2018 Tacoma TRD Off Road transmission shake or hesitation in 5th and 6th gear

Hi,
I just bought a 2018 Tacoma TRD off road a few weeks ago! The only problem is I noticed a very slight shake or hesitation in the transmission or engine when in 5th and 6th gear. It is an automatic tranny so when you let off the pedal until it shifts into a higher gear and drive in that gear, you feel a slight shake until it shifts into a lower gear, then it goes away. Has anyone else experienced this? Or maybe have an idea of how the dealer could resolve this?
Thanks!

 

I just bought the same truck. No shake on mine. Do you mean like a lug while in a higher gear before it downshifts? I did put in an aftermarket exhaust so I’m not sure if I’m hearing a “lug” myself. I do notice that the transmission takes time to downshift when I need to accelerate faster. But I’m not sure if it’s because I am used to my old Tundra which is a 5.7 V8

 

It’s a borderline hesitation at times. I wouldn’t say a lug. When it shifts into the higher gears, it’s a very small hesitation or intermittent shake. You have to really be paying attention to even notice it. The only thing I’ve done to it since I bought it was buy an aftermarket remote start and they used the T-harness. But that shouldn’t have interfered with anything.

 

Look up tips and tricks on 3rd generation Tacoma and look at #10. Valid point. Maybe all you need to know

 

Found it! It doesn’t feel like it’s learning your driving habits, it’s definitely a shudder with light vibrations. I’m going to the dealer on Tuesday and I’ll update what I get back from them! They also have to check out an annoying passenger side dash rattle

 

My new 2018 OffRoad started doing this hesitation you mentioned yesterday. It felt like the motor was stopping/starting but after you get to a higher speed/gear, it went away. Did this between 55-56 mph. I had a 2016 TRD Sport before the new off road and never had the issue even with all the transmission "issues".

 

Look up TSB0062-18

There’s a hundred plus page thread about it.

 

Mine does the same thing...even after having TSB 58-18 done.

 

@Wardboy Let me know if you get that issue resolved. I'm trying to get a good idea of what it could be just in case the dealer gives me a "couldn't be duplicated" or "it's normal" response.

 

will do, but it may be a month or two before I go to the dealer for the 5,000 mile tire rotation under ToyoCare. I plan on taking the TSB info with me and will be ready to argue if I need to. It did it again today after leaving work, felt like the motor was losing power/surging.

 

2018 SR5 V6 and mine has does the same thing since new. Slight engine miss/hesitation feeling right around 1500 RPM. Once it downshifts and RPMs climb it goes away. Test drove another brand new one at my 5000 mile service and it did the same thing.

 

Try filling up with premium... mine has always had a slight miss/hesitation if I run 87 octane. Never happens with 93

Alternatively, is seems occasionally we're still seeing SOME 3rd gens roll of the lot w/ inadequate transmission fluid though seems to be less common now. Still worth making sure you aren't low, but generally if you were you'd feel some hesitations or roughness in other places than only OD gears

 

@KE4ZDJ Exactlty. It’s only when the motor is bogging down to a lower RPM. Hopefully one of the TSBs fix it. And @bshammer0 the first tank in the truck was 87 and the 2nd was 89. but i chose to stick with 87 for now. I didn't want to keep switching octanes.