2014 Toyota Camry: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Jan 20, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · NJ

There is a transmission shudder when traveling around 30-40 MPH as well as sporadically when increasing speed. Recently, there is a very hard shift/jolt when transmission is shifting from 2nd to 3rd. The issue is caused by a combination of a faulty torque converter and a software glitch in the engine control module (ECM). This is a safety hazard, and I contacted Toyota dealership in Vineland who told me that they can't do anything. However, to fix the problem that Toyota issued the recall themselves, Toyota dealers need to replace to the torque converter and update the ECM software. I am reaching out to the federal safety agency because this is a safety hazard, and I hope you are able to help me.

Filed Mar 11, 2025 · Transmission · 124,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked before slamming into gear. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to CTT Transmissions, who diagnosed a failure with the torque converter. The vehicle was not repaired, and the failure became regular. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.

Filed Nov 25, 2024 · Electrical, Transmission · MN

There is a transmission shudder when traveling around 30-40 MPH as well as sporadically when increasing speed. Recently, there is a very hard shift/jolt when transmission is shifting from 2nd to 3rd. The issue is caused by a combination of a faulty torque converter and a software glitch in the engine control module (ECM). This is a safety hazard, and I contacted Toyota North America who told me that they can't do anything. However, to fix the problem that Toyota issued the recall themselves, Toyota dealers need to replace to the torque converter and update the ECM software. I am reaching out to the federal safety agency because this is a safety hazard, and I hope you are able to help me.

Filed Sep 20, 2024 · Transmission · OH

There is a transmission shudder when traveling around 30-40 MPH as well as sporadically when increasing speed. Recently, there is a very hard shift/jolt when transmission is shifting from 2nd to 3rd.

Filed Jan 5, 2024 · Steering · FL

There is a steering damper that is used in the electric steering box on many Toyota models. The damper breaks down and the vehicles develop a clunk from the steering column. I don't find any recall for this problem. Toyota cannot tell me if there is a safety issue when the damper breaks down or if it is merely an annoyance from the clunking noise. There are many YouTube videos showing the replacement of the damper. Since these steering dampers commonly fail, it seems important to know if there is a safety issue.

Filed Mar 2, 2019 · Transmission · 89,868 miles · SC

While going down hill the transmission will downshift on it's own to lower gears and speed. While on the highway when trying to accelerate from a slower speed the transmission slams into gear. This has been going on for several years. The dealer said they can't get it to do it, and that there are no codes. It's is especially noticeable when you slow down then try to accelerate. It's now happening more frequently.

Filed Jan 5, 2019 · Acceleration · 65,000 miles · UT

Start to have the following problem on 12/20/2018 get up to 20 MPH hard shift and then up to 40 MPH has a vibration and then after between 45 and 55 MPH it drive normal. Noticeable hesitation when accelerating and shifting occurs between 30-32 MPH. Hesitate to accelerate between 2nd and 3rd gear when taking off, it mostly happen when the engine is first starting out from stop, afterward it fine gears shifts correctly and the idle control guage is normal between gears. I took the car to the local toyota dealer on 01/03/2019, the technician took the car for drive test and he said its a torque converter problem. They changed the torque converter part; on 1/05/2019 I went to the dealer to pick up the car and after driving for few minutes, I noticed the same problem. I retook the car to the toyota dealer for the same problem, and the same technician took for the test drive, and this time he said it has internal delay on second gear. I am not sure what's the problem, but they advised I need to change the transmission. After doing some research I found the following online. "cars equipped with an automatic transmission might experience a hesitation when accelerating. Revised software for the on board computer is available which may correct this problem. Software revisions are commonly most helpful on newer vehicles. Once the mileage builds up a worn component could cause similar problems. Whenever major transmission work in performed, the transmission software should be updated as necessary". I am taking my car on 01/07/2019 to update the software and see if that can fix the problem