Manual Transmission Getting Stuck in Gear

Thanks for the support, it wouldn't have been the end of the world until they made it a problem. The constant denial, then the we'll call you back, over and over. Instead of just saying we f**** up it needs to be replaced but we won't be able to replace it for three months. Then I could have planned and made arrangements AKA drive my 2000 chevy pickup in the mean time. That would have been ok, but what Toyota is doing is ridiculous....

Lets just say I will never recommend a toyota to anyone ever. My 2000 Silverado which is being replaced because of a failed front diff at 344,000KM truck is 100% other then front diff. Funny how I am going to be jumping back in that truck now and parking this thing. It's just too dangerous to drive when it sticks in third trying to go into second when trying left turn or make gaps in traffic.

2000 Silverado Maintenence/failures Over 16 years.
1 battery
1 left mirror (accident, not chevt fault)
2 u joints in drive shaft (rust problem from not cleaning it ever, and crazy salt on canadian roads)
1 fuel pump (last year)
1 set of shock absorbers (last year)
4 sets of tires
1 cd player on knob (had to reglue on)
1 passenger door handle
1 front differential bearing on axle shafts (have not replaced, parked due to not wanting to replace it).

2016 Tacoma (three months ownership)
Cd player shutting off constantly (two service appointments, finally fixed)
Transmission getting stuck in gear (three service appointments) ** 20+ phone calls, denial of problems, no help whatsoever.
Weird throttle programming, +- 15% of what I am pushing on pedal.
Hood separating from ribs already.
Windshield cracked on a completely empty road with no cars on it at 56KM on odometer, I heard a pop and she cracked, looks like a rock chip but there were no cars on road not sure what that is all about.

 

I bet this issue will end up in a recall. It has to. This is a dangerous situation. Its not a annoying vibration, or a trip meter that resets, but a true danger. If you get stuck in gear on a busy interstate and cant slow down with out stalling there could be a horrible accident. Caused by TOYOTA! I hope they are working on a recall as we speak.

 

My 1998 lancer evolution is more reliable, and they are known to be the most unreliable vehicle on the planet lol./

 

Finally after the 6th visit to the dealership, 2 weekends of the dealership having the truck, 1 ride-along (during rush hour), and finally today a ride along with the service manager he felt the issue as we drove. They now have the truck and gave me a loaner for an indefinite amount of time. This issue started for me at 872 miles, and now have 2645 miles on my TRD ORSB 4x4. I hope they fix this issue and resolve it once and for all or I'll be betting rid of my brand new truck.

 

It is really dangerous. I had my entire family in the truck 1000 miles from home when I tried to pass someone and couldn't complete the downshift and had to cut back into traffic.

 

I told my dealer @ 872miles I dont let my wife drive the vehicle because of this. She's not strong enough to pull it out of gear when it gets stuck, and she would be looking down at shifter to fix it and an accident would happen. This is a big problem Toyota needs to address. I'm at 2645 miles now and Dealer has my car. Crossing fingers for a fix

 

I hope Toyota fixes the problem and doesn't quit on offering Tacos in M/T.

 

Have yet to notice it sticking in high gears. But mine is hard to get into reverse and it has a rubber really stiff shift into second every time. Different rpm doesn't make a difference. Everything else is butter. I'm just now over 500 miles so I'm going to wait it out to see if it breaks in a little before I go jumping down my dealorships throat.

 

Second gets smoother with time. I'm pushing 12k on mine and 2nd is much better.

 

I'm about to accept delivery of a 2016 TRD ORDC Manual trans in about a week. This is freaking me out. 1 in about 4 people with manual tranny's are having this issue! Before taking delivery of the truck, I have a large laundry list of shit to go over with them regarding "common" Tacoma problems now, just add this to the list! (Howling, U-joint, tranny fluid, squeaking noises, headunit crashing, and now shifting issues!!!!) Yikes...

 

1. It's not 1 in 4.
2. I would go so far as to say even the other thread with a poll is on the high side.
3. Just drive the truck.

Howling - Meh, tape the little holes, whatever.
U-Joint - Assembly grease is there at the spot where it counts, they aren't pumping them full at the factory because they don't need too. A whole bunch of freaking out over nothing. If you still lose sleep over it add some grease, takes 3 minutes.
Tranny Fluid - Slushboxes are worthless anyway. Who cares?
Squeaking noises - Truck. If it's that much of a problem get an Avalon.
Headunit crashing - Roll down the windows and turn off the radio. Enjoy the outdoors.
Shifting issues - You'll be fine.

 

It is always a good idea to go over a new vehicle before leaving the dealership. Don't be surprised if it takes some effort to get into reverse. Mine has a fairly strong spring keeping me from shifting into reverse accidentally. I really appreciate that. I have one of "those" transmissions and I am really hoping I can get the thing fixed. Mine took awhile to act up. I think ambient temperature has something do do with the problem. You may have to drive the truck for awhile, before any issues show up with the transmission. Toyota does want you to be gentle for a break-in period. I would follow the break-in procedure for several reasons.

