The owner of a 2019 Toyota Camry filed a brief complaint citing issues with the 8-speed transmission. In particular, both at moderate and full throttle, the transmission lags when shifting. Additionally, the owner claimed that when in Economy mode, the transmission upshifts excessively.
It is currently unknown whether the car was ever taken to the dealer for repairs or if the issue resolved itself.
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Harsh and/or Jerky Transmission Shifting Behavior
Ottawa residents have reported shaking and trembling during acceleration, which the owner blames on a torque converter problem.
NHTSA Complaint ID: 11316237
This Toyota Camry owner from 2018 claims that the transmission causes the car to lurch when accelerating from a rolling stop. As the car comes to a stop, the transmission also jerks when downshifting from second to first gear.
The owner also expressed concern with lag between gear shifts when accelerating, a condition that he claims resembles throttle lag. Unfortunately, it is unknown if a qualified service specialist looked into or resolved these problems.
NHTSA Complaint ID: 11318764
An additional 2019 Toyota Camry owner complained that the 8-speed transmission took a long time to change into the right gear. In particular, as the car slows down, the transmission keeps the gear it is in for a longer period of time than is necessary. The owner claims that this behavior makes the car unsteady when accelerating and turning.
Whether the owner had the issue identified and/or effectively fixed is currently unknown.
NHTSA Complaint ID: 11076633
The driver of a 2017 Toyota Sienna experienced a forceful jerk after releasing the pedal while coming to a halt, along with an increase in RPM. The owner observed that there were no caution lights. However, a nearby dealer identified the problem as a transmission failure.
But the transmission trouble would come and go, especially after extended periods of driving. The owner kept on driving until his wife overheard a loud whining sound, which subsided shortly after the car was restarted.
The owner took the car in for an ECU software update after seeing a technical service bulletin for the transmission failure. But even after the update, the issue persisted.
Does Toyota’s eight-speed transmission have any issues?
Owners of Toyota Highlander and Sienna minivans with direct shift 8AT gearboxes have had numerous issues over the past few years. The UA80, UA80E, and US80F eight-speed transmissions are involved in this. A class-action lawsuit has consequently been launched in California. More than 1 million Toyota 8-speed gearboxes are covered by it.
Owners of Highlanders and Sienna minivans manufactured in 2017 and after have reported hard or delayed shifting, delayed acceleration, reluctance, jerking, unintended acceleration, lurching, and high RPMs prior to upshifting. According to CarComplaints, the plaintiffs allege that Toyota aggressively covered up 8AT automatic transmission flaws.
Who makes the 8-speed transmission for Toyota?
Aisin-Warner produces the A line of automatic FWD/RWD/4WD/AWD transmissions for Toyota Motor Corporation.
They have a lot in common with the AW7* and 03-71* transmissions from Volvo and Aisin-Warner, which are used in Suzuki, Mitsubishi, and other Asian cars.
Three sections comprise the codes:
- Aisin-Warner Automatic corresponds to the letter A.
- three or two digits.
- Two digits are used in older broadcasts.
- The generation is represented by the first digit (not the number of gears, see A10 vs A20 and A30 vs A40 vs A40D).
- The application is represented by the final digit.
- Three digits are used in newer transmissions.
- The generation is represented by the first digit. The order is 1, 2,…, 9, A, B, with A and B being considered digits.
- The number of gears is indicated by the second digit.
- letters denoting specific characteristics:
- 3-speed A4x series and 4-speed A4xD series are divided by the letter D.
- Control by electronic means
- F is for four-wheel drive.
- H stands for AWD transverse mount.
- torque converter lock-up
When did Toyota switch to an eight-speed transmission?
Toyota created a transmission that was more effective and inventive than prior iterations in response to rising expectations for performance and fuel economy.
The Direct Shift-8AT, an 8-speed automatic transmission created as a result, is designed for front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive cars with transversely mounted engines.
Following its introduction in the 2017 Toyota Highlander and Sienna, the Direct Shift-8AT was later added to the 2018 Camry, RAV4, 2019 Avalon, and 2019 Lexus ES 350. The 8-speed transmission, like its predecessors, is a non-serviceable device that uses “Toyota World Standard (WS) fluid for life.
The Toyota 8-speed transmission has its advantages, but some customers and a large number of reviews have been disappointed with how well it performs. Andy Stoy of Autoweek noted in a review of the 2018 Toyota Camry that the transmission requires improvement “has to be exorcised because of its bad conduct.
Which Toyota has issues with its transmission?
There are apparently a number of complaints about the power train in specific Toyota car models from 2017 to 2020 that have been submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, there haven’t yet been any safety recalls.
In some Toyota vehicles, a lack of power or acceleration is the most frequent gearbox issue reported to the NHTSA. Another issue raised by customers was the automatic transmission being stuck in a certain gear.
Additional grievances against Toyota’s transmissions include:
- harsh, sluggish, or abrupt changing
- failure to move forward after stopping
- jerky transmission
- abrupt power outage
- breakdown of the transmission too soon
Toyota Models Impacted by Transmission Problems
Attorneys started putting up a class action lawsuit against Toyota in September 2020, and they have named the following vehicles in that case:
- Toyota Highlander from 2017 to 2020
- Toyota Sienna 20172020
- Toyota Avalon from 2018 to 2020
Are there any gearbox issues with the 2021 Camry?
You can drive at the speed you want thanks to your transmission, which transfers power from the engine to the wheels.
