Trans Issue?

hello! brand new to forum. have a question. I have a 2015 Tacoma TRD OffRoad, automatic, 4 door. I bought it used in 2016, have the Certified preowned deal for 7/100k warranty. Two days ago I was starting out on a steep hill from a dead stop and when I released the brakes and went to the gas my truck stated to roll backwards and the traction control icon on the dash started blinking. It also made a horrible clicking/grinding noise. I duplicated the condition yesterday on a dry, steep asphalt road, so there is no chance my tires were slipping. What is going on? I can't think of any reason an automatic transmission in drive would EVER allow the truck to roll backwards. It's a the dealer right now so they can look into it. I see some places that say this is normal. How can that be? It can't be good for an auto in forward gears to roll backwards. It's not just for a short bit, it seems like no matter how long I stay in the gas will make it go forward. I haven't stayed on it too long, don't want to cause damage and rolling backwards like that seems dangerous. Seems like the only way I can get it to go forward is to shift out of drive into neutral or reverse and try again. Does anyone know what is going on?

 

Welcome aboard Stan
Crawl control will not allow driving on conditions like dry pavement.

 

My 2013 did the same thing, so to me, sounds normal. After that I just either stayed on the brake until I wanted to go forward, or the gas pedal. Didn’t like rolling backward while in a forward gear.

 

I wasn't in 4WD, just 2Hi. Not aware the '15's had a crawl control?

 

Welcome to the forum Stan
My 15 does that also on steep grades if it rolls back. Keep us posted as to what the stealership says.

 

They don’t.

 

didn't think so, thought that was a '16 or newer feature. Bink05TRD, if you stay on the gas does it eventually go forward? mine doesn't seem to. seems to want to keep rolling backwards. T4FR, do you mean you stayed on the brake while giving gas until truck starts to go? seems hard on brakes. dealer said probably won't even get to it until Monday, as i was a surprise drop off. Not a big deal I will just appropriate my 16 yo's car to get to work until then, lol. but frustrating doesn't seem normal, dealer mentioned Hill Start Assist when I dropped it off, but why would an auto need that and isn't that supposed to keep you from rolling backwards?

 

Welcome to tw!

My ‘13 has done that a couple of times; always on a hill and occurs after a slight rollback. Trucks still going strong so Im not concerned.

 

My 2010 does this too. I think it has to do with the VSC/Stability control. Kind of like when youre turning on a wet road, and the truck senses that youre sliding. Ill get a beep and the ABS will go on for a second.

I know that wasnt much help, but its something to consider

 

I hit the brake when it happens because it is a bit nerve racking then I just hit the gas and go.

 

what do you consider slight? mine seems to be at least a foot, probably more. i always chicken out after that and hit the brakes to try again.

 

BINK05, thanks i will try that when i get it back from the dealer and they tell me nothing is wrong, but here is you bill, lol.

 

Couple 2-3 or more feet for me on occasions

 

Rolling backward on inclines has always happened to me in all automatics that I’ve had. I’ve had to teach my wife the art of left foot braking while applying throttle with right.
I can’t speak for some of the noises you described but I’m guessing the traction control was just doing it’s thing.

 

yeah, feels like a couple for me too

 

Any auto will roll backwards in drive if on steep enough grade when there is insufficient throttle.

Go nose downhill in reverse and it will roll too.

 

max, yeah, i get what you are saying most auto drift slightly as the trans catches up, but staying in the gas gets it done in a few seconds or less. with this i can stay in the gas forever it seems and it continues to roll backwards, like the trans isn't there.

 

Probably 1-2 feet i would guess. And like @fatfurious2 mentioned, the abs system will go off. Thats most likely the clicking type noises you probably heard.

My guess is, Toyota will say this is normal.

 

so if i stay in gas it should eventually go? seems like a lot of drift.

 

Using the brake isn’t hard on the brake. Press the brake pedal to keep yourself from rolling, apply gas. When gas overcomes brake force and truck wants to go forward, let off the brake.

It’s literally what it’s designed to do. Going backwards in a forward gear or forward in a reversing gear is not what it’s designed to do, hence the issue you’re having.