I would have the rear differential fluid changed at 5k miles instead of waiting. Mine was loaded with that fine metal stuff that collects on the magnet. My magnet was full and there was still metal suspended in the fluid at 10k miles. I would not wait for the suggested 30k miles. My guess is that the gears are machined with a very rough surface finish. After I stop getting so much metal (polished gears), I'm going to have the gear mesh readjusted. That my get rid of some of the drive train whine people are hearing.

Personally, the only thing I don't like about my 2016 Tacoma is the manual transmission. Time will tell.

 

I've had pretty good luck with my truck so far. I have roughly 6k on it, AC 6spd Sport, I take an identical 600 mile round trip every 2 months. I've taken it 3 times now in the last 5 months, first time I got the 6th gear sticking, the ambient temp was likely around 55f. The second and third trips, no sticking at all and the ambient temp has risen each time, with the last time around 90f. The trip is long distances of straight or windy roads at dedicated speeds. Not sure if my tranny has broken in or whatever, but I was annoyed the first time, and haven't had it happen since.

I greased my joints within a month of getting my truck, no complaints there.

I've had a couple experiences with pinging, almost a low grade fuel issue, but it's happened randomly in warmer weather with all different brands of fuel. It also wasn't an effect of having too high a gear selected, I was always above 2k, so who knows.

My annoyances are simply a very noise engine, with all the tech and sound deadening abilities these days, there is simply no reason for me to have to hear all the ticking that comes from these atkinson engines. Also, on a couple occasions I've noticed an absorbent amount of noise coming from the rear of the truck through the rear firewall. I know, the vents, etc. But again, a 32k truck, I just feel like this should have been addressed a LITTLE better.

I FEEL like for the size, this truck should get better gas mileage. 15mpg around town (and I drive conservatively), and 22mpg as a BEST on all highway, just seems like it's not where it should be. I know the manuals have a higher geared rear end vs the autos and the autos are specifically tuned for gas mileage, but still. Just sayin...

Other than that, I'm pleased. I'm happier with this truck than I am the last 4 vehicles I've owned. 2012 Tacoma DC, 2013 FJ Cruiser, 2015 Corolla SE, and now this. I'm going to keep this one hopefully till it, or myself breaks .

I think a lot of issues are user expectation. The noise engine, I hear it, most won't. The sticking, depends on how often you take long trips or if it even crops up. Do your maintenance, you'll be golden.

 

Hey guys just got called back from Toyota.

They have determined that it is not the transmission causing the problem, it's the shifter apparently..... (This is total bullshit since they already replaced mine and it does not solve the problem. It makes it different.).

They also said that my truck is perfectly safe to drive and they will not issue a loaner in the mean time.

GET BENT TOYOTA YOU ARE A JOKE... SOMEONE WILL GET IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS!!!!!

 

What a drag. I've been gearing up to order a Sport AC and this thread has got me all kinds of bummed out.

 

If I knew the manual gerabox had these problems I would have ordered auto. Life sucks here without lemon law, canadian customers will always be last in line for any fix.

 

Look here lies the issue I think with Toyota acting like there is not a problem. Me and dad were talking about and he said it is a numbers game, if manual Tacomas are sold 2 of of 10 being made there are not enough customers to cause a recall or acknowledge there is a issue.....not enough manual's out there to become a Toyota issue or problem enough for them to fix it... shitty way to look at it but I guess it is what it is... guess I will order my 2017 and risk it I guess. I love manual trucks and Tacoma is the only manual truck left in the industry so I have no choice really...

 

Damn, I truly do feel bad for you guys.

I have several 2016 problems. The differential whine, the buzzing steering wheel (which I now think happens on a majority of 2016's so I'm becoming indifferent to it), the shudder between 15-20 mph and door seal issues (wind noise and kazoo noise in crosswind) so far. Sucks, but none of those push me to the point of getting rid of the truck. However, the issue you guys are experiencing would, ESPECIALLY with the way Toyota is handling it. Hope it gets worked out soon for you guys, seems like a really dangerous place to be in.

The passing on a 2 lane highway example is one of them.

Another situation that happened today made me think of this. I was going down the road (40mph speed limit with a bend). Well, around the bend some kids decided to cross the street (horrible place to cross), so I had to slam the clutch in and hit the brakes. Well, the car behind me coming around the bend obviously couldn't see that I had slowed down significantly and was barreling down on me. Had I been unable to shift into gear, I could have been stuck there and slammed into by that car.

Really, really hope you guys get a solution. This is almost class action lawsuit worthy down the road....

 

Yeah I just spoke with the guy in charge at Toyota Canada he said there's no safety concern that he can see whatsoever, instead of listening he just said nope and there's nothing they can or are willing to do.

No timeframe for any fix.

 

The last thing I would do if needing to slow down in an emergency or quickly is "Slam in the Clutch". You have a Standard transmission. Use it to help you brake and keep control with compression. You put in the clutch and stomp on the brakes on a wet or snowy road and you can kiss any control of vehicle goodbye. It's a manual. Learn and use its abilities.