2018 Tacoma Transmission issue

He got multiple answers in this thread, I don’t see the issue here. Did we forget to mention Pro?

 

You're assuming they will leave. That doesn't seem to happen. TDS (Tacoma Derangement Syndrome) is a thing.

OP - The AT does have some teething problems and should "learn" how you drive which can take some time. If you feel it isn't working well you should visit your dealer and give them a chance to help you out. Some dealers offer better customer service than others so you can always shop around a bit to get the help you need.
Finally, welcome to TW. I really do hope you enjoy your new truck.

 

My late July build 2018 shifts fine. When it down shifts from 6th to 5th on hills I don’t notice it unless I watch the tach. All shifts are smooth unless I stick my foot in it and it downshifts under full acceleration.

 

OP- I experienced the same issues with my 18’ SR5 bought brand new in February. After taking her in for 10k service, she drives like a completely different truck.

 

I'm not trying to beat up on the OP, but he says he did not test drive it. Huh???? Who does not test drive the vehicle they think they want to buy? This might explain some of the other 'complaints' that keep popping up on this forum. People need to test drive and then drive some more before committing to anything. Sorry you don't like your new truck OP.

 

It's really funny how there are so many different opinions on this issue. My service manager said he has a Tacoma and it's really an elevation thing. If you live at elevation and live in the mountains its a real problem if not the truck runs perfectly. He also said that there is enough complaints that Toyota is going to have to do something about it and soon will. I know my experience is I live at 5500ft and drive up over 10,000ft pretty regularly. I have to lock out fifth and sixth on the highway. Runs fairly well then but if not its unbearable. This is my first Tacoma I am a ford guy but decided to try Toyota. My Ford F-150 served me well for 150000 miles but just wanted to try something different. I really hope Toyota does the right thing and fixes this issue.

 

Is it your assumption the that the Toyota engine cannot make the needed hp and tq at higher elevations, thus the trans needs to downshift more often to keep the rpms up?

 

I don't think that I think that they haven't got the tuning figured out for the transmission engine combination. I think with Atkinson cycle there trying to make the most HP and keep economy up. Once they get the tuning figured out I think the truck will have plenty of power.

 

From what I've gathered on this forum and elsewhere is that the auto and 4 cylinder combo works well enough. It's the auto and 6 combo that is more problematic for the drivers.

 

https://media.giphy.com/media/AFHxNoa2vshqw/giphy.gif

 

if it sounds unbelievable than most likely its not true, noboby in their right mind doesn't test drive any vehicle they are about to buy, even a used Hoopty

 

I bought a 2018 in October, and struggled a little getting used to the AT, especially comparing it to the way my wife's felt/drove. Started reading a little about it and got interested in the tune sold by OV. I couldn't resist the temptation to try it. I just flashed the latest version, 1.05 on mine. It makes the truck react and feel very different. My take is you can stay with the stock tune, understanding the intent of Toyota when they developed it, or spend another $700-$800 and see if you like the difference it makes. I'm guessing the OV tune makes it drive/feel like most people would expect vs. the stock which had different goals. Different strokes for different folks.

 

We have personally sold three used vehicles that people did not want to drive (or even sit in) before the deal was done.

 

I didn’t test drive, but didn’t need to already knew how it would drive

 

In my opinion I think the OV tune has things figured out and that's exactly what Toyota needs to do for its customers. If Toyota doesn't do it soon enough it will force its customers to go to the OV tune. I don't want to do that till my warranty is done. My truck is a 2018 I expect that Toyota will have this worked out before then.

 

I was seeing the same behaviour with my 2018 OR now at 3800 km. My dealer applied a TSB that fixed the same issues that you are mentioning. Because of the date of the TSB and model years affected (2016, 2017) it appears to me that if a 3 gen was built before July of 2018 it might have the trans issues that TSB-0058-18 or in the Canadian market T-TCI-5133 address. Even though mine is a 2018 they said it was eligible for the ECM update covered in the TSB. I did not have to demonstrate the problem on a test drive, they knew about it and what would fix it. So far so good. D is working now as one would expect, shifting up or down is smooth and no gear hunting.

A visit to your dealer might be worthwhile. Won’t cost you. All under warranty.

 

I cant test drive the truck I am buying. At least not till it gets here. I had to order my truck, I called every dealership in the city to find a manual transmission, 4x4, 6cyl, Tacoma to test drive and there isn't any available to test drive. Those at the dealerships were/are already spoken for.

So after waiting for the truck since October chances are in February, the test drive will likely be a minor formality.

 

I bought my fj off the showroom floor without test driving it by accident. I bought it thinking I had test drove one before, but on the way home it dawned on me that I actually test drove a 4runner.

Luckily the ride was fine, the 6 speed MT wasn't though and over time led to endless issues with the truck that led me to trading it in. The tranny issues for the most part wouldn't have been present on a estimate drive anyways.

So it could happen I guess.

 

you can test drive the vehicle before you buy it when it arrives or you can test drive an equivalent truck that has the same power train and extras before the other arrives

 

those probably weren't for personal use they were bought to flip and make some money on,