4th Gen Transmission Problem

[jonz]

I went to one dealership and they couldn't replicate, so they sent me on my way. Dealership where I purchased the car decided to replace the transmission. My advice would b to try another dealer. However, I thought replacement was an extreme measure. But it's under warranty,so I let them make the decision.

 

[ua324042]

I have an 08 SE V6 4WD with 23K all highway miles and experiencing the same issue with delayed shift into drive. It actually started occasionally occurring right after I bought the car, but I didn't pay much attention to it. Now it's happening more and more often, on almost a daily basis with a delay of as much as 10 seconds. The dealer said they couldn't replicate the problem when I informed them during the 20K maintenance and told me to press the brake pedal all down all the way before shifting into drive.

Yota_Tech87, if I understood your post correctly, this problem is caused by low transmission fluid?

 

[jonz]

I have an 08 SE V6 4WD with 23K all highway miles and experiencing the same issue with delayed shift into drive. It actually started occasionally occurring right after I bought the car, but I didn't pay much attention to it. Now it's happening more and more often, on almost a daily basis with a delay of as much as 10 seconds. The dealer said they couldn't replicate the problem when I informed them during the 20K maintenance and told me to press the brake pedal all down all the way before shifting into drive.

Yota_Tech87, if I understood your post correctly, this problem is caused by low transmission fluid?

Your symptoms are identical to mine. I suggested the transmission fluid as the culprit to the dealer. They insisted that because it is a sealed unit and the fluid is (allegedly) good for 100k miles, that fluid was not a probable cause. Since the full replacement, I have not had any recurrences.

 

[riverwolf]

Sorry, late to the party.

Some of this sounds like normal behavior. The 5 speed autos shift into 2nd then 1st when coming from reverse...blame it on the Lexus crowd wanting to avoid driveline shock. Obviously, some of the delays here sound extreme and probably warrant further investigation, but depending on driving habits, one might drive for years without noticing this inherent R-2-1 delay until you get in a real hurry on a particularly cold day and press the loud pedal before the 2-1 completes.

-Brent

 

[milgrad]

We have been having the same issue with our 4runner since last November. 19,000 miles later and 11 visits to the dealer they finally had a regional service tech come in and look at it. A new transmission is on order for it..FINALLY. Should be in mid next week. Hopefully this takes care of it....

 

[milgrad]

Well we have had the new transmissions for about 2 weeks now. Vehicle has been running fine. Toyota Corp called the day it was in the shop just making sure the dealer was taking care of me with a rental etc. I asked them to see what they could do for me due to the numerous visits in for the same problem. I got a call yesterday and wow I am shocked, but they offered me a 7 year 100K platinum warranty at NO COST. Needless to say we are very happy.....

 

[morphius909]

Well we have had the new transmissions for about 2 weeks now. Vehicle has been running fine. Toyota Corp called the day it was in the shop just making sure the dealer was taking care of me with a rental etc. I asked them to see what they could do for me due to the numerous visits in for the same problem. I got a call yesterday and wow I am shocked, but they offered me a 7 year 100K platinum warranty at NO COST. Needless to say we are very happy.....

I wonder if Toyota is going to start bending over backwards to keep customers loyal to the brand.

 

[L01D]

I've got a 2005 SR5 thats doing the same thing

 

[LakeRunr]

My 2008 SR5 has done it 4 times in the 3 weeks that I've owned it. No rhyme or reason to it so far.

 

[CitizenX]

Sorry for the late entry to this thread, however, I have seen this problem occasionally as well. Back up from a parking spot, wait 2-5 seconds after putting it in drive, then go. It is intermittent and doesn't seem to have a specific chain of events that leads up to this. I've had it happen about 10 times in the last year.

 

[08 Hilux Surf]

same problem, SUGGESTIONS please...

I thought I was the very few with this problem. Have a 08 Sports Ed and notice it almost a year ago (14K miles ago). Since then, I'm experiencing it more often once every 10 days or so (maybe even less)... happens randomly whether it's cold or hot & different time of the day. It's always from reverse to drive, and it's not two seconds to engage but much longer and will pop into gear & surge it's self forward(from idle). Took it to two different dealers, both told me their techs could not experience this problem. Dealer's conclusion is that everything is normal from their check (fluid and computer check) and tells me they can't do anything unless the tech experiences this problem. I would prefer the dealer to change my tranny just in case before I hit a car especially when I'm parrallel parking in tight spot. ANY SUGGESTIONS???

