Transmission shudder

I have a unmodified 2012 PreRunner 4.0 double cab short bed at 45,000 miles.

My truck developed the same pulsing/bucking vibration at 38 to 43 mph with the RPMs at about 1100.

When I drive at those speeds with it in 4 it does not occur.

I have not taken it to the dealership but tempted to.

I think the transmission does not fully lock with the engine at the low RPMs. The way I understand the torque converter is that they run off pressure which is driven by the increase in RPMs.

What RPM does the torque converter lock up?

Thanks.

 

Update!

I had my tires balanced the tech said they were way off. I went on a test drive and no pulsing/bucking at 40mph.

It shocked me that all my tires were off because I have had no cruising vibration. My truck would also pulse when I would stop like the rotors were warped and now that is gone.

I guess the out of balance threw the drivetrain off at 37-43 mph amplifying the transmission characteristic.

 

My new, stock access cab v-6 auto, shudders @ 38-45 mph. Felt in cab although very noticeable in the steering wheel. Only does it in drive at low rpms (1100 rpm). At its worst going up any modest incline. Truck will slow down on inclines and feels like power loss. Modestly stepping on the gas pedal seems to do nothing. Truck does not down-shift with out stepping fairly hard on accelerator Shudder stops when it finally drops into 4th. Any ideas or similar problems. 3 times to dealers, never does it for them. Does it for me every day. Making me very unhappy with this purchase. This is my 4th taco........

 

I suggest starting your own thread . There are only a few complaints with the 2015 . Starting your own thread will help others who own the 2015 and make things easier to diagnose .
Start your own thread . I have a couple ideas . There is a specific reason you need to start your own thread

 

My problem is posted here because of the shudder, not the year. Thanks.

Truck has a transmission cooler, not needed in cold weather, which could be countering the effects of the transmission heater. This maybe causing the fluid to do something it shouldn't. I'm am going to try to block off the cooler and see what that does.

 

So I went back to the dealer before my 36k warrenty expired and they agreed to to the TSBs for the axle wrap. I was doubtful at first but to make a long story short, they changed the rear leaf springs, engine mounts, installed a steering dampener and much to my surprise, the vibration was gone!

The service rep did make an interesting comment though, he stated most every truck that comes in with that issue was assembled in Mexico. Yea, guess where mine was built.

 

Isn't that where they assemble all the double cabs since like 2010 ?

 

well, mine shuddered for the dealer, my 8th time in, they replaced the torque converter, however it still does it. I'm called Toyota and requested they buy it back. They said they will call back on Monday...........my own opinion now is poor engineering. Anyhow, I'm willing to try a 6 spd standard. Should have gone with a GMC....the Tacoma just is not what it was.

 

Thought I would let you know that my truck does buck/shift roughly between 3rd and 4th occasionally. Feels kind of like the tranny isn't sure whether it wants to shift or not. Only 600 miles on mine, we'll see if anything changes. It is fairly intermittent so im hoping it will sort itself out.

 

Let the transmission learn how you drive? Are you kidding me?

 

It does

 

Just traded my 2011 DCSB TRD 4X4 (with no shudder) in for a 2012 DCSB TRD 4X4 (with shudder). Dammit. Didn't know the shudder was an issue or I'd have tried to make it shudder during my test drive. Anyway, it's the same thing you all describe...shudders when in D around 35 mph and 1500 rpm. Shift into 4 and it goes away. To me it's just like when you drive a manual trans and shift to early or start out in too high a gear. You're going to slow for the trans to be in that high gear. It's like the trans just needs to downshift sooner. I'm no mechanic...what could be done to make the trans downshift sooner? What controls this?

 

Thanks for the input, my 2010 Off Road does not have this issues whatsover !!
Seems like the problem is more common on the "Sport" from all that I have read.
After all the reviews Ive read, we're taking the 06 Sport truck to the local Toyota Dealership
to have the full flush and fill and they'll do some inspections too and try and upsell anyway
which will lead me to other items to note as well.

Ill keep you guys in the loop - (shutter going into 5th only while cruising)

 

I'm beginning to notice a slight jerk when the transmission shifts into 4th gear. This is when accelerating at normal speeds, I haven't been able to test when strongly accelerating on a highway. I've only had the truck for 1 month as of today ('13, 37xxx miles) and it's bothering me wondering if something major is malfunctioning already. Transmission issues should be covered under the Toyota certified 12 month/12,000 warranty, but I'm sure they'll find some way to get out of it. I figure I'll monitor it for a few weeks before calling it in. Any thoughts?

 

BrasKo -
I had the exact same problem and I worried much more than you because j was ou of warranty ,after a lot of homework I went to a local transmission specialty shop and they added a $12 bottle of shudder additive but charged me $100 they wouldn't tell me the brand however it eliminated my problem immediately !! It never came back and I was the most relieved person on the planet -

 

I've got a 2011 DCLB 4x4 I bought used with 110K that has the same issue, shuddering at 37mph 1100rpm. It goes away right at 40mph or if I put it in 4th gear it doesn't have the issue. I called the local Toyota dealer (Roseville CA) and the head tech knew exactly what the issue was. He recalled it exactly and stated this is a known issue from Toyota. He said it's an engineering flaw in the truck Apparently Toyota is "working" on a solution but he has no idea when that would be. This is very frustrating.

 

This post is a mismatched bundle of confusion .
There are 5 speed shuddering issues within this post
There are 4 speed shuddering issues within this post .
Start your own thread . I have solutions for you guys

 

I know this is an old thread and everything, but why would someone put shutters on their transmission?

 

Why not start the threads with the solutions and share the links in this thread? Oh yes that is an idea isn't it?
I've had shudders for a while too. Went away for a while after a fluid change but has since come back. Not as bad or as frequent as it was.

 

I have the threads started with solutions . I refuse to reply with fixes when there are 3 different transmissions mentioned within the same post and the post is now 5 pages deep , not to mention the next member that comes along with a similar issue and posts here because there are 3 different transmissions with shuddering problems but he believes we are all talking about the same transmission .
It gets confusing for the member looking for answers as well as frustrating for the guy trying to help
Here is an idea ? start your own thread or ask questions and relate to a thread with the same transmission you have in your truck.
If this doesn't work for you , do a google search @ Tacoma World .
All the information you are looking for has been mentioned in the past .
Send me a pm . I will be happy to help