2016 6-cylinder 6-speed automatic erratic shifting and drivability problems?

I am so glad I found this post/site. I bought my Tacoma in January of this year, and must say I have been disappointed. I have a 2017 Limited and have had all the problems listed on here. I was beginning to think I was going crazy. I drive about 120 miles a day to get back and forth to work and mileage on this truck is almost like my old Dodge I had. It always feels as though I am towing a huge load with this truck. I just hit 5000 miles and nothing has changed. The constant shifting while on the highway is crazy. On some hills, it shifts down to 4th (@3500 RPM) and sometimes it wont ( same hills..different days). I have scheduled to take my truck in to see what they can/will do about it.

 

Have a 2016 orange on black TRD Sport w/JBL on lease. Agree can and often does shift too early, esp when driving easy and/or uphill. Wouldn't mind a re-program if such is available in terms of changing the baseline pattern a bit. That said, using ECT and/or sport mode does give you more control, allowing you to pick one, the other, or both. Even if the re-program isn't available, I'll still probably buy it. The seating position and a few other things make it quirky, but if that isn't a deal breaker, it's still a great truck with unparalleled reliability and the highest resale value of any vehicle--not any truck or subset of vehicles, ANY vehicle on the market. That ought to mean something.

#thisreplacedmyBenzS500whenigottiredofspendingeuropeanvacationmoneyonrepairseveryfewmonthsandnowmyvehiclealwaysstartsandcangoanywhere...

 

Have had my 2016 V6 Crew cab shortened in no less than 4 times for erratic shifting problems. They have performed several TSBs. No fix. Called Toyota corporate to complain and they sent me right back to the dealership. Rode with the the service mgr in a newer truck and no problem. They kept for a couple days and said they couldn't find anything wrong. Still driving it with the problem. So frustrated with this. This will probably be my last Toyota.

 

That really sucks to hear another one going through the Lemon process, hope it works out.

 

Does all of this seem to be more with the '16s??

 

So I got the transmission update done and still no better. I've been driving our 2009 Camry back and forth to work in Austin (about 67 miles from my house), and it was because of this car I went with Toyota. So I noticed that this car doesn't downshift not once on the same drive I take with this truck that's constantly downshifting when it comes to a hill. This car has a V6 as well. This go me thinking the problem may not be the transmission at all, but an engine that lacks any power at highway speed. I'd be interested to know what the HP is ( at operating RPM @2250 or so). I know it's rated at 246 but that's at 6000 rpm which is red lining. This thing really needs a turbo or a chip/ reprogramming of the motor. Anyone out there with a dyno and can find out??

 

Some of the White Knights believe that the Auto Trans issues were cured on the 2017s. If Toyota would retune the engine to make more low end torque instead of high RPM HP it would make it more tolerable.

 

It's the same on the 2017 and will be the same on 2018

 

I had a 2gen and adding intake and exhaust really helped low end torque. I wonder if it will do the same for my 3rd gen? I really should have purchased the MT!

 

Here's Smitty addressing his Toyota service advisor

 

I'm going to try that next.

And Yes; It's not just the trans.

 

Toyota lost me as a repeat Tacoma owner because of this. Good thing I came here and a few of you told me to make sure to test drive the third gen before buying. Sure glad I did. Alls it took was about 15 miles on a local Interstate to know I couldn't live with the drivetrain. Too bad because otherwise I love the new Tacoma.

 

Sorry to hear that brother. Contrary to popular belief around here I sincerely wish Toyota would get this stuff ironed out as it's good for brand reputation and my resale should I ever consider selling one day. Check out the 4Runner if you've given up on the Tacoma. You might be surprised- keep us posted and good luck

 

I drive to work at 25-45 mph since I live in town. This truck will drive you crazy at these speeds regardless of what gear you put it in. Oh and your gas mileage is going to be 17 at best. Well that's my experience after a year and a half of ownership. I drove a really shitty chevy on vacation and I have to admit it was much earlier to drive at "city" speeds

 

For those wondering if the 17 is different, it is not. My biggest pet peeve is the double down shift from 6 then to 5 then to 4 when it needs to go from 6 to 4.

 

Yeah, a buddy at work just got a new Runner. That is the drivetrain they should have put in the Tacoma. I really like having the bed though. I am gonna keep my '09 for now and see what drops in 2018. Looks like some interesting new and updated trucks coming. What'd be really nice is if Toyota fixed the Tacoma but I doubt they will as long as they are selling.

 

Yeah, I hated that on my test drive, especially since it seemed that it didn't really need to shift down 2 gears... on a couple of trivial "hills" (talking like 1% grade) it seemed to me it shouldn't have needed to shift at all, but it did bang down 2 gears anyway.

 

Took my 2016 into dealership for the 20k mile service. Voiced all my normal concerns about terrible down shifting, messy transmission searching for gears, etc.....

This time, I had a new guy who after doing my oil change told me he wanted to keep my truck and open a ticket with Toyota corporate. I said ok.

Two days later, he called, stating that they took it out on the road and experienced everything I said was going on. Long story short, Toyota sent a rep in from NY State area (I live in S Jersey) and they went to work.

Transmission fluid was very low. (No shit.) He also stated that Toyota had them check the "Glyclol level" in the trans because there are some issues with coolant leaking into the transmission. A few other things were done as well.

Same guy took it out on the road and said it now drives like a completely new truck. Toyota Corporate wants them to keep it and put 15-30 miles on it and then do another health test to ensure everything is looking good.

I wanted to pass this along to everyone that is having the problems. Push for it to get fixed.

 

I hope they got you sorted.

 

Hope it performs how you want once you get it back.