8.9
pretty bad- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 2,540 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
I recently purchased a 2010 Toyota Tacoma with a 5-speed automatic transmission. When I slow down for a right turn (or brake for any other reason) and then accelerate, the transmission seems to slip into neutral and fails to respond for a second or two. This problem makes merging into moving traffic very hazardous. When I went to my Toyota dealer to have the problem fixed, I was told that this was "normal" for the 2009 and 2010 Tacoma and no repair was available.
- Caledonia, NY, USA
Transmission slips going from 1st to 2nd gear, this problem occurs everytime I accelerate.
- Roy, UT, USA
2009 Toyota Tacoma,5 speed automatic transmission. When slowing to make a turn and then resuming speed, the automatic transmission seems to be in neutral or severely slipping. Toyota service states this is normal ! makes turning with oncoming traffic is very hazardous as you don't know if the transmission will be properly engaged in gear. Always happens at 20 mph or less when in drive. I have also had this same problem when in local stop and go traffic, no turning involved.
- Fort Myers, FL, USA
While usually making left turn, coming out of the turn, putting on the gas, the transmission does not engage but will rev up to approx. 2500 RPM's and then suddenly engage and lurch forward in first gear. There is a delay in power which is dangerous if crosstraffic is coming. Same slowing down through intersection, then putting gas down.
- Austin, TX, USA
Purchased 2009 Toyota Tacoma crewcab in July 2009. I immediately began to notice when driving that the transmission gearing was not correct. When decelerating to make a turn or after coming to complete stop followed by acceleration, the transmission slips and struggles to find the correct gear for the speed the vehicle is traveling.
- Crawfordville, FL, USA
I purchased a new 2009 Toyota Tacoma in may of 2009. Shortly after purchasing the vehicle I noticed that the transmission 'slips' and does not engage at low speeds after slowing to around 10 mph and then accelerating without coming to a complete stop. This is very dangerous and I have had some close calls when turning left at traffic lights. This is a dangerous defect. I have carried the vehicle to the dealer twice and they say that Toyota has recognized the problem and is working on a computer 'patch' to solve the problem. I was given no time frame to fix the problem. I "googled" Toyota transmission problems and the problem appears to be so prevalent that there is a private web site devoted to this problem. I am wondering why the government has not issued a recall? this is a dangerous situation.
- Milan, TN, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the transmission slipped between first and second gear and also lunged forward at times. The vehicle lunged forward and almost caused her to hit pedestrians and other vehicles. The failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to a dealer on two occasions. A technician stated that it was a characteristic of the vehicle and that there was nothing that they would be able to do. The manufacturer backed up the dealer's explanation. The current mileage was approximately 2,600. The failure mileage was 161.
- Stockton, CA, USA
Transmission does not respond when you accelerate after slowing probably between 1st and 2nd gear. The tach will go up but the transmission fails to engage and you just end up coasting into a turn or merging into traffic. This has occurred since I purchased the vehicle. Took it to the dealer and they said nothing was wrong. But from other complaints I see this has been happening with some 09 Tacoma. You cannot pull into traffic from a rolling start safely.
- Stateline, NV, USA
I drive a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. The transmission hesitates/sticks when the driver accelerates after de-accelerating. This occurs when the truck slows to a speed below 15-20 mph, especially when turning a corner or yielding. The driver is pushing the accelerator, trying to get out of harms way of other traffic and the transmission is sticking and revving up; not wanting to kick in and go. Toyota claims this is normal. This is not normal - it is a safety hazard.
- Gonzales, TX, USA
My new 2009 Toyota prerunner transmission randomly slips (delays) when going from 1st to 2nd gear. I first noticed it at 150 miles. I haven't been able to establish a definite pattern, except it happens when accelerating from speeds below 10mph. I now have 1500 miles on the odometer and it still slips randomly and continuously. I'm afraid that one day I'm going to try to enter traffic and my transmission is going to slip and I'm going to have someone run into me or cause an accident. Toyota has told me this is a "normal" thing. Nothing has been done about it. I was told it has something to do with the computer/emissions/and other components, working together for better gas mileage (which by the way is not all that great) and it is normal. In other words, nothing is wrong and nothing needs to be fixed, it's supposed to that. It seems to me that the transmission randomly slipping is not something that is supposed to happen.
- San Marcos, CA, USA
The transmission in 2009 Tacoma 4WD V6 does not shift down smoothly as the truck slows down into a turn and begins to accelerate out of a turn or in a straight away. The issue is pronounced in speeds of 35 mph and less. There seem to be a delay in response when accelerating, . until the transmission responds and the truck lurks forward. I checked with the Toyota dealer, and the dealer does not think there is a problem. I checked Toyota forums and found out numerous complaints about the same issue that I have. There is for sure a problem with the transmission or the software. My truck has only 2700 miles on it. All the complaints I read regarding this issue are low mileage trucks and it seems to be affecting the 2009 model.
