[wetherburner]

My car is at the dealer right now for the routine 50,000km servicing and at the same time, I mentioned that the brakes were pulsating when braking at highway speeds, and that the car hesitates a bit before accelerating and sometimes feels like it's slipping into gear. Nothing major, and not every time, but it's noticeable.

I suggested they do an ECU flash (I think that's what it's called) - since my car has had this problem ever since I got it - and the ECU flash seemed to help a bit when it was done about a year or so ago.

Anyway, I just got a call from the dealer to say that they replaced my front rotors (on warranty) - and that my car needs a new transmission!!!!!!

When I questioned whether it was a new transmission or a rebuilt one, they said new out of the box - but when I questioned again, they checked and confirmed that yes, it would be a rebuilt one.

Here's my question - I know this is a big job and I worry that the car will never drive the same afterwards. We had a 2003 Honda Odyssey that the transmission failed (it was a known problem with the 03 Odyssey) and the van wouldn't even go into gear. Honda also gave us a rebuilt tranny and it never drove the same - it became a gutless van (like it lost all it's former power) and made weird noises etc.. We ended up selling it and getting a new one.

Are tranny problems a common thing on the Camry, and since my car sometimes flares but it's not a serious problem, should I go ahead with getting a rebuilt tranny through warranty - or should I leave better off alone??? I just worry that the dealer is trying to do a big service to invoice the manufacturer when the work is not really required. The last thing I expected them to tell me is that I need a new transmission.....

I'm worried that once I have this rebuilt tranny in, the car will drive like crap and I'll need to dump it...

Thoughts?:headbang::headbang::headbang::headbang::headbang::headbang:

 

[CAMRYTUNER20]

well it'S under warranty so i would deff. go ahead and do it. It's a Factory Reman transmission which is pretty much just like a new transmission. And if it messes up agian then is still gonna be under warranty.

 

[jayrguidaben]

+1 ^ and if you get the new/rebuild transission ask for extended warranty on the trans.

 

[PRINCESS PEACH]

i got a new tranny put into my car @ 3K miles. Its okay. Have them put it in, better than leaving the old one haha

 

[thrawnis]

You should definitely get the transmission worked on now, especially if they are willing to work on it. If you refuse the work, you may not be covered if a failure happens after the drivetrain warranty expires.

I do recall a couple other people with Gen6 that had their transmissions replaced under warranty and they said they still had problems with slipping gears and stuff. Unfortunately there is no way to know if you will have those problems, but at least if they replace the tranny and you have new problems, they will have to fix them. Like Paul said, make sure that they provide you an extended warranty on the tranny.

Good luck!

 

[wetherburner]

Thanks guys.

I just went to the dealer and they said it definitely needs a new tranny as the current one is flaring at gear change and that the software on my vehicle is all current (although they did say that there is no error code for what my tranny is doing anyway).

They are going to put in the new one tomorrow and will have it all day.

Interestingly enough though - they claim that Toyota does NOT give extended warranties on things like this as the warranty goes based on the vehicle's registration date. If that's not true, what's my recourse - complain or make the request to Toyota Canada directly somehow?

I'll repost and let you know how it drives after the warranty work. I appreciate everyone's comments.

 

[gdanaher]

Those early transmission replacements occurred prior to Toyota's discovery that the better fix was the reprogramming of the computer. At this point I'd be more than happy to accept a new transmission. You are effectively starting over with a new system with no wear. Go for it. BTW, it is major surgery. They may ask you to pay for an alignment because the front end has to be dropped out. Negotiate this aspect before they bring it up. I think it is part of the r&r of the transmission, but they might argue otherwise.

 

[wetherburner]

Those early transmission replacements occurred prior to Toyota's discovery that the better fix was the reprogramming of the computer. At this point I'd be more than happy to accept a new transmission. You are effectively starting over with a new system with no wear. Go for it. BTW, it is major surgery. They may ask you to pay for an alignment because the front end has to be dropped out. Negotiate this aspect before they bring it up. I think it is part of the r&r of the transmission, but they might argue otherwise.

Thanks for the note - good point, I'll inquire about the alignment as I would expect that they pay for this if required (since I wouldn't be getting an alignment if my transmision didn't need replacing).

I'm right with you on getting a new tranny if it was NEW - but my trepidation is around the fact that it's not new but rather rebuilt. Which I suspect means that it's a transmission that someone else had problems with, and they claim to have fixed it at the manufacturer, and are now putting back in my car!! Hell, there is a chance that the transmission I'm getting tomorrow will probably have had more than 50,000km of use on it and therefore I'm actually getting an older tranny!

