I was hoping Toyota would address the high RPM 2-3 upshift and the sluggish throttle response. :clap:
Thanks for putting the info out. :thumbsup:

 

Thanks, Fibber2. I'd seen a TSB on the RX forums ; good to see something for HL as well. Great research.

 

What do you do with this? Go to dealer and ask them to fix it?

 

Is there a separate/ different TSB for Canada? Or would this one apply?

 

I just msged my friend who works for a dealership in the GTA. I will let you know what he says.

 

Yes. Confirmed for Canada too. I'm getting it done on Monday.

 

Can you get a copy of the "Canadian" TSB from your dealership when you go in tomorrow?

 

Awesome, thanks Steve!

 

Thanks for sharing. This will give me an opportunity to take my HL to my local stealership that failed to earn my business; I had to purchase elsewhere.

 

I don't understand why some vehicles would exhibit this behavior and not others. Will dealerships do the update as part of routine service? Isn't this like saying if your PC has this bug then install this update?

 

I doubt dealer tech would do, unless customer was complaining about issues listed in tsb. It does change oem running program & label (legally required) when flash done. Why some do/some dont, good Q ? Very possible when oem pcm 1st programmed, glitch occured. Anyhow, hopefully for those involved this flash/pcm update does correct issues. Good luck.

 

A few more details:

So... While the Highlander was all new in 2014, the Sienna has soldered on since 2011 with a series of refreshes. The interior was redone in 2015, and for 2017 we have the new Atkinson-capable valve train version of the 2GR-FE engine and the all-new UA80E/F 8 speed tranny. While I'd say about 85-90% of the people on our board love the new powertrain, there has been a very vocal minority with severe complaints. Enough to take it seriously. The complaints were common - the feeling of having to mash the pedal, higher than logical rpm shifts, etc. Why not all vehicles? I don't think we'll ever know. It's quite possible that it could be isolated to a certain production period, but as most owners haven't shared build date, I can't draw a conclusion.

Info on a Canadian TSB surfaced first, and I was able to find a corresponding US bulletin within days. For Canada, the TSB issued for the Sienna was T-TCI-4506. So this would be the Canadian counterpart to the US release of T-SB-0187-18. Being a Sienna owner and moderator, that was my main concern.

Very recently a question came up on our board about the Highlander drivetrain. Being near identical, why weren't you guys complaining? I searching this board but didn't find much. Either you guys are more forgiving, or the incidence of bad vehicles was less. But sure enough, I was able to get my hands on T-SB-0194-17. And from your comments, the problems are inherent in the Highlander as well. You guys are apparently just stoics?? I'm sure there is a Canadian counterpart, but I don't have it yet.

 

...
Very recently a question came up on our board about the Highlander drivetrain. Being near identical, why weren't you guys complaining? I searching this board but didn't find much. Either you guys are more forgiving, or the incidence of bad vehicles was less. But sure enough, I was able to get my hands on T-SB-0194-17. And from your comments, the problems are inherent in the Highlander as well. You guys are apparently just stoics?? ...

Maybe there are more Siennas sold than Highlanders, so you hear more from the Siennas owners first?

BTW, how does one search for TSBs ? I don't seem to see them on Toyota website?



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I wonder if the update changes fuel economy, meaning that there are regulatory ramifications to making the modification standard. Therefore, they will only do it if the customer complains about it. I'll be very curious to see what people's before-and-after experiences are. Perhaps, people could do smartphone video comparisons of the tachometer during acceleration.

I'd also be curious to know whether dealerships or even the distributors are doing the update to cars that haven't been sold yet so the they behave differently during test drives. That would seal the deal for me.

 

Several Sienna owners have had the reflash done, and the comments have been very positive.

One poster: "Success!! Huge difference. Power is much more pronounced in the low range. Wife is happy again. If you haven't had it done yet, don't waste time. Get it done."

 

Looks like my vin is before the change. Do you just call in and refer to nice the tsb and ask for a flash?

 

I feel stupid asking this, but how do you read your VIN# to know if the update applies to your HL? The bulletin says that the update applies to vehicles produced before a specific list of VIN numbers, but how are they read?

I've noticed that at times it seems like our HL really revs up before shifting, but I assumed it was the way it was supposed to be. Now I'm not so sure. On the other hand our vehicle was only built in the last couple of months (I think), so perhaps it already has the update in it.


