A man who purchased a used, high-mileage Toyota was miffed upon realizing its transmission wasn’t shifting smoothly. TikTok user Cory (@Cory_the_Great) published a TikTok video airing his grievances on the purchase. But is the transmission too far gone to be saved?
Used Toyota’s Transmission Doesn’t Sound So Hot
So I buy this car, right? And I bought it from this guy in Staten Island," Cory begins. "When I bought it, I drove it around. I didn’t feel any transmission issues. I said, 'OK, cool' … Go to pick it up … get maybe an hour into the trip, and I start feeling the transmission shuddering, OK?"
The TikToker says he thought he felt the issue in Staten Island. "But I was like, 'Nah, maybe it must’ve been something different,'" he says. "So, by the time I get back, it’s bad. Like, transmission’s, like, torque converter [is] slipping bad—which is pretty common on a 200,000-mile Toyota. It happens," he says, not surprised by the state of the crucial vehicle mechanism.
He says he called the seller and told him the car he just sold had a bad transmission. However, according to him, the seller immediately denied that anything was wrong with the gearbox of the ride. A transmission like that doesn’t come about in fifteen miles," he tells the seller, before speculating that the car’s woes must’ve developed thousands of miles ago.
Still, he says the seller maintained that there wasn’t anything wrong with the vehicle’s transmission. What’s more is that he says the man even accused him of potentially damaging the vehicle after he took ownership of it.
'I Thought He Was Gonna Be A Decent Human Being'
Cory learned the hard way that private auto sales can lead folks to disheartening buyer-beware situations. He said he had hoped the seller would own up to foisting a vehicle with a malfunctioning transmission on him and would at least offer some remedy for the situation. But the TikToker says that this wasn’t the case.
This prompted Cory to do some sleuthing into the Toyota’s service history. He says he saw that the vehicle was driven only 1,000 miles between 2020 and 2025, which he speculates is a direct consequence of a faulty transmission.
The car has 226,000 miles. It’s not worth putting a transmission in, and you know that," he says angrily, referring to the feigned act of innocence he accused the seller of putting on. What’s more is that he says the seller began asking for the license plate on the back of the car. However, Cory refused his request and hatched a plan for revenge against the seller. I should rack up all the PA tolls. Go on 695 around Baltimore and get all the speeding tickets," he tells his viewers before his video comes to a close.
Why You Should Be Flushing Your Car’s Transmission Fluid
Like any component on a vehicle, a transmission must be properly maintained to ensure extended use. While different automakers have varying recommendations for service intervals, there are general rules of thumb that car owners can follow. Auto repair business Budget Transmission writes that commuters should swap out their transmission fluid every 30,000 to 60,000 miles or every two to four years of driving.
But the company goes on to state that these flushes aren’t performed as simply as a basic oil change.
A [transmission] flush uses specialized equipment to push new fluid through the transmission system," the blog post states. It continued to state that this forces out the old fluid along with any accumulated debris, sludge, and contaminants." Furthermore, Budget Transmission writes that there’s a difference between flushes and fluid changes. The latter should be fine for newer transmissions and those that have been properly maintained. For more weathered transmission units, flushes may be necessary, as residual fluid can be trapped in the torque converter and other nooks and crannies.
What’s more is that Budget advises against flushing transmissions that have already sustained damage. This could mean that in vehicles like the one Cory discussed in his clip, it may be too late for a flush.
How Long Should A Toyota Transmission Last?
When it comes to used-car reliability, Toyota and its luxury counterpart, Lexus, regularly top Consumer Reports’ rankings. Personal anecdotes from Toyota owners, like this Toyota Nation forum poster, reveal that they’ve been driving on their car’s same transmission for over 298,000 miles. Another person in this Quora forum post claims that their 1996 Camry wagon has logged well over 621,000 miles. They largely attributed their decades of single-transmission driving to their overall commuting habits. I.e., not slamming on the acceleration pedal and meticulously adhering to a maintenance schedule.
This Toyota dealership writes that offerings from the JDM automaker can easily last well over 200,000 miles. However, like others have mentioned, abiding by a strict service calendar is the key to an enduring transmission. One must also take into account the type of transmission their vehicle is packing, too. When it comes to CVT units, Toyota Auto Dealer says drivers can expect an average lifespan of 150,000 miles. As with any car, vehicle owners should refer to their car’s user manual for service directives. If you’re not performing the work yourself, locating a trusted mechanic with a great reputation will give you a better chance of maintaining your vehicle for years to come.
How Can I Tell If My Transmission Is Bad?
Auto repair company Christian Brothers Automotive shared a list of various warning signs drivers should look out for to tell if their transmission is degrading. The first most obvious indicator: inconsistent shifting patterns. If your vehicle is over-revving and you're red-lining before a shift, then it won't be long before the transmission is toast. This could mean that a lack of transmission fluid, or the wrong type, is being used inside of the unit.
If a burning smell is emanating from your car, that could also mean your transmission is either "overheating or the transmission fluid is old and burnt," Christian Brothers writes. The shop also recommends checking underneath one's car to look out for leaking fluid and feeling for slipping gears when driving. If a car is over-revving while it's placed in neutral, this could also mean that your transmission's on its way out. Faulty transmissions may also culminate in a check engine light popping up on your dashboard. So, if that keeps popping up and you have no idea why, you may want to assess if your transmission is working properly.
Motor1 has reached out to Toyota via email and Cory via TikTok direct message for further comment. We will update this story if either party gets back to us.
@corythegreat04 #fyp #cars #scammed ♬ original sound - Cory_the_Great
