03 SR5 transmission, anyone having this problem?
two4runners
10-27-2006, 05:20 PM
About a month ago I was driving along and all of a sudden the engines rpm's started to climb and I realized that I had lost drive gear. I put the shift into the #2 position and went home real slow, it worked in 2nd. The next day we went to drive it to the dealer and all the way, 25 miles, it was fine. We had them do an oil change and check the transmission connector, they saw no problems.
We put about 100 miles on it and it went out again, this time losing both 2nd and 3rd, or drive gear. Again, we drove it slow to the dealer in 2nd and this time they changed the transmission switch.
We put another 140 miles on it and today it went out again, both gears. Monday it will go back to the dealer. They are puzzled and when I asked if they might change the transmission, they said it will depend on what Toyota says.
I don't know much about the Toyota trans, but I'm guessing there are solenoids operating valves and something has gone wrong with them. Has anyone had this problem or a close similar problem? I would like to hear the end of your story and I hope it was a happy ending.:banghead:
John
We put about 100 miles on it and it went out again, this time losing both 2nd and 3rd, or drive gear. Again, we drove it slow to the dealer in 2nd and this time they changed the transmission switch.
We put another 140 miles on it and today it went out again, both gears. Monday it will go back to the dealer. They are puzzled and when I asked if they might change the transmission, they said it will depend on what Toyota says.
I don't know much about the Toyota trans, but I'm guessing there are solenoids operating valves and something has gone wrong with them. Has anyone had this problem or a close similar problem? I would like to hear the end of your story and I hope it was a happy ending.:banghead:
John
dbrandley
11-09-2006, 05:00 PM
I am also having a problem with my 2003 SR5 transmission. Yesterday after stopping at a red light when the light turned green I tried to go, but the car wouldn't go, then I heard a clunk and it went. It happened again at another light and then when I got home (after driving 20 miles or less) I tried to back into my driveway but reverse wouldn't work. I could put the automatic gear shift into reverse, but the car wouldn't move. I tried a couple of times and it wouldn't work. I could still go forward in drive so I dropped it off at the dealership. They called me today and said that they were able to reproduce the problem and that the transmission needed to be repaired. My car is at 61K and the warranty ran out at 60K so they said it would cost $4300.00!!!! I am not happy about this. I really thought Toyotas were great and I always wanted a 4Runner - this is my first one which I bought new in 2003... but I'm not sure I'd do it again. :banghead:
two4runners
11-09-2006, 07:36 PM
dbrandley, sounds a little different than my problem. Toyota says they fixed mine but we will see, here is more of what I know.
My last trip to Toyota was in second #2 gear, that is until I hit the shift lever to the right and out of the slot. It then went into drive and was normal, when I pulled it back to the driver side, out went drive again. I also noticed that both the D and L lights were lit at the same time. (My thought, it's in the consul shift switches)
Toyota made the repair and told me that it was a pinched wire under the dash and the dash had to be removed and the wire repaired. I don't believe what they said is true and we only have put less than one hundred miles on the car since the repair. I still believe it is going to go out again and that it is in the consul.
Our car is under warranty and if it goes out again, we can claim under lemon law. However, I would try to swing a deal and pay in some for a 2007 as the claims for lemons are time consumming and could cost more than it's worth.
Good luck with yours, try to talk to Toyota and see if they will share some of the cost, it has happened.
John
BTW I have two 4Runners and have owned many Toyota's, never have had any problems at all.
My last trip to Toyota was in second #2 gear, that is until I hit the shift lever to the right and out of the slot. It then went into drive and was normal, when I pulled it back to the driver side, out went drive again. I also noticed that both the D and L lights were lit at the same time. (My thought, it's in the consul shift switches)
Toyota made the repair and told me that it was a pinched wire under the dash and the dash had to be removed and the wire repaired. I don't believe what they said is true and we only have put less than one hundred miles on the car since the repair. I still believe it is going to go out again and that it is in the consul.
