Print this page

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
9,139 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2017 Toyota Tacoma drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2017 Toyota Tacoma:

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

2017 Toyota Tacoma Owner Comments (Page 2 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #44

Jul 042018

Tacoma

  • 15,000 miles

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

Transmission does not engage (slips) in first gear from a cold start up. I am concerned this defect may cause an unsafe situation in the future.

- St. Louis, MO, USA

problem #43

Apr 012018

Tacoma

  • 3,500 miles
My truck makes a loud thud sound when accelerating from a dead stop, slowing down to a dead stop, and slowing down fast from higher speeds from 70-25. This happens multiple times a day. I'm fearing for my life and am not in financial position to get another car. Please look into this quickly. Thank you

- Meridian, MS, USA

problem #42

Jun 242018

Tacoma

  • 19,500 miles
Transmission fails to start off in 1st gear especially when under a load such as A/C on during a hot day. Also constantly shifting from 6th to 4th then holding 4th for a short duration then shifting to 5th and immediate back to 6th then starts the process over again. I have verified this is the case with even new 2018 models the dealer and Toyota state this is normal operation. The issue is we never know when it is going to occur. We can drive from light to light and sometimes it leaves in first from a complete stop and other times it does not. This is dangerous when making unprotected turns in front of traffic. The most recent occurrence I was making a left turn in front of traffic and the vehicle refused to accelerate at the normal rate with the throttle near the floor it eventually grabbed first gear and began to accelerate normally just in time to avoid a collision. As stated this issue is more apparent in the summer heat of las vegas nv. Fellow consumers suggest that I invest in a 3rd party "tune" that resolves this erratic shifting behavior but the cost is nearly $800 and I don't want to void my manufacturer warranty by applying a 3rd party software repair but this is described by fellow owners as "the only fix". the issue is well documented in Toyota owners forums as well as other social media platforms but Toyota has their head in the sand after release of their 2nd revision to the shifting program over a year ago. Also, it should be mentioned that due to this constant erratic shifting (cruise control emphasizes the issue) we have never achieved anything close to the advertised mpg either we average 14 city 20 hwy 16-17mpg combined. 20 hwy mpg is achieved without cruise control, when using cruise control that hwy mpg drops to 18.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #41

Sep 012016

Tacoma

  • 5,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Tacoma. While driving approximately 30-40 mph, the transmission malfunctioned and caused the gears to fluctuate between third and fourth gears. When ascending up a hill, the transmission would fail to switch to the proper gear, causing the rpms to increase and the engine to continuously rev. Also, while in first and second gears, a loud abnormal noise was heard coming from the transmission. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (jones junction Toyota, 1504 bel air rd, bel air, md) where the electronic control unit was reprogrammed (reflashed), but the failure continued to occur. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no remedy. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 5,000.

- Joppa, MD, USA

problem #40

May 022018

Tacoma

  • 12,187 miles
Tacoma rear differential leak - my 2017 Toyota Tacoma is leaking fluid from my rear differential. Currently there is Toyota recall on 2016 and some 2017 Toyota Tacoma models.

- Parksley, VA, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #39

Mar 182018

Tacoma

  • 1,200 miles
At 1,200 miles I am noticing a howling noise in the interior (although sounds like transmission) as transmission changes gears at highway speeds of 55-65 mph.

- Waddell, AZ, USA

problem #38

Mar 122018

Tacoma

  • 950 miles

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

I was making left turn crossing traffic rolling almost to a stop, pressed on gas and truck did not move and paused about 2 seconds and took off across intersection and oncoming truck had to brake hard to avoid hitting me.I contacted dealer and test drove with tech. Could not duplicate incident and told other like problems reported to dealer, ran tests and reported no problem found. Also reported to them turning left up steep driveway truck transmission shifts and lunges forward and accelerates

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #37

Feb 282018

Tacoma

  • 17,000 miles
My Tacoma has 17000 miles on it. Here lately I've been hearing a chirping noise coming from the engine bay. It doesn't start right away so I know it's not a pulley or a belt. I don't drive the truck hard because let's face it, it's powertrain isn't the greatest and shifts like a kid learning to drive a stick. Im sure the chirping noise is the high pressure fuel pump in the engine bay. For awhile thought it was normal until another Tacoma pulled up and it wasn't doing the same noise at all even asked the guy if his A/C was on to make sure we had the same setting. His was also a 2017 off road Tacoma

