The Tacoma powertrain design is awful. The gearing of the transmission and final drive are too low to make any torque to move the truck. Normal road trip driving on the freeway with cruise control on, you just have to get used to it slamming into 4th gear and holding it for even the slightest hill. Then goes to 5th then immediately 6th only to slam into 4th again a few seconds later. Street and local freeway driving you'll have constant gear changes and surges.

Most of the time, just activating cruise control causes the truck to surge and jump down to 4th with no throttle input changes. The scariest part to us is the low speed operation since you never know when it will happen and it's dangerous. With A/C on in a hot climate, leaving from a stop, the truck will set off in a gear other than 1st. We believe its second or third, and you will have 0 power with your foot on the floor for about 2-3 seconds then it will grab first and set off. This happened to us 2 days ago when making an unprotected left in front of traffic. It was scary to think that a near collision was caused by our truck refusing to shift properly.

It's only a matter of time before Toyotas awful design and tune causes serious injury. On top of that, you'll never get the advertised MPG - be happy if you get 18mpg highway. When you take it to the dealer, you'll be told its normal and sent away. There is nothing we can do besides going to the aftermarket for a tune that will help correct Toyota's terrible tune (~$800) or changing the final drive gearing to 4.88 (on our 4x4 that's ~$2000). I refuse to spend this money and potentially void the warranty on our $40,000 to correct an issue that Toyota is completely aware of but continues to sweep under the rug.

I was on a fire road this last weekend when truck got stuck on a little tree branch literally 2" thick. Ok truck is a 2wd, i get it but I could not get the transmission to let me do anything. The fly by wire throttle kept not responding to my inputs and I could not get truck to rock back and forth or move at all. The computer took over and got me permanently stuck.

This is the truck's design. I am a Master Tech, ASE Master and a degree in electronics and computers. I am a Master Tech on Toyota Jeep Dodge and I have never been let down like this before.

Second problem is the transmission tries to drive the truck up hills at 1600 RPM which is ridiculous. I try to pass on freeway and the throttle response is literally 10 seconds of pushing foot down a little, and a little more, and a little more with no response until I have to mash my foot down to get the truck to move. Then it has to down shift two gears just to start moving. It only holds the gear for 2 seconds and tries to upshift again. I have had it!!! There are no tuners out for this transmission shift and Toyota seriously dropped the ball on this. I am one of MANY people with same complaint. The truck is dangerous. Every time I am in a bad situation I cant get the truck to go. It hunts around for gears and falls on its face until I get extremely angry and mash the throttle to floor.

The fly by wire is completely out of line also. it takes seconds for it to respond. This last weekend where truck was stuck and computer would not let me do what I needed to do even with traction control off was the last straw for me. and yes I have used the ETC button so don't tell me about that stupid button I have to press every time I get in truck just to get it to hold a gear a little longer. I have used Sport Shift also. Its all a joke for a horrible transmission program.

I build trucks for a living and I can show you all my credentials.

I am going to spread my word everywhere. Everyone is going to hear about Tacoma from me. All my customers will hear also and I am in San Diego where I can tell a lot of people. You all should be ashamed putting that transmission map on this truck. The truck is worthless and I will get rid of it as fast as I can. Everyone says, "Well its such a reliable truck." Well that just means I have to put up with a horrible shifting transmission even longer. Not to mention the truck is absolutely boring as all get out.

Bought truck with 32600 miles transmission would slip between 30 and 55 MPH, did not notice problem on test drive. Took back to dealer (Dick Dyer in Col. SC) was told I needed a software update they installed the latest update, it helped some. Noticed it more when the truck was cold, I have to drive 2 miles on a curved road to get to the main highway always notice it them.

Was Back for routine check up told them then was still having problems with transmission, they did not find any problem but that Toyota was always working on new software up grades.

This problem is not catastrophic, but if I would have noticed on test drive would not have bought truck, really has give me a bad taste for Toyota.

Do I have to just live with the problem?

