Transmission Issue

2018 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 TRDOR Auto

The plan for this weekend was to get out of Florida and back to NC as our holiday vacation is coming to an end. To my surprise, I got a CEL as soon as I started my truck up this morning and noticed that the transmission is hard shifting into all gears (almost like when you let go of the clutch a lil too fast). I've noticed that I can't accelerate nearly as fast as I usually could with the amount of gas I give it. I assume it's in limp mode with the CEL on.

All dealership service departments near me are closed for the weekend due to it being New Years. I'm currently stuck in Florida until I get the issue fixed. The whole reason for getting this truck was reliability, but it seems I can't get that out of this truck. I've never mistreated it and only put about 5000 easy miles on the truck (36000 miles total). The only few things that I've done are:
1. Transaxle fluid change
2. Front and rear diff fluid change
3. Prinsu roof rack
4. Bug deflector
5. BFG KO2 tires
I haven't done any tuning mods, any lifts, anything that would mess with the transmission. I haven't even changed the transmission fluid and when I checked the drain and level bolts, they haven't been touched so I assume the fluid is still the same from the factory. I did get the TSB that helps with the shifting but that comes from the factory for all new trucks anyways.

The truck ran perfectly fine last night and the issue came on very suddenly this morning as soon as it started up. I went through most of the wiring (at least that I could check) and none of them seemed to be chewed up by critters. I checked the airbox for any signs of rodents and there isn't a single flake of food or poop. If I had brought all my tools with me, I'd be able to check the CEL code but I don't have that access atm. I will be bringing it to the dealer on Monday morning to get it checked out but it's making me cringe every time it shifts into gear. It only makes the jerk and hard shifts when upshifting but not downshifting.

Has anyone else had an issue similar to mine before? I've never been stranded like this before and it's highly disappointing that a vehicle that I paid a premium just for reliability and capability has let me down so fast. My trust for this vehicle has been shot and it will likely never come back.

 

Before you get too upset, figure out what it is. I “lost all faith” in my truck as well, until I realized the issue I was having was a result of shoddy work done by the shop that installed my lift. No problems since.

If you understand what went wrong, you might be at peace again. First you gotta figure out just what that is.

 

It would help if you have a code reader

 

You are frustrated. Understandable. Shit happens. Sorry that it happened to you. You've had one issue and it just so happens to be this one. It's not the end of the world nor is the Tacoma a "bad" truck because of your issue. It's okay to vent, but breathe deep first and think about it. Keep us updated with real updates.

 

Go to Oriley and borrow a scan tool, if it drove fine yesterday and as soon as you started it almost sounds like a critter could have gotten into it and chewed wires potentially. But without knowing what the codes are that’s just a shot in the dark.

 

This. While I’ve never had rodent damage, I’ve had a serpentine belt separate and slap some wires on a previous vehicle that made my trans act like it was completely wrecked. After a misdiagnosis of needing a new trans, I saw the bare wires with obvious belt slap damage, taped them with electrical tape and the problem was fixed.

 

Your transmission is completely computerized .
Judging by your description , the transmission is starting off in second or possibly third gear to prevent further damage to the transmission { Limp Mode }
This is how they are designed to perform when an issue arises
Scan for codes is the next thing to do .
With only 36K on the truck , you should still be on warranty .
Let us know how you make out

 

Florida is a good place to be stuck right now.

 

Op's thread almost sounds like the story the sales manager gave me when trying to sell me their extended toyotacare contract. This sales guy claimed his 4 year old toyota was fine the night before when he parked it in his driveway, but the next morning it wouldn't move, and had to be picked up on a flatbed towed the dealer where was employed. They found the converter took a dump. Would of cost him $4k for the job, but he had toyotacare. He claimed it needed a replacement transmission...their powertrain warranty doesn't cover the electronic sensors in it that failed causing the problem.

 

I see a used 2018 with a CEL, I immediately wonder if the Crank position sensor ever got replaced.

 

Hi everyone. The truck ended up having one of the wires chewed up. It was spitting out code P0328. The cable that was chewed up is right under the intake manifold and the nest was starting to build up. Lesson learned, those cables are made of soy instead of petroleum so it would be wise to spray some predator urine or peppermint spray surrounding the engine bay.

 

Ah yes .
The dreaded knock sensor code .
That was a huge issue on the 16s.
Not for chewed wires though . The sensors were faulty from the factory .
Everyone thought there transmissions were fried .
Isn't it funny how a sensor unrelated to the transmission can create some serious transmission concerns .
Everything on the engine also works in conjunction with the trans now .
Thanks for posting back

 

Thanks for posting follow up info.

 

Fuckin nailed it, glad you got it figured out.