Print this page

5.8

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
6,650 miles
Total Complaints:
13 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (13 reports)
2016 Toyota Tacoma transmission problems

transmission problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2016 Toyota Tacoma:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2016 Toyota Tacoma Owner Comments

problem #13

Jun 202017

Tacoma SR5 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Good vehicle but, I feel the gear ratios that Toyota programmed on the transmission were at an awful speed. 5th and 6th gears go back and forth when I do 68 mph in the highway. 6th gear trying to be more fuel economical and 5th gear trying to get up to speed. The transmission is slow and the electronic system is all over the place, when speeding it tries to down shift, there is a delay before it's able to switch gears. When up shifting it also delays (very rarely). It's like a computer with a slow processor.

- di quez, Colchester, US

problem #12

Dec 092016

Tacoma Trd Sport 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,935 miles

After getting the ECU update for the 2016 Tacoma erratic shifting issue, it started failing under hard throttle from a dead stop. The RPM's go from about 800 to 2100, then back to 800, then it will fully accelerate. This happens under mid throttle/hard acceleration. Feels like a failed torque converter. It is going to the dealer today. I will update...

- jlott, Boulder, CO, US

problem #11

Sep 262016

Tacoma Trd Sport 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,502 miles

TRANSMISSION performance is terrible. It surges, jolts and lags constantly. The ECT PWR button helped, but not much. Took it back to the dealer. They did an ECU upgrade. It feels better, but it is still not right. having hesitation when accelerating now. Going back to the dealer today. Will update.

- jlott, Boulder, CO, US

problem #10

Feb 012016

Tacoma TRD Sport V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I am very disappointed this vehicle every time I go to shift initially after the vehicle or sit for a period of time has a very hard engagement in the first gear. Has anyone else had this complaint with the vehicle?

- Mike L., Raceland, KY, US

problem #9

Nov 282016

Tacoma Trd Sport V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,204 miles

transmission slip, erratic shifting,sluggish

First I would like to say I love everything about the truck accept the transmission. That being said this transmission is terrible. It has very bad shift points and they are never the same. My transmission started slipping until it warms up now that the cold weather is here. My truck has been in and has had a reflash to the ecm. It had an orbital issue where it lost all control and went into neutral coming down a hill into a left turn when I gave it gas, the rpms shot up and it took 1 minute to reset and act like it was in drive again, terrifying. I had the dealer here this morning to see the slip and he said its possibly the fluid level. I have 3 videos of it happing that I cant seem to load here.

- cristoff681, Newburgh, NY, US

problem #8

Apr 162016

Tacoma TRD-OR DC SB 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 9 miles

Toyota dealer applied a TSB which updated the ECM firmware for better shifting. While the shifting did improve, there are still occasional hard shifts from the transmission for which Toyota offers no solution.

- scubataco, McKinney, TX, US

problem #7

Jun 062016

Tacoma SR5 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This is by far one of the worst transmissions I've ever had in any car I've owned. I have rough/harsh down shifts especially when cold. The truck will lurch into gear at low speeds or while parking. The transmission is very slow to downshift making it very difficult to drive in stop and go traffic. The best word I can think of to describe this transmission is: inconsistent. After I've had the TSB done, I still have RPM flares while trying to pass cars on the highway. While the engine RPM's are still high from the flare, if you press the gass, the engine will rev but the vehicle will accelerate.

- eastcoastpost, Cranston, RI, US

problem #6

Jul 282016

Tacoma Off Road 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,400 miles

New 2016 Toyota Tacoma Off road- Transmission suffers from hard shifting, hunting for gears. Toyota came out with a TSB that supposedly fixed affected vehicles, I had the TSB performed (an ECU reflash) at 4,500 miles. Initially the shifting got better, however after 500 miles the vehicle is reverting back to the constant upshifting especially in cruise control.

