6 speed problems

I am thinking about buying a tacoma but I am concerned about the reports of problems with the 6 speed as the 6 speed is the main reason I want a tacoma. My father has a 05' corolla 5 speed and has had nothing but problems with it, having to replace the gear box twice. I do not want to buy a tacoma if I will end up with problems like that. For the people who are having problems with them, what usually fails, at what mileage and how much does it cost to fix?

 

I've had 2 Tacomas, one with 40,000 miles and my current one with 32,000 (around there) and have had ZERO issues with the tranny, clutch or anything.

My only issue with the manual is the way the throttle lingers when you shift, which takes some getting used to and makes speed shifting difficult. But that isn't a fault of the transmission it's just a 'emissions' choice (I can only guess this is why you'd slow the throttle response) Toyota made.

I don't off road much, just the occasional camping trail or romp through some snow, but I do drive it hard at times on the street and I have the TRD SC putting more power through it as well.

I've been more than happy.

 

My clutch squeaks like hell when it's hot outside but no other problems. Almost to 30k miles. I've heard the most common problem is the throwout bearing. May be a TSB for it...not sure though.

 

Other than it feeling like im pushing mollasses when its cold out (<teens) I love my manual.

 

I love my 5 speed, but that is beside the point, with the 6 the throw out bearing is covered by a warranted TSB, clutch isnt though I dont think. I think the auto manufactures are starting to let manuals slide, the newer ones just seem really crappy on many vehicles, it really ticks me off because I grew up driving standard and plan to do so for the rest of my life! I have not had any troubles with my 5 speed thankfully and I love it! Could not imagine having a Tacoma without a manual, and if I were to upgrade to a V6, it would be a 6 speed regardless.

 

2 Tacomas over the years... 2 manuals... 150K on the first one (gen 1), passing 40K on the second one. No problems whatsoever in either one.

Just get one, drive it and enjoy it.

 

The problems with the 6 speed are bad synchros and weak shift forks. Toyota has never admitted to the problems, but they did make some changes to the transmissions in 2007. I've heard that they made other changes in 2010. No way to verify this. My 07 started having syncro problems at around 50K. Aside from those probllems, the throw is a mile long and the shifting is very imprecise. It's very easy to miss a gear or hit an unintended one.

The bottom line with these transmissions is that they shift poorly. If you are used to a manual that shifts crisply, and allows quick upshits and downshifts, then you will likely not be happy with this tranny. If you push it, you may end up breaking it. You have to shift slowly and deliberately every time. I've owned 12 or 13 manual shift vehicles of all brands going back 40 years and this one is the worst I've driven.

I think as long as you accept the thing as it is, and resign yourself to shifting it like a dump truck, you can probably make it live. That's basically what I'm doing. The ones built after 2010 may be better, I don't know.

 

^This. Dont buy an older 6 speed. Supposedly the newer 6 speed tranny, like 09 and up are far better than the 05-08 transmissions.

 

Jay, how many miles are on your 2005?

 

I have a 2010 6sp with 20k miles on it. This was coming from a '95 5spd manual that I loved. It did take some getting used to the fly by wire throttle and RPM management keeping the RPMS up higher when shifting but I got accustomed to it. Other that the squeaky clutch pedal, which I am taking to the dealer when I get back to the states with the TSB, I haven't had any real issues with the clutch or Tranny. No real crazy driving yet besides gunning it off the line from time to time to beat some cars off the line before merging or whatever.

joneill03: here's the link for the TSB list and the number of the one you need. there is a furthing on that forum to go download the documents.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/7107-tsb-list-2005-toyota-tacoma.html
TC004-06 JUN 06 M/T - Clutch Pedal Squeaking Noise

 

Damn, im right behind you, ive got 140k. I guess the previous owner of my truck was hard on the tranny. My 3rd gear synchro is shot, i have to double clutch to not grind gears. Im considering rebuilding my whole tranny this summer, unless i can find a cheap used one newer than 08 with low miles, but we'll see.

