Took my 06 TRD Sport DC in on 7-01-06 for the notorious transmission shudder and the ever-present vibration at speeds from 50-70 mph.
Service mgr. advised that RF & LR wheels were out of balance, causing the vibration. Drove the truck home...vibration still there as before. Back to the drawing board.
BUT....the service mgr. advised when I got there, that the "shudder" in the transmission was "torque converter lock-up" and that it was "normal" (I was afraid he would say that). But after having the truck on the rack for 2 hours, he returned and said that Toyota had been investigating the shudder and abnormal shift patterns of the Tacomas, and were coming out with a "fix" in the next week or two. I was then asked to come into the service area and school 2 of the techs on the air intake fix that causes a loud vibration when backing up on a cold start, that I had fixed on my truck.
As I spoke with the older tech, he said that he personally owned an 06 Tacoma with the same problematic transmission, and he had just returned from a school by Toyota, and at present, they are looking at issuing a TSB regarding the transmissions. The planned fix will possibly include installing a new (different?) torque converter, flushing the transmission fluid, and possibly a re-flash to adjust the shift points of the transmission. Toyota will reportedly advise dealers of the procedures by the 14th of July.
So...for those "naysayers" that choose to criticize folks that claim to have problems with this truck, understand that there ARE some problems inherent to many of the new Tacomas, and Toyota is beginning to acknowledge such.
Now....will Toyota make things right? Time will tell.
I wonder if the torque converter lockup though is related to certain driving conditions. I only have experienced the shudder when running my AC and stopping a little faster than normal. Feels like the truck wants to keep pushing forward. Turning off the AC though and I don't really notice it. Also I don't notice it when I've got my trailer attached. I wonder if their is something in the ECU (idle advance maybe with AC on) that is causing the converter to stay locked.
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Tacoma V6 Auto 4x4 Double Cab 128"
White
TRD Off-Road
TRD CAT Back Exhaust, Bed Mat, Husky Floor Mats, Wildcat Flash Nerf Bars, Prodigy Brake Controller, In Dash cell phone mount, Cargo Bars w/Thule Ski & Bike Attachments, Toyo Open Country A/T Tires (Stock Size)
Most owners mention the surge concerning the A/C cycling, but the issue regarding the possible TSB is a distinct shudder that occurs upshifting and downshifting from 2nd to 3rd (3rd to 2nd) at approx. 18mph to 22mph. Seems some have it...some don't. It's apparent that the primary cause is the transmission, but I suspect there are further issues as well, involving the carrier bearing assembly and/or shafts that have an effect on the pinion angle, or as some have mentioned possibly axle wrap.
Interesting info......i have 06 double cab prerunner, and i do not think i know what you guys are talking about, i do not think i have felt this surge or any shudder, or am i just not paying enough attention, which i think i would be, being extemely anal like i am with all sounds and glitches. So maybe i got a good truck, w/out the problem??
Let's say i have it and don't know it. What are some of the potential problems, that may occur, are there any ramifications if this go's unchecked on my truck??? Like is my tranny gonna blow in time??? Or will nothing most likely happens?
Hard to say. If you had it...you'd probably know it, and would have investigated further by now. The tech said that it was not a blanket problem that affected ALL Tacomas. Who knows...maybe it was the ones assembled on Friday's, or Monday's. If it is widespread enough to warrant a TSB, I would say that given the fact the TSB would provide documentation regarding the issue, that you would at least have a paper trail should you have problems down the road and need repairs. But, most likely it would be one of those things where Toyota would only effect repairs if you were still in warranty.
Potential problems? You must figure that if a trans. is shifting improperly, and the torque converter should possibly need replacing, that "in time" those conditions would result in premature wear of the transmission components.
I'd say just listen to your specific truck. If there's something wrong, the truck will usually tell you in a manner you will notice.
Thanks Maddog 03 for the info! I have the driveline shudder exactly as you described and was told just last week that "this is considered a normal condition FOR NOW." After reading your post I am highly suspicious that the Service Manager knew more than he let on during our test drive. He specifically mentioned the torque converter and made reference to problems with the transmission factory down in Mexico. He also stated that a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) would need to come out from Toyota before any further troubleshooting could be done. He then assured me that "Toyota will make it right." Please repost if you hear anything else. I hope a TSB is released soon.
Now thats a good post. I do not experience any of the "shudder" problems either..but the more TSB's the better for all of us in the future. Mine did however like to push forward after stopping at lights for the first 6 months or so....
RobL, apparently the engineers are troubleshooting the cause, effect, and solution, and are hoping to notify dealers this week or next week. That's why your service guy didn't want to comment and commit Toyota, until the official word came down the chain. This service mgr. assured me he would call me when they received a definitive answer. He further stated that they had an idea of what would need to be done, but didn't want to use my truck as a experimental vehicle. I thanked him for that.
I'll post info as I get it.
I wasn't seeking...nor do I require, approval for the manner in which I posted this thread.
Some have insinuated that I'm a liar, a troll, and only post to increase a post count, or make "accts".
I submit that each viewer draw their own conclusions in regards to this post.
Could very well be just that. My truck was built in California.
I think the underlying issue is that most (if not all) of the transmissions were/are made in Mexico, and some service techs have hinted of problems with the transmissions that are built in Mexico.
I know that under light acceleration when pulling away from a light or such I have experienced a shudder are slipping condition with my truck. I hate to think that I am going to have to have my truck taken apart and put back together to fix all of toyota's screw ups. I am now up to 3 tsb's that need to be done and this will make the 4th.
I have experienced: Ticking or exhaust leak, Smelly exhaust when towing, Steering flutter, and the Tranny shudder.
I hope they get this figured out before my truck goes out of warranty.
I wasn't seeking...nor do I require, approval for the manner in which I posted this thread.
Some have insinuated that I'm a liar, a troll, and only post to increase a post count, or make "accts".
I submit that each viewer draw their own conclusions in regards to this post.
Cool. Well the exhaust manifold swap was all but useless. I'd love it if they changed the shift points. I wish I would have complained about the shudder earlier. Oh well, I will be a satisfied customer just the same.
I notice this under hard excelleration (highway on-ramp).
Note on getting work done under warranty: As long as you you've complained about it under warranty, Toyota is obligated to take care of you, even if your out of warranty now. Just make sure you've got documentation that you've brought it in and got the "It's normal" speech.
Four TSB's? I only know of this possible one and the exhaust manifolds. Please, someone enlighten me.
Good news... thanks for posting. That is one of my two biggest gripes with my 06 PreRunner, and I noted it on the Toyota survey. Your description of the tranny fits mine "to the T" (pun intended). I traded a 05 Silverado for my Taco. Have to admit that the Silverado had the absolute best auto tranny that I ever owned for shift pattern--it shifted like I would--and was very smooth. Also, its 4.9L V8 got about the same MPG as my 4.0L Toyota, which is amazing considering the weight difference.
BTW, my other issue is my weak rear suspension. It bottoms out very easily and generally feels sloppy over bumps. I wrote a letter to the factory last week on this... probably should have also mentioned the tranny...
Toyota addresses Tacoma transmission
I do not experience any of the "shudder" problems either..but the more TSB's the better for all of us in the future. Mine did however like to push forward after stopping at lights for the first 6 months or so....
for the consideration, lol.
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