Should I use Lemon Law on my new 2025 Toyota Tacoma?
Posted by inkysquares@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 93 comments
I bought a new 2025 Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter from the dealership at the beginning of this month. Test drove it and drove it home that evening with no issues. The next morning I started driving it and it was making a metallic grinding noise when braking and cruising around 30mph. I immediately drove it back to the dealership.
After a week with the vehicle, the service department said they had been working directly with the manufacturer and they've decided to replace the transmission.
A brand new truck getting a transmission swap after 12 hours of owning it.
That was 3 weeks ago and I haven't heard any updates on the progress since. Was initially told one week to diagnose, 1 week to get parts, and 1 week to perform the work.
Lemon Law kicks in at 30 days out of service in my state, which is in 6 days. I have 3 options.
- Let them fix the truck and I keep it and move past this (I still have 2 years of Lemon Law protection if the problem persists)
- Ask for a replacement truck
- Ask for a full refund.
Really looking for advice on the best thing to do here.
pinormous2000@reddit
It's mass manufacturing, there will be occasional defects. And as it's a newer vehicle still in production, extra parts (especially major ones like a transmission) are hard to get because they're mostly all allocated to the production line. A single issue that the dealer/manufacturer is working to resolve is not a lemon. Usually takes multiple failed attempts or a refusal to resolve to initiate a lemon claim. Not to say that threatening it won't get you a refund or light a fire under their asses, or that it's something you shouldn't do, but it seems they're acting in good faith so it makes sense to currently act in kind.
Evening-Today-201@reddit
Most states enforce the 30 day in shop for repair rule also.
inkysquares@reddit (OP)
For context, in my state its 3 attempts or 30 days out of service, so I would go by the 30 days out of service in this case if I chose to go that route.
Somewhere_Crazy@reddit
In some states, for transmissions or things that can cause serious harm or death. It is one repair attempt, and then it is considered a lemon
Shot-Swimming-9098@reddit
Do you have a loaner while this is going on? I understand it might take a minute to get a new transmission. As someone else said, they don't have unallocated extras, and Toyota is infamously inflexible on schedules. They never have excess capacity.
FarewellAndroid@reddit
I would sit quietly until the deadline and then return the truck if possible. Yeah maybe it gets fixed but if I’m buying a new vehicle I want it done right straight from the factory. If I wanted a car that had potentially been gutted previously I’d buy something used. That service will be on your carfax forever and will reduce your trucks value.
Whether you buy a new one is up to you, I’ve had a lemon before (didn’t qualify under the law but it was still a POS) and I didn’t want to go back and give the company my business.
A lot of people are die hard Toyota fans, they’ll tell you to keep it or replace it. I struggle to see the value with their latest pricing…better off with a ranger
NHRADeuce@reddit
Make them give you a new one.
phdibart@reddit
Yeah, in my state,I think it takes three failed attempts at fixing the same problem before you can lemon law it.
7eregrine@reddit
I swear to God no one understands lemon laws. I've never heard of one that doesn't do 3 strikes.
happyloaf@reddit
It is VERY state dependent and you need to know the exact wording on your state. In my state a rattling moonroof (constant at speeds >5 MPH) was enough to get it lemon lawed as the car was in the shops for >4 months and torn apart and had 3+ repair attempts. I could have lemoned it for both reasons.
Some states are number of days, others number of business days regardless of the number of times a repair is attempted. Some are 1 year others are 2 years but it seems that 12,000 miles is standard.
IMO, if you pay for a new car, it should work perfect. Once it hits the lemon requirements lemon it and hope the next one is better.
kykid87@reddit
There definitely are. My state has a consecutive days down component. If it reaches 30 straight days out of service automatic lemon law eligibility.
m9u13gDhNrq1@reddit
NY state - Can't be repaired in 4 attempts, or spends a total of 30 days in the shop within the covered period (30 days total - doesn't have to be at once). There is a clause that it must diminish the value of your vehicle, but I think getting a new tranny 100 miles in on a Carfax could make it less valuable as a used car later.
It makes sense - what's to stop a dealer from trying to not reach attempt #3 or #4 by just keeping your car forever and say they are still working on it. Also pertinent if a dealer doesn't give a loaner.
Almost did it when my car was in the shop for 50 days, but they gave me a loaner for the duration (with limitations) and it's a lease that I'm not planning on keeping. Either way, I think the fact that I live in NY helped prioritize me for the part that the dealer only saw as backordered. Reached out to the manufacturer around day 35 when the part wasn't delivered to the dealer when it was supposed to (supposed order was cancelled, with no eta). They called the dealer the next day and committed to a date a week and a half out. Part came on time. Then the dealer had to spend a week putting the car back together.
