Anybody with new(er) 8SP Toyota

[bigi]

Have read in Toyota forums that new 8 speed AT introduced in 2016/17/18 has been problematic. Several reports are in that it basically craps out in new Siennas and Highlanders much more often than old 6 speed.

Can anyone address this? Confirm?

 

[NutBucket]

Huh. I thought the Aisin was a good unit. Certainly don't hear about it as much as the ZF9.

 

[bigi]

Yep, I was surprised too. No, it ain't ZF9 bad but apparently more pronounced than 6 speed. Let me look up some posts...

 

[bradly1101]

Consumer Reports says its not as smooth as the 6sp. I have one and it feels slow to down shift, otherwise so far so good. I'm having a party when she creaks past 1k miles.

 

[bradly1101]

Just read more, eek! At my rate of mileage it will fail way after warranty. The only thing that will save me is a recall.

 

[bigi]

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/3...-2017-2018-8-spd-transmission-problems-4.html

See post #50.

 

[bradly1101]

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/3...-2017-2018-8-spd-transmission-problems-4.html

See post #50.

The race to more speeds leaves reliability in the dust along with the ZF-9. I want 20 gears dammit!

 

[Herr Kutz]

I hope they fix this ASAP if there really is an issue. There’s a good chance my next vehicle will be a 2019 RAV4 adventure with cloth seats and an 8 speed.

 

[bradly1101]

They're using CVT's in more and more powerful/heavy vehicles reliably but not Toy/Lex.

 

[evident]

Which 8sp you talking about? The ones on the rwd Lexus vehicles of late have not had many issues on the Lexus message board I frequent

 

[bigi]

Highlander and Sienna, when they went from 6 speed to 8 speed AT.

 

[PricklyPete]

I haven’t heard of reliability issues, but I have heard numerous issues with clunky/slow to shift (highlander, sienna, Tacoma). Not sure if RWD unit in Tacoma is similar to FWD unit in highlander/sienna...but the fact I am hearing complaints in all 3 make me think they are related.

 

[Herr Kutz]

I haven’t heard of reliability issues, but I have heard numerous issues with clunky/slow to shift (highlander, sienna, Tacoma). Not sure if RWD unit in Tacoma is similar to FWD unit in highlander/sienna...but the fact I am hearing complaints in all 3 make me think they are related.

I’ve read some things about poor shift quality at slow speeds on the 8-speed on the Camry, but I don’t recall noticing anything out of the ordinary on my test drives. The thing I loved was having a 4 cylinder engine loafing at about 1600rpm and getting great mileage at high speeds on the interstate.

 

[Yuriman]

I’ve read some things about poor shift quality at slow speeds on the 8-speed on the Camry, but I don’t recall noticing anything out of the ordinary on my test drives. The thing I loved was having a 4 cylinder engine loafing at about 1600rpm and getting great mileage at high speeds on the interstate.

Yep, makes a huge difference, keeping RPM down. Autos these days often get better mileage than manuals in large part because they have taller top gear options. It's not unusual to find most 4 cylinders at 3000+ at highway speeds.

I'm doing an engine swap and re-gearing at the same time, so I can stay at ~1500rpm in 6th gear with a manual.