2020 OR AT OD Gears Shudder & Lunge from Park to Drive When Cold

I have a 2020 OR AT with 6,200 KM / 3,852 miles on it and been experiencing the following issues with the automatic transmission since shortly after purchasing it in early March:

- Clunks and lunges into drive from park. So much so that I need to use the e-brake in order to stop the vehicle from moving forward half a foot when engaged with normal brake pedal pressure applied. Predominate when the temperatures are colder than 20C / 68F, more so in colder maritimes winter temps.

- Shudders in 5 & 6 gear when RPM is less than 2500 RPM while doing above 100 KMph / 62 Mph. I can feel it from the drive train / gas pedal, like it wanted to change a gear but then changed it mind with that happening rapidly. Moderate acceleration kicks it up a gear to get it out of that symptom. I typically try to keep the RPM 2500 or more when it starts doing that, though it will still happen but much less severe.

- Loud Banged into gear whether 3rd to 2nd or 2nd to 3rd about 5 times to date.

- Not shifting into the next gear (ie: 4th to 5th) when moderately accelerating and won't change gear until I manually shifted it to the next gear (3000 RPM and 4000 RPM). This happened frequently when I first started driving it and doesn't happen often since. It also now responds to the gas pedal input to accelerate it past that condition where it didn't before.

The dealer service manager says it's all normal, tells me his own 2016 SR5 does the same things. The dealer tech / mechanic took it for a test drive (probably a quick drive around the block) and said it's working correctly. Almost all of my driving is freeway. If it's at normal running temperature while driving city / town speed, it drives fine for the most part. When there is strong wind resistance on the freeway (which is almost all the time where I am) then it is aggravating to drive with the shudder symptom. Shuddering happens on the freeway almost every trip.

I am hoping for some quality technical advice / expert opinion so I can take that information to the stealership service manager and get them to fix it. Great truck otherwise, just needs the transmission issue(s) remediated.

Side note, I have the access cab version and the wind noise is brutal. I will get the dealership to adjust the access door to compress the seal better, hoping that will help.

 

From what I read so far, it looks to be torque converter related. The transmission fluid needs to be confirmed as one of the first troubleshooting steps and I could request the PRE-DELIVERY SERVICE CHECK SHEET from the dealer for my vehicle to confirm if it was actually checked. I could also take it to a transmission shop and get them to diagnose it then use that report for getting it fixed by the dealer with possible reimbursement for the independent diagnoses.

Anyone have any advice on how I can get the issues resolved?

 

I would request a ride along with a tech or service manager so you can show them specifically what you are experiencing. I have an MT so I don't have any experience with the auto but I have read that the learning algorithm in these trucks can take a while to learn your driving habits in order to cater drivetrain operation to you. Maybe give it more time, try another dealer, or contact Toyota directly with your concerns.

 

Thanks for the advice MT.

With Covid-19 restrictions around here, I don't see the ride-along happening anytime soon. Next Toyota dealership is is 1.5 hours drive away, I'll call them today.

As far as the learning algorithm, already had it reset at 3000 KM, no difference with the lunge from Park to Gear, same with shuddering in OD gears at lower RPM.

My preference is always a manual transmission and I should have bought the truck with one. Interestingly, I asked the parts department how much a manual transmission would cost, thinking I might be able to work something out with the stealership to swap out the automatic with a manual. They said parts availability is tied to my VIN, so the manual transmission is not available as mine shipped as automatic.