Transmission Issue

So this could be bad or it could be really bad.
I'm in Illinois and a few days ago we had some really cold temperatures. I noticed on Friday when I was coming home from work at certain points the 4runner would shudder shifting from 4th to 5th. Not always but enough to get my attention and only while driving in town. At highway speeds, no issue. Also if I manually shift through the gears no issues either.

Has anybody else experienced this? I'm hoping it's as simple as a fluid and filter change. I don't really want to start replacing transmission parts bit I will if I have to, just don't want to. Thanks for any advise or help.

*UPDATE*
Got the 4runner back and it's running SO smooth! Fingers crossed it lasts a while.

 

how many miles are on it? What speeda were you going at on the 4-5 shift?

 

The place to start would be to check to see if you have enough fluid in the tranny. I know there's no dipstick and checking the level requires some work, but it's worth the time. When was the last time the transmission was serviced, if ever? Are there any visible leaks? Lot's of things to consider before you start throwing the parts cannon at it. The fact that it does it only when driving at slow speed around town leads me to believe it's a pressure thing, hence low fluid.

 

Milage is 117757. Speeds were around 35-45 maybe upto 50mph in some places.

I did get the transmission serviced right after I bought it. It's been over a year ago and I do A LOT of interstate driving with some lite towing a couple times.

Just crawled under and checked the underside for leaks. Everything looks dry.

 

Have you checked fluid level since your purchase? Could it be that it was turned over to you a little low, and no symptoms showed up until now?

I had my 2019's fluid replaced at the dealership around 100k miles (probably didn't need to, but did anyway). It was like $280, which wasn't horrible. Maybe you could do that and see what happens?

 

What milaeage did the trans get serviced and did they do a flush or drain and refill?

The 4runner trans like to hunt and peck from 4-5 at low speeds. For me I leave it in 4 for any speeds under 45-50 mph. I only engage 5th when i know I’ll be over 50 for awhile.

 

Try driving around town in S4 instead of "D".
Google Transmission shudder or chatter.
Toyotas have a unique FlexLock torque converter lock up design and it is operated by solenoids and valves in the tranny valve body. There is history of failures.
Rebuilding the tranny valve body may be a prefered plan you plan to keep your truck a long time.
Dealers will be useless for diagnosing or repairing this issue-if it your actual problem.
Lets hope you are just low on fluid.
If you do a tranny drain and refill definately save the old tranny fluid in a clean container. If beige in color-that is probably lock up clutch material.

 

Ok, I did like you advised and it only shudders when the transmission is in "D". If I leave it in "4" no shudder or chatter drives just fine. Thanks for the info it gives me a place to start when I call the dealership tomorrow. If I'm lucky it will be a simple fluid/filter change.

 

My 2017 SR5 began the shudder at 48,000 miles and just over 60 months from purchase-but I had a Platinum service agreement that covered drive train for 7/100,000.
First the dealer changed to tranny fluid. Did not solve problem. Then tinkered with ECU. Did not work. Dealer requested Toyota to authorize new Torque converter. I few weeks later it was installed and $3k billed to Toyota.
I had started my own on line reading by then too.
About 2 weeks later the shudder was back and very obvious. This next parts change was a new tranny (with new torque converter in it) as a complete unit and $5k billed to Toyota.
It fixed the problem. Because the source of the problem was in the tranny valve body.
Keep in mind dealers do not like to take on high risk dissassemble and component exchanges.
Good luck with your repair. One runner owner used the additive, it worked for him.
Here are some more screen shots I have saved:

 

I did around 190k. I drained and filled the transmission and installed a cooler. Mine would shudder 40-50 at light pedal and I did the manual shift to. Mine quit after changing my fluid. Don't flush, just drain and fill. I have never replaced a Toyota transmission filter. That said, apparently these have a transmission pan gasket now. They used to be glued on to keep you out. Mine had a 120k service in history, but I didn't find any trace of it myself. I changed my transmission fluid even though they don't recommend it over 100k. It came out brown like water and after settling a week it turned dark red and has fine material floating in it. I put a pint of the material back in the new fluid. Apparently that's what gives clutches and bands more nite as they get mileage and age on them. In conclusion, it cured my shudder. I run 33s now and no issues. Here's before and new. Drain and fill only. Don't let anyone up sell you. Don't want to change it to often either. Go by your mileage to service it. Apparently, they get to slick and slip if changed to early or often. I did learn this on my 2001 4Runner.

 

Not enough info. Where did you get it serviced? How exactly was it serviced? What are 'really cold temperatures'? -50F, 20F?

 

The temperature was 6-8 degrees. It was serviced at the dealership in Gallup NM. They did a drain, filter clean and refill. The 4runner had about 95000 miles on it. I think that was around April 2024.

 

So first thing I would do is another drain and fill and make sure the level is correct. That is not enough miles for it to be worn out in most cases. I would suggest you doing the drain and fill so you can verify the correct fluid level. If this issue goes away completely when the outside temps are warm, its usually from old fluid thickening or incorrect level.