Stuttering/ lugging in an automatic transmission???

My 2021 Tacoma Off-road AT is 3 weeks old just passed 1k, and from day one it has had a shuttering problem when under a load during moderate acceleration in 3rd and up, or just cruising at 60 mph in either 5 or 6th gear. Gets worse up a hill. It feels like when you lug the motor in a manual transmission and downshifting makes it better does not make it go away. Seems worse in rainy weather. Feels like it’s missing to me. Took it back to the dealership at 350 miles and the tech said it’s normal for these rigs. I’m like BS it is. There is clearly a problem. That absolutely can not be good for a motor. I drove my daughters 2019 Tacoma for comparison and it did something similar but she runs 87 octane fuel. I have run nothing but 91 and 92 octane. WTH Toyota? Something is wrong with the new Tacoma’s you are producing. I was wondering if they purposely have to tune the motor for gas milage rather then for adequate power to meet cafe standards??? Will a new tune resolve this problem? It’s clearly a fuel, spark, or air problem. How bad does it have to get before tripping a problem code. Pretty disappointing in a brand new rig. I otherwise absolutely love this rig. Please help!

 

I've never had that problem , I run regular unleaded. Don't think fuel octane is going to solve your problem . You may need video evidence of the shuttering issue to get resolution. Good luck

 

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Take a foot of the gas (unlocks torque converter) and floor it. Will take off like a mofo.
Get it tuned.

 

Same issue, feels like a bumpy road under light acceleration. Mine is mainly at low rpm in 6th (40-55mph). If I'm driving in that speed range for a long time I'll drop it into S5 to help prevent it. It's been long enough now that I've started to ignore it.

 

Induce this condition by going getting on the interstate/highway up a long hill and slowly roll onto the throttle until it downshifts. you’ll probably notice that it feels like it lugging and then when it shifts the RPMs jump up.

If it feels and sounds better its just in a low gear with load. Turn on ETC Power and/or give it enough throttle to downshift and drive around it. It’s just the nature of Toyota Auto transmissions.

With my supercharger it sounds/feels like lugging in this situation. Especially with the addition of the noisy straight cut gears in the supercharger it’s more noticeable. I just learned to give it just enough throttle to downshift and it won’t do that.

EDIT: I saw “downshift” but what I’m referring to is the torque converter kicking off.

 

I never had the shuttering issue either, and run E87 fuel. My buddies 2019 trd will shutter if he lugs the engine in 6th gear below 1200 rpm. I guessing some trucks are better tuned to make more low end torque at lower rpm than others.

 

my 2017 is always in S-mode, 4th only.. sometimes i pop it up into 5th. i never use 6th.. never, its worthless, i get 18-19 mpg only using 4th..it is what it is.......

 

My 2021 has this problem occasionally when it shifts what I consider too soon into 3rd or 4th and the RPMs are like 1000-1200. I step on the gas to make it downshift (doesn't take too puch pedal pressure) and it goes away immediately. Since I'm choosing not to get a tune because of potential warranty issues I've adjusted my driving habits to the truck, and my truck has adjusted to me somewhat also. It's not a big deal to me, just the nature of the beast. Still love my truck.

 

I have only run 87 octane fuel in my 2020 and have never had this issue.

 

My recently-purchased 2019 does the same thing - I blame whatever engineer decided on the transmission programming for the ATs. I feel like it's programmed for better fuel economy rather than power, since they hold such low RPM's and avoid the apparent peak of the power curve like a syphilis-ridden Alabamian.

 

Check some of the other truck forums just about every one has that "problem" It is the nature of modern multi speed lockup transmissions. It's the same effect as a stick if you lug it with too low RPM.

 

Its strange how some gen3 tacoma's don't have the issue while others are very noticeable. You'd think they would all be similar.

 

This is an issue with the automatic transmission on 3rd gen Tacoma's. The factory ECU software tune is garbage. KDMAX tune is the answer to your issues. @PapaRee

 

One other thought. If you only have 1000 miles, your symptoms may improve with more mileage. It won't go away but my truck drove like a 1940 dump truck with a million miles at first. It got better after about 5000 miles Then I bought gears and a tune and it's fixed now

 

Never had this issue, just push in the clutch and shift down a gear.

 

My 2020 2.7 with 15k miles does the exact same thing. I will say it has gotten better with more miles I put on it. Still does it, just isnt as bad as when truck was new. I too thought something was wrong with the truck at first.

 

I wish I would have gotten lucky and purchased one of the ones that doesnt do it lol

 

I agree. 1500 miles on my truck and it definitely drives better than it did out of the showroom. Pretty cool how they learn.

 

Press the ECT button each time you drive it for the next few days. This will give you an idea of what it will be like later. Also recommend when not using ECT that you put you foot into the gas more so it learns to be a spirited driver. Don’t be a wuss. Show it who’s boss.