Automatic Transmission problems of the 2009 Toyota Tacoma

'09 Toyota Tacoma. Transmission shifts erratically at slower speeds. Drops into first gear and lurches when turning a corner. Truck transmission feels out of control at apex of turn in an intersection. Not safe for foot traffic or other vehicles in the intersection. Dealership says transmission is ok. Many other complaints about this problem on edmonds. Com forum. Toyota will not acknowledge the problem.

Truck was purchased new in may 2009 (tacoma sr5, 4x4, access cab, 4l, v6, automatic transmission, towing package). When coming to a stop, the engine will rev up to 5000 rpm. My foot is on the brake when this happens, and I am not slamming on the brake. When I shift into neutral, the revving stops. This has happened three times in two days, not every time I stop. The truck has 3900 miles on it. After the third time, I drove directly to the dealer. They did a "system health check" and the test came back ok. They could not duplicate the condition in the time they had the vehicle. I left the vehicle there for a technician to drive to see if he/she can replicate the condition.

The problem with the transmission is when I slow down to go around a curve or decelerate for any reason it does a hard down shift and then when I proceed to press the accelerator the truck acts like it is searching for what gear it should be in, at the same time the rpm is increasing (engine starts to race) and finally the transmission lurches forward and goes into gear. If you are in heavy traffic or crossing a busy highway this is very unnerving and in my opinion a safety issue and an accident just waiting to happen. I have taken my truck to the dealer twice and was told that there was nothing wrong with it. I was told that it was new technology and that I had to get used to it.

I purchased a new Toyota Tacoma sr5 pickup 8/27/09. Immediately I noticed a problem when I slowed down at speed bumps and to turn corners and then started to accelerate. The vehicle would hesitate then surge forward. I can stop the hesitation somewhat by very lightly pressing the accelerator after I slow down and then slowly accelerating. If I forget to very lightly accelerate, the vehicle will surge forward following the hesitation. One time this surge as I turned a corner almost took me into oncoming traffic. I attempted to resolve the issue with service representatives locally who told me the transmission was operating normally. I filed a complaint with Toyota, was given a case number and was told by their complaint center that it was Toyota's position that the transmission is operating normally. I feel that this tendency, which has been documented by numerous other owners at online sites such as edmunds. Com, is a safety hazard that should be remedied in a recall. This situation occurs every time the vehicle is driven and requires very careful concentration to avoid a sudden and potentially unsafe surge in speed. Nothing has been done to correct this issue and no response other than to deny my complaint has been taken.

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.

Note: the date given is for the first of several incidents. Vehicle: 2009 Toyota Tacoma; 4 cyl. Auto trans. When ascending mountain passes, in drive, letting off on gas as summit is reached, vehicle accelerates over summit and continues acceleration. I've been able to drop the rpm by repeatedly hitting brake and then tapping gas. This lowers the rpm and puts transmission back into highest gear. This is a computer or electronic problem. It has happened the same way several times, over a few thousand miles and several months. I now make the ascent in third, shifting into drive at the summit, with no problems. I took the vehicle to the dealer, lithia Toyota in klamath falls or, and was told "the computer needs to adjust to your driving style", but it still hasn't happened. Toyota is stonewalling, and telling the dealers to do the same. There are dozens of similar complaints about Tacomas with automatic transmission.

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.

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.

I purchased a 2009 Tacoma double cab sr5 4x4 auto in June of 2009. It now has 9000kms. Ever since new I have noticed that the transmission shifts strangely and somewhat unpredictably. When I am driving at approx 18km/h and press the accelerator (to accelerate or continue same speed) the truck usually drops into 1st gear and stays there for a few seconds before going back into second gear. This causes a "lurching" as it should not be jumping to 1st. It is very noticeable and I have driven many, many automatics, including Toyotas, and they do not do this. I had a 2001 Tacoma before purchasing this new one and it did not do this. Also, when you shift the truck from neutral to drive, and immediately press the gas, it is almost like the truck hesitates, then lurches forward violently. Sometimes causing wheelspin. It seems like when shifting to drive there is no power for about 3 seconds then it suddenly hits. These problems are dangerous as they cause the vehicle to lurch forward when in traffic this is not safe.

