Very common issue in the 4th Gen as well, search for "rumble strip." There doesn't seem to be any silver bullet, some have focused on transmission issues, some on steering. The solution for my 4th gen was the transmission ECU; I was cleaning out my MAF and pulled the EFI fuses and the transmission ECU fuse by accident. Went away immediately after putting everything back together so IMO, the reset of the transmission ECU was the fix.
'18 SR5 4wd with intermittent driveline shudder
- Thread starter JAXJeremy
- Start date
Hans Moleman
New member
Do you get multiple shakes or a single shake? Does it happen when you apply the gas or let off the gas? I'm trying to see if I have the same problem.
With mine, I get a single jolt when I apply the gas. This usually happens in the 30mph to 40mph. Above or below those speeds I don't get the jolt. It seems like it happens when the torque converter locks up at low speeds.
With mine, I get a single jolt when I apply the gas. This usually happens in the 30mph to 40mph. Above or below those speeds I don't get the jolt. It seems like it happens when the torque converter locks up at low speeds.
JAXJeremy
New member
when I took it to the dealership the tech said they reset the trannyy ECU so I'm assuming that is the equivalent of pulling the fuse. Didn't do anything in my case.
JAXJeremy
New member
usually the shudder is ongoing for a brief period, say a couple of hundred feet. For instance, I pull out of my neighborhood get up to 20, 30, then just over 40 (shudder) 50 no shudder, sometimes I can slow down then do back up to 40 and it doesn't do it..the inconsistency is the frustrating part. I don't experience any kind of jolt like what you describe.
Hans Moleman
New member
Yes that sounds like a different problem than mine. Good luck to you. It's frustrating, I have take off shudder on my 2006 Tacoma since new. I've done all the TSB's and nothing has helped. I've been living with it for 13 years.
JAXJeremy
New member
Since I first noticed the "intermittent" shudder, it seems to be less intermittent if that makes any sense. Almost to the point where I'm feeling it more frequently. Probably related to the fact that it occurs between the speeds that I most often travel at.
I'm certain that if it had been doing this when I initially test drove my 4R that I would have noticed..So what's changed?? Other than adding the pedal commander, the only other change was the new trail rims I put on back in April (with factory tires)..now I can't say for sure whether it was or was not doing it prior to the new wheels, so that might be a good starting point.
Having said that, as much as I'd like to think the solution will be as simple as the wheels or poorly balanced tires, it really feels to me like something in the drivetrain itself.
Going to make another appointment with the dealership, get the tech to do a ride-along and hopefully duplicate the problem, then have them check and rebalance the tires. stay tuned.
I'm certain that if it had been doing this when I initially test drove my 4R that I would have noticed..So what's changed?? Other than adding the pedal commander, the only other change was the new trail rims I put on back in April (with factory tires)..now I can't say for sure whether it was or was not doing it prior to the new wheels, so that might be a good starting point.
Having said that, as much as I'd like to think the solution will be as simple as the wheels or poorly balanced tires, it really feels to me like something in the drivetrain itself.
Going to make another appointment with the dealership, get the tech to do a ride-along and hopefully duplicate the problem, then have them check and rebalance the tires. stay tuned.
RPS99SHO
New member
I notice it too with very light throttle application, usually on a hill, and only at speeds where any more throttle will elicit a downshift. It feels different than the steering wobble, which mine also has. It almost feels like lugging a manual transmission vehicle; being in too high a gear for the torque you're asking from the engine. I think it's just very conservative transmission tuning for the sake of fuel mileage, and I've learned to live with it. When it's more pronounced I'll force a downshift. I wish ECT Power was still a thing in the 5g.
Anyway, I don't see 4th and 5th gens with high mileage dying because of broken transmissions, so I've stopped worrying about it.
Anyway, I don't see 4th and 5th gens with high mileage dying because of broken transmissions, so I've stopped worrying about it.
JAXJeremy
New member
I have absolutely zero concern the tranny will fail. Bottom line, the shifting lacks refinement which seems like something Toyota could have easily addressed via a software change, especially for a 9-year-old platform.. I'd be willing to bet pretty much every single 4R has this same issue. Pretty clear the common theme is that it most often occurs under light throttle, which for me is probably 75% of my driving..No hills here in Florida, so unless I'm gunning it to get on the highway there aren't many times where I'm forcing a downshift.