Update from Apr 2, 2020: I took the truck Toyota Tacoma back to dealer, they told me that it is Toyota position that there is nothing wrong with the truck or transmission, if i feel the need he gave me a phone number to Toyota headquarters. I call the number talked to a lady Name Mather, we had a conference call with the dealers service manager and the mechanic, They all told me the party line that there was nothing wrong with the truck. They did admit that the 2019 & 2020 does not have this issue. The mechanic told me that, i wanted to have my cake and eat it to, My response was I can have good gas mileage or a smooth operating transmission, not both. The Toyota rep said i had no recourse with the issue as it's Toyota position that it is normal. I asked that they send me a litter stating that the truck would shutter at 1000 rpms and around 40 to 50 mph, and it is operating normally, her response was she would definitely not, do that.

I gathered talking to all three (although they did not say it) was they knew there was a problem but Toyota's line is nothing is wrong with the truck.

I am now in the process of writing a letter to the CEO of Toyota North America Mr. Jim Lentz in Plano Tx.

I know nothing else to do.

TRUCK DOES NOT KNOW WHAT GEAR IT WANTS TO BE IN. ALWAYS SHIFTING INTO THE WRONG GEAR AT THE WRONG TIME. CLUNKING NOISES COMING FROM THE REAR END WHEN STOPPING AND SLIPPING WHILE TURNING WHILE ACCELERATING. WHEN ITS COLD OUTSIDE ITS LIKE DRIVING DAD'S OLD 76 BUICK. ITS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS FROZEN AND WILL BARELY MOVE UNTIL I FLOOR THE DAMN THING!!! THE ONLY TIME IT RUNS RIGHT IS WHEN ITS TO THE FLOOR. IF I'M GOING TO DRIVE IT FLAT FOOTED ALL THE TIME, I MIGHT AS WELL GO BUY A CAMERO. AND GAS MILEAGE IS TERRIBLE BECAUSE OF IT. I'M A FIRST TIME TOYOTA BUYER AND LAST TIME TOYOTA LEASER. THEY CAN HAVE THIS PIECE OF SH*T BACK IN 2 MORE YEARS. MEANWHILE WHILE TOYOTA CORPORATE IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM!!! THANKS FOR THE $42K TERD.

This is more to offer a counter opinion to everyone complaining about their transmission problems. First of all, the transmission is a manumatic, so you can bump over into manual mode, shift into 6th and drive your happy little ass off in that gear all day long except under extreme conditions where the PCM will force a downshift.

Second, more speeds in a transmission are a result of CAFE regulations forcing automakers to get more creative in improving fuel economy and emissions performance. The new generation Tacoma has a very low ratio overdrive to bump down engine speed as much as possible while cruising. I agree that when you leave things up to the PCM, the shift schedule can be annoying, and there's room for improvement, but I can also tell you, having been on the design side of this equation, that this is the future of the internal combustion powertrain... smaller displacement, different types of thermodynamic cycles doing things people aren't used to, and more speeds to allow optimal engine speed and load combinations for maximum fuel economy and emissions standards.

The new Tacoma is doing all of these things. If you really don't like it, get an older vehicle, a manual transmission, a diesel, a hybrid, an electric vehicle, or ask your congressmen to change CAFE and emissions standards. Because I know why the transmission shifts so often, it really doesn't much bother me, and like I said, you can always just bump it over into manual mode if you bothers you so much. My .02...

I am or was a die hard Toyota customer - I've purchased 7 new and 1 used Toyota in since 2003; I recently bought a new 2017 4-Runner in Nov, 2017 and love it. The 2017 Tacoma Off Road Extender Cab Short Box was purchased on 1-5-18. Noticed some transmission rough shifting, but it wasn't until traveling on the I-94 Interstate in cruise at 70 MPH that the transmission was constantly and abruptly down shifting and the RPM would jump from around 2000 at 70 MPH to 3100 as the truck tried to regain the 70 MPH speed on the slightest incline including a less than a few inch rise as I drove over a several bridges.

Took it back to the dealer who informed me there wasn't a recall, but there were problems and they had a "service bulletin" to upgrade the computer software which would "fix" the problem. They kept the vehicle from 8AM to 3:30PM on 2-13-18 and when I picked it up I was told the software was already installed on the vehicle before I bought it and that the shifting is "Normal". What a Joke - I really liked the looks of the truck and this is my 3d Tacoma and w/b the LAST one as I will trade it in as soon as the warranty expires.

