Truck jerking before shifting gears

About 2-3 weeks ago I was traveling and I noticed my truck stuttering or jerking when it had low RPM before it was going to down shift, I’ve felt this since I’ve owned the truck but not to this extent I feel as if it’s getting worse and is doing it more frequently and more aggressively Ik tacomas gear hunt but I don’t think this was it I think it’s mostly happening when going up an incline at all it will down shift at first to start out then it will upshift and then I’ll give it gas to try to make it down shift again and that’s when I feel this stuttering then it will down shift again and will be fine , it Almost felt like it didn’t have enough power so it would start stuttering and I’d have to punch the throttle and it would stop stuttering and drive smooth again another example of the feeling I’m feeling is almost like when your towing a trailer and it starts to move you in a forward to back motion. at first I thought it was my tires they were Higher than I normally keep them so I took some air out and that still didn’t do anything. Since then I’ve felt this everyday driving in all conditions I work at a dealership so I’ve had conversations with some techs abt what could be happening and I’ve gotten 3 different answers 1 being a torque converter I think this is one that could be right based on some research but again I’m not sure 2 being change all your spark plugs and throw some fuel additive in there and see what happens which I’ve already done and still nothing. And finally 3 get a tranny flush and see if it gets better. I’ve also driven it in ECT mode and for the most part it goes away but every so often when In ect mode when kind of just cruising the RPM’s will drop , not as low when driving without it but I guess it drops just enough to start stuttering again. I’m so lost I don’t no what to do

 

If this feels similar to a manual transmission lugging when it's put in a higher gear at low engine speeds, its seems to be common on some 3.5 auto tacoma's. My buddies ex-2019 trd did it. Why idk, my 2020 doesn't...never has. Even the dealer told him, they all do it, not to worry its normal.

 

My 2021 did this. Took it in to the dealer, they drove it and then a couple other trucks (even a new one that just got done PDI), as I did. All the same. Finally got fed up with it and found the truck listed in my profile...

 

Yeah that’s what I’ve heard which is definitely true. Ever since I bought the truck and it being bone stock to basically a month ago I’ve felt this but it was subtle and didn’t bother me really, but just out of the blue it’s progressively getting more aggressive and happening more frequently which is odd to me that’s why I’m kinda in a standstill

 

It changes with the weather and ambient conditions I've found. You're gonna really love when you turn on the AC!

 

That definitely could be a factor now that I think of it I’ve mostly had my ac on for the last couple weeks rather then the heat. But then again why didn’t this happen last summer when I used the ac. Could I have done something different from then to now to make it act up?

 

Get a tune. Just had tune installed two weeks ago. You will be amazed by the difference. It's like a completely different truck. Pedal response and smooth sifting and no gear hunting. OTT tune is what I went with. Just as fun to drive as my GS 350 f- sport now.

 

Try using 93 octane for a few tankfuls. I believe it made a positive difference in the drivability of my truck. People here said I was imagining this. I'm still using 93. Just a thought.

 

I’ve been thinking about the ott tune everyone has had good things to say about it that may be my only option at this point I can’t keep driving like that it’s frustrating and annoying. just weird how it acted up so quick like that when it hasn’t happened this bad, ever. Just makes me think so things up but

 

I went OTT, was considering KDMax as well, but OTT installer came to my area, to do group tune. He updated with latest Toyota updates. Asked what accerator responses I would like. Choose, lite, as main, and medium with ect on. Choices are lite, mild, medium, and spicy. Test drove, and was super happy. He would of changed if I preferred different arrangement. Which he will do at anytime, I would like. Shout out to Noah in WI.

 

It's very weird why some tacoma's need a tune to eliminate this issue, and why others don't, they run great. You'd think if they had enough complaints, toyota would want to figure out why?

 

Very true this issue is my ONLY complaint about this vehicle otherwise I absolutely love it

 

Well, you have a 2017 and the 2016 thru 2018 or 19 I believe were the most notorious for this. I would definitely do an OTT tune, but I would also first do a drain and fill on the tranny and make sure fluid level is correct. Not saying this is a possible issue, but good to do and eliminates it as a contributing factor.

 

Yea I’ve set up a tranny flush at the Toyota dealership for Monday I’m also going to mention this to them and see what they think, if they say I need somthing I don’t like a tranny I am not going through with it so ig we will see what happens if that doesn’t fix it then ott tune it is

 

Mine wasn't bad at all. But researched and read up on tunes. By far best thing/mod I have done to this truck. Zoo truck is right Toyota should of corrected this, with TSB
As he said some need it, some don't. I didn't but wow, the difference.

 

Yea exactly is it common for these issues to get worse tho ? Like this stuttering/jerking was definitely there always but just recently has gotten a lot more aggressive and has happened more frequently, I just don’t wanna disregard a problem and then somthing fails. Also what were the prices for the ott tune? I’ve gotten some different answers

 

I have never experienced any of the above transmissions issues in my Sport. Shift at the right time. I love not sure why some have problems with them. just saying

 

All I hear are tunes, and that doesn't sound right. A transmission shouldn't shutter. Get a second opinion.

Also here's another thread with a lot of discussion:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-torque-converter-shudder.707505/page-13

 

I paid $500 for tune. It may not be getting worse, you maybe getting more sensitive to it. I find myself doing that. Sure doesn't hurt to do fluid change, first.

 

Some are more sensitive to it. Some say it's normal and another can drive it. Say it shutters. Driven many different 3rd gens.