Transmission shifting

I have a 2023 4Runner Limited, 4k miles the transmission does a "harsh" shift from 1st to 2nd when accelerating and again from 2nd to 1st when coming to a stop. Reported it to the dealer and they greased the drive shaft, no change.
Last night I did a reset of the PCM, no change.
Is this "normal" for a new truck? Should I wait like 10k miles?
Please share your experience and thoughts.

Thanks

 

don't know but I've noticed the same thing, only had my 18 OR for about 10 months. It's not always hard, but sometimes seems a stiff shift. I've also noticed that there seems to be a hard slowdown "jerk" when I'm going about 40-50 and I let off the gas, like when rolling up to a redlight. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but think it's just a quirk of the transmission.

 

Yes, I said harsh but it is more like a firm shift between 1st and 2nd. Is it designed that way? I don't want to be chasing my own tail on this..ha ha

 

What transmission temperature that this happening? It is possible just low level fluid at cold.

 

I've noticed it both cool/warming up and at operating temp, but less at operating temp

 

Sometimes it's a little firmer than others, but nothing close to harsh. I used to have a 19 highlander with the 8 speed, and 1-2 in that thing had NO slip. Super rough and clunky.

 

My 2019 will do this occasionally when cold, or just an odd acceleration. Normal for this old reliable transmission type.

Back in the day we would put in shift kits so our vehicles could chirp second. lol

 

Same here. I just dont care. Its fine. Has been, will be.
And tranny temp doesnt matter, i can see mine. Just drive the thing. Or, sell it if its that big of a bother to you. But, i will bet my house, that yours, mine, and every other, is just fine.

 

Pretty sure my 2013 does this, it's never alarmed me. Keep in mind this is a 20year old design, it's going to be a little rougher around the edges than modern transmissions.

Most of the time I think it's quite smooth though, and you never hear about these things having transmission problems.

 

Yes that's what I've always heard about this 5 speed transmissions, realiable and smooth. Just checking up that detail that I brought up.

Everyone, thanks for the input!

 

Almost ever. Like,.........






ever. For real. There is a GOOD GOOD reason, they use these, and have for over a decade, in a rig that weighs 47 tons. A good one.

EDIT- its also why i just leave a thread of "my 2023 4 runner with 7 miles on it, needs a trans flush, and fluid replace". For me, its when i pull into a driveway or burger joint, from 1st to 2nd, or, 2nd to 1st is when i can "feel it"....And its not HARSH,, at all, its just "different" feeling ) Maybe the syncros not having ALL the pressure yet or rpm is down, its 1st to 2nd after all, who knows,.. hell who cares. And it isnt harsh, or jarring, it just feels.... "different"

I just dip the eff out. My fluid is going to live in there. And i bet it out lives me.

 

Also, its everywhere, if you look. And not a single one,.. was there a single need, to "replace the trans". Not a single one... This thread is 7 years old.


Originally Posted by lllzzz79 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

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 - - 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.

 

Tacomas do it too.

 

I’ve wondered if it’s a misplaced artifact of the automatic engine breaking (which is implemented to save you from having to ride the breaks downhill and is a very solid and well implemented feature).

Ie. “the truck” gets confused for a second when breaking or accelerating but figures it out pretty quickly and corrects itself.

 

Mmm hmm, they should if its the same trans.... which many are. (not the manual and such)

That said, the ONE thing im NOT worried about in this rig, is the motor, and the trans,.... But i do carry tie rod ends. (already bent 2) Bout it... other than that, i just put miles on the thing, and dont even think about it. I love it. Love the rig. Like, its the ONE fucking thing, i can count on, day to day, every day, all day.

 

Feel the same. I trust it enough, that it if it ever lets me down, I’d feel it betrayed me on a personal level.


I realize that’s not a sign of a healthy vehicle/owner relationship

 

Interesting, I was at the Tacoma forum and they seem to have a problem that the transmissions are under filled at factory. That´s what I read, I don´t have a way to confirm it. There´s an user, Gearcruncher (transmission tech) that recommends checking the fluid level and adding a bottle of Lubegard additive. I´m reluctant to use additive in a new vehicle but I just dropped the 4runner at the dealer and suggested they verify the fluid level and the calibration. It´s a longshot but I guess that´s the warranty for. If it´s normal, there´s no harm to let them check the basics. If by any chance the transmission gives any problems in the future (I doubt it but don´t discard it either) there´s documentation that an issue was reported at some point.

 

I don’t think this 1-2 hard shift is a trans fluid issue. It happened in 3 of my 2nd gen tacomas and now 2 different 4Runners. It’s normal. I think it’s tied into throttle mapping or auto engine breaking. Or possibly a “feature” applicable to off-road applications.

(yeah, low trans fluid from factory in 3rd gen tacomas was a thing)

 

Ok, thanks for the info.

I do have noticed that driving more aggressively does "aggravate" or make the shifts more firm. For the info you give me and other members I can be 99% sure there´s no problem with this transmission, I´ll just wait the dealers response and put this to rest.

 

Are they going to charge you a diagnostic fee to check if it’s low? I cant imagine a dealer checking the transmission fluid level under warrantee for free because it’s gotta go on then rack, and then essentially half of the pan drain/refill proceedure.

Unless you claim a warrantee issue, and they “replicate” it.

 

Yep the issue becomes more pronounced driving around more aggressively. But you’ll notice it’s not always present. Rapid deceleration + acceleration seems to make it happen.

 

I am having a very significant transmission issue with 2022 ORP. Just hit 10,000. At about 8,000 had an isolated episode during which every shift (up or down) was violently harsh (some harsh enough to cause a seatbelt lock). The issues lasted for about a mile when I reached work. Later that day it drove normally. Took it to the dealership. They said no codes and they checked the fluid and all was fine.

Over the weekend (just before 10,000 miles) the problem happened again. We were on a longer trip and about 75 miles away from home. Every shift super hard. Some sounded like a shotgun. With each shift the entire vehicle would shake and again got some seatbelt lock ups as I was thrown forward. This continued through the day. However after my last stop before returning home everything seemed normal again.

Has anyone every seen this before? We actually bought two 4Runners a month apart about a year ago and we have had them before. The other new one has no issues and we kept our 03 well over 100K with no issues.

I have no idea what is causing this to occur but I cannot possibly imagine that whatever is going on is not destroying the transmission. I am headed back to the dealer again but I am assuming another round of no codes and unable to recreate.

 

I have put vehicles (Not mine) in 1st/2nd gear and left it in till it shifts by default and have gotten this super harsh hard shift. Doubt it, but maybe it was in 1st? Also experienced shifts like this with a bad rear dif.

 

Thanks for the idea! Would a bad diff cause an intermittent issue like this?

My guess was something electronic causing an uncoordinated shift which would explain the intermittent nature. That said, while I am a bit of a shade tree mechanic, I don’t know much about transmissions other than a general understanding of how they work.

I will say I have had a few instances of starting off in the vehicle and feeling like there is a small amount of slip before power is getting to the rear wheels. Very subtle, unlike the very hard shifting issue, but noticeable. It feels like slipping followed by an abrupt (but not harsh) engagement. Never noticed this in my 03 V8 SR5 or our 2022 limited.

I do appreciate your help!

 

Probably not. But i did blow a silver dollar hole in my rear diff. lol

Check fluids and bring back to the dealer. Very odd.

 

Thanks again. Will let folks know how this turns out

 

I would take this up with the dealer directly. It might take a few visits to get things replicated. It’s under warranty. Something definitely sounds broken.

It might be a good idea to call toyota directly and file a case with your problem. That might get dealers to find the problem a bit more quickly.