ChivaLRy9mm
New member
I just traded my 2011 Limited in for a 2016 TRD PRO last Friday. Now, granted the new one only has 43,xxx miles, but there is no shudder. I can’t make it happen for the life of me like I could do on command with my old truck.
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JAXJeremy
New member
Interesting, so you could get the '11 to do it but not the '16. Feel like it would be a good experiment to get a group of 5th gens together and do vehicle swap to see what the differences are.
JAXJeremy
New member
Update
Been paying extra close attention to when I feel the "shudder" trying to see if I'm able to get it to do it at will by modulating the throttle between 40 and 50 MPH..what I'm noticing is that even when I lift off the throttle between that speed I can sometimes feel it..This leads me to believe maybe it's a tire issue, possibly in the rear, because I don't feel any sort of vibration or shake in the steering wheel.
Been paying extra close attention to when I feel the "shudder" trying to see if I'm able to get it to do it at will by modulating the throttle between 40 and 50 MPH..what I'm noticing is that even when I lift off the throttle between that speed I can sometimes feel it..This leads me to believe maybe it's a tire issue, possibly in the rear, because I don't feel any sort of vibration or shake in the steering wheel.
JPL
New member
Found this:
How to Fix a Transmission Shudder | It Still Runs
Also I tried this with my older 4Runner, it worked for about 2 months, then the problem cane back:
https://www.amazon.com/Lubegard-19610-Tranny-Instant-Shudder/dp/B0002JMLQU
How to Fix a Transmission Shudder | It Still Runs
Also I tried this with my older 4Runner, it worked for about 2 months, then the problem cane back:
https://www.amazon.com/Lubegard-19610-Tranny-Instant-Shudder/dp/B0002JMLQU
JAXJeremy
New member
Just got back from the dealership. Finally, feel like I may have some answers. The tech took my 4R for a lengthy test drive (about 15 miles). Varied driving, including highway (up to 80), stop and go traffic and cruising between 40 and 50 (where I notice the problem). He wasn't able to get it to replicate the "shudder".
Couple of things he mentioned, first is the way the tranny locks up. He said the lock-up pattern has changed (for fuel economy reasons) and that can actually happen at any speed. When the lock-up occurs that might be when I notice the shudder. He also said, depending on the type of car I previously owned that it might seem more noticeable. He also said that the way the power is transferred from the engine to the transfer case can feel like there is play in it..I call BS on that..I've driven plenty of 4wd vehicles and play in the driveline is not even remotely close to a shudder.
Another thing he noticed was that I was driving with the Hum device plugged into my OB2. He suggested the Hum might potentially be causing interference with the CAN-BUS because it's constantly communicating back and forth with the controllers in the vehicle that provide diagnostics. It seems plausible, so I unplugged the Hum device and will see whether that makes a difference.
Couple of things he mentioned, first is the way the tranny locks up. He said the lock-up pattern has changed (for fuel economy reasons) and that can actually happen at any speed. When the lock-up occurs that might be when I notice the shudder. He also said, depending on the type of car I previously owned that it might seem more noticeable. He also said that the way the power is transferred from the engine to the transfer case can feel like there is play in it..I call BS on that..I've driven plenty of 4wd vehicles and play in the driveline is not even remotely close to a shudder.
Another thing he noticed was that I was driving with the Hum device plugged into my OB2. He suggested the Hum might potentially be causing interference with the CAN-BUS because it's constantly communicating back and forth with the controllers in the vehicle that provide diagnostics. It seems plausible, so I unplugged the Hum device and will see whether that makes a difference.
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JPL
New member
Then wouldn't everyone have that?
A lot of people have the shutter without anything being plugged into their ob2. Funny how that additive that I posted earlier worked, if only for a couple of months and that additive...."A concentrated friction modifier formulated specifically for instantly eliminating torque converter lock-up shudder"
JAXJeremy
New member
Don't know. I guess it depends on how you drive it. Some people might notice it more, some not at all.
