Need Transmission Help

[BOBfromNJ]

I am new to this forum and would like to get some advise on how to get the best results from my dealer with regard to the 3-4th gear flare. I have a KY built 07 XLE (5/06) last 5 vin# 09xxx, with 10,100 miles. My wife drives the car 90% of the time and was complaining about a "surge" when shifting. Since I did not know what the word "flare" meant until I did some reading on this forum, I decided to drive the car this morning while it was cold. Sure enough between the 3rd and 4th shift the engine raced a little and then shifted. I am sure that I have the transmission problem.

How do I present this to the dealer? I might add that I seem to have another transmission problem not mentioned here. While doing 30 to 40 MPH and taking my foot off the gas peddle the car slows down kind of rapidly like you had put your foot on the brake. Almost like the transmission is downshifting pre-maturely. I had the car to the dealer last week and they said "The transmission is shifting normally at this time"

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Bob from NJ

[Mike Gerber]

"Sure enough between the 3rd and 4th shift the engine raced a little and then shifted."

Tell that to the dealer, exactly as you wrote it.

Mike

[eflw1029]

BOBfromNJ-
Your vin number according to TSB TC002-07 does not appear to be one of the problematic 6-speed automatics affected but I honestly believe what you are experiencing is indeed factual. Given the 2007 is the first model year for the 6-speed auto I suspect others like yourself which have vin numbers not documented to be 3rd to 4th gear "flare" prone will increase in numbers and population. I've only got a little more than 300 miles on my 3/07 Kentucky build date V6 LE but each time I take it out for a ride I'm especially vigilent each time it shifts from 3rd into 4th. Presently my new Camry performs flawlessly mechanically but it's not fun worrying about reliability issues each time my wife or I take it out for daily tasks. Suggest you schedule an appointment with your dealer and ride shotgun beside the tech diagnosing the flare. Be sure and request all paperwork each time you visit as you want to leave a good paper trail documenting everything should things go from annoying to catastophic.
In mid May I'll finally be taking my new Camry on it's first multi-state business trip and I'll be sure and keep everyone informed on anything abnormal. Right now I am still in awe how I can travel almost 70-75mph with only 2000-2200 rpms according to the Camry tach. I purposely will not post mpg figures until I've accumulated a few thousand miles on my odometer so everyone please stay tuned.

Did I mention I am also in awe of the pep of the Camry V6?...My old 1999 Ford Crown Victoria with performaance package and advertised 220hp seems about equal in pep but then the Crown Vic was more spacious and definitely quieterblocking out all road noise. I can definitely hear the Camry V6 engine and road noise unlike the Ford but am not overly concerned with minor nits so long as it stays on the road more often than the repair shop. Keep us all posted on your visits to the dealer and especially your findings!

[BOBfromNJ]

Thanks, but I think you might be wrong about the vin#. According to the new TSB it said any cars produced before TMMK Line 1, 25516. My vin# is 096xx.

By the way I have the car almost a year and on a recent all highway driving, and filling the tank just before getting on the highway I got 31.5 MPG.

Thanks,
Bob

[BOBfromNJ]

Originally Posted by Mike Gerber

"Sure enough between the 3rd and 4th shift the engine raced a little and then shifted."

Tell that to the dealer, exactly as you wrote it.

Mike

Thanks Mike

[eflw1029]

BOBfromNJ-
I stand corrected. I failed to pad out with 1 extra colum hence your ending vin #09xxx falls into the catagory where TSB TC002-07 is appropriate. Bummer. In Edmunds.Com I don't know if many of the posts are either from ignorant people not knowing which vins fall into TC002-07 but in a majority of instances where they have V6's the might be either overly sensitive and perceive a issue where their "flare" occurs but in any event every new Camry V6 owner or potential owner is putting pressure to bear for Toyota to bring closure to their 6-speed tranny problem. If you want a laugh do a google search for the owners of Lexus ES350 owners who also have identical issues with the same V6 tranny. Good luck!