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

All I've had is issues with transmission. First it was 2 full qts low and shifting was rough till level topped off. Now, it's the erratic shifting. or not shifting for that matter! IMO, It's total BS that people that buy a 35,000 dollar car have to find ways to drive their rids without the bogging down from this tranny. I truly hate it and I told Toyota just that. They have opened case till I'm satisfied...hmmm wait and see.

 

16tacoOregon, good luck, when did you open your case? DC Sport 4WD,tech / JBL, JBL sound system replaced first week of ownership, then on and on, anemic v6, auto. trans. ( wow) , surging, well hope smooth sailing for future Tacoma owners who are deserving of a product second to none..............so all you Toyota stock holders chime in.................keep drinking the Tacoma cool aid ...............and if you are someone looking for a great looking mid size truck................wait until Toyota at least admits to powertrain issues .............. oK Toyota.............deliver the product your customers deserve .Mikey4x4
Sharp ride Moab4x432!

 

Opened today

 

I totally agree with your complaints I was saying the exact same things
I finally had enough and bought the 4Runner and have zero complaints

 

Excellent choice, you will be very satisfied with 4.0, Toyota had a very good 4.0 on the Tacoma for the second gen. So seems logical to go with 4.0 DOHC now in 4Runner, but no wait ...........innovation reins supreme, in comes Atkinson/ 3.5 V6 coupled to high tech 6 speed transmission.............here we are a truck with a Lexus car / suv engine................. Cannot produce needed power..... Higher RPM..........shifting wildly to reach the hallowed CAFE / manufacture ratings.
Save powertrain issues..............great product.............. But Loyal Tacoma owners waited patiently for the great update...............Toyota missed the target this time...............perhaps there is light at the end of the tunnel for us............... "The Fix" ..............that is all we wish for. Enjoy your 4Runner............ When it is updated .........it too will be powered by one of Toyota's 3.5 ...........soon all Toyota V6 products will be 3.5 version........Mikey4x4

 

This is why I decided to dump the Tacoma when I did, I couldn't risk the possibility of a 2017 4Runner getting the 3.5 turd

 

This is what I was thinking as well, and helped me decide on getting the 4Runner too even though it's already on its 7th model year.

 

So I made a 900 mile journey to upstate NY yesterday. The truck did fine but it's time for the 10K mile service. I am still having anomalies out of the transmission. Occasional slipping and the hesitation from reverse to drive. I stopped by the local dealer up here and told them about the issues I've been having and that my dealership in SC has scanned the tranny and the fluid level was fine. I've seen people on here say that there dealer "manually" checked the fluid and that's when it was found to be a quart low. I told the service mgr here about that and he said "what do they mean by manually? It's a sealed transmission so it has to be scanned". So what do you guys mean by manually? I get the feeling this dealership will work with me to try and fix this.

 

There's a thread on how to perform the check. They have to get the transmission up to a certain temp (you typically have to leave the vehicle over night so it can cool down first), pin the thermostat, then they pull a check plug and see if the fluid drips out, yadda yadda... just search the forum here you'll find the thread on how to check it.

 

Reading through this whole thread I am surprised so many seem to object to the transmission going into 6th gear as often as it does. The lower the rpm the better as far as I am concerned. Driving at 40mph with engine just above idle is great. Downshifting is always available if needed. My only complaint is the aforementioned not getting back into 5th or 6th gear while in CC after completing a climb.

So, for those have experimented with S mode vs. D, driving in S6 would only serve to benefit holding the lower gears longer and would not affect the transmission keeping in a higher gear longer?

 

I drive >55 mph 99% of the time.
I live in Arkansas; far from flat.
I get the same mileage whether using 5 or 6. In D I loose a couple mpg; so S5 it is.

 

Well, we'll see ya later then. I, for one, will miss your negative posts in every single thread

I actually really like the 3.5L after about 2500 miles. Acceleration seems to have improved and I'm getting great gas mileage!

 

@swimmer

I did a trip from Wyoming to Colorado and back. Rolling hills at 80 mph. I used s6 and cruise control. When the transmission wants to stay in 4th or 5th longer than I think it should I just pressed on the gas and it will up shift. Much better than trying to drive a long trip with out cruise control. I didn't try using drive on this trip just s6. If I am driving on the freeway not using cruise I feel that the truck maintains speed just fine in 5th gear without downshift unless going up a hill.

My transmission was slightly low initially and it is getting much better. I hated it when it wouldn't shift back to 5th gear.

 

Isn't driving around in S6 the same as driving in D?

 

@Hank_Mille

Honestly I don't know. As I have been getting used to the transmission and playing around with various combinations of drive position, ECT, and speeds it feels like when I am in S6 mode the transmission is less likely to down shift to maintain speed when driving on the freeway compared to drive. Though that might be the transmission getting used to me driving after taking a few longer trips or if it is just a false "seat of the pants" feel that isn't really there. Around town I only use Drive as I have not had any problems with how the transmission shifts at those speeds.

 

From reading the stuff posted in this thread I understood that being in S mode removed the AI control (computer learning driver habits).

 

No.
Download the PDF; it's the A750, but I believe it's a fair comparison.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ability-problems.401475/page-17#post-12688551

 

Thanks!

 

When truck is warm, disconnect battery for 10min or so. Reconnect then immediately go for a ride in D. Getting on it pretty heavy as to make the gears run up higher. The next few days be heavy on the throttle. I even went as far as " drive it like u stole it" The tranny will have to re learn so expect that. I did this atleast 3 times before i was satisfied. Currently i have 10k miles on it and couldent be happier.

I know its BS to have to do....but it really makes a difference.

I NEVER use ECT! Fo some reason after using ECT the tranny starts acting confused....i then have to reset battery again to get it back right.

 

Hmmmm.

Did you ever have the R-D delayed engagement issue?