- Alvarado, TX, USA

problem #36

Dec 012017

Tacoma

  • 2,000 miles
The truck shifts into too high of a gear when attempting to accelerate between 20-30 mph., causing engine to rev up to and beyond redline (5500rpm to 6000rpm), which is extremely damaging to a new engine. This results in a 3 or more second delay or stall while the transmission finds an appropriate gear for the current speed. Most of the time, when it finally does find a gear, it is often too low, resulting in extreme engine revving followed by complete loss of power. This delay or stall almost left me in a serious accident as I pulled out into the intersection (under normal circumstances), the cross traffic did not yield to the red light. I had to accelerate quickly from about 20 mph, meanwhile, the truck's transmission stalled and would not respond. I narrowly avoided being hit. I have taken the truck in no less than four times in the last 12 months to report the same complaint I have documentation but continue to be told that the transmission is performing at manufactured specifications. Not sure what those specs are but nothing has been done to address the transmission issue the truck is unstable when driving with heavy load in the bed (never exceeding 1000lbs.). when loaded with 10- 90lb. Bags of concrete (900lbs.), the truck feels extremely unstable. I won't drive it on the freeway under such weight. The manufacturer stated weight limit is ton (1000lbs.) and yet when filled with only 900lbs of concrete the leaf springs arch, fully inverted upside down, leaving the truck highly unstable and unresponsive. Of all three of the Toyota trucks that I have owned, including the 4 runner, I have never seen this occur in the leaf springs nor had stability problems carrying this type of weight. I don't feel comfortable driving this vehicle due to transmission and weight concerns, and feel it is not only a safety hazard to myself as well as others.

- Altadena, CA, USA

problem #35

Feb 102018

Tacoma

  • 2,000 miles
The transmission in this truck shifts erratically. The first second shift alternates between extremely slow and harsh enough to make the truck buck and shake. Because of this shift issue power applied at low speeds is inconsistent. The transmission searches for gear at highway speeds and downshifts excessively. The transmission issues started at approximately 2000 miles on the vehicle and are ongoing. The issues occur at speeds from 2mph through 75mph these issues make the vehicle unpredictable and more difficult to control. Additonaly the U bolts holding the axle onto the vehicle were not torqued properly from the factory. The bolts were torqued to approximalty 30 ftlbs, not the 52 ftlbs Toyota specifies, which caused axle wrap issues and made the transmission issues listed above worse.

- Oro Valley, AZ, USA

problem #34

Feb 072018

Tacoma

  • 1,000 miles

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

Transmission does this on a random basis it is too quick to upshift causing the engine to bog down. -transmission causes the tuck to lurch forward at low speeds. -shifting from R to D on a hill can sometimes cause the truck to roll back as if the truck was in neutral -in general, the transmission is inconsistent in operation. In the same situation, it may react differently -during hard acceleration after you let up on the gas, the engine RPM's will stay high and slowly come back down. If you press the gas again during this time the transmission will either cause the engine to rev but the truck won't accelerate or will slam into a gear causing the truck to lurch. It also does this randomly the transmission being slow to downshift to a lower gear when trying to accelerate or it would upshift to a higher gear while accelerating/merging resulting in an unexpected change in acceleration.the vehicle will also "noticeably" down shift while the foot is off the accelerator resulting in an unexpected change in deceleration. The problem seems to be getting worse and now the shifting is starting to jolt the vehicle. While driving at constant speeds the vehicle will randomly surge high in rpms then come right back down. The vehicle is presenting unsafe conditions. Took the vehicle to the dealer multiple times. 1st time they topped off the transmission fluid as it was low from the factory. 2nd time they are aware of the issue and others were having it as well and the transmission ECU was re-flashed. This still did not resolve the problem. Brought the vehicle back a 3rd time and they didn't see a problem with the vehicle. Vehicle currently has less than 2500 miles on it. Not sure why you would design a vehicle to do this. I have taken my truck in for this problem and Toyota of orange says the transmission is working the way it was designed to do...

