Loss of power in 3rd and 4th gear

2013 tacoma v6 77k miles automatic

I'm getting a loss in lower in 3rd and 4th. It takes off fine, but once it hits 3rd, it's really weak and I have to hit the gas a lot harder to get any power. The weird thing is, if I put the shifter in "4" everything is fine with no loss in power. Any ideas?

 

My guess is the torque converter.

have you ever changed the transmission fluid?

Have you been manually shifting the gears with the different options with normal driving or just to figure out what’s going on?

 

Yes I changed the fluid in the summer. I haven't been manually shifting, but I put it on 4 normally, unless I'm going faster than 40. The issue is not present unless it's in D.

 

Are you stock or lifted? Anything crazy?

 

It's stock, I haven't made any changes.

 

Does it feel like it’s slipping or losing power when going around corners?

 

No it doesn't feel like it's slipping, but when it goes into 3rd the rpms drop to 1500 and there is a slight hesitation until i hit the gas harder. When I have it in "4" rpms are about 1900 when it hits 3rd.

 

Are you sure you're in 3rd or 4th and not 5th? With the shifter in "4" the truck will shift normally up to 4th gear but won't go to 5th. In "D" the transmission wants to get to 5th, (Overdrive) ASAP. That is just a byproduct of manufacturers trying to squeeze one more MPG out of their trucks to meet CAFE standards.

If you're in OD (5th gear) the RPM's are so low at speeds under 40-45 mph that you have no power. If I'm going to be driving at a steady speed under 45 I shift down to 4 all the time to keep the truck out of OD.

 

Yeah I'm sure it's in 3rd when the power loss happens. I hear it shift twice and then acceleration gets weak.

 

Did you resolve you’r issue?
I have the same problem with my 2019 tacoma

 

Different engine. Different transmission. Totally different programming. Hit up the 3rd gen forum.