Hello,

I have a 2015 4runner SR5 4x4, I bought it as a new one from the dealer. The car was shifting gears very smoothly as it was brand new. After the car reached out to 2000+miles mark, I started to feel a little shudder when the car shifts from 1st-2nd gear / 2nd to 1st gear. The occurrence of shudder is intermittent, it just comes in and go. Its more likely would happen when the car gets hot, and only happens at low speed (10-15mph) with very little throttle(less than 2000 rpm). I took it to the dealer in my town to have them check the car out, they told me they could not find anything wrong with the car(Although I have described the problem specifically..).
The shudder seems to be getting lighter as the car gets worn out, I was wondering if the shudder is just characteristics of the car during break-in period(my car has 6000+ miles on it now)..
I have researched thru the web about this 1st gear shudder issue and seems like some people have the same issue. However, I was not able to find anyone found a solution in consensus, or anyone had complete transmission failure due to this problem.
Although the shudder bothered be at the first place, but I am kinda getting used to it now, I think I can live with it unless it causes a major issue in the future.

Does any1 have any opinion or thoughts regarding the shudder would cause any major tranny issues? Do you think that the issue needed to be addressed immediately in order to prevent future tranny issue?
:S

What you are/have experienced is not "characteristics of the car during break-in period".

I suggest to try and video what occurs and bring that with you when you revisit the dealer!

Thanks for your reply!
Last time I visited the dealer, they said "unable to duplicate the issue". They wrote on the paper that they did full system check and there was no stored code. Since the shudder happens in random and is not severe enuf to scare the person in the car, I really don't have an idea how do I probe this to them. I was told they need to have the occurrence of the issue present when they test the vehicle before they take an action to repair the stuff..... :S

Also, I have read the thread that one person was able to convince the dealer and have them replace the entire tranny, however the issue came back after couple of thousand miles since they replaced the tranny. That person ended up with selling the car away. Thus, I was concerned if it was not a tranny issue, but torque convertor issue(possibly?)..

I am also looking for someone having similar issue with me, cause i want to know how did shudder effect on their vehicle in a long term.
If this causes a major issue in the future, if that is the case, I need to take an action on this now for sure....

Thanks...

Yep, I have the same issue on mine. Although mine is a 4x2. Still haven't reached 3k miles yet but the shudder has been with me since day 1. Too lazy to take it back to the dealer.

Have not had this issue with mine -- almost 10K on mine.

I hate to say it but I'm in the same boat as you. 8300 miles into mine and I get the shudder as well. When I press the gas hard and go over 2k I don't feel it at all. All is smooth. At shifting less than 2k and light on the pedal, it will shudder between 1mph and 35mph (only when shifting). Not enough to shake the 4R like how I had the shudder issue in the FJ from the torque converter slipping but hopefully it either goes away or doesn't become a bigger issue than just a little shudder.

I have some shudder on my 2014 but I find it is directly related to pedal input. Once I installed Sprint Booster it went away.

Another Sprint Booster believer. Its like this thing was invented for the 4 runner. It works so good. I never encountered the tranny shutter though.

Guys, this has been around since the 5th Gen was introduced, and even before that in FJ's. Check out the date on this thread - has anyone noticed this - same exact issue.

Mine has done it since new and I have 95k on the truck now- more towing miles than most will EVER see (in high temps too) with lots more to come... AND... many hours of offroad driving to boot.

I'm convinced it's just a characteristic (albeit an annoying one) of this transmission and not really a defect.

If you search "tranny shudder 5th Gen" lots more info will pop up for you.

This one? https://www.sprintboostersales.com/d...ner&engine=Gas

throttle delay response for me on a 2016 ford fusion I rented for a week was 1.5 sec delay. not good when trying to get into heavy traffic flow. I felt it was dangerous.

even with that much delay there was no shift issues .

I get it in mine 88k on a 2011 only from first to second with light pedal depression


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2015...seems like a warranty issue

What did the dealership say?

I have a 2016 sr5 and have noticed this as well. The transmission seems to be really clunky, I can literally feel every shift. But as other posters have mentioned I think it's normal for the transmission. What's weird is that it did not start until after the break-in was completed at about 1500 miles. I have 3500 miles now so I am going to ask the dealership during my 5k service. Individuals like Antman who posted earlier on this thread make me feel confident that it is not an issue and more of a characteristic however, it still is annoying as all the automatic cars/trucks I have driven have always shifted really smooth.

It may seem strange to hear this but smooth shifting comes at the expense of durability- to an extent. Smooth shifting is accomplished by slipping the clutch packs, which induces heat and wear. Quicker, harder shifts are actually better for the transmission.

The shudder-thing is annoying and has no bearing on what I just wrote, BTW...I'm over 100k and still shuddering happily away though!