NHRADeuce@reddit
The Manguson-Moss, which is federal so it covers all 50 states. Yes, it gives manufactures a reasonale number of attempts to fix the situation. But, one of the qualifications is if a vehicle is out of service for over 30 days.
OP is correct, they can demand a refund or new car if they go over 30 days.
I would absolutely demand a new one.
ToddtheRugerKid@reddit
If I recall in my state it's that or over a month at the dealership on a 1 year or newer vehicle.
fitnessCTanesthesia@reddit
In many states its attempts and or total time on the shop.
Liveitup1999@reddit
This is what I understand as well, 3 tries on the same problem.
izzohead@reddit
They're not acting in good faith, they're providing the rightful service to OP who paid 55k+ for a brand new product.
pinormous2000@reddit
Providing rightful service isn't acting in good faith?
ejacobi123@reddit
Hi I’m a lawyer who focuses on Lemon law cases in CA and NY. Depending on which state you’re located in, then you might be entitled to compensation already. Feel free to message me if you’d like to discuss further.
Rick_Sanchez1214@reddit
I would not want a brand new truck that already had its transmission replaced before its first few hundred miles. I’d look for a full refund on my final out the door (taxes, fees, and all) or a replacement vehicle, with the dealer cutting a check back to me if it were a lesser trim or value.
Calm-Juice-4943@reddit
This. Regardless if the dealer is trying to fix it, why risk having a poorly repaired vehicle long term? Lemon law it and get a similar replacement.
Tacoman-Tony@reddit
Except it does not work like that.
"Hey guy rmr that contract I signed to comission a brand new 80k truck? Yah im good I dont want it"
Calm-Juice-4943@reddit
Does with lemon law in most states bro
Tacoman-Tony@reddit
Lemon law only applies to vehicles that are proven "lemons" through consumer report and actuarial records. There are specialized lawyers and insurance companies that deal with the risk of manufacturing "act of God".
I assure you yelling and stomping around the dealership will only end up with a spoonful of lapping compound in your new transmission, bro
Calm-Juice-4943@reddit
Haha you have no idea what you are talking about. The laws differ in each state, but typically after xx days out of service it will qualify to be bought back by the manufacturer.
Has nothing to do with the dealer or “Consumer Reports” lol
minusthetalent02@reddit
Yeah this. All trust is broken with that vehicle.
I would not accept anything else
happyloaf@reddit
From someone who lemon lawed a vehicle. Yup, do it since mine was never right and kept on rattling.
Burner5647382910@reddit
There’s thousands of new Tacomas sitting on dealer lots right now that cannot be sold due to manufacturing defects. Get rid of that thing asap, just the tip of the iceberg.
I’m assuming you value reliability and longevity - if so, look at a gently use Frontier. Modern Nissan is a joke, though the Frontier is quietly one of the most bulletproof vehicles produced over the last 25 years.
GallitoGaming@reddit
This seems like it should be a new car and Toyota eats the depreciation hit by selling it used.
I’d be livid if they sold me a lemon.
Secret_End_wmdm69m@reddit
I suspect you will get a transmission installed before Toyota and lemon law would even get a court date.
would i would do is ask for some concessions due to the fact you haven't been able to drive your car. but I suspect you're paying a payment on
Late-Nectarine5435@reddit
Full refund would be best option. Buy another truck that is solid.
Independent-Bet1054@reddit
Unless you got a significant discount off MSRP, I’d lemon-law it or ask for a refund. It’s a Trail Hunter; if you plan on using the truck for its intended capability, you don’t want to get stuck off road somewhere with a busted transmission.
Also, were you provided a loaner? I’d be pissed if they didn’t as the Taco was purchased the day prior.
APGaming_reddit@reddit
These are known to have transmission and engine issues. Just do a bit of research on the next vehicle
Steve_at_Werk@reddit
3, start fresh, let someone else get a deal on a risky truck
Poutinemilkshake2@reddit
Honestly man Toyota is pretty awesome about their power-train warranty. If it needs a transmission they just order the whole thing rather than waste everyone's time rebuilding it to find the failed component.
32carsandcounting@reddit
It’s not just Toyota, that’s most brands. Odds are if a vehicle under manufacturers warranty has a trans issue, it’ll be either a valve body or a torque converter, or just a new trans, they don’t typically do rebuilds at dealerships anymore. Valve body and torque converter replacement are usually the only exceptions.
