Car will hesitate for nearly 3 seconds when pressing the accelerator hard to enter a freeway from 30-40MPH on the entrance ramp. Does not repeat itself as the car has to be under a certain load, throttle position, and speed. The randomness of the issue will leave you startled and cringing in fear of a near miss. Engine seems to stall then transmission will finally drop down one gear which is not enough to bring the engine RPM up. Then at the last moment, the transmission downshifts and the motor comes alive. Happens sometimes when passing. All other times it is OK.

This is going to get someone killed. Taking it to the Dealership is useless as they deny, deny, deny and state they can't replicate. It is a definite software issue between the engine ECU and the transmission ECU.

Update from Dec 16, 2024: UPDATE Won my battle of wits with Toyota Customer Care and their Automotive Engineers. The issue WAS 100% software. Incorrect parameters had the 6-speed automatic transmission set to be in 6th gear (2nd overdrive gear) when above 30MPH and light load. No doubt to make the City MPG numbers look better. That is geared way too high a gear ratio, putting strain on the engine to perform a torque intensive operation when it is operating below the lower end of its HP/TQ curve. Akin to taking off from a stoplight with a manual transmission in 4th gear. The software was written to have throttle stepdown of the transmission gear in a manner to make downshifting to be more subtle; to be more like the smoothness of the CV transmissions of the Camry Hybrids.

I was finally able to deduce the operating parameters and make repeated demonstrations of this dangerous action to the Dealership's Service Manager; who could no longer claim 'Issue cannot be duplicated'. You know your vehicles operational mannerisms more than anyone else. If you are adamant that there is inferior operation or something more troubling, stick to your guns. Wish I had done so with Mercedes-Benz over denying the engine fire recall on my 2003 Sprinter Van. As with Toyota Customer "Care" and engineering, it was denial, denial, denial. Two weeks after my Sprinter burned to the ground as my Family was taking a trip, Mercedes-Benz asked me why I did not have my van repaired under that SAME engine fire recall!!!!! Federal/State governments say "Not our problem" and no lawyer would take the case without personal injury. So the ONLY person you have in your corner is Jesus and yourself..

My car worked perfectly until I had the recall done. Now the transmission seems out of whack and my mileage has gone from 23/36mpg down to 18/20mpg. I used to brag to all my friends about the good gas mileage I would get, especially on the road. Since October, 2010, I have brought the car in 4 additional times and I am always told that the car is working perfectly and nothing is wrong. I wish I hadn't had the recall work done. It runs in 2nd longer than it should and then noticeably changes gears. When I slow to 30mph, it noticeably shifts down - all things that never were there before the recall.

When I brought the car in for upshift problems I was also experiencing downshift problems. I let my foot off the gas pedal to coast for a little bit and every time I went to accelerate again the engine would have to rev up again in the gear I was coasting at to downshift to the proper gear. The mechanic said it was the computer brain that was not sending the proper information to the transmission. The problem does not occur as much but on occasion it will happen. I wonder everyday I drive it if the trannsmission is going to wind up in my trunk! I think they should recall the whole car!

I originally purchased a Toyota as my first car for its reliability. The problem was noticeable but not too bad so i did not worry about it. However, after a near miss with a tour bus because of the hesitation after stopping at a red light, I want this resolved. I am very upset that Toyota would make a vehicle which later turns out to have a defect and not issue a recall after numerous complaints. It is even more frustrating to hear reports that even with a new transmission the problem will come back eventually. I have heard that it is the computer that needs replacing as opposed to the transmission. I just want to know what exactly needs to be done to rectify the issue.

I have the SAME ISSUES and FEELING. I HATE THIS CAR!

There is still the Lemon Law Correct?

The first time I complained of the hesitation and Downshifiting like losing power they said, it's the car you have to break it in. I called the next week after I got it. Then for the next 6 mos very frustrated I figured it had to be broken in. I went down to Toyota where I bought it and they said, it's the car. Huh?

well, then I brought it to a different dealership where they reprogrammed the car. It was good for a month and now it's the same thing. I DON'T WANT THIS CAR! I hear the 2009 are fine. I want out and I am collecting all my info to do so even If i have to take this to the news. My gas mileage SUCKS! i get 16 mpg hwy and city. 13 mpg just city. I NEVER had this problem with any other Camry that i owned. I have 3500 miles on it and own in 11 mos. I feel like I am driving a 5 speed and don't know what i am doing. It's such a horrible ride as I watch my gas gauge go down. The idea of trading up from my 2001 Camry was a newer car better mileage and it's worse and gas has doubled. What's wrong w. this picture? I don't like how I am was being blown off where I bought the car from . So I had to go else where. I will be calling them for another apt this week. They are nice to deal with so far where my car was "fixed" last time. It's a shame it only lasted a month. My car is definitely one of those that had a problem and needed to be reprogrammed.

2007 Toyota Camry 4 cyl 5 speed automatic with intelligence hesitates to down shift. Was told by two different Toyota shop technicians and area service rep. that they are aware of the problem, But that there is nothing they can do about it. Area service Rep. refuses to take car back, But did offer to reprogram computer with version 13.4. This reprogramming after an unsuccessful arbitration meeting with Toyota did not correct the hesitant down shifting auto transmission. This condition is very dangerous in stop and go traffic. We have spoken to many other Camry owners with the exact same complaint.W I am very disappointed in Toyotas inability to come forth and really be that automobile company that they purport to be.