03 camry transmission problem?

I'm wondering if anyone is having this problem. I just purchased an 03 Camry V6 SE with 43,000 miles from a dealership that doesn't sell toyota, it was a trade in. I noticed after a few days it doesn't seem to shift right. there is a skip inbetween 2nd and 3rd. Then when it gets inbetween 38 and 42 MPH there is a vibration. Had my mechanic drive it and he spotted it right off the bat. He said maybe the solenoid. Took it to the dealership and they said it runs fine. I took the mechanic for a ride then he drove it, and I pointed it out. He agreed, there was something wrong. They found a TSB on it and sent it to Toyota dealership but they said it was fine. they blamed it on a new battery and the computer takes time to reset it self and learn from my driving habbits? Sounds like a crock to me. The dealership picked it up from Toyota and they said yep I feel it and there's a problem. now it sits at the dealership I bought it from. Any suggestions?

There are several TSB's of programming updates to the transmission ECM. Lift your hood and look on the drivers side on the hood above the brake reservoir area.

There should be a Toyota authorized modification sticker with replacement ECU number, Calibration ID's, dealer code, TSB or campaign number, and date completed.

If it's not there then it probably wasn't done.

The warranty is federal and is 96 months or 80,000 miles.

Let your mechanic check out the car before you buy it next time.

It's a problem with the shift logic. It'll never be fixed, but there have been several ECU flashes to try to resolve it, and the latest ones DO make it better.


See this post on Lexus Owners Club
http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=3584
and this one on Club Lexus
http://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87068

Csaxon,
Thanks for the reminder about the stickers under the hood. I'll have to check www.alldata.com for the Technical Service Bulletins and any Recalls on my 03 Camry. I'm due for my 30,000 mile service and I'll certainly have the auto trans fluid changed out at that time. I have to admit though that I haven't experienced any problems with mine. (???)