Ok_Two_2604@reddit
Yes. We have a couple in our work fleet and the transmissions, even before they go out, never work right. Shitcan the thing and get a Ranger imo.
GeriatricSquid@reddit
I would def get a new one because the guys rushing in the dealer’s shop to get it out the door will not be nearly as conscientious in making sure bolts are installed/torqued as the production line where everything is easily accessible and/or partially automated with pre-set tools and torques. With the rebuild, it’ll prob be fine but you’re at much higher risk of future squeaks and rattles caused by hasty installation.
jrileyy229@reddit
What? They're not going to rebuild the transmission internals... They're just going to replace it.
GeriatricSquid@reddit
Right, but to get it purchased a lot of work to clear everything out both the way and unhook everything that’s connected to the transmission casing and everything else that needs to move out of the way. It’s all that minor stuff that will be rushed back into place and rattle.
jrileyy229@reddit
I understand... Shops change transmissions all the time. To just blindly say "there will be squeeks and rattles" is absurd
GeriatricSquid@reddit
You will note that I said “you will be at much higher risk of squeaks and rattles” not “there will be squeaks and rattles.” I stand by what I said. I’ve been to many shops near me and none of them are especially high performing with respect to doing the job right the first time without leaving or directly causing issues that I have to resolve later.
jrileyy229@reddit
Okay... But it's not just a shop, it's a Toyota dealer doing a transmission on a 70k dollar truck. They aren't just going to throw the 18 year old on it
GeriatricSquid@reddit
No, they’ll throw the experienced tech on it who is paid by the book-hour no matter how long the job takes. The guy who can bill more book hours if the jobs take less time than alottwed by the book. That’s exactly the guy who knows enough to get the job done very quickly and who probably won’t sweat it if he can’t find the bolt or nut for a minor piece of ancillary gear that’s running past the transmission case. The guy who will power-wrench everything together rather than torquing it down to the specific value. The guy who knows better but who will make a time-vs-reward decision on my $70k new vehicle when he’s short a bolt or if it’s too hard to get to. That’s the guy I’m worried about. Even at higher end dealers I have not had enough good experiences to trust that he’ll do the right thing on my car when the stakes are relatively minor when his own money is on the line. I know several mechanics with decades of experience and their skills are beyond reproach, and I would still not put the above stuff past them, esp if I was an anonymous customer.
I’m glad you’ve obviously had better experience than I have in the automotive repair realm. Will it be fine in this case? Yeah, probably. But OP may not know until several years after this work is done that they didn’t properly reinstall stuff that’s starting to rattle. Good luck finding and fixing it then. But I’ll admit it’s probably an overreaction on my part.
padeye242@reddit
Here's my take: A coworker enlightened me to the fact that all vehicles made on an assembly line are subject to the state of mind of any one, of the many people, that assembled those parts on any given day. Typically, Toyotas are sound as a pound, but you caught an issue, that they'll make right. They should guarantee that repair though.
bearded_dragon_34@reddit
That’s only kind of true. These days, factory lines are so automated and have so many checks, during and after the car’s assembly, it’s difficult to screw up at that level.
What takes modern new cars down early in their lives, more often than not, is either:
A baked-in engineering defect (bad initial lubrication strategy upon starting an engine, substandard metal in an ABS pump)
A widespread assembly problem (failing to remove metal shavings from an part during machining so that they clog up liquid passages, failing to cure sealants for bonded body panels enough)
On top of that, automakers don’t build most of the components that go into their cars. They rely upon suppliers and vendors, some of whom are industry-wide, to supply them with parts and subassemblies. They also don’t necessarily know what goes into those components, so they are reliant on their vendors to do due diligence and provide them with robust parts that meet their standards of longevity and reliability. And the suppliers themselves can experience the same two above issues.
But in all these cases, crucial drivability issues are more to do with the car program itself and how it’s systematically designed and built, and not the individual performance of someone who was drunk on the production line at 3:30 in the afternoon on a Friday. Also, when those mistakes do happen, they tend to be more comical, more obvious, and involve more people failing to do their jobs. And they’re also easier to fix. For instance, there was a story on Jalopnik years ago wherein a Ford dealer was delivered a new F-150 XLT with a Raptor driver’s seat installed. But that’s not something that affected the car’s drivability, and it was easy to solve. Real defects that cause a car to cease working when it’s practically brand-new…run deeper.
inflames797@reddit
You're absolutely right. Automotive manufacturing, for the most part, has been so poka-yoked these days that nearly all human error has been removed. Especially when talking about Japanese manufacturers like Honda or Toyota, the concept of a "Friday afternoon vehicle" is no more than a wives tale.
newtonreddits@reddit
Japanese workers have the utmost pride in their work.
