Thinking about that Toyota with the 8-speed transmission? You might want to pump the brakes for a minute. Toyota’s reputation for bulletproof reliability has hit a significant speed bump with their 8-speed automatic transmission, leaving many owners frustrated and concerned about safety.
What’s Going On With Toyota’s 8-Speed Transmission?
Toyota introduced their Direct Shift-8AT transmission (technically the UA80E/F) around 2013, first in the Lexus RX 350 F Sport. The goal was simple: smoother shifts, better fuel economy, and improved performance compared to their 6-speed transmissions.
This transmission features a complex design with three gearsets, two brakes, and four clutches. While impressive on paper, this complexity appears to be part of the problem. The transmission has since been used across numerous Toyota and Lexus models, with consistent issues reported.
Common Problems You Might Experience
Hesitation and Delayed Shifts
Have you ever pressed the gas pedal and waited…and waited…for your car to respond? That’s the most common complaint with these transmissions.
Owners describe a noticeable 1-2 second lag when accelerating from a stop or after slowing in traffic. One owner reported, “When I put my foot on the gas there is about a 1 to 2 second lag/pause and then a jerk. The engine revs loudly.” This hesitation is more than just annoying—it can be downright dangerous when trying to merge onto highways or cross busy intersections.
Harsh and Jerky Shifting
Another frequent issue is rough shifting behavior that can be felt throughout the vehicle. The transmission exhibits particularly harsh downshifts, making for an uncomfortable ride.
Many owners describe unpleasant jerking motions during specific scenarios like rolling stops: “Rolling stops that are at or below 1 KPH elicit a sudden downshift to first and gives me a hard jerk if I’m applying the gas when it shifts.”
Confused Gear Selection
The transmission often seems indecisive about which gear it should be in. Owners complain that it “never seems to know what gear it wants,” often shifting up unexpectedly and then dropping multiple gears when downshifting. This unpredictability makes for a frustrating driving experience, especially in stop-and-go traffic.
Strange Noises
Many owners report whining sounds from the transmission, particularly during braking or at specific speeds. Recent complaints mention whining “the moment I press the brakes and between 20 and 40 km an hour.”
Complete Transmission Failure
In worst-case scenarios, the transmission issues progress to complete failure. Some vehicles enter “Limp Mode,” limiting power and eventually requiring total replacement of the transmission system.
Which Toyota Models Are Affected?
The problem spans across numerous Toyota and Lexus vehicles with the 8-speed transmission:
| Vehicle Type | Affected Models |
|---|---|
| Passenger Cars | Toyota Camry (especially 2018-2019), Avalon |
| SUVs | Highlander, RAV4, Lexus RX |
| Minivans | Sienna |
| Trucks | 2024 Tacoma, Tundra (2022-2024) |
The issues appear to be most prominent in 2017-2019 model years, though the recent problems with the 2024 Tacoma show that Toyota hasn’t fully resolved these issues even in their newest models.
What’s Causing These Problems?
Several technical factors have been identified as potential causes:
Manufacturing Debris
For the 2024 Tacoma specifically, Toyota’s chief engineer admitted that debris in the transmission was causing issues: “Unfortunately there was a span of Transmissions that of course were not cleaned out properly had some debris in them and that is what is causing this issue.”
Component Failures
Technical documentation points to specific failure points:
- Loose nuts allowing the transfer gear to move
- Problems with the Torque Converter Clutch Actuator
- Fluid contamination from clutch debris
Software Issues
Many of the shifting problems appear to be related to transmission control software. Several consumers reported improvements after software updates, suggesting that programming rather than hardware failures may be to blame in some cases.
Driving Conditions
Certain driving patterns can make things worse. Frequent stop-and-go driving, heavy towing, or aggressive driving can strain the transmission, leading to premature wear.
How Has Toyota Responded?
Toyota’s response has been a mixed bag, leaving many owners feeling unsatisfied:
Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs)
Toyota has issued multiple TSBs addressing specific transmission problems. Most recently, a TSB for the 2024 Tacoma instructs dealers to replace both the transmission and torque converter in affected vehicles.
Unlike recalls, these TSBs don’t require mandatory fixes. As one automotive site explains, “a TSB is one step shy of a recall, acting as information or a set of instructions for repair centres about some known problem with a vehicle.”
Software Updates
Toyota has released multiple software updates to address shifting issues. Owner reports on these updates are mixed—some note significant improvement while others see little change.
A Reddit user shared: “I had my 2018 SE get ‘the fix’. It helped. The 8 speed still is what it is and isn’t always what I wanted it to be. But it’s certainly a bit better than before after getting the TSB applied.”
Limited Customer Support Program
Toyota created a Customer Support Program (ZJC) for certain 2017 and early 2018 Highlanders and Siennas. However, this program has limited scope, leaving many owners with “out of pocket costs for customers outside of the standard 6 yrs./60K mls. powertrain warranty.”
Recalls
In February 2024, Toyota recalled about 280,000 SUVs and pickup trucks due to a transmission problem that could allow vehicles to creep forward unexpectedly. This recall affected certain Toyota Tundra, Sequoia, and Lexus LX 600 vehicles from the 2022-2024 model years.
