4th Gen Transmission Problem

jonz · 2009-12-23T16:12:54+00:00

I have an 08 SE 4WD with 33k miles. Periodically, with no regularity, when I shift from reverse to drive, the transmission does not engage for about 3-5 seconds. It's as if I just shifted to neutral instead of drive. I have to be careful not to step on the gas while waiting for the tranny to shift into drive. Otherwise the shift at high RPM sounds like the tranny is going to fall out. This is totally random..hot or cold engine, 1st drive of the day, middle of the day. Took the car to one dealer at 28K miles, and they couldn't replicate so they sent me on my way. I'm at 33K so thought I'd have it checked with other stuff before the warranty expired. Took it to a different dealer and explained the problem. This dealer (where I bought it) immediately decided to replace the transmission under warranty. Has anyone else had this problem and if so, how was it corrected

Thread starter jonz
Start date Dec 23, 2009

myolox

New member

Today at 6:58 AM

jrbpit said:
This thread was inactive for 7 years.

This is shocking to know Toyota has been not publicize this issue and to think a powertrain would not fault. My dad bought it new in 2006. This problem never manifested itself and my dad mostly drove it to work and home. Now as the second owner and a traveling massage therapist, this week my 4runner took a minute and a half to engage drive. Gold Coast Transmission ruled out that the Pistons were the culprit with a $4700 repair cost. Currently running 115,000 miles and this SUV is taking me to the cleaners with many issues!