2020 guys how you liking your transmission?

This has been my experience as well. I just spoke with a Toyota rep on the phone yesterday and I told her that I knew these issues were known to Toyota and I asked what Toyota was doing to resolve them. She said there is "no fix at this time" and I proceeded to take my frustrations out on her. I feel a little bit bad about that now, but I just bought a $40,000 truck that drives like crap, so of course I'm angry.

As a side note, crazy transmission behavior isn't the only issue I'm having. My truck was also out of alignment when I got it and I'm experiencing severe vibration at highway speeds and a little bit during braking as well. These are both known issues with Tacomas. My truck literally feels like it's been wrecked and repaired badly. Obviously, it hasn't been wrecked, but there are some serious refinement issues with many of these trucks, which make no sense to me. Given how many Tacomas they sell, you'd think they'd want it to be the perfect representation of Toyota quality, but it seems like they really don't give a shit about any of this. I honestly regret buying it at this point. After all the times I complained about the Nissan Frontier I had before...I'd take it back in a heartbeat now.

 

It seems better than my 18. More responsive, don't have to punch the pedal, but haven't hit the highways yet.

I think that (and time will only tell) that my city driving and sometime use on the major highway messes with the computer as opposed to simple town to small highway where you'd have more gentle acceleration and maintain a slower speed.

 

This has been my experience with my 2020 Pro, as well. In reading through the comments I realized I haven't tried cruise control, yet - need to do that. In all, I'm very pleased with my truck.

 

Most complaints come from people that have no experience with previous year model third gen Tacomas. The 2020 trucks are much better than previous years which had serious shifting and throttle response problems.

As for the cruise control "issue", simply tap the accelerator pedal when you have crested an incline. The truck will immediately up shift.

 

My 6 speed auto works great but admittedly not as good as the CVT in our Subarus. To be fair CVTs can’t be used in trucks.

 

Totally irrelevant. Even if 2020 trucks were 'less bad' than previous gen 3s, which I seriously doubt and I'd love to know what evidence you're basing that belief on, it wouldn't make me any less frustrated or angry and why would it? An issue is an issue.

 

A “tap” on the accelerator does nothing. Nor does firmly pressing the pedal, at least not in my truck. I quit using the cruise. It’s obnoxious.

 

I disagree.

 

I am basing my comment off of personally owning previous year model 3rd generation Tacomas. All in all, I have about 150K miles in the driver's seat of 3rd gen Tacomas. The drive-ability of the 2020s is greatly improved.

Things to consider... Would slowing down on the hwy result in less shifting? Does your geographical location have a lot of elevation change or regular strong headwinds? Are you tires properly inflated? What is your experience prior to your Tacoma? Do you have realistic expectations for an automatic trans with high OD gears that is mated to a motor designed to create torque at higher rpms?

If your experience with your new truck is actually as awful as you're making it out to be, trade it in and move on. This is why thoroughly test driving a vehicle is so crucial prior to purchasing.

 

I used to be one of those Manual Transmission preachers, back when Autos only had 4 gears, no manual mode, worse mileage, and worse performance. After 20 years of muscle cars and trucks with Manuals in Chicago Traffic I was glad autos became superior. Shifting 1000 times a day to average 19 mph in traffic got old. My sports car is a manual, but that’s mainly for novelty and nostalgia. My auto works perfectly.

 

I came here to say this but you beat me to it. I will only add that this also goes for engineers, crossfitters, and anyone who has done between 1 week and 2 months of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training. You know who you are! Don't deny it.

 

I was just sitting here in my truck hanging out and after reading this.... I spilled coffee all over myself imagining this! Now I gotta go wipe my dash down too.

 

Having driven a 16 and a 20, the 20 is much better, but is still a bit quirky. On a long test drive I experienced unexpected down shifting on hills, revving that felt disconnected with the transmission, but overall, it was fine. I was seriously considering a Tacoma to replace my 11 Land Cruiser, but got a screaming deal on a 16 Land Cruiser. The 3rd gen is more refined on the interior and the seats are more comfortable than the 2nd gen, but the 2nd gens were amazing vehicles. The 2nd gen resell is insane, so I won't consider buying another one.

The Tacoma has ample power compared to my 84 Toyota LB, but it is still my favorite truck!

 

New to the forum, but I thought I would weigh in with the 2020 cruise control fix that I've been using. On my daily commute there is a hill that causes the truck to downshift to 4th, however when you crest the hill and continue on the rest of the drive, it stays in 4th.

If you put the truck into S6 when you leave your house, or once you're on the highway, it will still downshift to maintain speed on the hills, but will go back to 6th much sooner. I've been getting the best fuel economy this way.

 

By doing that, you are disabling the AI.

 

AI ???

 

The transmission learning mode is also called AI. AI stands for artificial intelligence. Basically is profiles your driving and attempts to anticipate how to set shift points and other stuff.

S mode disables that. It’s one of the reasons people like S mode and ECT. No aggressive upshifting to attempt gas savings.

It seems the algorithms used by the AI are wonky in D cruise control. Enough to piss people off in certain trucks. It was pretty fucked in my 2017. Doesn’t appear to be fixed in the 2020.

 

It disables the trans learning and shifts using standard shift points.

 

I love my transmission just fine 6 speed manual .test drove the auto boring .they did fix the gear hunting from the test drive I did .Not enough for me to go to auto .

 

I’ve had a 2010, a 2012 and now a 2020. Same area, same hills, same anal owner. All of them shifted a lot in PA and WV hills with the cruise on. The ‘20 is the only one that doesn’t upshift after cresting a hill. And I’m not talking about a second or two - 75 MPH in 4th, downhill, for about 5-6 seconds. Sucks.