10000 mile service, now waiting for a update!

Took my truck in for it’s service and expressed a few concerns. Master mechanic took it out for a hour long drive hooked up to a diagnostic computer and found several areas where the truck isn’t shifting properly. Now he’s opened a case and we will wait and hopefully they’ll make a tsb to address the shifts. I am happier now that there’s actually a documented issue and not just me. Master mechanic says My truck is not the only one but it definitely needs to be addressed. Now the waiting game. I was going to pull the trigger on a ov tune but kinda stuck. I am hopeful right now can’t wait to love her for the long trips again!

 

let us know what happens with the case

 

I have a 2016. After 2 (3?) TSPs to reflash the ECU I have no issues with shifting. I assumed that Toyota just changed their default ECU mapping for 2017 and 2018, but now I wonder....

 

I am not sure, but hopeful. I know each update has to pass rigorous tests and not sure if it’s bs but I was told epa regulations?

 

that's got to be a record test drive..

 

We’ll I didn’t ride with him and they put approximately 50 miles. I know that’s approximately how long he said it would take!

 

You would think Toyota would have figured this out by now!

 

Whenever he used cruise control it was worse and that’s a huge issue. But hopefully this can be fixed!

 

Can you explain what the issue is? Little vague on not shifting properly.

 

What were the issues?

 

It shifts down from 6th gear to 4th gear and won’t shift back up on level roads or even sometimes going slightly down hill. The dealership replicated it and it was almost 2 miles before it shifted back up. That’s with cruise control on. Now without cruise control you have to feather the pedal to get it to shift back up. It’s hard to hold a consistent speed in 5th or 6th gears. It loves 4th gear and so does my local gas pumps. I’ve even had it shift down to 3rd gear going up some of NY’s Mountain highways and the rpms really sing 5000+ at 70-75 mph. There’s a issue, my dealership says they know about it, I’m not the only person and Toyota knows about it. It’s going to be a waiting game I guess. Let’s hope it’s sooner than later.

 

Don’t want to rain on your parade, but the 3rd gen has been out for a few years now and Toyota still hasn’t fixed that issue. A lot of people have had the harsh 2-1 downshift documented as well and still nada from Toyota.

I was at the dealer for the rear end howl 4-5 months ago. A Toyota engineer flew out to drive my truck. He noted the funky transmission, said Toyota was aware of it, but nothing to “fix” it. I think the “fix” for the 6speed will be Toyota putting the 8speed in the Tacoma in a few years haha

Edit: my dealer also submitted DPRs to Toyota for the rear end howl and transmission. Jim Lentz’s office told me last Monday that there still is no update on either.

 

We’ll that’s reassuring! I just didn’t want the post to go totally negative/bashing. But I will have to push the issue if they don’t get a timely fix! Who is Jim Lentz?

 

Yup nothing will be done but at least it’s documented. My tranny always gets stuck between 5/6th gear and revs high. The dealership had it for a week only to end up telling me it’s the Altitude that does it. Bahahahahahahahahah! But at least it’s documented that it sucks if Toyota ever gets off the crapper and does something.

 

He is the CEO of Toyota. A lot of guys on here have emailed him to get help with their rear diff leak, diff howl, etc. I was told two different Toyota teams looked over my case for my howl, but still no go. Like you I’m just glad it’s documented everywhere for me now ha

 

Agree, this truck needed more that a 6 speed transmission, maybe an 8 or cvt.

The upper trans gearing is obviously too wide to be utilized for the smaller engine.
It'll drive you insane using cruise control as it upshifts as soon as it reaches the target speed then immediately doesn't have the power to maintain that speed and downshifts even on slightly undulating highways......rinse and repeat.

With all that shifting, a sealed transmission that they say doesn't need to have fluid changes and a 10k mile oil change interval I just can't see these trucks lasting as long as the earlier tacos.

That being said, I do love the way it looks and my mpg has been averaging 21-ish which is okay for now.

 

Wish I could get even close to that for fuel economy! I don’t beat it I drive normal, but my best fill up was 18mpg and that was only once in 10000 miles. No to a cvt, and not sure about adding extra gears.

 

I log my own mileage, the tank average is a bit wildly overly optimistic.
Mine was barely averaging 18-19 but it seems to have been creeping up. I'm just over 12k miles now and only use it on the weekends so that's in town driving as well as a few hundred mile day drive with a 225 lb. dirt bike in the back. I try to drive reasonably mellow but usually cruise at 70-80 when I can.



The shifting issue is a classic example of mis-matched gear ratios to an underpowered engine. An 8 speed would shift more seamlessly and be able to fill the gaps.

 

Do you have different sized tires than stock? The accuracy of the display is damn close to the actual mpg on my truck.

 

Same I don’t use the onboard computer, I go by mileage, gallons and a trusty old calculator! Completely stock truck except a tonneau cover and stock mud flaps added.