Our car is under warranty and if it goes out again, we can claim under lemon law. However, I would try to swing a deal and pay in some for a 2007 as the claims for lemons are time consumming and could cost more than it's worth.
Good luck with yours, try to talk to Toyota and see if they will share some of the cost, it has happened.
John
BTW I have two 4Runners and have owned many Toyota's, never have had any problems at all.
dbrandley
11-10-2006, 05:46 PM
Well, here's some good news... the dealership that I brought my car to was not the one I bought it at - it was the closest to home when I realized that I had a problem and that's why I brought it there. After they told me it needed a new transmission and would be $4300 I just left it there overnight and didn't have them do anything with it.
This morning I went to the dealership that I bought it at (Ourisman Chantilly in Virginia) and talked to the service director. He was very nice and having gone through my history in the computer he knew that I had all my services done and even had a transmission flush that was recommended as extra at 30K. He also knew that my household has bought a 2002 4Runner and the 2003 from his dealership and that we could potentially be customers for life. So he said that he would contact the regional Toyota manager and explain the situation and ask for some assistance and said that he would do his best to advocate on my behalf but that it would be up to that regional manager how much they could help me out.
So I picked up my 4Runner from the other dealership and brought it to Ourisman. About an hour later the service director called me back and said that since I only missed the warranty period by 1K and that I had all the recommended services he had been given approval to treat it as if I had the extended warranty and would only need to pay $100 for them to fix it!
Needless to say I am extremely happy with this outcome and am impressed with the Ourisman Chantilly dealership for standing behind their customers (me). With such a good experience I feel comfortable saying that when I need one, my next vehicle will be a Toyota - from Ourisman Chantilly.
This morning I went to the dealership that I bought it at (Ourisman Chantilly in Virginia) and talked to the service director. He was very nice and having gone through my history in the computer he knew that I had all my services done and even had a transmission flush that was recommended as extra at 30K. He also knew that my household has bought a 2002 4Runner and the 2003 from his dealership and that we could potentially be customers for life. So he said that he would contact the regional Toyota manager and explain the situation and ask for some assistance and said that he would do his best to advocate on my behalf but that it would be up to that regional manager how much they could help me out.
So I picked up my 4Runner from the other dealership and brought it to Ourisman. About an hour later the service director called me back and said that since I only missed the warranty period by 1K and that I had all the recommended services he had been given approval to treat it as if I had the extended warranty and would only need to pay $100 for them to fix it!
Needless to say I am extremely happy with this outcome and am impressed with the Ourisman Chantilly dealership for standing behind their customers (me). With such a good experience I feel comfortable saying that when I need one, my next vehicle will be a Toyota - from Ourisman Chantilly.
two4runners
11-10-2006, 08:16 PM
Good news indeed, this is why I stay with Toyota, you did very well.
Ok, now for the weid news. Today we drove our 2003 on the FL turnpike and while driving, Wife was driving), I said, "you have the shift in the wrong place again", it was at 3-D and toward the passenger side. She moved it to the drivers side and the rpm's dropped almost 1000 rpm.
Ever since we have owned the car, (2003), we never had the "D" light indicater go on or indicate that it was a fourth gear. Now that they fixed the pinched wire, we can see the light and position. We have driven mostly in 3rd gear, have never driven it much over 50mph anyway. Now why didn't Toyota put the "D" to the passenger side of the consul? Am I stupid or what?:screwy::banghead::grinyes::lol:
John
Ok, now for the weid news. Today we drove our 2003 on the FL turnpike and while driving, Wife was driving), I said, "you have the shift in the wrong place again", it was at 3-D and toward the passenger side. She moved it to the drivers side and the rpm's dropped almost 1000 rpm.
Ever since we have owned the car, (2003), we never had the "D" light indicater go on or indicate that it was a fourth gear. Now that they fixed the pinched wire, we can see the light and position. We have driven mostly in 3rd gear, have never driven it much over 50mph anyway. Now why didn't Toyota put the "D" to the passenger side of the consul? Am I stupid or what?:screwy::banghead::grinyes::lol:
John
Automotive Network, Inc., Copyright ©2026