Unfortunately these Toyota trucks are all built in the US so your point stands.
bearded_dragon_34@reddit
You guys really need to stop repeating these clichés.
First of all, I bet you have no evidence that Toyota has any worse assembly standards in its US plans than it does its Japanese ones. None. And if they do, then they have a program management issue, because that shouldn’t be the case.
Second, listen to what you’re saying. The truck had some kind of transmission failure very early in its life and needed to be replaced. It’s possible that was due to a defect at the overall assembly level, like failing to hook up a coolant line between the transmission and radiator. But likelier it was due to an internal defect with the transmission itself that didn’t manifest until the car was assembled, QC’d and delivered to a customer.
The transmission that was imported from Japan, in the first place, and installed at the truck at the factory.
Which wasn’t the truck factory’s fault, wherever in the world it was located.
It’s even possible whatever happened to the transmission was a simple fix. But automakers do not pay dealership service departments to break down complex assemblies like transmissions, because it’s too much labor and too specialized. They simply tell them to pull the old one and replace it with a new one. And then the old one gets sent back to the automaker. Usually, it goes to a third-party refurbisher, but sometimes it goes back to the automaker’s third party for refurbishment.
newtonreddits@reddit
Was responding to u/padeye242 and not talking specifically about transmissions.
bearded_dragon_34@reddit
But it’s still not true, nor does it really factor into the way the cars are assembled.
More to the point, the primary motivators in Japanese culture when it comes to doing things correctly are often shame and conformity, not pride. The idea of the happy little employee coming to work to put together your J-VIN car is both culturally reductive and a myth. Though the marketing people would love you to think that, and it’s an ideal that they capitalize upon.
It is true that Japanese automakers have the best record with making cars that last a long time and that are built well, but that’s more managed at the corporate level and a specific reputation that the company tries to cultivate than anything to do with the individual workers on the factory line or even the people who engineer the cars. The Japanese automakers have mostly decided that they’d rather build a car to last because that’s a profitable thing for them to market and sell. And even then, they still have to balance longevity against market pressures and profit margins, so there are compromises in how they engineer and build cars, just like any other country.
And I drive a new J-VIN Toyota so don’t think I’m biased against Japanese assembled or designed cars; I’m just realistic.
newtonreddits@reddit
Ok. Yeah shame and conformity is a good way to put it. Cultural differences was my ultimate point.
Sekiro50@reddit
The trucks are built in Mexico. However the Aisin transmission comes from Japan. Toyota's / Aisin's 8 speed transmission has always had problems. Just look at the Highlanders. There's over a dozen class action lawsuits going on because Toyota refuses to do right by thier customers.
I wouldn't own an Aisin 8 speed transmission plain and simple. It's abundantly clear they don't do near enough R&D to make sure it's properly designed for the vehicles it's going in.
newtonreddits@reddit
Sorry I was thinking of the Tundra assembly plant.
Trident_77@reddit
"That's a Friday or Monday vehicle" was the saying I heard growing up 🙂
Sekiro50@reddit
This obviously isn't a factory worker problem. These Aisin 8 speed transmissions have been problematic since they were debuted in the Highlander 10 years ago. Tons and tons of class action lawsuits against them.
CosmicOptimist123@reddit
Option 3
Substantial_Team6751@reddit
I'd make sure you are getting a NEW transmission and not a refurb.
Can you really have a lemon law kick in for a single problem?
TheStig827@reddit
Personally, i'd threaten a lemon law buyback based on the 30 days out of service, and that you need to see some level of compensation for the fact that you have been without your brand new vehicle for 30+ days, and that the maintenance history will always show that it had a new transmission right out the gate.
They will likely be willing to negotiate some return of the purchase price, if you are determined enough to get this higher. Toyota doesn't want to deal with selling branded title cars, so there's some wiggle room they'd potentially be willing to take in cutting you a check. Only accept this if it does not further prohibit your ability to execute a full lemon law buyback later (less the reduced payment)
This is all a reasonable approach, but TBH, service advisors get threatened with lemon law actions so much that any threats of it will likely fall on deaf ears. A dealership will not just lemon law a car because you asked for it. Any of the options you want to execute above will functionally mean retaining a lemon law attorney.
Chair_luger@reddit
100% get a refund or replacement.
