Toyota 4RUNNER transmission failure problems

Filed May 16, 2026 · PA

Vehicle less than 1 month old and less than 500 miles had a total transmission failure causing a unsafe driving situation while driving , no warning of impending failure resulting loud banging noise and vibration , sudden loss of speed while driving and dashboard lighting up with different warnings. Very stressful situation trying to exit traffic safely.

Filed Mar 6, 2026 · Fuel system, Transmission · CA

At approximately 520 miles, while performing a low speed left hand turn, the vehicle experienced a sudden mechanical "thunk" in the drivetrain followed by an immediate loss of motive power (Limp Mode) in my new 2026 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro. The engine revved significantly, but the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended, creating a hazardous situation in the intersection of oncoming traffic. A diagnostic health check at an authorized dealer confirmed stored DTC fault codes P281671 and P08BA71, indicating that Pressure Control Solenoids Actuators "H" and "L" were in a "stuck" state. The vehicle's Freeze Frame Data recorded a catastrophic internal transmission slip, showing an engine speed of 1767 RPM while the vehicle was moving at only 4 MPH in 2nd gear. There are no previous warning signs or symptoms of this problem before the transmission failure. It was sudden and unexpected. The manufacturer’s technical service protocols (such as T-SB-0094-24/T-SB-0076-24) for these specific solenoid codes on this specific 8-speed hybrid transmission (L580F) – which is equipped on my vehicle – identify this as an internal mechanical actuator failure requiring full transmission, torque converter, and hybrid module replacement. However, the manufacturer has denied the repair because the vehicle’s specific VIN is not yet listed on a service bulletin and that they could not reproduce it in a short test drive. The manufacturer’s official recommendation is to continue operating the vehicle with a documented and non-repaired powertrain defect until a second failure occurs in traffic. I am reporting this as a significant safety risk, as a recurring loss of motive power during critical driving maneuvers puts myself and other motorists in danger. The vehicle and its stored diagnostic data are available for inspection.

Filed Jul 30, 2024 · Transmission · TX

Transmission went out at 84000 miles. Accelerated into lane then nothing wouldn’t go into traffic.

Filed Sep 5, 2023 · Transmission · SC

Stumbling/Studering and hesitation when accelerating took it to dealership and they performed a tune-up and complete fuel system service when to pick it up and still doing the same thing. Dealership rechecked it and said Torque converter was faulty. Had to replace transmission.

Filed Jan 14, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · MD

My gear shift became difficult to shift. As I was driving it, when I physically shifted to the Drive position, the display didn't confirm "D", but I could drive. As I was driving, the car shifted to Neutral without me shifting, but did not show "N" on the display. My car stopped accelerating and revved higher. This occurred as I was driving on the road around 45 mph. I could not tell on the display that I was not in Drive. I pulled over safely luckily. I Continued to try to get it to drive to get it to a dealership to look at. They reported it was PRNDL switch issue. TECH FOUND INTERNAL CORROSION IN TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR CREATING A PHYSICAL RESISTANCE IN SENSOR WHICH PREVENTED VEHICLE FROM PROPERLY INDICATING GEAR. TECH REPLACED TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR, ADJUSTED SENSORWITH TECHSTREAM DATA LIST, AND PERFORMED HEALTH CHECK This is not the first they have seen either. This would appear to be a common safety issue to drivers. I also had a difficult time confirming the car was in the Park "P" position. I believe this issue could have potentially affected the vehicle's ability to engage in park and stay in park, much like the issue with getting into Drive and staying in Drive.

Filed Mar 14, 2021 · Engine, Transmission · 24,700 miles · CA

2018 4runner trd off road premium. 24733miles (at the time this review is written) started to feel like it accelerate but with out doing it. (very few not that pronouce) took it to dealer on april 2020 around (14900miles). They did a recall check and said they found nothing and thay my truck was fine. March 2021 it happen again but now it was doing it very strongly. Truck started to stall dashboard lights started to appear 4wd indicator flashes rapidly charging system warning low engine oil pressure check engine multi-terrain flashes continuesly trac off light eco light took it to the dealer they told me they will check the problem. Call them to see if they happen to know what was going on and they told me that the were working on it doing the recall service (again). Next day they call me and said they did the recall (which there is not remedy available at this time 3-8-21) and the transmission was the problem and that I need to pay to get it fix it because they found metal debris on it. Went there right away they explained to me what they said it looks to be the problem. Fast forward they call me again and said problem was different (getting other party involved). The 3rd party went in to check the problem they said it was to be told a very different history saying they found gear oil inside transmission and they were sure (not because any testing) but because it looks and smells like it (when the oil they showed me at firs was burned oil) very different from what they told me before and now the truck transfer case was on the problem as well. All I know is transmission seems to be the problem and now a practicly new truck has to get a new transmission

Filed Jan 14, 2019 · Suspension, Transmission · 120,000 miles · TN

Transmission failed due to rusted transmission lines. Leads up to finding out that frame is completely rusted out. Unable to fix it due to frame rust. Suspension are of frame rusted as well...barely holding on. Traveling from tn to pa when all this happened.

Filed Aug 22, 2018 · Body · 124,000 miles · PA

Went to the toyota shop after getting a new transmission was replaced, they noted "cust not front frame core support is rusted off found a hole in the left frame rail". They also had to use new bolts for transmission due to corrosion on undercarriage. Would not pass inspection until fixed. The frame is washed off continuously after being exposed to salt in winters.

Filed Jun 16, 2016 · Body · VT

The frame has rusted and cracked at the front of the vehicle the crack extending to the wheel. None of this would have been visible to a mechanic accept that the skid plate had been removed when a new transmission was installed.

Filed May 27, 2016 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · FL

Vehicle randomly and suddenly revs itself both from a stopped position and while driving. When driving downhill and I take my foot off the gas the vehicle will continue to rev itself around 3000 RPM then when I start to travel uphill it will down shift to about 1500 RPM. This seems backwards. Tapping brakes does not cause it to downshift as needed, does not seem right to apply brakes and vehicle continues to rev itself higher nor does it seem right to take foot completely off the gas pedal and the vehicle continues to rev up. The only way to get it to idle is to apply pressure to the gas pedal and speed up which is dangerous when already going downhill. When travelling in a parking lot it rev itself up and will jump forward. From a stopped position such as in my driveway or at a stoplight I will press the gas and it will not go into drive but it will rev up to about 3500. None of these issues can be duplicated by the dealership of course. At one point they finally changed out some type of component in shift mechanism and that worked for about a week then the problem started again. There is never a code indicating there is anything wrong although the trac light will randomly come on and not turn off. I have been driving for 30 years and know when a car is not driving properly. This is my 2d 4 runner. First was an '03 and had similar issues but since was less than a year old I finally convinced the dealership to replace the transmission at toyotas cost. This one was purchased used and has more miles on it but it seems to be the same problems as my original. The only way I have been able to get dealership to believe me is to ask the service manager to drive my vehicle for several days then they are like oh I see what you mean. Another incident was on a snow packed road. Travelling 10mph when the vehicle downshifted I lost control.