- #159 of 325
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Re: Toyota Tacoma transmission problems [befuddled2]
by harris42
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Jul 17, 2009 (7:51 pm)
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Replying to: befuddled2 (Jul 15, 2009 10:38 am)
I just bought a used 2004 4wd Tacoma 4 door TRD limited with 52,000 on it. Whew, that's a mouthful. Anyway, I also own a 95.5 Tacoma sx 4wd with a manual tranny and have put 300,000 miles on it. The newer Tacoma is only the second car I've ever had that has an automatic, and the problems you are experiencing are similar to some things I've noticed about the 04, but are issues that I wrote off as what I've never liked about automatics--that is, they are just quirky to drive compared to a manual. For instance, the lurching bump downshift when coming to a stop--it actually feels as though the truck is pulling against the rotors until it finally decides to drop the last gear. At first it was bothersome, especially because I'm used to doing the shifting, as well as being used to the engine braking I get from my 95.5 manual, but now I'm getting used to it, and I don't think it is a catastriphy waiting to explode--Toyota just over-engineered the tranny, having it computer controlled instead of otherwise. You will probably also find that if you manually shift the truck up from D1 thru D that it doesn't shift with the lever movement--there is a bit of a lagtime as the computer catches up to your input and all the other issues that it is monitoring. Does this mean that your truck has longevity issues? I doubt it. My 95.5 had a tranny growl at 55mph when I bought it new, and it still has it 300,000 miles later, and I have never changed the clutch or even (and I hate to admit this because I'm a professional mechanic) the tranny fluid. In short, it's a quirk. Obviously this "problem" that you mentioned has been a Toyota characteristic for at least 5 years, and they haven't changed it, so I'm guessing that it really isn't an issue other than a feel preferrence. Would I prefer to glide to a stop without the sparatic drop shift bumps, yeah, but is it going to get me to hate my truck? Nope. I'll tell you something more irritating--Toyotas with rack streering, have rubber bushings keeping the rack anchored, and the wear out fast. Theresult is a certain amount of play and "hunting" in the steering, especially at highway speeds in a strong breeze. Yota doesn't sell the complete bushing kit, (only way to change the main bushing is to buy a complete rack) which is actually fairly easy to change in the garage, and so you have to go aftermarket. Why Yota hasn't addressed this issue is beyond me, steering is the biggest issue when looking into how an aging vehicle holds up. My 95.5 is still tight, but I credit that top a steering dampner I added when the truck was new--95.5 were undersprung in the rear (a recall I believe) and it caused a bit of steering wheel shimmy. Anyway, I hope this helps rest your nerves. Peace.
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- #160 of 325
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09 Tacoma Trans
by ccl1961
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Jul 18, 2009 (5:07 am)
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I don't think the trans problems is happening on 05's to 08's. I haven't seen a post one other than 09's doing the trans thing.
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- #161 of 325
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Re: Toyota Tacoma transmission problems [harris42]
by tacomashane
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Jul 18, 2009 (5:14 am)
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Replying to: harris42 (Jul 17, 2009 7:51 pm)
Doesn't calm my nerves much at all. Maybe a little with regard to the lurching downshift. Do you work for Toyota? I am disgusted with the constant slipping/hesitation of my transmission when slowing down and subsequently accelerating when turning onto another street, when making a U-turn (not only does the engine rev but so does my heart with on-coming traffic), and when simply driving over a speed bump. If you make frequent stop and go's (i.e., do a lot of city street driving), this truck will drive you nuts! Mine is an 09 Taco automatic TRD Sport Pkg. with 9500 miles on it now. Had the computer reset once, helped for a while, but now it is still the same if not worse as when I bought it. Toyota told me the computer has to learn my driving habits and it could take 1-5K miles to do so. BS! This is the most idiotic statement I have ever heard. What other computer has to learn a person's habits? My home computer, my washing machine, my dryer, my dish washer? NO. Then they tell me that if my wife drives the truck too, that could cause problems because then the computer is trying to learn her habits which are different from mine. So I guess these trucks are meant to be driven by one person only? That is a major design flaw. NEVER will I buy Toyota again. This is a cheaply made truck as the slightest bump of the body causes a dent. I have two panels that cover my door and window control levers which vibrate (have tried to fix this with felt lining, guess I will have to glue them down). I have a buzzing sound coming from under my glove compartment (sounds like a bumble bee caught in paper and I cannot find the source). My air conditioning fan started making noise one day, as if it was about to die (fortunately has only happened once). I feel like I bought a lemon.