REALLY DISAPPOINTED and ashamed at both TOYOTA for NOT correcting the problem and myself for not checking the complaints B4 I purchased it - Toyota and the Penske Dealership won't B seeing me anytime soon if at all after this experience.

REALLY POOR TRANSMISSION. Every morning after take-off when engine is cold the transmission SLIPS, very dangerous as the truck will not engage gear and start slowing down. When coming to a stop there is a loud clunk noise in the transmission, feels like someone rear ended your truck. The truck jerks when slowing down then accelerating (as soon as the gas pedal is engaged) and causes a noise within the transmission, I have noticed this problem more frequently when traveling at about 10-30mph. I regret making this 36k purchase, as no new vehicle should have those problems.

I have owned this truck for about 8 months (4310 miles), bought new. This is one sorry truck, transmission continuously shifts back and forth. This truck is NOT a pleasure to drive, the transmission doesn't know which gear it needs to be in, so the truck bogs down, jumps and jerks. Toyota doesn't have a fix for this, but only says "We're working on it". I absolutely hate to drive this truck, as you can tell by the low mileage. I have owned several Toyota's and loved them, but this one is a LEMON.

Bought truck in late October 2017. Have taken the truck back to dealership 4 times so far with the same complaint.....rough jerking at low rpms, especially when on a grade. Diagnostics are run on truck each time with same result...nothing showing up. Was told on last visit that they (dealership) are seeing this complaint more and more. They can't tell me if Toyota is working on a "fix" or not. I should have been more observant when I took the test drive. Had I known the truck was going to perform like this, I would have never bought it. Not very satisfied with the truck at this point. Toyota needs to fix the issue otherwise I won't be buying a Toyota again.

Purchased the truck with about 3,600 miles on it. Biggest problems seem to occur at 40-45 mph, especially if going up a hill or around a curve. It feels like it is missing or slipping. Really bad when I pull my small boat. I traded in a 2015 Nissan Frontier plus $16,000. Expensive mistake on my part. Wish I had my money and other truck back. Toyota corporate has contacted me and said they were trying to contact service manager at our local dealer, with no luck. I took it back and they said they checked it out and found no problems. I have been driving for 51 years and there is a problem!

This drivetrain is just awful. The transmission constantly clunks when coming to a stop, it almost feels like someone just rear ended me. It is always hunting for gears on the freeway. The engine is very sluggish and struggles to accelerate. It gets horrible gas mileage because it can never find a comfortable gear in cruise control to stay at. The only time the trunk really moves is if you damn near floor it. I am leasing the truck and got it back in August of 2017. My plan was to purchase after my lease is up but I think I have changed my mind and will be giving the truck back. Its a nice looking truck and I love all other features it has. I took it to Toyota and they said the transmission software is up to date. I wish I would of done more research before getting this thing!

I am an avid Toyota owner. Now I am frustrated and will try to get to a Real Answer concerning why my pickup runs like a vehicle that has never been tuned up. Why can't Toyota engineers come up with a solution to this on going issue. The smart transmission is not so smart after all. You know for the amount of money I have invested in Toyota, through the years l believe Corporate should cater to me and all of the other owners with this serious complaint. Otherwise I love my truck completely. The Dealership in Harrisonburg has been very good to me, and my wife - we have purchased many toyota vehicles from this Family dealership. Truly though I am beginning to reconsider why I made this purchase..

Been a long time Toyota fan, (Since 1977) Never had any problems with Toyota products. This is my 3rd Tacoma and I'm sorry I bought it. The truck is fairly nice except for the transmission shifting poorly, clunk in rear end?, poor gas mileage(18hywy). Also, the front hood alignment was off, found out that some plastic part broke during delivery, dealership repaired but didn't replace the 3m protectant, when I mentioned it to the service manager, he said there wasn't any on the original parts, I asked why was I charged for it and he had no answer and no restitution, they couldn't show the old part to prove/dis-prove my claim, all I have is the sales paperwork to prove the 3m, but still now support from the dealership. Now hood is doing it again and becoming mis-aligned only on the passenger side this time. This truck is made of very low end cheap plastic trim every where. They raised the price and lowered their quality. My relationship with Toyota is coming to an end. Took a $40k lemon and poor dealership customer service to make my switch, maybe try Nissan next.