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It looks like the last six digits as in the production change at TMMI West AWD Start&Stop VIN 5TDJZRFH#HS395528 is after my VIN 5TDJZRFH4HS365___. If this is a production change then we really shouldn't have to ask for it or explain why we need it. I'll be going in for my 10K soon so we'll see.

 

My vehicle appears to be eligible for the TSB based on the VIN.

However, it seems to run ok at present, although I to not seem to get the 26 mpg highway per the window sticker.

The first part of the TSB says:

1. Does the vehicle exhibit a lack of power, high RPM shift point at the 2 – 3 shift, or hesitation in
low gears?
 YES – Continue to step 2.
 NO – This bulletin does NOT apply. Continue diagnosis using the applicable Repair Manual.

I am not an expert on what a HL should drive like... How do I know if I need this fix(?)... seems ok to me except for gas mileage.

Ideas welcome.

 

Ideas welcome.

Not everyone drives aggressive enough to notice this issue. Perhaps you are one of those granny drivers. Go drive one on the lot that was updated before shipping to dealer. If you notice a difference AND you like the newer one, get the update. If you don't, forget about it.

 

If they are rolling off of the assembly line with the update then isn't it just a matter of time before some mandatory update/recall comes along that is automatically installed the next time you're in for service?

 

FWIW..Current wording on this TSB dosen't indicate it will automatically be done. Based on my past exp. with toyo. before svc done, SA told me what updates were listed for my HL at the time. From previous updates/tsb with my fmc vehicles...Its possible updates from toyo. to running program are done before HL leaves plant, if not, will be done by dealer tech. before new vehicle sold. Also possible a new TSB could surface updating current one listed here. Anyhow, reports should be coming soon.

 

Many like me attributed the sluggish throttle to ECO vs PWR mode.

TN thread:
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/3.../333-highlander-3rd-generation-2014/1464954-eco-mode-vs-pwr-mode-questions.html

I wonder if the fix will affect both ECO and PWR modes?



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i'm going to try to call tomorrow and see if i can get it in to flash firmware. not sure how long it takes

 

Wonder what it would cost if you didn't know if you have the symptoms but just wanted to get it done.

 

Sorry.... Behind in my reading.

TeesHigh posted to one of two threads on SiennaChat that dealt with 2017 drivability concerns: http://www.siennachat.com/forum/40-general-discussion/37698-2017-transmission-update.html

This other thread was in the Test Drive section: http://www.siennachat.com/forum/23-...shopping-test-driving-service/34529-2017-sienna-poor-performance-vs-2013-a.html There is some good info in this thread also, and a bit of bickering!

But as you can see, we really did have two camps: I love it / I hate it...

Concerning TSB's: These are not recalls - they are factory to distributor/dealer communications, and as such, they are generally not available to the public. After the factory pays out enough and builds a database on common issues, they publish these as an aid to curb warranty costs. TIS subscribers get early access. 'Friends' of TIS subscribers get them if they ask politely! I try to keep up with things, but it isn't always easy. Especially in a case like this where it seems you are attempting to chase down a ghost that may or might not be real.

Most mechanical-issue TSB's are only applied for free during the original 3/36 warranty or to those that hold extended warranty's. This one is interesting, as it does impact the Federal Emissions Warranty and so the terms are extended. I would think that any action that changes shift points and reduces high rpm operation would also benefit fuel economy.

 

Very interesting. I have definitely been curious about the high revs in 2nd gear and the ever so slight hesitation. This makes me feel a lot better. I just wish Toyota would have communicated this. I will be asking for this at my 1000 mile checkup in the next couple of weeks.

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Attached is the latest Canada Service Bulletin from TIS dealing with the Highlander: Lack of Power/High RPM Shift Point/Hesitation

 

That's exactly what I saw but I wasn't allowed to copy it.

As for the update, with the limited drive home, I can't tell the difference between power and eco now. Wonder if this will have a negative impact on gas.

 

As for the update, with the limited drive home, I can't tell the difference between power and eco now

Between now and my scheduled 1st check-up I hope to have a better feel on a noticeable difference between the two(power/eco). As it is now, even before reading these type threads, I know I could feel a difference between eco and power mode. I realize for most this is not rocket science but for the life of me I am trying to understand the best way to test if this TSB would benefit our 2017 with 1000 miles....just unsure.

 

So one person so far has gotten this updated?