'06-'07 Throttle/Shift Lag - Call Now!!

PXLpainter · #1 (**permalink**) 09-19-2006, 03:32 AM

If you are experiencing ANY throttle or shift lag (hesitation when you accelerate from a slow crawl or merge onto a busy street or highway) then you need to contact Toyota ASAP!!

Call The Toyota Customer Experience Center 800-331-4331 and complain about the issue and state that its actually dangerous - especially when you're trying to pull out into heavy fast moving traffic and you get a 1-1/2 to 2 second lag before it downshifts and accelerates to get you out of trouble!!

There are several open complaints right now - your dealer can't do anything about it until Toyota gives them a new TSB fix for the ECU. They finally made one for the '04/'05 Solaras, but that won't work on our ECUs!!! (it took them until the middle of '05 to finally give them one - we can't afford to wait!!) BUT... if you are an '04/'05 owner and still haven't fixed the issue, then you need to call as well!!

*Edit:
I would also encourage everyone that has issue with this problem to file a complaint with the NHTSA at this site:
IVOQ - File a Complaint

If enough people complain, then the Government will move on Toyota to find a solution. I had this experience once before with faulty ABS system, and Honda had to come up with a fix or replace the vehicle...they fixed the problem.

I've had more than a couple close-calls as a result of this hesitation - and I'm on the record with Toyota stating in my claim that they will be held accountable if I end up getting rear-ended because of this issue.

THEY NEED TO TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY!!

Please do your part and call!

Thanks! Your fellow Gen 2 & 2-1/2 Solara owners.

crisp · #2 (**permalink**) 09-19-2006, 06:06 AM

HEY! I have noticed this on my '04 at times! Where is the thread/info on the "fix" for it?

Thanks!

- crisp

huntmiller · #3 (**permalink**) 09-25-2006, 01:22 PM

I've got a 07 Sport and I've only noticed a lag when I am in a very economical but high gear and the engine rpms are around 1500. The car has to some how gently downshift two gears before it wants to go. If I am driving in manual shift mode and the rpm's are a bit higher there is no hesitation. My thoughts are that you can have economy or performance but not both. This is my observation and invite others to comment. Are people seeing this hesitation with regular and/or premium gas?

PXLpainter · #4 (**permalink**) 09-25-2006, 02:08 PM

I think it depends on what you consider "economy" mode...

I notice it will up-shift on its own to 5th gear even when going about 35mph in D mode (since we don't have an OD button on the stick).

Also - if you read your owner's manual, you should NOT use regular gas in the V6 - due to the high compression of our engines, 91 oct min is required.

I didn't realize this either when I first got my car, but did notice better/smoother performance with the fuel in it.

To clarify the hesitation issue - it's not as apparent from a dead stop or at speeds over about 45-50mph.

crisp · #5 (**permalink**) 09-25-2006, 10:05 PM

Well, now that I've done Dr. John's vacuum mod, and I've put the TRD exhaust on, and I've begin to run 93 octane exclusively, and I've done my first thorough tranny flush, and I have begun to drive the car HARDER....

heh, heh, heh....

It's running MUCH BETTER!

(....and I haven't even installed the CP-e intake that came today yet!)

My point in making an entry is more to the mileage I get. I'm not sure what "economy" mode or driving is, but on flat-out long distance highway driving, this car will run 80 and pull 28 mpg without an issue... and I really PUNCH it nearly every time I want to accelerate. (Well, perhaps 20% or the time... on the highway, anyway... )

Love this car.... even after 50k miles... even MORE these days, especially now that I've begun to modify a little and personalize it.

My thots...

- crisp

huntmiller · #6 (**permalink**) 09-26-2006, 09:14 PM

BTW the owners manuals for the 07 Solaras say you can use 87 octane but you will get better performance with premium or something to that effect.

PXLpainter · #7 (**permalink**) 09-26-2006, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by huntmiller

BTW the owners manuals for the 07 Solaras say you can use 87 octane but you will get better performance with premium or something to that effect.

Is that the I4 or the V6 you're reading that from?

mustang67408 · #8 (**permalink**) 09-27-2006, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PXLpainter

Is that the I4 or the V6 you're reading that from?

Doesnt matter. Your right Jeff 91 is preffered

niederbergerjm · #9 (**permalink**) 05-04-2007, 08:29 PM

I bought my car a month ago and have experienced this problem, so I made sure to complain about it in the survey I filled out this evening. I will file a complaint as well.

coal miner · #10 (**permalink**) 08-06-2007, 08:46 AM

I have an o6 Solara convertable & have that shift lag going into 1st gear at a crawl. Called that complain number & have an appointment to to take it to my dealer to check it out etc. Will let you know he out come. Coal miner in New Jersey.

PXLpainter · #11 (**permalink**) 08-06-2007, 10:45 AM

After almost 30K miles on my '06 SLE Convert, with as many aftermarket doo-dads as I can muster on this beast (CP-e MAFCi intake, TRD Muffler and Custom JPP Headers/Y-pipe), the shift-lag is worse than ever.

Even trying to "manually" shift it from 1-2 or 2-3 it bogs-down between gears like it doesn't know what gear it should be in. Even at times when you just want to accelerate a little in 2nd and you step on it, it shifts down into 1st and over-revs, then lugs back up to 2nd and people look at you like you're either trying to hot-rod it or don't know how to friggin' drive!

I swear, the weakest link on this car is the transmission. I just can't believe that Toyota would make such a POS like this!

When I can afford to do it (both time & $$) I'm going to get a manual 5-speed swap and be done with this slush-o-matic BS once and for all!!

mustang67408 · #12 (**permalink**) 08-06-2007, 03:23 PM

Hey Jeff, have they ever RESET the ECU. Sometimes this helps. If your ever going to be in Vegas let me know. I'd be happy to try resetting it for you and see if it makes any differences.

PXLpainter · #13 (**permalink**) 08-07-2007, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mustang67408

Hey Jeff, have they ever RESET the ECU. Sometimes this helps. If your ever going to be in Vegas let me know. I'd be happy to try resetting it for you and see if it makes any differences.

You know - they didn't even try resetting it. I've disconnected the neg batt terminal several times while adding upgrades like exhaust/MAFCi intake, etc... but not a specific "flash" of any kind.

I may take you up on your offer this fall when I visit my folks next! Thanks!

Jeff

coal miner · #14 (**permalink**) 08-10-2007, 09:35 AM

Took my Salara to the dealer to check out my shift lag as per above post but they said it was working OK at this time? I got no where with them? They did want to sell me a 4 wheel alignment & tire rotation & balance plus a cleaning of my AC system for 100 bucks. Wheel alignment was extra. They said the alignment was necessary to prevent "FUTURE" tire wear!!! By the way I know this is old stuff but the part #no for the 06 Salara front license plate bracket is 75101-AA050. They had one in stock so I bought it. The bracket for the 07 has a different part no# I believe. Coal Miner in Jersey.

PXLpainter · #15 (**permalink**) 08-10-2007, 09:40 AM

Hey Coal Miner - looks like you got the "shaft"! LOL!!