Hello

Relatively new to the forum so i appreciate any responses. Unfortunately, i am also a victim of a bad torque converter. 2012 camry s, with 110k mil. Warranty expired few month ago and Toyota wont budge. Spoke with dealer, official toyota folks and i got sorry but we cant help you. Question please - based on experience or mechanical knowledge is it better to replace the transmission with a low miles from a recycling/salvage yard or rebuild the transmission ( replace the converter) I see prices very between $2-3k for these jobs and it sound like replacing might be cheaper however i am little afraid of getting stuck with another tranny which will have same issues in time to come. Any thoughts which option is more reliable ? Thank you very much in advance

 

Suggest more investigation.

Typically if a trans fails its cheaper to replace with a used trans. One issue here is just what was wrong with the trans design in first place. Toyota tried a software fix then a torque converter replacement. Some owners had both and still had the shutter. Some state the trans is doomed to fail because of the defect. Thought the software update was just a patch for a bad trans design. There is some info that the trans operational design leads to premature issues of wear in the trans shift module valving

Another issue as you state is labor.costs the same to install a rebuilt as a used trans.

Thought the extended warranty was up to 2014. Does this mean Toyota fixed the problem in 2015? If so might find a used 2015 if it will work.

Are you only going to replace the torque converter or the converter and trans?

If your going rebuilt, talk to the rebuilder and find out if said rebuilt fixed any trans problems that lead to the shutter issue.

How long are you going to keep the car and miles you plan to drive?

How much money do you want to spend?

What is the car worth now and with a good trans?

Figure costs both ways, a rebuilt and used. Determine if Toyota fixed the problem in their updated transmissions. You saw that the the trans part numbers were superseded. Does this mean the current part number doesn't have the problem anymore?.

If you are stuck with the choice of a used trans that was not updated to fix the problem, might pay more for a rebuilt if the rebuilder states the problem was fixed..

Whatever trans you get, change all the trans fluid say every 50K miles. Thought Toyota claimed the fluid was lifetime but its not.

 

Thank you very much for your answer. I already put in some money into the car therefore i would like to keep it for a while.

The quotes that i am getting are : independent mechanics, not dealerships : $1K to remove and reinstall transmission, $1k for a used tranny with approximately 50k miles - so for $2k i can replace. For around $2.5k to $3k i can have my transmission taken apparat and replace torque converter and any parts needed to be replaced. Anyway - in the meantime i put some quick fix, " instant shudder fix" small red bottle $10 bucks at autozone, it works, didn't stop my shudder completely but i see difference. Not a fix but a bandage for a while. Thank you very much again. All the best

 

Mine started that shudder at 181,000 km . Was told by Toyota it will need to be replaced $8000 new or $4000 used . Nice !
well I took it to.a well known transmission repair shop and $3300 later it was was overhauled.
But it still shudders …
Taking it back on Monday and not sure what they are going to do now . This will be the 4th attempt
Its a tough one . Knowing what I have been through I would or should have had a used one installed.
Nice car but this is crazy
Best of luck

 

Research deeper into the technical details of the transmission design that led to these issues. Consult technical forums, online communities, and professional mechanics to gather insights into the specific design flaws that may be causing the problems.
Investigate whether Toyota made any design updates or improvements to the transmission after 2014. As you mentioned, check if the part numbers were superseded, which could indicate that they addressed the issues in later models.
Consult with reputable transmission specialists or mechanics who have experience with Toyota transmissions. They might have encountered similar issues in the past and can offer valuable insights or even potential solutions.
Look for online communities or forums where Toyota owners discuss similar transmission problems. This can help you understand the experiences of other owners, what solutions they've tried, and whether any consensus has emerged regarding the best course of action.

 

Rebuilding your existing transmission and replacing the torque converter is usually the more reliable option. A used transmission from a salvage yard may be cheaper upfront, but it often has the same torque converter design and unknown wear, so the problem can come back. With a rebuild, the faulty converter is replaced, the system is flushed, and any worn parts are addressed, which reduces the risk of repeat failure. If the costs are similar, a rebuild with a new or updated torque converter and a decent warranty is the safer long term choice.