2016 6-cylinder 6-speed automatic erratic shifting and drivability problems?

Bradtoyotas - I have been experiencing that as well. Noticed "sluggishness", shimmying, delayed reverse to drive, and poor gas mileage after two weeks of ownership. Then had the accessories installed and asked them to look into it. They said it was normal. Then noticed it consistently having a delay from reverse to drive on all 50 degree mornings. Took it back in because I can't buy that this truck is supposed to get 16 mpg and drive this way. But they thoroughly tested it and couldn't reproduce the problem and said it feels and tests normal.

Pretty annoyed with the people in this thread trying to explain to everyone else how normal it is for modern 6 speed transmissions to shift often. Ah gee thanks. A 6 speed is going to shift more, that takes real rocket science to realize. This is detracting from the original reason for this thread. There is a real issue here with 2016 tacomas.

I have a case open now with Toyota and the case manager said they aren't going to do anything until they can reproduce the problem. I said fine, I'll pay to have them manually check my fluid and flash the ECU. She didn't know if that was possible either and will be getting back to me.

At this point Toyota has to be seeing that there is a widespread problem and they are just trying to prevent having to service every single 2016 Tacoma and deal with a possible PR nightmare.

 

No it doesn't. It changes the shift points.

 

The auto in the colorado that i test drove didnt feel any better, and the auto in my wifes renegade is annoying too, same with the grabd Cherokee that i tested. thing slams into gears all the time. This is why i leased my truck. The last few years theyve been putting too much tech crap into cars that i could care less about having and want nothing to do with them long term.

 

The shift happy truck is a result of being heavy and a small displacement motor. The more displacement you have the less you have to shift to get the torque you want. Having extra gears doesn't help either. Back in the day you had a 4 speed auto you would spend a good amount of time in each gear. Power felt better but MPG was worse.
As someone who loves to mountain bike, this phenomena is the same in cycling for fat riders, weak riders, or for someone riding a heavy bike. You gotta shift gears more to stay in the sweet spot. When I ride a light carbon fiber bike, I can power up climbs without downshifting as much. When I am tired, I find myself relying on gearing to get me up the hills more.

 

I test drove the Duramax colorado and felt it shifted MUCH better than the Tacoma and had much better low end torque as well. Smooth and strong through all of the gears. Main knock on the Colorado is exterior design/styling and interior not as nice as the Tacoma. Otherwise it is a far better power/drivetrain and better fuel economy with more power and on-road capability.

 

The baby Duramax is great, but naturally they price it well into full size territory.

 

You're comparing it to the diesel. Of course the diesel has more low end torque. Thats what duesels do. My comparison was V6 to V6.

 

But I wish Toyota offered a diesel option stateside. It would tow so much better and still be good, probably better, mpg, especially when towing. When I lived in Panama I fell in love with the diesel Hilux. Super sturdy, steady and simple.

 

You can get a 4wd crew cab duramax for 37k all day long.

 

Jon, Jon, Jon, you youngster you. For some of us, "back in the day" meant they had a 2 speed auto and you spent a lot of time in 1st gear, lol. I had a high school classmate with a '64 Impala Super Sport. It had a 327/Powerglide and I saw 90 in 1st gear more than once. Of course gas was about 25 cents a gallon at the time.

 

I got the software update today! Shifts so much better! No more lag!!!

 

Last week I took my 2016 in for 10k and asked for trans to be looked at. They updated the ECM programming. Made a HUGE difference for the first 3 days. After that, right back to delayed engagements, under powered, crazy ass down shifting when going down hills. its a real bummer.

 

Getting the update on my 16' limited.


Kind of had to haggle with the service advisor to get them to do it, the guy was a prick. I explained to them over the phone when scheduling for my appointment about the situation I was having, and the TSB the truck had been issued. After bouncing back and forth, i told the guy that, look i spoke to corporate about this matter and they advised me to just take it to a service center and they would diagnose the symptoms and update it regardless of the symptoms because there was a new improved software update. Once I mentioned corporate, the tone changed and no issues since then when fulfilling my request.

Immediately the truck felt better, it should have left the factory that way, the truck feels more " responsive " as it does not take much effort to accelerate as it did before with the premature
upshifting. It feels less of a slug.