 

I have about 120k on my 06 6 spd. I drag raced it 2yrs in a row and ran it hard fairly regularly and have had no problems with my tranny other than 3-4 syncro grind on the rare occasion. It had 30k when i bought it and had a brake controller in it so i assume the previous owner towed a lil with It. I have a stock shift knob (stripped the cover off) but i also put a B&M shifter in it that made a world of difference In the shift throws and how precise the gear selection is.

 

Have 30k on my truck. Only thing to come up was a squeaky throwout bearing. Toyota was more than happy to fix it. Other than that no problems, an the TO bearing was just an annoyance. That squeak was unbearable after a few months. Love the tranny though!

 

I have a 6 speed in my truck, 100k miles or so

I have had no problems that I didn't create (ie: shifting without clutch, or clutch halfway, speed shifting a lot) which was grinding of the syncros

then again, mine was my first vehicle, that I learned to drive clutch on (poor clutch), and drove when i was 16 and really stupid when it came to driving.

but since i replaced the syncros (ya, it was that bad). i learned to drive it a lot better and there are no problems whatsoever.

 

Did you replace the synchros or rebuild the entire transmission? Did you do it yourself or have a shop do it?

 

had a shop do it (i dont have the guts to deal with my transmission myself....or experience), had to replace all seals, the syncros, 3rd and 4th gear, and clutch.....ya, I basically relearned how to drive a clutch after that so I wouldn't have to do it again....

then again, the grinding was bad enough that i would skip 3rd gear (my mother also did this, and she is very picky on driving a clutch)

 

I have an 09' six speed trd offroad. No problems here, going on 55k miles, with mild offroading (trail rating 3)

 

Go test drive one and get the feel for it yourself. Everyone has a different opinion. I have 80k on my 06 and have had no problems, but the clutch does squeak in warmer temps, like anything above 72.

 

I just got back from the dealer. Drove a 2012 6 spd. The tranny seems a little better than my 07 on the upshift and noticably better on the downshift. Then I went to the parts dept and had them pull some part numbers. Most of the syncro rings and associated parts such as shift keys have been revised 3 or 4 times since 05. Unfortunately, the printout I got does not show the associated years of the updates. I think most likely if you get a 2010+ your chances of dodging the problems are better.

Whether any particular transmission develops the problems or actually fails is irrelevant. The fact is, the problems are (or were) there. The potential exists. That's why the revisions. Most of the trouble I have heard about comes right around the end of the warrantee. That and the fact that 6spd owners are a minority is probably why no TSB has been issued.

The throttle by wire does make shifting these manuals tricky if you are used to a conventional throttle. I've had to relearn my timing with the throttle foot and clutch.

Even with the problems, I still prefer the 6spd because of the gearing and other reasons. I guess I just expected better from a Toyota.

One aspect that rarely gets mentioned is the reverse gearing. It's way too high. It is rare that I can just let out the clutch and steer back. It's moving too fast. Backing over rough terrain, up an incline, or to hitch a trailer means clutching the whole way. I got so disgusted with it that I'm installing a twin stick FJ case so I can back up in 2LO. I don't often have a need to go 20mph in reverse, but I have lots of need for a slow controlled reverse.

 

+1. Picked up my 2012 OffRoad Double Cab with 14 miles on it today. This is the worst manual transmission I've ever driven - and I've driven hundred's and owned tens. It's reluctant to accept 1st gear at any time, rattles like a box of rocks in 1st and 2nd (the tolerances are either huge or the trans shafts are on worn out bearings). It also acts like the clutch is worn out and not fully disengaging when in between gears. Amazing for only 36 miles now.

The flywheel is far too heavy on this thing too, but if I change it out to a lighter one, it's going to get a lot louder for sure.

Aisin builds terrrible transmissions, Porsche knows this best - they sourced Boxster and 996 gearboxes from them and they were crap.

Strangely I test drove a 2011 Taco 4x4 DC with 200 miles on it and it was great, then I purchased this 2012 from Oregon. Ugh.

All I can think of is to put different fluid in it. I'll keep bringing it back to the dealer until it works correctly or they lemon it.


I miss my X5 V8.

ps the valving on the Bilsteins is totally wrong for the spring rate.