

"I've had the Tacoma since last April, and during my first off-road trip, I noticed that the transmission was heating up in 4HI, which I thought was strange, but I didn't pay much attention to it." 

A "Transmission Oil Temp High" warning appears on Trevor's Tacoma dash. It says, "Stop in a Safe Place and See Owner's Manual."  

"I looked at it again ten minutes later, seeing it's way up much more than it should be. I'm also riding on 33-inch wheels at this point, and I'm driving on gravel roads, but I'm only going 15-20 miles per hour."

Trevor heads straight to the dealer when he gets back. 

"I returned to the Toyota dealer and brought the issue up with the service department manager. The technician met me after he had inspected my truck and said that he couldn't replicate the problem." 

"He couldn't replicate it in the shop here in Virginia Beach when I'm going up steep hills in Shenandoah National Park on gravel roads, Trevor says with indignation."  

The tech said to try it again, and he did, but it wouldn't overheat in 4LO.

Trevor says it's because the transmission is slipping in 4HI and getting a better grab in 4LO. 

Trevor upgrades the wheels to even larger 35-inch wheels. 

"Well, now I put on 35-inch wheels on my Tacoma and took it back to the mountains to go camping. This time, I tested it again and let it go." 

"I tested it and put it through the paces in 4LO, and it overheated again. I had to let it cool down after that, but it doesn't have the problem of getting hotter in 4HI." 

Is There a Problem With Trevor's Tacoma?

According to a report on the Tacoma4G Forum, experiencing high transmission oil temperature on the freeway is considered normal. The report suggests that using The tow/haul mode can be beneficial in such situations.

"The transmission temperature gets hot going up steep hills in 4HI, and the shifter is in Drive, so the transmission goes back and forth the entire time. If you pop it into 1st-2nd gear in 4HI, it does great, no overheating whatsoever; if you put it into 4LO, it does amazing as well."

"So yes, it was a user error, and if anyone wants to sit here and say their 2nd-3rd generation Tacoma (or any vehicle, as a matter of fact) transmission does get hot off-road." 

"Think again; the Tacomas have never had a transmission temperature gauge from the factory, so nobody knows unless they have a unit to read the temps from the OBD2." 

Check out a YouTube video from TacomaBeast for an excellent report on the 2024 Tacoma performance review with 35-inch tires. 

He says, "Take an in-depth look at the 2024 Toyota Tacoma, fully equipped with 35-inch tires. In this episode, we dive into a detailed performance review, examining how the truck handles both city and freeway driving with its robust modifications. We'll also share firsthand insights on the MPG achievements and the impact of the custom upgrades."

What does the Toyota Tacoma owner's manual say?

If the "Transmission Oil Temp High Stop in a Safe Place and See Owner's Manual" warning light illuminates on the 2024 Toyota Tacoma, the manual instructs you to immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place, shift to park, and wait for the warning message to go off. 

Here's a more detailed explanation: 

• Warning Indication: The warning message means the automatic transmission fluid temperature is too high.
• Action Required: Stop Safely: Immediately pull over to a safe location.
• Shift to Park: Shift the transmission to the "P" (Park) position.
• Wait for Cooling: Allow the transmission to cool down by waiting until the warning message disappears.
• Further Action: If the warning light reappears after cooling, stop the car, allow the transmission to cool down, and then seek professional repair assistance.

Conclusion:

Is there a problem with the 2024 Tacoma transmission?

Some Toyota Tacoma owners, particularly of the 2024 models, have reported transmission overheating issues during off-roading, leading to some owners seeking transmission replacements. 

Here's a more detailed explanation:

• Transmission Issues in 2024 Tacomas: Several owners of the 2024 Toyota Tacoma have reported problems with their eight-speed automatic transmissions, including overheating, harsh shifting, and even complete failure. 
• Toyota's Response: Toyota has acknowledged these issues and issued a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) to address transmission-related concerns, offering to replace faulty transmissions in some cases. 
• Off-Roading and Overheating: Off-roading, especially in challenging terrain, can significantly stress a vehicle's transmission, potentially leading to overheating if the transmission fluid is not properly cooled or if there are underlying issues. 

Trevor concludes, "I am returning my truck to the dealer next week, and we'll see if they can figure this out."

Do You Have a 2024 Toyota Tacoma?

What have you experienced with taking your pickup off-road? Click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

Check out my Toyota Tacoma story: Toyota is Desperately Trying to Stop Their Brand Image From Taking a Straight Dumpster Dive, Now The Tacoma Transmissions Are Failing

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Trevor Spencer