The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. The transmission hesitates when attempting to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and a technician concluded that the computer software failed. He then added that there was not an updated version of the software. He called the manufacturer on 10/16/09 and was told that he would receive a response within one business day. The current mileage was approximately 4,100. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.

The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. While driving 70 mph on a hill with the cruise control activated, the vehicle changed gears and the rpms increased rapidly. The failure has occurred approximately 20 times. The dealer was contacted, test drove the vehicle and duplicated the failure; yet, they said that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. No repairs were made to the vehicle. The failure mileage was 6000 and the current mileage was 17311. Updated 03/19/2010. The consumer stated the transmission down shifted into second gear. Updated 07/19/jb.

2009 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 crew pickup truck with auto transmission and v6 engine accelerated unexpectedly to over 80 mph, then later on the same trip it happened again. I was on a long straight stretch of interstate the second time so I allowed the truck to accelerate to approximately 95 mph at which time I stopped the truck again. The first time it happened, I had disengaged the cruise control due to a slower car in front of me and when I engaged the cruise control resume feature the truck accelerated 15 mph past the preset speed at which time I turned off the cruise control and regained control of the truck. The second time that it happened the truck was again in cruise control mode and was going up a long hill. When the cruise control shifted the transmission down and accelerated to maintain set speed the truck continued to accelerate past 95 mph and was only stopped by turning off the cruise control again. I allowed the truck to get to that speed to see if it would discontinue accelerating but chickened out at 95 mph because it is after all a truck. I took the truck to the selling dealer, he tried to make it happen again with no success (told me he would have to replace the cruise control unit but could not do that unless he could duplicate the problem because it is a very expensive change out) and it has not happened but one more time. 4 things seem to be common: 1. The cruise is turned on. 2. The vehicle is accelerating when the problem starts. 3. The transmission has automatically downshifted. 4. The problem is halted by turning off the cruise control. I had the dealer document the problem since he would not fix it. I hope this info helps in your continuing investigation of the problems that Toyota seems to be having. I am not a disgruntled customer, I have purchased a 2010 corolla from the same dealer since the incidents.

While in cruise at 70mph on interstate highway,vehicle shifts down from drive to second. Thus redlining the engine. Brought this to the attention of Toyota and their answer was,"vehicle is operating properly and is doing what it is designed to do". So they are telling me that they have designed a vehicle that is designed to shift down to second, not third at 70mph.

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.

Bought a 2009 Toyota Tacoma new. The automatic transmissions has acted strange at low speeds from day one. When slowing down to make a turn, then accelerate the engine revs up and the transmissions takes several seconds to engage into gear. This is a definite hazard when it comes to on coming traffic. Went to the Toyota dealership and was told that it was normal for this vehicle!!!! if this is normal, this will be my last Toyota. How many complaints will it take to make Toyota do something about this problem?.

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.

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.

When re-accelerating after a low speed turn my 2009 Toyota Tacoma revs high but does not go anywhere. After a second or so it returns to a normal rpm and then is in gear to drive normally. I feel this is a safety concern because if cars were approaching in a fast manner, the truck would not be able to accelerate properly to get out of the way.

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.

2009 Toyota Tacoma doublecab 4x4 trd, upon slowing down and entering a turn engine rpm will increase while pressing the gas pedal without vehicle accelerating before transmission engages abruptly. . Describe as "slipping".

I brought a 2009/tacoma prerunner /acc cab 4x2 v6-and it has about 18,500 miles. My compliant is when you put this vehicle in neutral at a red light or when you stop and then put it in drive---the transmission spins for a few seconds and then it take off. I brought this to the attention of the local Toyota dealer and the service person told me that this was neural with this vehicle. It?s hard to believe that this is a neutral thing. My other Tacoma 2007 did not do this at all. I feel there is something wrong with this transmission. To me it's a safety hazard especially when you have the vehicle is natural/park and then you put it in drive and the vehicle goes no-where for a few second and then it take off very fast. This needs to be look in to I would be happy to bring in my vehicle for test at the local dealership. Maybe I am not explaining well enough for you to understand --however, please call me an I can explain better.

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.