Anybody else thinks the 5sp auto tranny SUCKS?

[Kini]

This is the worst automatic transmission I've ever experienced going back as far as a 66 Chrysler. It works "normally" about half the time. The other half it can't make up its mind wether to slip and slide into gear or shift like an out of control turbo 400. There is an excessive amount of driveline lash. If I park on any kind of slope I'm afraid to let off the brake after I put in park because it feels like the car will roll into the next stall. The tranny waits until almost a complete stop to down shift into 1st, so if you're just cruising along a 5mph or so and need to make a quick left turn, the car just sits there slugging along in second so you give it a little more gas then it sits there some more before deciding to eventually shift into 1st. Then when it does it jerks the car and whomever is unlucky enough to be in all over the place. By this time you're about to be broadsided by the jacked up F350 heading your way.

My opinion on this car has changed dramatically in the last months, because the tranny is soooooooo bad. I don't even like or want to drive the car anymore. And I know that Toyota will do nothing. So I'll either be stuck with it or take a $5000 loss on trade or sale.

My 1st and LAST Toyota.
New moto for Toyota "We are the NEW 1980s Chevy of the 21st century"

[Mole]

seems like you are the only one so dis-satisfied on the gen2.

did you bother test driving the car before you bought it?

[mtodde]

seems like you are the only one so dis-satisfied on the gen2.

did you bother test driving the car before you bought it?

THANK YOU!!!!!

[Kini]

Yes I test drove it. The problem 1st surfaced after my 1st cross island trip. Came back after about a 100 mile drive, stopped at my CU for about 2 mins, got back in the car pulled out and almost got rear ended while waiting for the tranny to sliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiddddddddddddddddddeeeeeeeeeeeee into 2nd. Over on MSN auto reviews, out of about 15 reviews of the new Sienna van, 4 complain of the transmission slipping (they use the same tranny as does the Camary, Avalon and all the other Camary based cars/ SUVs). Those that are complaining are saying there are posts all over the web about trouble with the Toyota 5sp auto.

Drive the car for more than 5 mins and it starts to slip and slide into 2nd and 3rd gears. Maybe that's why my in town mileage sucks. I drive the car very easy and barely get 17-18mpg. Hwy mileage isn't even close to the 29 Toyota claims.

Now that most of their cars are built in th U.S. they are living on past reputation to sell cars, not quality. The dealers are so cocky because they used to sell quality products they won't believe anyone when there is a problem.

Toyota ad. number 2... Worst built........worst backed.

[DocJohn]

This is the worst automatic transmission I've ever experienced going back as far as a 66 Chrysler..... My 1st and LAST Toyota.
New moto for Toyota "We are the NEW 1980s Chevy of the 21st century"

Either Kini has gotten a unit with a bad tranny (a real possibility) or he is somehow driving an entirely different '04 Solara than I drive as I have not experienced any of the problems he describes.

Kini: I suggest you try to locate another '04 Solara to test drive to see if it has same problems you descibe. If the "tester" doesn't, then get Toyota to fix your car for you. You paid good money for a new car so Toyota owes it to you to get it running right. I imagine that your state (HI) has a "lemon law" if you need to get "legal" with the dealership.

[slingshot]

I agree. That behavior sounds nowhere close to mine. I easily get high 20's mpg on the highway and have no slippage of gears. If I want even crisper shifting, I just shift to "manual" mode.

Kini,
You don't mention what happens when you shift in "manual" mode. Still slipping?

[mattyboyl]

I think the description of slipping gears and whatnot is an attribute of the i-drive technology and electronic throttle feature. This car is definitely different than any other I have driven, but trust me when I say that I know my trannys. I replaced two in my 3000GT within 1 year. Now, Mitsubishi makes terrible trannys. I will never own another Mitsubishi in my lifetime and my future wife won't if she wants a happy marriage. Slippage is when you push the accelerator and expect a change in gear, but only find that the revs go up and then finally clunks into gear. I know what Kini is talking about and it's not slippage but a "slow shift". This sounds like the type of behavior Toyota would deem normal. Hell, if the tranny is gettying damaged, you'll soon find out. Since you have a warranty, it will be covered and then you could decide to go with something else.

[Shoe]

My opinion on this car has changed dramatically in the last months, because the tranny is soooooooo bad. I don't even like or want to drive the car anymore. And I know that Toyota will do nothing. So I'll either be stuck with it or take a $5000 loss on trade or sale.

what are ya gonna buy instead? whats on the short list?

shoe

[cronikles]

this probably isnt the problem, but i'll ask anyway.....do you have it in shift mode or regular automatic mode. I don't know how it works in the solara's (i have a 5speed manual), but i have driven a car (an acura) that seemed to be "sluggish" when it was in shift mode and I didn't actually shift.

[Jai_Jai_Binks]

I've always wondered this...how good/reliable is the car. Say, just because toyota makes it..does it automatically become reliable. Granted they won't but their badging on something they aren't confident with..but still it always makes me wonder. Abroad, you still get teh 1mz on the rx and camrys, they still have the 4sp auto trannys. Why did america get the 3mz w/ 5spauto..or more importantly, why didn't others get the same. reliability???