 

[EVOL ARDNUT]

GO TO DIFFERENT DEALER OR call TOYOTA CORP.

I thought I was the very few with this problem. Have a 08 Sports Ed and notice it almost a year ago (14K miles ago). Since then, I'm experiencing it more often once every 10 days or so (maybe even less)... happens randomly whether it's cold or hot & different time of the day. It's always from reverse to drive, and it's not two seconds to engage but much longer and will pop into gear & surge it's self forward(from idle). Took it to two different dealers, both told me their techs could not experience this problem. Dealer's conclusion is that everything is normal from their check (fluid and computer check) and tells me they can't do anything unless the tech experiences this problem. I would prefer the dealer to change my tranny just in case before I hit a car especially when I'm parrallel parking in tight spot. ANY SUGGESTIONS???

 

[muchuanlin]

You still didnt clarify. You have a new trans in the 08.correct? The old trans in the 08 did this or the new one
:flamethrwoer2:

 

[ShouldI]

Is this problem just with the V6's or with the V8's also?

 

[Bourbon City]

My '08 is a 4WD V6 Automatic with 13.4K miles. I have not noticed any unusual time delay when shifting in or out of reverse. I don't hot-rod much at all anymore so I don't even try quick shifts.

BC

 

[BlairB]

I have the same problem with my truck. I have 56k on my 2008 but have been having the problem since I got it new. It is probably one of the internal valves sticking randomly. With mine if I put it back to R or N then D it will reopen the valve and solve the problem.

Unfortunately, there is nothing Toyota corporate or dealer can do if the dealer is unable to duplicate the concern, they are not going to tear down the trans or replace it if they have not been able to see anything wrong. Just make sure it is noted on your repair order from the dealer so if any transmission issues arise in the future you have it documented. I have it documented every time my vehicle gets serviced.

 

[AMS4560]

08 Transmission

I have had the same 3-5 sec delay in my transmission when shifting from R to D. Dealer has replaced the transmission twice, replaced the wiring harness, and the neutral safety switch. The delay continues. The regional service tech inspected and "could not replicate under normal operation". Fortunately the sevice manager at the dealership is on my side but does not have a fix and cannot get Toyota to admit there is a problem. They have offered an extended warranty but with only 23,000 miles I still have plenty of time under the original warranty. On other sites there is a reference to a TSD #0166-10 however I do not know if it addresses this particular problem.

 

[SJDozeman]

Tranny not engaging

I am having the same issue with my transmission engaging (Not engaging too be more precise).
Dealership cannot duplicate problem but allegedly replaced fluid at under 40k miles.
Still does it now and then but Toyota can't find a problem.
Also, a terrible noise when VSC kicks in. It sounds like the transfer case is coming apart and I'm not in 4wd.

 

[piklhead]

I have a an 08 4runner with the 4.7. I also had the same issue. I did some experimentation, after being told by the dealer and that's the way the transmission was programmed.

Here's what I found: I would back out of the driveway and shift into drive before the vehicle had come to a complete stop. I'm talking about a foot a second. The wheel sensors were reading a reverse rotation of the wheels and delaying the the shift into drive. ( They're very sensitive. If you've ever stepped on the brakes a little to quickly, you know how little pedal pressure it can take to activate the ABS.) Sensors are extremely sensitive to wheel rotation. With that said it does take a bit, 1-3 seconds, for the electronics to perform the shift.

Try coming to full and complete stop, before the shift into drive and see if that helps. This is the first fully electronic controlled transmission I've owned. Took some getting used to. The older hydraulic valve body transmissions were much more forgiving. When you moved the lever, the transmission shifted.

Hope this helps.

 

[jrbpit]

I have a an 08 4runner with the 4.7. I also had the same issue. I did some experimentation, after being told by the dealer and that's the way the transmission was programmed.

Here's what I found: I would back out of the driveway and shift into drive before the vehicle had come to a complete stop. I'm talking about a foot a second. The wheel sensors were reading a reverse rotation of the wheels and delaying the the shift into drive. ( They're very sensitive. If you've ever stepped on the brakes a little to quickly, you know how little pedal pressure it can take to activate the ABS.) Sensors are extremely sensitive to wheel rotation. With that said it does take a bit, 1-3 seconds, for the electronics to perform the shift.

Try coming to full and complete stop, before the shift into drive and see if that helps. This is the first fully electronic controlled transmission I've owned. Took some getting used to. The older hydraulic valve body transmissions were much more forgiving. When you moved the lever, the transmission shifted.

Hope this helps.

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