- North Brunswick, NJ, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. Whenever the contact turns the vehicle, the engine revs very loudly. However, the transmission does not engage. The contact is concerned that a crash could occur. The dealer stated that the failure was due to computer failure, but the manufacturer has not yet provided a remedy. The contact called the manufacturer directly and they sent a technician to test drive the vehicle. The technician stated that this was a characteristic of the vehicle and there was no remedy available. The failure mileage was 15 and current mileage was 2,100. Updated 8/18/09 the consumer stated the vehicle seemed to be missing 1st gear for a few seconds. Updated 08/21/09
- Tapps, WA, USA
Automatic transmission fails to engage 2nd gear when accelerating into a turn or coasting down a hill. The rpms increases but transmission does not engage. Issue occurs around 10-12 mpg. Driveline rumbles from 25-10mph decelerating. Dealer says truck is normal.
- Charlottesville, VA, USA
Automatic transmission fails to engage upon accelerating out of a turn or after coasting down a hill. The rpms race but transmission does not engage unless accelerator is released and vehicle slows. In a pullout situation, this could be hazardous with oncoming traffic.
- Yardley, PA, USA
Radio turns off on its own. Display sometimes does not work while radio is on. Display sometimes is erratic. Toyota of saint croix, us virgin islands removed it. Will put in a new one by 6/8/09. I'm driving without a radio for now! after slowing down to enter a sharp turn, when trying to accelerate out of the turn the vehicle's RPM raises to 2000 but only revs. No output is achieved. To correct this I let go of the accelerator pedal and depress a second time. Output is achieved this time. Acceleration occurs. Informed Toyota of saint croix. No technical service bulletin addresses this...yet! was advised to keep filing complaints with Toyota.
- Kingshill, VI, USA
After slowing down (normally to enter a turn) and when you depress the accelerator the transmission downshifts into first gear, the engine will race up to a higher RPM as the car suddenly slows down. This lends to the possibility of an accident as you vehicle now slows down quickly.
- Kinge Goerge, VA, USA
I bought an '09 Tacoma 4X4 on April 4, 2009. Since that day my transmission is slipping, especially when trying to accelerate coming out of a turn. Rpms bounce around and sometimes it get stuck in a gear or revs like its in neutral. I have almost been hit twice from behind because the truck doesn't accelerate. This is a real problem and a safety issue. When I talked to the dealer they admitted it was happening but that it was "normal" due to new technology with computers. When I did some research it seems that lots of others are having the same problem and Toyota isn't doing anything about it. Someone is going to get hurt-there will be an accident because of this.
- Orange, MA, USA
Have 2009 Toyota Tacoma trd sport pckg. Truck that I bought in February. When slowing down to turn onto another street, once I turn and press the gas pedal to accelerate, the engine revs and the transmission takes about 2-3 seconds to shift gears. Happens 5-6 times a week, whether engine is cold or hot. Serious safety hazard, as this has happened when making a U-turn in traffic with cars approaching. Two different Toyota mechanics told me the tranny is computer operated and needs to learn my driving habits. Told me it will take at least 5,000 miles for the computer to learn my driving habits and for transmission to adjust. I have over 3700 miles now and tranny still seems weird. Still slipping when slowing down and then accelerating onto another street. Also, truck feels like the transmission tightens up when slowing down from 30mph to 20mph (it does not seem to coast freely, almost like the breaks are being slightly applied). Can feel the downshifting, even though it is an automatic. Mechanic told me that the computer driven tranny slows the truck down under 30 mph as that is part of the braking system. When you take your foot off of the gas, the computer prepares to brake and thus the tranny prepares for a stop he said. Mechanic also told me the Camry's had an issue with their transmissions and Toyota had to reprogram the computers. Toyota dealership ran a computer "cold start" test and said everything was normal. Have filed a complaint with national Toyota hotline. Numerous complaints on the internet about this same issue.
- Tampa, FL, USA
I purchased a 2009 Toyota Tacoma 4X4 and the transmission intermittently slips, mostly when you first accelerate(I have almost been involved in 2 car accidents due to this)after talking and bringing the vehicle back to the dealer they say its normal, I have found that on edmunds.com 108 other Toyota Tacoma owners are having the same problem and getting the same answers from the dealers, you never know when its going to slip but I don't let my wife or kids ride in the truck.
- Brockton, MA, USA
- New Waterford, Canada, 00, USA