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- #162 of 325
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Re: Toyota Tacoma transmission problems [harris42]
by befuddled2
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Jul 18, 2009 (8:10 am)
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Replying to: harris42 (Jul 17, 2009 7:51 pm)
Thank you Harris42. Sounds like well thought out reasoning. The transmission problem in reality for getting used to I can live with. It's the very real possibility of it not reacting in an emergency situation that bothers me most. I want the truck to move if I need it too and as things are I don't trust it to do just that. Thereby, leaving me and or others open to getting T-Boned and being dead right. Thanks again.
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- #163 of 325
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Re: 2009 Tacoma automatic - be afraid, be very afraid [tacomashane]
by kevin144
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Jul 20, 2009 (8:08 am)
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Replying to: tacomashane (Jul 03, 2009 6:04 am)
I have been shopping for a 2x4 double cab long bed tacoma for 6 months. I have test driven the vehicle on 5 different occassions. The test drive was impressive. I called Toyota regarding the transmisson problem they have no such complaints. Is their any Toyota owners not having any problems wth the 09 toyotas ?
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- #164 of 325
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Re: 2009 Tacoma automatic - be afraid, be very afraid [kevin144]
by tacomarye
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Jul 20, 2009 (8:23 am)
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Replying to: kevin144 (Jul 20, 2009 8:08 am)
When I first got my 09. It did have some odd shifting behaviors. However, it seemed to improve the more i drove it. I hear that the computer system learns your driving habits and adjusts accordingly. I spoke with the dealer regarding the transmission and they told me that the 5spd automatics are a 'busy' transmission. I have a 4x4 double cab 4 liter. Its a great truck, and everyone who rides in it, or drives it says it rides real smooth. As the primary driver, I do notice the transmission at times.
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- #165 of 325
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Re: 2009 Tacoma automatic - be afraid, be very afraid [kevin144]
by befuddled2
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Jul 20, 2009 (6:19 pm)
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Replying to: kevin144 (Jul 20, 2009 8:08 am)
Well my friend if Toyota is telling you they have no complaints that is an outright lie. But then why would they. There are other posting out there like Edmunds with complaints like you see here. There are some out there without this problem which begs the question what is different? When I pose the question to them all I get for a response is it is a normal characteristic. That is an acknowledgement of the problem in itself. You can ignore it if you want. I'm begining to think Toyota is over rated. It's plain they have no intention of addressing the problem. Good luck
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- #166 of 325
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Re: 2009 Tacoma automatic - be afraid, be very afraid [kevin144]
by pesteele1
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Jul 21, 2009 (6:04 pm)
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Replying to: kevin144 (Jul 20, 2009 8:08 am)
Kevin,
To be as charitable to Toyota as I can, they are flat-out lying to you. Not sure if you are referring to salespeople at the dealership or Toyota national. Either way, its a real stretch to believe everything here and at Cars.com, Consumer Reports, etc. is simply made up and fabricated & if so, to what end. Ask them why they have a TSB & they are going to arbitration if there is no issue. Personally, I've got things I'd much rather do than blog about Toyota transmissions
Your choice, but if they're treating us this way, how do you think they are going to treat you after a thousand miles?
PS - the 2-3 trucks I test drove operated beautifully (as did mine until 400 miles) so caveat emptor.
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- #167 of 325
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Re: 2009 Tacoma automatic - be afraid, be very afraid [pesteele1]
by kevin144
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Jul 22, 2009 (12:39 pm)
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Replying to: pesteele1 (Jul 21, 2009 6:04 pm)
Toyota national has no such complaints regarding their transmission, I guess keep reporting. I did notice their are 12 complaints on the NHTSA site. I am waiting to see whats new for 2010 tacomas.
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- #168 of 325
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Re: 2009 Tacoma automatic - be afraid, be very afraid [kevin144]
by tacoma1958
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Jul 22, 2009 (2:24 pm)
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Replying to: kevin144 (Jul 22, 2009 12:39 pm)
I don't know about Toyota "National", but Southeast Toyota had at least one complaint. It went to arbitration. At the very least, I'd call that a complaint. I traded my Tacoma on a Frontier. What a relief I don't have to drive that piece of shit anymore. It's a shame, too, becasue besides the transmission issue, it's a good truck.
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