Transfer Case Leak
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BlueRidge77
New member
Yeah. The more I think about it the more preposterous it sounds. Just a cash grab for unnecessary service... Unless someone knows different...?
TacoJuan
New member
Possible t case leak on 2016
Hello all, this is my first post here. I came over from Tacoma world and a 2015 2nd gen Tacoma. I’ve been lurking, reading and learning a lot, and I finally have a reason to post. I recently purchased a new to me 2016 trd off-road with 18k miles on it on Monday. I haven’t even gotten the chance to really go over the truck yet. I did crawl under the the truck last night just checking things out and found a slight what looks like oil leak coming from one of the t case bolts. I’m still on the first tank of gas, haven’t used 4wd or anything yet... also should note that the truck was purchased from a Honda dealership, if that matters with warranty or anything. I know I at least have 6 months or 6k miles. But idk if this would be covered by Toyota at all. Figured I would just post here real quick since I found this thread and see what you all thought. Thanks..I do have a couple pics. Trying to figure out how to upload them
Hello all, this is my first post here. I came over from Tacoma world and a 2015 2nd gen Tacoma. I’ve been lurking, reading and learning a lot, and I finally have a reason to post. I recently purchased a new to me 2016 trd off-road with 18k miles on it on Monday. I haven’t even gotten the chance to really go over the truck yet. I did crawl under the the truck last night just checking things out and found a slight what looks like oil leak coming from one of the t case bolts. I’m still on the first tank of gas, haven’t used 4wd or anything yet... also should note that the truck was purchased from a Honda dealership, if that matters with warranty or anything. I know I at least have 6 months or 6k miles. But idk if this would be covered by Toyota at all. Figured I would just post here real quick since I found this thread and see what you all thought. Thanks..I do have a couple pics. Trying to figure out how to upload them
TacoJuan
New member
Hammer0313
New member
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That 1 bolt almost looks to be loose; did you see if it was tight?
Last edited:
TacoJuan
New member
I haven’t gotten a chance to yet... I tried finding a torque specs diagram for the t case and all I could find was one for the 2nd gen Tacoma which looks like its only 8 ft lb. I’m assuming it’s going to be the same as that or close to it
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GX4SEVEND
New member
I haven’t gotten under mine in a little bit but last time I had it serviced I was told the output shaft seal was leaking. They called me in to see it and it was dripping all over my transfer case skid.
I’m going to have it serviced next oil change or whenever I can set up a time. I’ve got 88k on mine.
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I’m going to have it serviced next oil change or whenever I can set up a time. I’ve got 88k on mine.
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the_economist
New member
Yep, almost exactly the same as my t-case leak looked. My post here -- dealer ultimately replaced the seal on the rear output of the t-case under warranty: https://www.toyota-4runner.org/2864133-post11.html
BeelzeBuck
New member
Anybody have this issue lately? Took my 2011 Trail in today for airbag warranty replacement and oil change and they said I have a leak in the transfer case and they need to replace the transfer case input seal at a cost of $1649.97. I have just over 30,000 miles on this (it is just my going out to trails rig so low miles) so out of warranty for time. Even bought an extended warranty but that was only for 7 years.
Was there any SB issued on this or other action taken by Toyota to address this or am I just out of luck. WA sales tax puts this repair from dealer at over $1820 and they said it could fail at any time and would then need to be towed. For that repair cost, maybe I just trade it as I would get a good amount for it with the low miles.
Was there any SB issued on this or other action taken by Toyota to address this or am I just out of luck. WA sales tax puts this repair from dealer at over $1820 and they said it could fail at any time and would then need to be towed. For that repair cost, maybe I just trade it as I would get a good amount for it with the low miles.
Racehoss
New member
Yes, mine is a 2016 with 50K miles. Noticed seeping on the rear output shaft and coming from the front. Dealer took all week to "fix" the problem with new output and transmission input shaft seals. They drove it because I also needed an inspection and when they came back is was leaking oil badly. They dropped the transfer case again to replace yet another input shaft seal and said it was all ok. Well after about 60 miles I'm noticing some seeping on the bottom of the case. Hard to tell where its coming from but wtf. What should I do besides take it back. I have zero confidence they will fix it once in for all. All so far was under warranty. but I only have about 9000 miles left of power train warranty.
borfoo3
New member
Take it back for sure. I would ask for a whole new sealed TC unit of they can't get the current one working properly. Would also reach out to Toyota if needed
Any update with your transfer case leak? Just found out mine is leaking and I'm located in Seattle as well. I have a 2010 Trail with 148k miles.
SteadFAST 4Runner
New member
TOO LATE...
Damn... I have almost 80k miles on my 2016 and the dealer discovered this leak recently... nothing is on my garage floor but you can see it under on the transfer case.
Everyone who owns an older 4Runner needs to look at your transfer case ASAP... you probably have a leak.
It is gonna cost $1400+ to fix this ... and I am out of warranty. This sucks.
Damn... I have almost 80k miles on my 2016 and the dealer discovered this leak recently... nothing is on my garage floor but you can see it under on the transfer case.
Everyone who owns an older 4Runner needs to look at your transfer case ASAP... you probably have a leak.
It is gonna cost $1400+ to fix this ... and I am out of warranty. This sucks.
Toyota corporate can be pretty good about goodwill warranty for items like this. I have gotten a 50% reimbursement before on expenses paid.
flyrv9
New member
Even a leak that resulted in minor dripping wouldn't be worth it to me to fix. There are all sorts of problems that can result from pulling a transfer case to fix a leak that could put you in worse shape then you are in now. Granted, there is no dipstick to check levels; but you can monitor things via the leak rate. I don't know what it is with this problem and why Toyota can't fix it. There are a number of threads on this issue with mixed results as far as Toyota's response was. Perhaps they just don't care.
RedMonster796
New member
I purchased a used 2011 4Runner in Apr. 2021. Saw the same signs of a leak, but since it's already got 170k+ miles, I let it be until it decided to die. Well, it died at the end of Dec. 2021. Just as I pulled away from a stop sign, there was a loud clunk then a loud, high-pitch grind (friends behind me said it sounded like a super-charger). As I slowed the noise became a "traditional" grind. In R, the grind was lower pitch than in D. The shop drained the fluid and saw metal, so the transfer case was replaced. Interesting fact. I changed the transfer case oil in April when I bought it, and the oil had turned a nasty gray from April to December, so I'm guessing water got in there. I used Ravenol Gear Oil MTF-3 75W which started out looking like honey.
Anyone else have a similar experience?
Anyone else have a similar experience?