Even the tiniest transmission issues should be fixed straight away because the transmission must convert the exact quantity of power for the correct amount of speed.
These issues are easy to identify.
Shift delays, grinding or leaping during acceleration, the car shuddering on the road, a burning odor, or whistling sounds emanating from under the hood are all signs of transmission issues with the 2021 Toyota Camry.
If you ignore Toyota Camry transmission issues, you can see a drop in fuel efficiency or discover that your Camry is completely unresponsive.
Do the 2021 Highlander’s transmission issues persist?
In order to enable you to drive at the correct speed, the gearbox transfers power from the motor to your wheels.
Since the transmission must convert the exact amount of power for the intended speed, even a little transmission problem can have a significant impact on the performance of your Highlander.
It’s a straightforward automotive issue to identify.
Shift delays, grinding while accelerating, the car shaking at any speed, whistling noises, and a burning odor emanating from under the hood are all potential symptoms of transmission problems with the 2021 Toyota Highlander.
You can lose fuel economy or discover that you can’t drive your Toyota Highlander at all if you neglect gearbox problems.
Toyota employs Aisin transmissions, right?
In reality, an incredible variety of automakers, including Isuzu Motors, HINO Motors, Toyota, Mazda, Ford, and countless others, have employed Aisin transmissions.
A nice 8 speed transmission?
The extremely effective 8 speed transmission offers the user a number of advantages. The improvement in fuel efficiency is the first and most desired benefit. It can increase fuel efficiency by up to 14% when compared to contemporary 5 speed transmissions and by 11% when compared to older 6 speed transmissions. The Chrysler 300 now achieves 31 MPG, up from 27 MPG in previous years.
The extraordinarily quick locking torque converter, which enables quick engagement and little “slide,” is another advantage.
Faster torque converter engagement and reduced slippage translate to less clutch wear and tear and a longer clutch life.
This enhancement results in a longer transmission life expectancy because torque converters experience the most wear and tear and frequently fail at higher rates than other transmission parts.
This is a big benefit to the buyer as transmission repairs are sometimes among the most expensive auto repairs.
Extremely smooth changes that occur so swiftly the driver frequently isn’t able to feel them are another advantage that this enhanced transmission can provide.
They can manage over 650 ft-lbs of torque, which is a huge benefit for power enthusiasts!
These new units, which weigh under 200 lbs, provide an excellent balance of power and efficiency.
Are there any gearbox issues with the 2020 RAV4?
Fist Pump Guy, also known as Gary, claims that there is a quick remedy for the 2019 Toyota RAV4 transmission. He asserts that the issue would be fixed by a software update that was made available in April 2019. However, some consumers said that even after obtaining this update from the Toyota dealership, the transmission issues persisted. In order to receive the update, owners must take their RAV4 to a dealership.
Toyota issued a service bulletin for this problem with the NHTSA catalog number T-SB-0107-19. Those with hesitant acceleration from a rolling halt will receive service. The update for the Engine Control Module lessens the possibility of stuttering. Additionally, the Toyota Federal Emission Warranty covers this repair. Nevertheless, the automaker chose not to initiate a recall for this problem despite these suggested solutions.
For the time being, the Toyota RAV4 model years 20202022 have no known transmission issues. However, when those cars log more miles, new issues can surface. It’s encouraging that the transmission issues with the 2019 model year Toyota RAV4 seem to have been resolved in the current generation of cars. There are only three complaints about the 2021 Toyota RAV4 on Car Complaints.
Which transmission6 or 8 speedsis preferable?
The key to increasing fuel efficiency is to use automatic transmissions with larger gear ratios and advanced electronic controls. Mr. Petrovski pointed out that as automakers switch out large engines for smaller, fuel-efficient turbocharged ones, the latter often need to run at faster speeds to achieve their full potential. He pointed to the industry’s gradual transition from 3- and 4-speed automatic transmissions in the 1980s to 5- and 6-speed transmissions in the 1990s, followed by the shift to 7- and 8-speed transmissions in the early 2000s. 2013 will see the debut of a ZF-designed 9-speed automatic from Chrysler.
The engine is kept running at a speed where it performs best while using the least amount of fuel by adding extra gears. Depending on the engine, the vehicle, and the drive-axle gearing, an 8-speed automatic can offer up to 11 percent better fuel efficiency than a 6-speed, for instance.
The ratio spread of the transmission is crucial in the transition to seven and more gears.
the difference in numbers between the first and highest gears (also known as the overall ratio spread) or between nearby gears, such third and fourth.
The only way to have a wide overall ratio spread and a small ratio spread within gears (for both good acceleration and peaceful highway driving) is by adding more gears (to keep the engine revving at its best power level for a given road speed). The better, the higher the number. The ratio spread of the new 9-speeds will be close to 10, as opposed to the typical 6-speed’s ratio spread of roughly six.
Engineers believe it is becoming more difficult to fit additional gears and the machinery necessary to make smooth, unnoticeable shifts into the small transmission housings used in smaller automobiles. To reduce space, the gearsets are being designed to “nest within each other.”
However, due in part to the fact that their transmissions are mounted across the chassis rather than lengthwise as in trucks, huge S.U.V.s, most sports cars, and large luxury sedans, subcompact and compact automobiles with front-wheel drive have limited interior space. The breadth of the transmissions and the number of gears that can fit inside are limited by the narrow space between the front wheels.