- Orange, CA, USA

problem #33

Jan 212018

Tacoma

  • 10,000 miles
Vehicle was in motion trying to accelerate from a slow speed to a higher speed entering a high speed road. The truck failed to accelerate and would not go over 20 miles an hour. I had to swerve off the road to avoid an accident. The truck was towed to Toyota since its under warranty. It was diagnosed and was told I have one of several trucks out there that have this computer issue the causes this. I was told they do not have a fix for this but they could get it operating correctly but its still not fixed and may happen again. I mentioned I almost got into a car accident and I don't feel safe driving it until it is fixed. Toyota said they have to release the car to me since its operating correctly now even though the problem isn't fixed. I learned from them they have more trucks with the same problem and they are working on a solution but don't have one yet. They offer no other solution or resolution at this time. I don't feel this is right since to me its more of a life safety issue. I feel they should keep the truck until its fixed and loan me a replacement, or they should replace my truck with one that doesn't have this software problem. I am shocked they will release a vehicle back while stating they know this dangerous problem may occur again. I have a case number of 1711171145 with Toyota headquarters and I was working with pam. I was also working the matt at desert Toyota who received all of this information from Toyota.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #32

Mar 202017

Tacoma 6-cyl

  • 1,000 miles
The transmission does not engage on take off initially, it also jumps as you are slowing down, coming to a stop at a stop light. It has been in 4 times for this same issue. Toyota knows there is a problem, and they acknowledge it, but does not have a fix for it. What happens when my warranty is expired. It is definitely getting worse. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

- Land O Lakes, FL, USA

problem #31

Dec 182017

Tacoma

  • 800 miles
The vehicle differential started to howl and whine at 800 miles and has steadily increased in severity as I put more miles on it. This is indicative of a bearing failing inside the differential. Toyota has brushed this off. They have not physically inspected the differential or even checked the fluids and provided no answer to what is going on with this vehicle. What is keeping my vehicle from not seizing up on the freeway and causing an accident if the differential grenades while at highway speeds?

- League City, TX, USA

problem #30

Nov 162017

Tacoma

  • 1,000 miles
When driving at highway speeds and you come to an abrupt slowdown to rolling the truck will shudder, clunk into gear and then when about to stop will lunge forward at times. This has happened 3 times where the ABS actuates due to the lunge from the transmission shift and almost caused me to rear end the vehicle infront. In the Toyota Tacoma forums there are many whom experience the same issue but Toyota seems to not resolve it.

- Castroville, CA, USA

problem #29

Jun 142017

Tacoma

  • 13,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Tacoma. While the vehicle was in the drive position, the vehicle drove in reverse and a tracking noise was heard underneath the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to merced Toyota (1400 auto center dr, merced, ca 95340, phone number: (844) 553-4296) where it was diagnosed, but the technician could not find a failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 13,000.

- Los Banos, CA, USA

problem #28

Nov 012017

Tacoma

  • 3,600 miles
6 speed automatic transmission is always on a higher gear. Often lugs the truck around and can be hazardous when turning left or right from rolling as the truck often stays at a higher gear and will either lug the vehicle or jerk/rough downshift. When sudden acceleration is needed, truck will lag or jerk. Has the potential to cause or be involved in accidents due to transmission mapping.

- Whittier, CA, USA

problem #27

Aug 042017

Tacoma

  • 15,000 miles
Brought car in for a 15K mile check up and recall check on 08/04/2017. The service manager told me that there was in fact a leak and they would need to keep the car for a few days to repair. The parts were ordered and will be there in a couple days. 1 week later I was able to get a loaner car. Now it has been over 30 days and they have not fixed the truck. Superstition Toyota located on E. auto loop ave, mesa,

- Apache Junction, AZ, USA

problem #26

Jul 102017

Tacoma

  • 10,000 miles
Rear differential leak recall #: 17V-285 my Toyota dealership has had my 2017 Tacoma truck since mid July. After weeks of calling the dealership they cannot give me a completed repair date. Toyota has failed or is unable to remedy the defect within a reasonable time and I want Toyota to exchange my current truck for a new one: My current truck has less than 10,000 miles. Calls to Toyota resulted in no action taken on their part to resolve this matter. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

- Mansfield, TX, USA

problem #25

Aug 022017

Tacoma

  • 2,008 miles
When vehicle cold and going coasting down hill (15 mph at most) the transmission lags before it engages. RPM's rev up. But vehicle does not respond. Press break and then responds. Not first time this has happened...also happened coasting up hill to stop sign.

- Harrisonburg, VA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

Not what you are looking for?