2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback recalled to replace the CVT
12-20-18, 06:35 PM
#1
2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback recalled to replace the CVT
Not a great sign for the seemingly innovative continuous variable transmission
Toyota is issuing a recall for the 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback. The recall is for automatic Corollas only, because the culprit is the new "Direct Shift-CVT" Toyota introduced for the first time in this car. About 3,400 Corollas will be coming back to U.S. dealerships to have the entire transmission replaced.
Toyota says that, "there is a possibility that due to a manufacturing error, the blades of the pump impeller in the torque converter may detach, causing damage to the torque converter and potential loss of motive power."
Toyota's new CVT, which will also be found in the upcoming 2020 Corolla Sedan, is a totally new design for the company known best for its cars' reliability. The transmission uniquely consists of a single launch gear essentially attached to a continuously variable transmission. Utilizing an actual gear when taking off from a stop is more efficient than relying solely on the CVT, which in turn, can use a smaller pulley and thus improve reaction times at higher speeds. We found it performed impressively during our Corolla Hatchback first drive.
Needless to say, though, the torque converter didn't detach during that drive. Toyota is apparently in the process of obtaining new parts, so it can put new transmissions in all the affected cars. Toyota does not detail whether any crashes or injuries have resulted as a consequence of this issue yet.
Toyota says that, "there is a possibility that due to a manufacturing error, the blades of the pump impeller in the torque converter may detach, causing damage to the torque converter and potential loss of motive power."
Toyota's new CVT, which will also be found in the upcoming 2020 Corolla Sedan, is a totally new design for the company known best for its cars' reliability. The transmission uniquely consists of a single launch gear essentially attached to a continuously variable transmission. Utilizing an actual gear when taking off from a stop is more efficient than relying solely on the CVT, which in turn, can use a smaller pulley and thus improve reaction times at higher speeds. We found it performed impressively during our Corolla Hatchback first drive.
Needless to say, though, the torque converter didn't detach during that drive. Toyota is apparently in the process of obtaining new parts, so it can put new transmissions in all the affected cars. Toyota does not detail whether any crashes or injuries have resulted as a consequence of this issue yet.
12-20-18, 07:04 PM
#2
Lexus Fanatic
12-20-18, 07:18 PM
#3
Lexus Champion
I agree that it is a clickbait headline but it is a not-unexpected swipe against Toyota by Autoblog.
12-20-18, 08:08 PM
#4
Lexus Fanatic
I frankly think it's an interesting design if they can get it perfected. It will retain much of the CVT's efficiency without subjecting the driver and passengers to the annoying motorboat-starts of the typical CVT. The upcoming Lexus UX, BTW, uses a similar (if not identical) design.
12-21-18, 07:32 AM
#7
Lexus Fanatic
You should be buying the manual version anyway.
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12-21-18, 07:43 AM
#8
Lexus Fanatic
12-21-18, 01:56 PM
#11
It seems to me that if Toyota goes all-hybrid in the near future then this transmission goes away anyway. The hybrid "eCVT" transmission design is completely different. No pulleys or belts at all, just basically a bulletproof planetary gearset.
12-21-18, 02:12 PM
#13
Lexus Fanatic
This new transmission is new. I doubt anyone cares about the different between the step CVT and an eCVT. But if you want to tell me that people really care about it, then all good. Very few people knew this information.
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 12-21-18 at 02:16 PM.
12-21-18, 02:52 PM
#14
Lexus Fanatic
You can get up at 4 AM on weekday and still have traffic.
(along with toyota safety sense) while the zupra ( a "sports car" if it doesn't get tucked away for the weekend) doesn't 