He did say that the Tacomas recently had a software update for the transmissions to address some issues, but the Tacos evident;y have a newer/completley different tranny than the 4R. At least that was my understanding.
coffeeshield
New member
Just wanted to say I have the exact same issues as described here JAXJeremy. Just took the last half hour to read this entire thread.
I have a 2010 Trail edition. Have the same exact rumble as you, the same conditions bring it on.
Had it for 3 months, 75k miles on it, I've put on 3k. Brought it in to a different dealer for oil change, told them about the shudder.
They ran the VIN and said they'd actually seen this car earlier this year, previous owner brought it in with these symptoms. (In my head: "Oh ****.")
I will quote the National Service Record they printed for me:
"CLUTCH / TRANSMISSION C/S THERE IS A SHUDDER WHEN ACCELERATING 30-40MPH -- LOW REV AND PRESS ON GAS SLIGHTLY -- SHUDDERS -- WHEN PRESSING ON GAS HARD THERE IS NO SHUDDER ~~ CONFIRMED FAULT -- FOUND INTERNAL FAILURE STARTING IN TORQUE CONVERTER ~~ REQUIRES TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACEMENT -- DECLINED"
So he brought it in, didn't fix it, and sold it to a different dealer (the one I bought it from) without disclosing this.
I have an appointment with the dealer I bought the vehicle from later this week. Will keep you posted.
Any updates with yours?
JAXJeremy
New member
No new updates, it still does it at random times. From that national service record, I don't know how you identify an internal failure that's starting in the TC. The last tech that drove mine pretty much indicated it's just the way they drive. I'd still like to get behind the wheel of another one to see if that's the case. who knows, could be software or maybe a random bad batch of torque converters..my step-dad bought a 2019 limited that I'll be able to drive in December, not sure if it will feel the same considering the limited has the FT 4WD..
coffeeshield
New member
So I just called to ask the dealer -- apparently the "confirmation" was them seeing there was a TSB out from Toyota with this described issue, which calls for replacing the torque converter. Then the previous owner declined the service.
So it seems it's still a mystery. I'm going to try flushing fluids and changing spark plugs and see what happens next week.
So it seems it's still a mystery. I'm going to try flushing fluids and changing spark plugs and see what happens next week.
JPL
New member
Then don't look at these either:
transmission shudders slightly at acceleration. Transmission fluid change? | Drive Accord Honda Forums
Fixed: Automatic Transmission Shudder When Shifting From 2nd to 3rd | 8th Generation Honda Civic Forum
Honda CR-V Questions - 2014 Honda CRV transmission seems to shudder or jump when shifting bet... - CarGurus
Ford Transmission Shudder in Overdrive - Type A motorhomes - FMCA RV Forums – A Community of RVers
https://www.classlawgroup.com/camaro-transmission-class-action-lawsuit/
https://www.cadillacforums.com/threads/transmission-shudder.1073146/
https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/transmission-shudder-at-takeoff-2004-48re.242222/
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Discussion-t872_ds522654
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forum...87162-2018-transmission-shudder-lucky-me.html
https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1201992
https://forums.swedespeed.com/showthread.php?573730-2007-Volvo-XC90-3-2L-Transmission-Shudder
https://www.benzworld.org/threads/transmission-shudder.1722880/
https://www.transmissionrepaircostguide.com/topic/2008-mazda-cx-9-auto-slipping-and-shudder/
http://www.carproblemzoo.com/buick/lesabre/transmission-shudder-problems.php
https://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=305195
https://www.subaruoutback.org/threads/transmission-slips-shudder-shakes.419834/
https://www.kia-forums.com/threads/transmission-slipping.288137/
https://acurazine.com/forums/4g-tl-...ssion-shudder-low-speeds-possible-fix-954170/
https://landroverforums.com/forum/general-tech-help-8/transmission-shudder-37452/
https://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f309/transmission-shudder-1323175/
https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e53-forum/106816-transmission-shudder.html
https://www.300cforums.com/threads/transmission-shudder-at-30-mph.65651/
I guess I'll stop here.
