2024 Tacoma Transmission Overheating on Long Climbs Off-Road

[LincolnSixAlpha]

I'd be curious to know myself, but it appears to not have a trans-cooler. Again, I haven't been keeping up on stuff, but my last vehicle, '21 Silverado with the lovely self destructing 6.2 had the tow package, but no trans cooler. Prior to that a '20 Silverado with I-6 Baby Duramax, again with Tow package - no trans cooler.

Back in the day, I owned a '98 4Runner and I remember installing a trans cooler on it. I remember it because I made a mess in my garage with that red transmission fluid... Mine, back in the day didn't have a fan on it, so it cooled as you drove, of course. I see the ones today have fans that must cycle on on off as need be.

Anyhow, there appears to be some aftermarket options including Mishimoto, and some others on Summit Racing. Bet you could find some on eBay as well. Installation should be easy assuming you can get to the transmission hoses, and there's a place to mount the cooler.

Anyhow food for thought. I'm kinda curious myself. I'm not a fan of these "sealed" transmissions. To me, that fluid needs to be changed, and there's no such thing as 100k transmission fluid. A cool tranny is a happy tranny.

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[fightforfood247]

2024 OR Premium Hybrid - Anybody else having problems with their transmission overheating specifically on long offroad climbs? And if so, what have you done to fix it? Transmission temperature is normal and shifts normally on mountain highways but the truck overheats on long off-road climbs - anything over about 600m (~2000ft) vertical. I've had warning lights come on twice and now monitor the transmission temperature on climbs and stop for a couple minutes then continue once the transmission cools. I'm not towing or carrying anything more than a couple mountain bikes. These are roads I've done in other trucks and done in tandom with other vehicles and the other trucks including a couple 3G Tacomas and Bronco are not overheating their transmissions. I've tried 4 LOW which shouldnt be necessary on these grades but it doesn't really help. I've asked my dealer about it and was told to install a transmission cooler if I'm going to be doing a lot of offroading. I'll for sure do this but just expected an OR vehicle to not overheat on offroad climbs... Any other solutions people have found?

Regardless of whatever tires and rims and if it’s a decent amount of gear this shouldn’t be happening. Period. If people see like well it’s wheels and tires and this and that, that’s why it’s happening. You’re right in saying that’s bs and it shouldn’t be for 50k truck. That’s why I have old faithful my 1999 f250 v10 triton shows up my 2024 Tacoma lol. Modern times brotha. I’ll be curious about the Tran cooler tho. Like what you decide and how to install. I might as well get one.

 

[HoptownBob]

Nope! None.

Google is your friend: does the 2024 Tacoma have a transmission oil cooler

It still has a transmission cooler located in the main radiator end tank. The extra air cooler is what was eliminated on later 2020's. It was pretty small anyway. Probably not strictly necessary, but a good idea for longevity of fluid and transmission.

 

[cranny]

Of course it has a transmission cooler. I've never owned a truck without one. But it needs an upgrade if you're going to be doing long, steep, low-speed climbs.. Only one aftermarket product I can find so far but have a local 4x4 shop trying to source something for me. Will post when its installed.

 

[ORHV]

Google is your friend: does the 2024 Tacoma have a transmission oil cooler

It still has a transmission cooler located in the main radiator end tank. The extra air cooler is what was eliminated on later 2020's. It was pretty small anyway. Probably not strictly necessary, but a good idea for longevity of fluid and transmission.

Yes, of course. My bad. I was referring to a ‘stand alone’ cooler that is mounted in front of the rad. Not in/part of it.

 

[Gfenza89]

that shouldn’t be happening, been a known issue since last year…guess they don’t care

 

[hadelson]

Same issue with the Tundra's. There is a long-detailed thread on it with some adding external coolers.

Just returned from 1500-mile trip and registered Trans Temps from 195-198. I would be much happier if they were around 180.

 

[BAQ717]

Per AI so take it for what you will but:

Acceptable transmission temperatures when going up a grade depend on the vehicle, transmission type, and conditions, but here’s a general guideline:
• Normal Range: 175–200°F (80–93°C) is typical for automatic transmissions under moderate load.
• Heavy Load/Grade Climbing: Temps can rise to 200–230°F (93–110°C) without immediate concern, especially when towing or in hot weather.
• Warning Zone: Above 230°F (110°C) for extended periods risks fluid degradation and potential damage. Most vehicles have a warning light or reduced performance mode around 250–270°F (121–132°C).
• Critical: Over 270°F (132°C) can lead to rapid fluid breakdown, seal damage, or transmission failure.

 

[USMCFlyr]

Google is your friend: does the 2024 Tacoma have a transmission oil cooler

It still has a transmission cooler located in the main radiator end tank. The extra air cooler is what was eliminated on later 2020's. It was pretty small anyway. Probably not strictly necessary, but a good idea for longevity of fluid and transmission.

Absolutely correct... my 2017 does have the extra cooler mounted in front of the radiator.

These guys put the Tacoma through a torture test towing 6,000 lbs up a steep dirt road in summer and they never got any cautions or warnings FWIW

 

[TacoFreak]

As @USMCFlyr points out some 4th gens have this problem and some do not. That tells me there is something wrong with your truck @cranny. I wouldn't worry about the exact temperature of the fluid, but if it is going into limp mode climbing a grade it isn't much of an off road truck, is it? Plus you should not have to add an oil cooler to make your truck work as advertised.

 

[chasea1989]

Air Conditioner Condenser…

Oil line going into the radiator on the opposite side of the AC lines, but okay.

Toyota likes to integrate the trans cooler into the radiator

 

[JakeJoeBob]

As @USMCFlyr points out some 4th gens have this problem and some do not. That tells me there is something wrong with your truck @cranny. I wouldn't worry about the exact temperature of the fluid, but if it is going into limp mode climbing a grade it isn't much of an off road truck, is it? Plus you should not have to add an oil cooler to make your truck work as advertised.

Yeah I have to agree. Ive done a lot of wheeling loaded down. A lot of miles up and down grades. Not a single issue, never seen the transmission temps move once. The overheating and limpmode indicates an issue with the truck. Take it to dealer.

 

[LincolnSixAlpha]

Yes, but that trans cooler in the bottom of the radiator (like on my '04 Xterra which liked to make strawberry milkshakes in those days cuz they didn't seal the transmission portion from the water of the radiator) is more passive to me -- I'd like to see an active cooler which has a fan, similar to what I see on the mishimoto site. Anyhow my 2 cents worth.

 

[chasea1989]

Yes, but that trans cooler in the bottom of the radiator (like on my '04 Xterra which liked to make strawberry milkshakes in those days cuz they didn't seal the transmission portion from the water of the radiator) is more passive to me -- I'd like to see an active cooler which has a fan, similar to what I see on the mishimoto site. Anyhow my 2 cents worth.

I mean, it's active in the sense that the rad fan is working on it, but I see where you're coming from. It's not going to be using a big portion of the radiator so the cooling capacity will still be limited compared to a bigger standalone cooler.

 

[james cole]

The transmission slips like a MOFO in a way that the speed climbs but not the revs... that has to generate heat...

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