 

[jayrguidaben]

ask them if you could get a brand new trans not rebuild. if they still want the rebuild trans ask for a extended warranty and written.

 

[wetherburner]

ask them if you could get a brand new trans not rebuild. if they still want the rebuild trans ask for a extended warranty and written.

I tried that - they said all warranty trannies are rebuilt and they said that Toyota does not offer extended warranties on specific jobs - the warranty applies to the vehicle not individual components... Whether or not I'm being told the truth is up for debate I suppose.

 

[ShawnM]

Sometimes rebuilt units are better as they correct the known weak points when they rebuild it. A new one might be from the same run of transmissions that was originally in your car, so you could end up with the same flaring and slipping issues after its out of warranty.

 

[Streaker]

Good Luck!

 

[MJZ]

The 6 speeds have/had serious transmission problems, especially for first model year (2007).

I would not be surprised if my transmission fails in a few years. (Nor would I be surprised by an oil leak in my V6!).

 

[gdanaher]

The 6 speeds have/had serious transmission problems, especially for first model year (2007).

I would not be surprised if my transmission fails in a few years. (Nor would I be surprised by an oil leak in my V6!).

Not true. The problem was with the computer software that had it shifting at the wrong point when cold. The reprogamming got it in most cases. Read the old threads. There was but a single guy whose transmission continued to have problems following the reprogram. Don't confuse the early tranny swaps with tranny failure. They were shooting in the dark. As for a rebuilt transmission, all bearings are replaced, all seals replaced, all dimensions checked for tolerance. All moving parts are mic-ed for excess wear and defects. These aren't built for sale at Pep Boys at the lowest price point possible. They are quilt for quality. No worries.

 

[ToyotaToday]

Not true. The problem was with the computer software that had it shifting at the wrong point when cold. The reprogamming got it in most cases. Read the old threads. There was but a single guy whose transmission continued to have problems following the reprogram. Don't confuse the early tranny swaps with tranny failure. They were shooting in the dark. As for a rebuilt transmission, all bearings are replaced, all seals replaced, all dimensions checked for tolerance. All moving parts are mic-ed for excess wear and defects. These aren't built for sale at Pep Boys at the lowest price point possible. They are quilt for quality. No worries.

So, there is no need to worry if I ever wanted to upgrade my Camry to a 2007 V6 automatic? Toyota have reprogrammed the chip. Was there a recall on this?

 

[Streaker]

Not true. The problem was with the computer software that had it shifting at the wrong point when cold. The reprogamming got it in most cases. Read the old threads. There was but a single guy whose transmission continued to have problems following the reprogram. Don't confuse the early tranny swaps with tranny failure. They were shooting in the dark. As for a rebuilt transmission, all bearings are replaced, all seals replaced, all dimensions checked for tolerance. All moving parts are mic-ed for excess wear and defects. These aren't built for sale at Pep Boys at the lowest price point possible. They are quilt for quality. No worries.

Gee Willikers, I guess it must be my imagination that after two tranny replacements and re-programming I still have the shift/flare problem.

 

[ToyotaToday]

Gee Willikers, I guess it must be my imagination that after two tranny replacements and re-programming I still have the shift/flare problem.

So it's a mechanical issue? Maybe that's why I see the 2007 relatively cheap on craigslist, car dealers, etc.

 

[CharmCityES]

have them replace it...
as a toyota tech myself, if a trans needs replacing, its best to let em do it...
i rarely see trans failures on the gen 6 camry, but ive seen a few turn up and its best if theyre replaced because after the replacement the vehicles have come out for the better

 

[wetherburner]

have them replace it...
as a toyota tech myself, if a trans needs replacing, its best to let em do it...
i rarely see trans failures on the gen 6 camry, but ive seen a few turn up and its best if theyre replaced because after the replacement the vehicles have come out for the better

Thanks - I'm certainly not going to Camry bash as I do really like the car - just a little bummed so I'll feel better when the new tranny is in and it comes out for the better as you say. No car is perfect (and certainly not in the Camry's price range) so I'll cross my fingers and hope for the best.

I have been kicking around the idea of getting a new MDX so maybe the outcome of this transmission replacement might be the deciding factor...

 

[Yazovets]

If you're being offered a free transmission replacement, go for it!

My transmission simply failed at around 45000KM. This new one that I've been driving with also has a shift flare like the old one but at different gears. I've driven 20000KM on it so far and it's running good.