Transmission issue

Good morning! Hoping someone here can give me some pointers to give to my dealership so they don’t rob me blind trying to “diagnose” the issue.

This is an ‘03 SR5 double cab 4x4.

Here’s the problem: I back out of my driveway or the parking spot at work. Both actions have me end up pointing downward on a slope. I press and hold the brake while shifting to drive. I take my foot off the brake and the car doesn’t roll forward, just kind of sits (like it’s stuck in a rut or something). I press the gas, and the rpms rise but no movement. I press it a little harder and the truck SLAMS into gear (at least I think that’s what’s happening) and I can accelerate normally. It is extremely loud, unsettling, and literally feels like being rear-ended (I thought that’s what had happened when this started).

Here’s the catch: it doesn’t happen all the time. I think it may have to do with the cold, but of course I likely won’t be able to recreate it for the dealership when I take it in.

More food for thought: often times when this occurs, the truck will act up in other ways in the beginning of its drive (again, possibly weather related) Sometimes it will stutter to a stop at a stop sign and make a similar clunking noise multiple times as it comes to a stop, albeit less startling than the one described above.

I purchased this truck for 14k from a Toyota dealership to avoid getting a piece of junk. I’d like to think they didn’t con me. Anyone have some pointers on what to be firm about with the dealer I’m taking it to this weekend, especially considering they probably can’t recreate it?

Based on my research, it looks like this could be “gear slipping” or “delayed engagement” and the most common recommendation is adding transmission fluid/change. Interestingly, it looks like this issue is most common to the 2016 Tacoma’s.

any help is appreciated. TYIA!

 

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