Weird shuddering on brand new Tacoma when cruising down highway or climbing up hill

I guess that helps. I'm in the same boat as far as drivability, but at 31k. My local dealership hasn't admitted to it being a problem though

 

You put on 30k miles in 6 months that's crazy to me??@JDub

 

I might be inclined to go back to your tuner and ask him about it if you weren't getting that shudder prior to getting tuned

It's definitely not a normal thing for the OTT tune.
I'm currently on the medium/spicy setting and the OTT tune was by far and away, the best mod Ive ever done to my truck.
It's taken away all the hunting, hesitation and need to stomp on the throttle just to get up to speed.

 

What a lot of you are describing sure sounds like the torque converter shudder problem that I experienced. I'm not tuned.
For me was it the worst in the 35-40 mph range, but I noticed that other shifts felt off. Higher octane gas made it better and so did ECT but it was still there. l could get around it by using the manual shifting mode, but probably because I was controlling the RPMs.

Here's what I posted on a different thread:
My 2016 automatic started doing what you described at 112,000 miles. It seemed as if the truck was shifting into overdrive to save gas when coasting (1200-2000 rpm 35-40 mph). When I feathered the throttle to maintain speed it would shudder like a rumble strip until I let off the gas or accelerated more. Coincidently it started about 2 months after I installed a lift, so I spent some time looking at my drive line. Had the dealer do a transmission drain and fill along with the transmission TSB and problem went away immediately.

I did ask the dealer if they used shudder fix, and they said no. I don't have an opinion on the stuff. I'm just happy I didn't need a new TC and the truck is back to normal.

There's a brake tap test to check for TC lock up. This post describes the brake tap test: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...sion-shudder-any-advice.772383/#post-27588697
There's this post with almost too much info: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...econd-gen-4-liter-trucks.289913/#post-7301737 It's for 2nd gen, but the info is relevant.

There's also threads about loose spark plugs from the factory that did not throw a code but caused a similar issue.
I didn't change my plugs until 90K. I never had an issue but after changing the plugs I noticed a slight increase in idling RPM and the throttle was more responsive.

 

At least report it to Toyota so they have records of this issue. I think too many people are just saying it is how It is and not letting Toyota know

 

28,000 in a year. I bought it January 2023

 

Can't count the number of times I have heard "tech could not replicate the problem". Hopefully it is being recorded somewhere.

 

Any update @JDubTaco ?

 

Sorry forgot to post update from yesterday on here. Dealership said: We did every test Toyota told us to do and Toyota said all the tests came back ok, nothing wrong with truck and they are not sending a Field Tech out to look at it (after they had been telling me all week while they had my truck that they were just waiting on the Field tech to get back to them on when he was coming to look at it). They did reset the learn values (Again, it did nothing the first time). Toyota called me last night to see what was going on with the truck (apparently the dealership does not communicate with Toyota corporate office). I told him all of this and he said he was not satisfied with this, if you are not happy with he way it drives and the service manager and service tech both stated that your truck does not drive right, then more needs to be done. He said to give him a couple days to work on it and he will call me on Wednesday.

 

How frustrating. FWIW we had to work with Toyota Brand Engagement on an issue with our Venza. They were very professional and eventually got the dealer to do what they should have done in the first place. In fact the dealer service manager recommended we contact them since it starts the ball rolling with activity that the dealer apparently cannot get started on their own. Other times it's the kick in the pants a dealer needs to get the job done right. Hang in there!

For anyone that follows:

Toyota Brand Engagement
https://www.toyota.com/support/contact-us/
1-800-331-4331

 

Toyota has been very helpful and kept in contact with me and still working on it. The dealer has been terrible! I’m not gonna be able to go back there.

 

Did you ever solve the problem? Watching your video it appears to shudder or hunt right around 45-50mph, right when the TCC is supposed to lock up. And they generally don't engage until the engine has reached a minimum temperature, which is in line with what you said. If you can find the electrical connector on the trans for the TCC you could disconnect it and go for a test ride. Doing this will prevent the TCC from engaging. Also, many of these shuddering issues are fixed by replacing the old trans fluid. The AC60 trans fluid should be replaced at 60K miles, if I remember correctly.

 

You are right at the speed when the torque converter clutch is programmed to engage. On some vehicles you can disconnect the electrical connector on the trans for the TCC. Then test drive to see if the problem goes away. If it does, it DOESN'T necessarily indicate a bad converter. Do things first like check fluid level, and change out old fluid. Still hunting/shuddering? Check out all the TSB's for trans computer updates. And keep in mind trans shudder issues are mostly covered under the Emissions warranty, not the lesser Powertrain warranty. The Dealer may point to the Powertrain warranty to say yours has expired. Direct them to the Emissions warranty, as written in the TSB's.

 

So I changed my own oil yesterday. The dealer had done the first 2 because they were free. After draining and replacing filter, I put in exactly 6 quarts of new oil. For what ever reason, my truck is now driving like it did when I first bought it.

 

103631 in 13 months 11 days.

 

Holy moly

 

Not sure where these numbers came from. I have put 30,000 on it since January 2023.

 

What ever happened with your shudder issue? Are you saying changing your engine oil and filter fixed your transmission shudder?

 

Reading through this thread, I don't see anyone trying premium gas. A tank or two of premium could cause the spark to advance just enough that the motor will better tolerate the high gear/low speed acceleration issue.

 

Yes. I think you are right. The winter gas here in NY was particularly poor as far as octane and ethanol this year. I noticed as soon as I started using the 93 octane gas my truck runs better, idles better and gets out of its own way better.
The ethanol free fuel is much better.