What Toyota Owners Are Saying
The owner experiences with these transmissions vary widely:
Mixed Experiences
While many owners report significant problems, others have had better luck. A Reddit user with a 2020 Camry reported: “The transmission is extremely smooth and I don’t notice any anomalies. Was informed the issue was fixed by Toyota through an update.”
Some owners report that problems diminish after a break-in period, while others warn that issues develop over time: “It’s amazing for the first 6 months to a year, and THEN you start to notice the issues.”
Frustration with Dealer Responses
Many owners describe frustrating experiences with dealerships. Multiple forum posts mention dealers acknowledging issues privately but documenting “no problems found” or “normal characteristics” in official paperwork.
One owner shared: “Off the record the manager tells me he’s aware of the issue and they get this complaint regularly but when he fills out the paperwork he writes – no problems found – normal operation.”
Legal Actions Against Toyota
The severity of these issues has prompted legal action:
Class Action Lawsuits
Several class action lawsuits have been filed regarding the transmission problems. Beasley Allen and Blood Hurst & O’Reardon filed a class action against Toyota in Federal District Court for the Central District of California over defects in 2024 and newer Toyota Tacoma trucks.
Lemon Law Claims
Some consumers have successfully pursued remedies through state lemon laws. Lemon law attorneys note that “trucks still covered by a warranty with significant defects caused by shoddy manufacturing may qualify for lemon law protection in California.”
The Safety Concerns You Should Know About
These transmission issues go beyond inconvenience—they create legitimate safety risks:
Unpredictable Vehicle Behavior
The hesitation, delayed response, and unexpected shifting can create dangerous situations, particularly when merging onto highways or crossing intersections.
As one forum user bluntly put it: “It could be a safety issue too. If a car goes through a stop sign and is coming at you broadside, and you step on the gas to get out of the way, and the Toyota hesitates; you get nailed!”
Official Recognition of Safety Issues
The Lemon Law Lawyers California website states that “Transmission 8-speed transmission problems pose a serious safety risk for drivers and other people on the road. They can lead to complete loss of power while driving, cause the vehicle to stall, or result in sudden acceleration or braking unexpectedly.”
The recall of 280,000 vehicles due to transmission issues that could allow unexpected vehicle movement further underscores these safety implications.
Timeline of Toyota’s Transmission Issues
These problems have evolved over several years:
| Time Period | Key Developments |
|---|---|
| 2017-2018 | Problems first gain significant attention with Camry, Highlander, and Sienna models |
| 2019-2022 | Toyota issues various TSBs and software updates; some improvement reported in newer models |
| 2023-2025 | Issues resurface prominently with 2024 Tacoma, requiring transmission replacements |
What Should You Do If You Own a Toyota with the 8-Speed?
If you’re currently driving a Toyota with an 8-speed transmission, here are some steps to consider:
Watch for Warning Signs
Be alert to hesitation, jerking, or unusual noises from your transmission. These early warning signs often precede more serious problems.
Check for TSBs That Apply to Your Vehicle
Visit Toyota.com/recall and enter your VIN to see if your vehicle falls within the range of any issued Technical Service Bulletins.
Document Everything
Keep detailed records of any transmission-related problems, including dates, driving conditions, and specific symptoms. This documentation will be crucial if you need to pursue warranty service or legal action.
Get Service While Under Warranty
If your vehicle is still under warranty, have the dealer document and address any transmission concerns right away. Insist on written documentation of all issues.
Ask About Software Updates
Check with your dealer about any available transmission control module updates for your specific model and year.
Shopping for a Toyota? Consider This
If you’re thinking about buying a Toyota with an 8-speed transmission:
Look at Hybrid Models Instead
Several Toyota owners recommend the hybrid models, as they typically use different transmission systems with fewer reported issues.
Take a Long Test Drive
Test potential vehicles in various driving conditions that might trigger the reported issues—low-speed acceleration, rolling stops, and highway merging.
Research Specific Model Years
Some model years have more significant problems than others. Newer models (2023+) may have benefited from Toyota’s fixes, though the 2024 Tacoma shows there are still ongoing challenges.
Consider Extended Warranty Coverage
Given these documented issues, an extended warranty could provide valuable protection for vehicles with the 8-speed transmission.
The Bottom Line on Toyota’s 8-Speed Transmission
Toyota’s 8-speed automatic transmission has been a rare misstep for a brand known for reliability. The issues span multiple vehicle models and years, with symptoms ranging from annoying shifting behavior to complete transmission failure.
Despite Toyota’s attempts to address these problems through technical service bulletins, software updates, and limited recalls, many owners continue to experience difficulties. The persistence of these issues, even in recently released models like the 2024 Tacoma, suggests that Toyota hasn’t fully resolved the underlying problems.
If you’re considering a Toyota with this transmission, weigh the risks carefully. And if you already own one, stay vigilant about symptoms and don’t hesitate to seek warranty service at the first sign of trouble.