It does not even cost the dealer/manufacturer as much as you might think because they can sell the truck once it is fixed. In some states the title might say it was a lemon buyback but it would still be worth a lot.
They also would not need pay for a rental car while they are trying to fix it.
I would not recommend it but one other option would be to ask for a free extended warranty if you keep the truck, I would ask for the longest extended warranty that Toyota sells.
Immediate-Share7077@reddit
Lemon law it and get a different one. Sometimes they are just doomed from the factory
Feisty-Departure906@reddit
YES.
TrineoDeMuerto@reddit
Just let them fix it. If it comes back then think about it. We bought a brand new Ford Expedition in 1999 and it had a transmission problem in the first week and ended up needing to be replaced. Still have it 25 years and 350k later on that replacement transmission.
bearded_dragon_34@reddit
I would push for a new one. And here’s why:
Your best chance of having a car put together properly is at the factory. That’s where there are lots tons of specific steps, highly calibrated robots, and documented QC checks.
When a car has to go to a service technician to have a major assembly replaced, things are less procedural. Generally, they do a good job, but sometimes they don’t. Maybe they rush and forget to torque some bolts all the way down because they’re being paid 7.5 hours flat rate for the job, and it takes 9. Or they rush because they know they can do it in 5 hours if they take some shortcuts, and still get paid for the full 7.5 hours, so they let some wiring harnesses stretch that shouldn’t…and that causes a problem later. Or Toyota’s documentation is bad on some step, and something gets misassembled. Or the tech who’s working on your car has to leave suddenly because of an emergency, and someone else has to step in, and a mistake is made. These things can and do happen sometimes.
Obviously once a car is quite used, it is what is, and you expect to have to repair it. But on a brand-new car, that you had for less than a day before it failed…no. If you can just start over with a clean one, which probably won’t have the same (likely internal) transmission defect, that’s a better scenario. It might be a little messier on the administrative end. If you financed it, the bank will either have to instantiate a new loan or do a substitution of collateral, and taxes will have to be refunded and such. But that’s still a better option for having the peace of mind you’re driving a vehicle someone hasn’t torn into when it was brand-new.
singelingtracks@reddit
Full refund / replacement . Your vehicle loses value with major repairs.
zrad603@reddit
I'd want a refund.
The Toyota Tacomas haven't been as reliable since they ditched the V6 for the 4cyl turbo.
Kent89052@reddit
Get a full refund, and go buy a Ford Maverick Hybrid. And it will be 1000s less.
sllewgh@reddit
A hybrid mini truck cannot do what a full sized truck can do. It's not a comparable replacement.
vedgehammer@reddit
When did the Taco graduate to the full size segment?
sllewgh@reddit
My bad, miswrote that. Either way, they're not comparably capable trucks.
pyramidhead_@reddit
Get a bigger pile of shit is your solution?
Some of you people couldn't be obvious, you've never touched a tool or car in your lifetime
Kent89052@reddit
I'm sorry you can't fathom 2026 technology old man.
TheKoziONE@reddit
And even thousands more less when you go to sell it.
Brilliant-Onion2129@reddit
You’ll have a hard time getting the lemon law to kick in on a Toyota Tacoma. Did they give you a loaner? Let them fix it. Escalate your complaints both at the dealership and through Toyota America customer service. Toyota has always been good to us. My Tacoma turns 20 this year.
coldrainrunner@reddit
It's no more difficult than any other model of another brand. There have been more than a few 4th Gens lemoned.
I hope your 2nd Gen lasts you another twenty years. Everything went downhill after those.
hbh110@reddit
When we think of product failures, a common idea is that problems start out low and gradually increase over time as age and use wear out components. But that’s not actually how it works. The actual shape of the failure curve on a graph is a “U”, or bathtub shape, with a large number of initial failures. Once those initial “infant mortality” failures are worked through reliability generally improves until age and wear failures begin and gradually increase
bathtub curve
So buying a brand new $50k+ truck and having it susceptible to a major component failure right out of the gate feels really bad and would drive a lot of folks toward buying a solid 2-3 year old truck that’s escaped the infant mortality period. Manufacturers know this and that’s why they stand behind their products with a warranty to help get you through that initial period of risk. It sounds like that is what Toyota is doing for you now.
Should you lemon law this truck? If you do then you presumably will place yourself right back in position at the beginning of the infant mortality period. So you are still assuming the same risk except with less information than you have on your current truck. Maybe it will work out. Maybe the new one will have something else go wrong.
