Transmission slipping when cold and after reverse

Providing details on how to correctly report might be a high value to getting this resolved for everyone. When they get a flood of complaints they will address it vise court payouts.

 

This ought to throw you for a loop then.
I noticed it when I first got mine.
Had my trans fluid checked; it was fine.
It eventually went away.

Maybe, it's binding in the drive line.
U-joints not greased, sticky slip joints and 'axle wrap' via anemic u-bolt torque .
I've greased my u-joints and cranked my u-bolts.

 

Just picked up my new Tacoma Limited with tow package tonight. The build date was 1/11/16. I had the dealer do a manual check and I was told the fluid was fine. I also had them grease the u joints and retorque the upbolts. I am not sure if you guys are tracking dates as to when the trucks were built or if you are seeing a pattern with the build dates. I will put some more miles on the truck and see if I notice any slipping or not. The low here is only 43 tonight but will be dropping back into the 20's in the next few days. I will let post up some comments as I notice anything.

 

I contacted toyota via their website, wrote my concerns, and they called me back a day or so later.

 

Well just picked my truck up from the dealer.

In a nutshell, they were unable to reproduce the slip. I wasn't surprised because temps went back up so it's not as cold.

I had a sit down with the tech, the service consultant and the service manager. They basically explained that they have strict instructions from Toyota that if they cannot reproduce the problem, they are not allowed to do anything further with the vehicle. The tech said he started it and test drove it this morning and it drove fine. He also connected it to their computer and found no codes or abnormalities.

Because they cannot reproduce the condition, the service manager said they are not allowed to check the fluid. He also mentioned that because it's a sealed unit, for them to check the transmission fluid, they would have to drain, and refill it, and he said that's an expensive process. So in laymen terms, they are not going to check the fluid level because it will cost them time and money.

The tech, who was their "top tech" actually suggested that I drive the truck somewhere where it's cold and to see if it acts up and get it fixed there.........."....drive to somewhere like the panhandle or Georgia.".....(which is 4 to 8 hours away from where I live)."

I looked this man in his eyes and asked him, "Are you Fucking serious? "

So they refuse to check the fluid without observing the slip, which I understand.

I asked if they checked the u joints for sufficient grease, and they said the same shit, if it ain't broke they won't touch it. Then they "warned" me that its best if I don't do anything either because it could void my warranty.

I politely reminded them that hence I purchased a new truck, so as long as its under warranty, they will do all of the crawling around. And if the shit blows up, then we will revisit this conversation.

They did say to keep an eye on it, and if it becomes a regular issue, or if temps dip again, I'm more then welcome to bring the truck back and leave it with them to see if they can try and observe the slipping.

I understand where they are coming from, but to not even check the u joints is stupid.

 

I had the same problems being described here. Mine had been hesitating from reverse to drive when cold and it would stick in 5th gear driving down the highway at times and not shift into 6th. I called once and the guy told me it couldn't be checked because it was a sealed transmission and it was new so it didn't need to be. Didn't like his answer so I started doing some research and found this thread. I called back today and set up an appointment. When I dropped it off I talked to a couple different people and they had mentioned that they had heard other trucks having the same issue. They said they would drive it and see if they could replicate it. I told them I didn't care if they drove it I just wanted them to check the fluid. Ended up checking it and added almost a quart of fluid. I'll report back on whether this has fixed it or not once I drive it for a couple days. I have the tow package also.

 

I dropped mine off tonight. My advisor agreed to drive it in the morning, then open it up to check the fluid. I'll let you know what they say tomorrow.

 

Sorry to hear that. WCT told me If I was still having problems to bring it back in, so far I'm good, so take it back and let them know you are still having issues. Mine has slight delay both in drive and reverse, but feels normal to me, always had slight delay both Gen 2 and now Gen 3, and other makes I've owned. But nothing that makes me concerned.

 

Hey it is what it is right?
I wasn't going to keep 'micro' reporting and wait a week or so but actually its been good (knocks on wood).
WCT did say to bring it back if there were any issues and to call back with feedback either way. I will give it until next week.
Maybe it was one of those tranny gremlins? BTW, do NOT google tranny gremlins...

 

Gotcha, I won't, let's hope for the best! Been a little cold for the west coast this week, but I'm noticing a lot better with the tranny compared to a month ago.

 

I couldn't resist

 

Took mine in this morning. They couldn't reproduce, but said it was a half-quart low. Mine was very random and minor compared to some reports here, but happy they didnt give me any grief. He said there is an OP code for these to check transmission level, and they have seen 3 in the last week (dealership is rather small, too)

 

Mine has done this to me a couple time now and I just picked it up 1/29/16. I will check the tranny fluid when I get home tonight and see if that is the issue. Have you all been taking it to the dealership and having them add fluid or just going to a local parts store and buying some to throw in yourself? If you are buying it, what fluid is it exactly?

 

Dealer for the majority. Let them fix their mistake.

 

I just work out of town and don't have a lot of free time to sit around and wait for a slow stealership lol.

 

I was the 1st car at the dealership this morning and it took over 2.5 hours from start to finish. The SA said that the master tech wanted to look at it as it had such low miles (~500) and had to run the whole gamut of tests, even though he is aware of the issue.

Either way, I am happy it was filled and I got my truck washed.

 

Don't think the fluid is the issue anymore. I topped mine and so others and the problem is still there. At this point i just think the tranny works like that when it is cold. The only thing we can do is put a complaint with Toyota so they can do something about it.

 

While I agree with you OP that there is definitely a delay with it catching gears when it's cold, my experience with it was before they added fluid it slipped in drive when I gave it gas, now it doesn't slip, it is a short delay between shift in gears. Does the same from Park to Drive in the morning, so I have to assume that's normal at warm up.
Sorry you are still having issues, but thanks for the thread because it helped me identify the low fluid.
Interested in seeing other reports after top up of fluid.

 

I just spoke to my SA, they were able to duplicate the delay this morning. The fluid was low when they opened it so they are going to fill the fluid to measure how low it is, then going to drain and fill the transmission.

I just picked up my truck the service advisor drained the fluid from the tranny. He measured the fluid was almost exactly one quart low after the drain, and then filled up the fluid with the correct amount. I'll let you know how it rides.