- tommt, Helena, MT, US

problem #5

Mar 212016

Tacoma S5 V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100 miles

I bought a Toyota Tacoma because their ratings were good and complaints low in 2015, 2014 etc... vehicles I did my homework. I bought the car on 3/14/16, I complained 3/21/16 they said it was fine, I had it in for first tune-up 6/13/16 they said everything checked out fine at 5,222 check up, 8/18/16 brought it in again on 8/12 not happy told them it vibrates when braking and also transmission slips. They said they test drove and is "as designed" and that they reprogrammed the ECU and reset memory and said all fine. On 8/17/16 I brought in again told them it is STILL BOGGING, NOW I'm really upset. The vehicle pulls when braking and still has has issue with transmission. They said I needed to meet with Toyota representative on 8/26 with S. Carlson. 8/26, met and still not happy still and issue still not okay they said they thought it was the "torque" converter assy so they replaced it under warranty. I went and test drove the same vehicle in Venice fl on 9/10/16 at 900 US Hwy 41 Venice, FL 34285. The brakes on it did not grab the slipping (shifting) of transmission did it as well on this vehicle. The Sales guy Eric Digruttolo said nothing wrong with it, then said new technology with direct injection and computer for fuel> what??? how can you say nothing wrong with it if new technology? I did not spend $30k on a vehicle to keep running back to the dealership be given a rental and worry about the longevity on my vehicle. I WANT SOMETHING DONE!

- Antonio S., Christmas, FL, US

problem #4

Nov 022015

Tacoma Trd Sport 2x4 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,000 miles

This Pick- Up shifts too soon to the higher gears making it feel under powered and sometimes it seems like it will just die on hills. Toyota says it is "normal for this type of vehicle". Well, neither of the Chevy Colorado nor Canyon have this issues.

People at popular forums stated that they activate the ECT mode, but then it takes to long to shift and at these higher RPM's the trucks sounds like a sewing machine on steroids...it's just too loud and inefficient. I mean we have to deal with workarounds on a new truck ?

Haven't hit the 10k miles yet, and I'm seriously considering to change it for the Colorado. Toyota still haven't come up clean with a solution nor answer regarding this matter other than the "this is normal for this vehicle".

This is not acceptable. Not for a $34k "new" truck.

- ciscom, Caguas, Puerto Rico

problem #3

May 022016

Tacoma SR5 V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

TRUCK LURCHES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, SEEMS LIKE IT'S SKIPPING GEARS. TOOK IT TO TOYOTA, THEY SAID THEY'RE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, IT'S A SOFTWARE ISSUE AND THEY ARE WORKING ON A FIX.

- gaudry, Jacksonville, FL, US

problem #2

Mar 032016

Tacoma SR5 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles

I am very disappointed with my new 2016 Toyota Tacoma. I waiting a long time for this vehicle to come on the market. The transmission will hesitate when shifting from reverse into drive. It is also very sluggish when shifting into gear on the highway from speeds 25 through 45 miles an hour. Not sure what the power train warranty is on this vehicle but I did purchase the extended warranty on the vehicle. I am sure it's only 3 year 36 thousand miles. But not sure. Not sure if I am going to keep the vehicle much longer. Too bad, I like every thing else about the truck. Very disappointed with Toyota. First and last one I will own.

- dennismartin45, Salem, MA, US

problem #1

Mar 182016

Tacoma SR5 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,618 miles

Twice it has hesitated going from R to D then catches. When I'm parking in the garage it wants to lurch/surge occasionally. I'm modulating the brake because the truck just fits inside. (Trying not to go through the wall.) The transmission feels indecisive and hesitant. It is very annoying when you take off from a stop then have to let off the gas when traffic slows ahead. When you get back on the gas the truck seems unresponsive for a couple seconds. It seems the engine spends a lot of time bogged down in low RPM's waiting for the tranny to respond.

This trans makes my old Fiesta look like a gem.

- Carlos L., Fort Worth, TX, US

Not what you are looking for?