I have not notice any returns of the delayed shifts or anything..3 weeks out, @Brob1980 , If they " updated " the ECM programming that would have little effect to do with your transmission. It sounds like they just reset your computer. They flashed a new update to the " TCM " on mine and it has been great ever since then. you may want to double
check with them, if they did the repair, you should have received the sticker for the modification underside of your bonnet passenger side closest to you.

Average fuel economy has improved from 16-18 ( freeway & city ) to 20-24 mpg (freeway & city) on my 18 mile commute to and from work.

very satisfied with the update.

 

What Transmission is behind that 2.8L Duramax? A Chevy-brand auto like the 4L60e?

I see the overseas Colorado has a manual trans. Boy that sure would be sweet if you could get it here in the States.

 

okay, first time poster here and thought i would share my experience after reading this entire thread.

i have a 2016 Tacoma double cab Offroad w/AT transmission and tow package. i currently have about 1,700 miles on the truck, purchased it with about 10 miles on the odometer. from the day of purchase until about 1,250 miles i had experienced some of the issues mentioned regarding the "erratic" shifting of the trans. since this is only my 4th auto transmission ever in 26 years of car ownership (and around 20 vehicles), i just figured it was how new automatics must be now. but then, all of a sudden at around 1,250 miles or so, the transmission starting working great and the odd shifting stopped happening. now the truck shifts very smoothly and chooses gears well. it kicks down when it needs to and then upshifts when appropriate.

i have never experienced any of the lugging some folks are claiming...although, i have to question whether anyone has ever really felt this? i'm coming from a 94 Toyota pickup with a 22RE, 5-spd., and 33in. tires w/4.10 gears. drive that truck and you WILL know what lugging really is. can an automatic transmission actually lug? none of the few i owned ever did, but i'm no expert by any means.

also, for those claiming a lack of power...what? this thing has 278HP and 265ft./lbs. of torque. i have never had an issue with a lack of power- i get up to speed on the highway quick, can easily pass others with almost no effort, and i have yet to actually put my foot down to test the full power of this thing.

i will also add my experience to the issue about low transmission fluid- just had mine checked while the truck was in the dealership for other reasons and it was found to be around a 1/4-1/2 quart low. they topped it up to the correct level with no real hassle.

lastly, some great news. i had to drive about an hour and half today (three hours roundtrip) to sell my tonneau cover and achieved a max of 24 mpg!!! my overall for the trip was 23.6 mpg! not too shabby i have to say. i'm loving my new truck. (i'll save my rant about the terrible seats for another time)

[/URL][/IMG] ... can't seem to get my photo to load??? it was a shot of my dash showing the 24mpg.

 

Welcome your experience isn't rare or new. It's just one style of varying reports/experiences on the truck.

 

They did the TSB Friday morning, October 14, 2016 !!! I was instantly satisfied as i was putting it in gear, very smooth, I did not think I had the lurching problem but i most have because now it is very smooth. Put my foot on the gas and guess what, it just went, none of that hesitation, it just went !!! Also it does not feel like I am dragging a 500 pound gorilla behind the truck anymore. Also the not up shifting while in cruise is gone and the drastic down shifting when you reengaged the cruise is gone also. I am very happy !!!

 

I brought my Tacoma in for another round of updates today, and of course they told me the techs took it out for a drive and said the truck drives normal. Just what I expected. Taking off from stopped it goes thru the gears just fine, but then as I level off the speed it starts to lag or act sluggish. It will also shudder (cough, buck, hesitate) while cruising at slow or medium speeds. When I come into a turn about at around 30 mph and then try to accelerate out of it I have to push the gas pedal over half way to the floor before it actually goes, and then it takes off like a bat out of hell. I am so unhappy, my 2005 Prerunner that I traded in ran better than this brand new truck, and it never had a tune up. And to boot, to have the dealership techs tell me the truck runs normal, and it must be me makes even more unhappy. I spoke with the service manager afterwards when I realized I was just getting lip service, he suggested I leave the truck for another day and he is going to have an actual Toyota tech check the truck out tomorrow. Will let you know what I find out.

 

If you don't get the service you want use another Toyota Dealership.

 

It's where I purchased the truck, why would I bring it anywhere else?