Describe your transmission behavior.

[Frazier]

How does your guys 1-5 shifts feel? I can't tell if i'm just paranoid or what but lately my shifts have been very noticeable. I'm at 13k miles so I feel like if it was going to fail it would have already happened. The shifts feel firm and smooth for the most part but they are definitely noticeable. Other times its super smooth. Is this normal?

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[TacoFreak]

I would not say that is normal, because I can almost never feel any shifts in my truck. At least not right now, but there were some before I got to 1k miles, and then they just disappeared.

But I saw a Wikipedia entry for this transmission that said there have been complaints about poor shifting in all of the Toyota and Lexus models this transmission is used in. So some degree of poor shifting might just be due to design issues. Toyota doesn't seem to want to talk about this and they seem to be hoping that we just accept it and move on.

Not wanting to cause any worries, but I remember at least on transmission that failed at about 19,000 miles. So I'm not sure if there ever is a time that we can feel that we are 100% safe.

 

[Frazier]

I would not say that is normal, because I can almost never feel any shifts in my truck. At least not right now, but there were some before I got to 1k miles, and then they just disappeared.

But I saw a Wikipedia entry for this transmission that said there have been complaints about poor shifting in all of the Toyota and Lexus models this transmission is used in. So some degree of poor shifting might just be due to design issues. Toyota doesn't seem to want to talk about this and they seem to be hoping that we just accept it and move on.

Not wanting to cause any worries, but I remember at least on transmission that failed at about 19,000 miles. So I'm not sure if there ever is a time that we can feel that we are 100% safe.

Yeah for the most part I would say that my shifts are pretty smooth but there is definitely a lot of noticeable shifts. I just don't know if its normal because i'm coming from driving a manual the last 10 years. I'll bring it up at my 15k service but I'm not expecting much. I'm still in the process of them troubleshooting the belt squeal from the AC Compressor engaging.

 

[Gfenza89]

I’m starting to wonder if the reason the transmissions are acting up on some trucks early on could be the fact that as the miles get put on the vehicle the transmission filter starts catching the supposed debris that is floating around, the debris could be messing with the transmission solenoids but not enough to make them fail, and eventually they all get caught by the filter thus all bad shifting or other weird symptoms stop and the transmission is then fine . Just my recent thoughts on the subject

 

[inlandsmog]

At 6k miles, the transmission is doing some really strange stuff usually only when cold. Hard to explain but it's not consistent on the symptoms it's like the solenoids are delayed in their disengagement and or engagement. Almost like stacking the gears at times or being in two gears at once then lock up unlock. Strange thing is no dtcs have been stored. I'm actually going to hook up a scan tool and record the data while it's acting up and present that to Toyota see what they say. Maybe they'll listen to a Master ASE technician.

 

[Gfenza89]

At 6k miles, the transmission is doing some really strange stuff usually only when cold. Hard to explain but it's not consistent on the symptoms it's like the solenoids are delayed in their disengagement and or engagement. Almost like stacking the gears at times or being in two gears at once then lock up unlock. Strange thing is no dtcs have been stored. I'm actually going to hook up a scan tool and record the data while it's acting up and present that to Toyota see what they say. Maybe they'll listen to a Master ASE technician.

Sounds like my truck for the last 3800 miles …zero codes and mine is intermittent shuddering and vibrating absolutely at low speeds and low gears feels like torque converter issues. These transmissions are able to lock and unlock the converter in low gears and high gears, according to Toyotas service info. Good luck getting them to listen to you, god himself could tell them there’s an issue but until their engineers or bean counters deem it an issues your in for a ride buddy

 

[tacorancher]

I often get a hard 1-2 shift

 

[Burgi]

Sounds like my truck for the last 3800 miles …zero codes and mine is intermittent shuddering and vibrating absolutely at low speeds and low gears feels like torque converter issues. These transmissions are able to lock and unlock the converter in low gears and high gears, according to Toyotas service info. Good luck getting them to listen to you, god himself could tell them there’s an issue but until their engineers or bean counters deem it an issues your in for a ride buddy

Mine kind of feels like this. A slight shudder/fluttering when I'm lightly on the gas trying to maintain speed. I cant figure out if its just ride quality due to the boxed frame and suspension or if its engine/transmission related. On smooth roads it goes away and it rides great but any sort of bumps or cracks in the roads and I'm "shuddering" all over the place.

 

[tacorancher]

Mine kind of feels like this. A slight shudder/fluttering when I'm lightly on the gas trying to maintain speed. I cant figure out if its just ride quality due to the boxed frame and suspension or if its engine/transmission related. On smooth roads it goes away and it rides great but any sort of bumps or cracks in the roads and I'm "shuddering" all over the place.

I get what feels like engine lugging / shudder at lower speeds . Doesn’t bother me that much. Wondering if we’re all feeling the same thing

 

[Delta1Seven]

Anyone notice a lack in RPM increase at 2K RPM in first gear? Seems like when I'm gradually accelerating, my RPM stays at 2K RPM for a few seconds but my speed does increase (almost acts like a CVT transmission where RPM stays the same but speed increases). Is this normal?

 

[WKTJR1]

I get what feels like engine lugging / shudder at lower speeds . Doesn’t bother me that much. Wondering if we’re all feeling the same thing

I felt it once or twice but it's not consistent.

I will say this truck makes more whirling, clicking, whining, tapping, thunking noises then any other vehicle I have owned. But nothing that I felt was an issue. It's certainly not a Lexus.

 

[TacoFreak]

I will say this truck makes more whirling, clicking, whining, tapping, thunking noises then any other vehicle I have owned. But nothing that I felt was an issue. It's certainly not a Lexus.

Yeah - subtle they are not.

But you get used to it after a bit and that sweet torque helps me to forget.

 

[tacorancher]

I may be the only person who is bothered 0% by the odd noises. What bothers me is that the transmission is put into question

 

[TacoFreak]

I may be the only person who is bothered 0% by the odd noises. What bothers me is that the transmission is put into question

Add me to the list - none of the noises my truck makes bother me at all.

 

[WKTJR1]

Yeah - subtle they are not.

But you get used to it after a bit and that sweet torque helps me to forget.

You ain't kidding. It's like a drug.

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