Gen6 V6 Trans woes - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

DOHCammer · 07-11-2011, 06:43 PM

Bought this car used at 60k miles and had the usual early V6 trans problems, namely the 3-4 shift flare. Had the latest programming updates downloaded as soon as I purchased it. The trans lasted a year and was replaced about 2k miles ago due to the line pressure solenoid failing and burning out the clutches in the top 3 gears. I made sure the tech completely erased the memory in the trans and engine modules so the car would relearn my driving habits. I am not pleased at all with the transmissions performance and all around bad programming. I've never disliked a vehicle solely because of the trans. I still have flare issues but now they happen in all gears but only intermittently. I cannot duplicate the flares but they happen more often when the trans is not up to temp and at low throttle inputs. I can plainly hear them because of the TRD exhaust. The trans won't kickdown unless you're at half throttle or more then it bangs down 1-2 gears and takes off most inapropriately. It will bog the 6 cyl down something fierce before it even unlocks the converter clutch. First gear is a joke, it upshifts way too early except for full throttle. The sport shift mode is just the opposite of sport, very slow to react to manual commands. Sorry for the rant, I've about had it with this car. I guess I bought it under false pretenses. Silly me, I thought it was supposed to be the "sport" Camry. Way too many problems, if I didn't buy this as a Toyota Certified used car it would have been long gone.

Luna2 · 07-11-2011, 07:13 PM

Setup a camera with audio and record the tachometer with the speedometer, be sure to log the date and time in the video... Then show it to the dealer, at your next visit. Just a suggestion...

Luna2 · 07-11-2011, 07:18 PM

Setup a camera with audio and record the tachometer with the speedometer, be sure to log the date and time in the video... Then show it to the dealer, at your next visit. Just a suggestion...

MJZ · 07-11-2011, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DOHCammer

Bought this car used at 60k miles and had the usual early V6 trans problems, namely the 3-4 shift flare. Had the latest programming updates downloaded as soon as I purchased it. The trans lasted a year and was replaced about 2k miles ago due to the line pressure solenoid failing and burning out the clutches in the top 3 gears. I made sure the tech completely erased the memory in the trans and engine modules so the car would relearn my driving habits. I am not pleased at all with the transmissions performance and all around bad programming. I've never disliked a vehicle solely because of the trans. I still have flare issues but now they happen in all gears but only intermittently. I cannot duplicate the flares but they happen more often when the trans is not up to temp and at low throttle inputs. I can plainly hear them because of the TRD exhaust. The trans won't kickdown unless you're at half throttle or more then it bangs down 1-2 gears and takes off most inapropriately. It will bog the 6 cyl down something fierce before it even unlocks the converter clutch. First gear is a joke, it upshifts way too early except for full throttle. The sport shift mode is just the opposite of sport, very slow to react to manual commands. Sorry for the rant, I've about had it with this car. I guess I bought it under false pretenses. Silly me, I thought it was supposed to be the "sport" Camry. Way too many problems, if I didn't buy this as a Toyota Certified used car it would have been long gone.

Sport Camry is when you realized you failed... Toyotas don't make sporty and they Camrys certainly aren't. They quit that when the last Celica died. Now that the FT-86 stays a Scion, you either go Scion or go Lexus F.

aznlunatic206 · 07-11-2011, 09:02 PM

You bought the wrong car

REMSSEV6 · 07-13-2011, 12:54 AM

X2 on you bought the wrong car, its a Camry bro..not a Porsche. These cars are Family oriented and meant to be smooth..basically the SE is to attract the older guy/lady crowd that wants enough room for his/her family without the look of a grandpaw car.

1956kiteboarder · 07-13-2011, 05:51 AM

I have 48,000 miles on my 2008 camry v6 Se. it gets up and goes!

Your tranmission may be f-ucked up.

The best way to get the performance out of the car is to slowly squeeze the throttle till you feel it, then stomp on it.

smokeSIX · 07-13-2011, 08:01 AM

you have the 5 speed auto right?

***PhatRoyale*** · 07-13-2011, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokeSIX

you have the 5 speed auto right?

All Gen6 V6's came with 6-speed autos.

Back on topic.

Pilot0617 · 07-13-2011, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REMSSEV6

X2 on you bought the wrong car, its a Camry bro..not a Porsche. These cars are Family oriented and meant to be smooth..basically the SE is to attract the older guy/lady crowd that wants enough room for his/her family without the look of a grandpaw car.

I am 24 and you made me feel like a 50 year old

REMSSEV6 · 07-13-2011, 04:20 PM

Sorry Man..but it is what it is..Im 40 and this is the first Camry I've ever somewhat liked..I've seen alot of young people driving SE Camry's to be honest with you, and it does kinda shock me in a sense that when I was that young I would have never consider a family sedan. If you like it who cares what anybody else thinks!!

DOHCammer · 07-13-2011, 06:03 PM

I'm 51 and have had mostly performance cars throughout my driving career. Overall I like the car, I just think that Toyota could have programmed the SE with a little more aggressive trans shift schedules and higher line pressures. Or better yet, for a small fee, have these programs available to be downloaded by the dealer. There is so much untapped potential in the car, its a shame we can't reprogram our rides like most american muscle. Drove an 08 Mustang V6 today, let me tell you that my Camry would have no trouble dusting it.