2011 4x4 Automatic Transmission Sometimes Not Engaging

Hi TW,

Twice in the last year my 2011 4x4 has not engaged when put into reverse after sitting for a number of days. The first time it did it I simply put it back into park, then reverse again and it engaged with a sudden clunk. Yesterday it did the same thing, however I had some room in front to put it into Drive, still no engagement, went back to Park, then back to Reverse (nothing still), then Drive again and then it clunked into gear and lurched forward.

I've been reading of similar issues when braking at lower speed and the autos disengaging and others speak of transmission to transfer case seal failures. My 2011 is at 49,000 miles and has already had the rear diff replaced under warranty (previous owner).

Any suggestions or similar experience before I head off to the Dealer to state my concern?

Thanks,
Jason

 

i would tell the dealer. Sounds like it could be covered by a powertrain warranty.

 

This has happened to me routinely. I have gone to the dealership and they say that they can't do anything unless it happens while at the dealership or if I email an error code to them. This issue has never produced an error.

I was hoping more people had this problem.

(2011 TRD OR)

 

Check your fluid first, it's a sticky in the day maintenance section, you may be low from the factory

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...is-low-on-fluid-directly-from-factory.312718/

 

I would check the fluid first, use the link above to see why

 

If it only happens after prolonged [several days] parked seal in torque converter allowing fluid to drain back into trans pan and it takes several seconds to pump back when started. only solution is replace torque converter.

 

Thank you for the suggestions and links, I will follow up on those tips. The response I received from the Dealer (one of the better ones) at the 49K service was that as they couldn't replicate the issue on a test drive that it was recorded on our Toyota vehicle service history file and if it happens again or more frequently that they could start trouble shooting it (likely at our cost until it is proven to be a warranty issue), and what they suggested as the first step was a "transmission flush and health check". They should have checked the trans fluid level at the 49K Maintenance Service, however now that I'm armed with the "Your new truck -Auto transmission is low on fluid directly from factory" background I can ask a few specific questions. The potential torque converter issue is also interesting and it may be just a matter of time before the frequency of this fault rises, as experienced by Brian (HillNorthLodge).

Thanks for the advice, greatly appreciated!
Jason