Maybe you don’t trust the service department at the dealership you use. If that’s the case then you should go to a different dealership. Maybe there are no other Toyota dealers in your area. If so then that’s a reason to lemon law that truck and go with a different manufacturer.
If it were me I’d see how the truck is with the new transmission. Toyota is helping get you through infant mortality. If you get the truck back and there are a lot of maintenance induced failures because of the repair now you have a reason and an opportunity to move on. Best of luck to you.
Bryanmsi89@reddit
After 30 days I would demand a new one. However things happen, and after the transmission is replaced it probably will be fine. Things happen.
RiderFZ10@reddit
Personally I would ask for my money back and wait for a refresh but that's assuming you have other vehicles to drive.
jrileyy229@reddit
Most likely it's going to show up on vehicle history reports... If you're going to sell this thing in 3 years, that's going to cost you thousands. If you're going to sell it in 13 years, won't make a difference.
Bullwinkle777@reddit
Engine went in my 2017. 130,000 km Toyota let me down for the last time.
Chihlidog@reddit
2017 tacoma??? I feel like there's something missing. Of course there are always flakes but thats reeeaaaaalllly almost unheard of.
Brilliant-Onion2129@reddit
Mine is a 2006!
Brilliant-Onion2129@reddit
That was the worst year of the Tacomas!
pyramidhead_@reddit
Truck will NEVER be the same, not a shot in hell I'm taking that turd back. If they don't want to swap it out, Id complain nonstop about the same issue even if it's still happening or not. Eventually they will. No way I'm paying for that
Burning_Goddess@reddit
I'm not a 'car guy' but I would look at it like this: if the dealership get the replacement transmission within the next couple of weeks, then you still have a brand new truck with a brand new engine and transmission. Everything is still under warranty. The only thing I would hope is that dealership has offered an olive branch by providing a vehicle to you while you wait out the repairs.
Responsible-Goat1079@reddit
This is why you don't buy 1yr 1st generation vehicles....
streetcar-cin@reddit
They will fight you on lemon law. It will not be easy
streetcar-cin@reddit
It is just a warranty repair. Don’t overthink it. I had truck that clutch failed at 2000 miles. It was replaced under warranty and I drove the truck for over 250,000 miles with no significant issues. Truck died from rust at that point
ThePracticalDad@reddit
If you like the truck, let them address it IMO. Defects happen. I hope they’re providing a free rental during all This.
ruthbuzzicooperberg@reddit
I would think of it in terms of resale value. If in 10 years you go to sell this car to a private buyer, would you feel obligated to tell them that the transmission had failed and been replaced so early in the life of the vehicle? If so, is that going to lower the perceived value from the buyer, almost like a salvage branded title?
Because if that's the case, you might be losing thousands of dollars on resale value because of this issue, in which case I would definitely invoke the lemon law once allowed and request either a refund or a new vehicle.
Mike__O@reddit
It really depends on what your goals are. Is this a purchase you regret and wish to get out of? Do you have something in mind that you would rather purchase instead of this make/model? If the answer is yes, maybe this is something you want to pursue.
If you think you would just ask them to replace it with a new example of the same make/model as your current problem car-- that's just a brand new pair of dice to roll. Maybe you get a more favorable set, maybe you don't.
Also, keep in mind Lemon Law isn't necessarily a simple process. The OEM/dealer will usually fight you pretty hard on it (they don't want to eat the loss). You need to know your specific state's law (they vary state by state) and be able to demonstrate with documentation how your case meets every requirement set forth by that law.
I'd strongly suggest you create and keep a detailed timeline of EVERYTHING from your date of initial purchase. Keep notes of every phone call-- when it occured, who you spoke with, and a summary of the conversation. If you have anything on paper (i.e. receipts from the service dept showing work was performed on the car, but the problem wasn't fixed) be sure to keep all of that as well.
In most states the burden of proof is on the owner to demonstrate how the vehicle is defective and the OEM's corrective actions were insufficient to fix the vehicle in a timlely and satisfactory manner.
RealisticWorking1200@reddit
If 2 and 3 are hassle-free options, I’m going with one of those. Or option 1 if Toyota is willing to kick in some money to avoid a lemon buyback.
Maybe this sounds selfish, but when you go to sell this truck in the future the transmission replacement will be on record. Maybe it shows up on Carfax, maybe it doesn’t. I would personally value a vehicle with a replacement transmission at less than one with a factory installed transmission.
Ndetavu@reddit
Full refund. You’ll be driving it on the edge of your seat knowing that this happened so early. Fresh start is my option