I am reporting an intermittent and potentially safety-related drivability/powertrain issue with my 2024 Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter i-FORCE MAX. The vehicle has experienced previous intermittent abnormal drivetrain/transmission behavior while towing, particularly while towing in rain. During previous occurrences, the drivetrain/transmission felt as though it was slipping or behaving abnormally. These concerns were previously reported to Toyota dealers, but the condition could not be duplicated and no definitive cause was identified. The most recent and most serious occurrence happened while towing a travel trailer up a steep grade in heavy rain. The vehicle was operating in 2WD with Tow/Haul mode and S/manual shifting engaged. The vehicle was under significant engine/drivetrain load, operating at approximately 3,500-4,000 RPM and approximately 3rd/4th gear. Before the warning messages appeared, I noticed abnormal drivetrain behavior and RPM fluttering/hunting, similar to the previous intermittent transmission/drivetrain problems. The vehicle then experienced a complete loss of accelerator response. The engine remained running, but accelerator input became essentially unresponsive. Pressing the accelerator did not cause the engine RPM to increase. After removing my foot from the accelerator, the engine continued running at approximately idle. The following warning messages appeared: * “Call Your Dealer” * “System Malfunction” * “Drive Start Control Malfunction”
Toyota Tacoma slipping problems
54 of the 8,489 owner complaints about the Toyota Tacoma describe transmission slipping, most of them for the 2009 model year.
- owner complaints
- 54
- worst model year
- 2009
- typical mileage
- 1,000
By model year
Often reported together
Harsh shifting 5Jerking 4Sudden acceleration 2Loss of power 2Fuel pump 2Grinding brakes 2Won't start 1Windshield crack 1
What owners say
Transmission slips and shifts roughly, intermittently. No codes have shown up when scanned at the dealer.
Supplemental Safety Description I am submitting this supplemental statement to provide a complete and consolidated description of the ongoing safety concern affecting my vehicle. Vehicle Behavior and Safety Symptoms During normal driving conditions, the vehicle consistently exhibits directional instability, including pulling to one side and difficulty maintaining straight-line tracking. Steering control feels unstable, and the vehicle experiences abnormal harshness and vertical movement over the road surface. The vehicle often feels difficult to control and demonstrates behavior consistent with lateral misalignment, including a crab-walking sensation. During rapid left and right steering inputs, the vehicle exhibits abnormal and asymmetric body movement. One side of the vehicle body rises excessively while the opposite side compresses, resulting in excessive body roll and uneven suspension response. This abnormal dynamic behavior creates a strong perception of instability and increases the risk of loss of control or rollover during steering maneuvers. Additionally, overall traction appears reduced. Under wet or slippery road conditions, the wheels are more prone to slipping, further compromising vehicle stability and steering control. Repair History and Dealer Involvement The vehicle has been presented to four different Toyota authorized dealerships for the same steering and suspension-related concerns. Multiple wheel alignments, steering calibrations, inspections, and road tests were performed. Despite these repeated repair attempts, the condition persists. Each dealership reported that no abnormal condition was found and stated that the vehicle was operating normally. In at least one instance, a dealership declined to continue further repair attempts while the safety-related condition remained unresolved. Independent Review and Technical Findings After repeated unsuccessful repair attempts, I conducted an independent review to better understand the cause of the on
Transmission slips when needing to speed up quickly thus has hairbrush several times
2024 Toyota tacoma TRD offroad hybrid premium, truck will shift hard into 2nd gear almost like its slipping, issue is primarily noticed when the truck has sat overnight or a few hours. dealership has checked once and recommended me to try changing driving habits, (complete stop when shifting to fwd gear) still no fix. no warning lamps have shown no incidents or accidents from issue but
Transmission slipping in 2nd gear and losing power. No warning lights, but the loss of power could've resulted in an accident had it been in an intersection. I can reproduce the issue, but the dealer says they are unable to. That said, there are other issues with power delivery such as RPM flutter that they have acknowledged in writing.
Transmission problems slipping and clunky at only 1800 miles
The Tacoma still has only 10,000 original miles. We yearly replace the oil when we have our annual vehicle inspection. The truck has been trouble since the beginning. Early on I noticed when going downhill, the automatic transmission seems to slip when applying the gas. I have taken the truck back to the dealer in Kona to be told that it is not part of the rear end differential recall some years ago. I asked them to make a notation of this should the transmission or rear end differential fail in the future. Recently, we received an informational letter from Toyota regarding something about a possible faulty high pressure fuel pump. I made an appointment at the dealer and since I was there asked them for tire rotation, oil change and annual vehicle inspection. I explained to the service writer that I still believe there is a rear end or transmission problem. At first, she said, the recall was never done and later said it was done. More importantly, I have been smelling gasoline when I exit the truck although I see no visible fuel on the ground. I believe that this is related to the fuel pump issue which I received the letter from you. I was told several hours after I dropped off the truck that the fuel smell was not related to the letter I received.
Truck starting lunge forward while in highway going speed limit almost like it's slipping gears
Transmission seems to slip or slide as one comes to a stop, it feels like one is getting bumped from behind.
Related recalls
Power train: driveline: driveshaft
- What is wrong
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2025 Tacoma and Tacoma Hybrid vehicles. The front driveshaft constant-velocity (CV) joint may deform and break.
- Risk
- A broken driveshaft can impair steering. Vehicles with full-time 4WD may experience a vehicle rollaway while parked without the parking brake applied. Both scenarios increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace both front driveshaft assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 11, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1‑800‑331‑4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB11 and 25TA11.
Recall number 25V656000 · Recall details
Power train: axle assembly
- What is wrong
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturer (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Tacoma vehicles. The axle shaft sub-assembly may separate from the axle housing due to debris causing improperly secured fasteners.
- Risk
- Axle shaft separation can cause a loss of vehicle stability and brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the rear axle assembly, tighten the axle retaining nuts as necessary, and repair or replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 17, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1‑800‑331‑4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB05 and 24TA05.
Recall number 24V152000 · Recall details
Power train: driveline: differential unit
- What is wrong
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Tacoma vehicles. Oil may leak from the area where the rear differential carrier is assembled to rear axle housing.
- Risk
- If the vehicle is operated with an insufficient amount of oil in the rear differential, the differential may seize and cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear differential for oil leakage. Based on the inspection, dealers will either tightening the fastening nuts or replace the fastening nuts and gasket. If the rear differential components are damaged, the rear differential carrier assembly will be replaced. The repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall June 19, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1‑800‑331‑4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0G.
Recall number 17V285000 · Recall details
Power train: driveline: driveshaft
- What is wrong
- Toyota is recalling certain model year 2010 toyota tacoma pickup trucks. The propeller shaft may develop cracks during the manufacturing process. Over time, the cracks may eventually lead to the separation of the propeller shaft.
- Risk
- This may result in a loss of vehicle control increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the front propeller shaft on affected vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on march 22, 2010. Owners may contact toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331.
Recall number 10V042000 · Recall details
Power train: driveline
- What is wrong
- On certain pickup trucks equipped with four wheel drive, a section of the rear propeller shaft may have been improperly cast.
- Risk
- The front side of the rear propeller shaft could separate at the joint and come into contact with the road surface which could result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the possibility of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the rear propeller shaft with a new one free of charge. The recall began on august 1, 2007. Owners may contact toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331.
Recall number 07V324000 · Recall details
Questions about the Toyota Tacoma slipping
Which Toyota Tacoma years have transmission slipping problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2009 (19 complaints), 2010 (7 complaints) and 2024 (5 complaints).
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Toyota Tacoma?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history