🪦 RIP Transmission at only 6500mi (2024 LCLC)

[TrailWhale]

Yesterday I was at a stop light and as I was about to start driving the cruiser had a pretty viscous jolt, almost felt like I got rear-ended. Immediately 3 warnings came on:

• “System Malfunction”
• “Hybrid System Malfunction”
• “Drive/Start Control Malfunction”.

The cruiser continued to operate but only in 1st gear. I didn’t turn it off until I got home in case it wouldn’t turn back on. Once parked, it did turn back on with only the “Hybrid system malfunction” error and it appeared to be shifting gears again with a test lap around the block.

This morning I drove it into the dealership. Only the "hybrid system malfunction" warning was up, and frankly, the cruiser was driving completely normal. I was hopeful!

Alas, the dreaded phone call arrived this afternoon. The transmission needs to be replaced entirely. And of course, they are on back order with no ETA. Could be a couple weeks, could be a couple months! All under warranty as expected. I'm reading up on the local lemon law here, in case this drags out. The dealership will provide a loaner, but I haven't picked that up yet. I'm expecting something lame like a Camry or worse.

I'm pretty bummed to say the least, right as summer adventure season is kicking off. My 2021 RAV4 is up for the challenge though, and quickly climbing its way back to 1st place of my favorite cars I own.

UPDATE 6/10/25 - Some details from the dealership. There were three codes set, indicating an internal solenoid failure. The guidance from Toyota is to replace the whole transmission instead of pulling it apart. Good news is we have an ETA on the replacement transmission now, we're now looking at 2-4 weeks.

I will try to keep a comprehensive log and add updates in this thread since I get the feeling folks are going to find this via search in the future.

... on the bright side... maybe the new transmission will give me better fuel economy!
(haha, and you thought this wasn't going to be a MPG post!)

 

[jbe2289]

I wonder what the problem is with these transmissions, if it is one thing that's the weak point or if there are multiple points of failure. It seems to be a pretty big problem across the board, with a not insignificant number actually failing. Mine has almost 12,000 miles on it and sometimes it is smooth as can be and other times it'll get like stuck in gear and shift really hard. I got some paint fixed and the shop disconnected everything and did any available updates (not sure if there were any) but basically the ECU was reset to factory. For about 1,000 miles after that the transmission was extremely smooth, but then it returned to prior behavior, which makes me think it could all be a series software issue causing mechanical issues. Hope you get the LC back on the road soon, or a new one if you can Lemon it.

 

[Mikie]

Well, this will be interesting for me... On this past Wed, I was driving along, and shazaaam, I got the same three messages flashing (System Malfunction, Hybrid System Malfunction, and Start-Drive Control Malfunction... Along with lots of warning lights on the dash display (very colorful!!)

This situation with all the warning messages persisted for a few days, although the car seemed to be driving fine. However, on Saturday morning, for unknow reasons all the messages went away, and everything appeared to be normal again. I have an appt at my dealer tomorrow morning, so I'll have to see what they turn up...

 

[TrailWhale]

I chatted with the service guy briefly today: There were three codes set, indicating an internal solenoid failure. The guidance from Toyota is to replace the whole transmission instead of pulling it apart.

ETA provided on the replacement transmission at 2-4 weeks - which is great, because the ETA before was " ¯\(ツ)/¯ "

 

[chris_in_phx]

Man this is a huge bummer I’d be really frustrated. But Wow 2-4 weeks is encouraging… i remember reading previously when folks were waiting months.

 

[mmmhhhmmmmmm]

I wonder what the problem is with these transmissions, if it is one thing that's the weak point or if there are multiple points of failure. It seems to be a pretty big problem across the board, with a not insignificant number actually failing. Mine has almost 12,000 miles on it and sometimes it is smooth as can be and other times it'll get like stuck in gear and shift really hard. I got some paint fixed and the shop disconnected everything and did any available updates (not sure if there were any) but basically the ECU was reset to factory. For about 1,000 miles after that the transmission was extremely smooth, but then it returned to prior behavior, which makes me think it could all be a series software issue causing mechanical issues. Hope you get the LC back on the road soon, or a new one if you can Lemon it.

It really is jank. I noticed in the user manual they've implemented some kind of nonsense called AI-Shift.

I see that it's not necessarily a new feature to Toyota, but any kind of automatic feature like this needs an off switch if for no other reason than troubleshooting. Switching to manual isn't sufficient, because that rules out the baseline automatic behavior.

I've been wanting to know why when shifting in manual it will shift like butter but in auto it will sporadically go off like a teenager dumping the clutch in their Integra yelling VTEC JUST KICKED IN YO.

/rant

 

[ct1958]

No lights on my rig but I am taking it in on 06-13-25 to have the trans looked at. Reporting harsh or delayed shifts, difficulty shifting gears. I will likely get "can't reproduce issue" but I do want it on file for when it does implode.

 

[Impatient]

My only issue with the transmission so far is that even when I am coasting down larger hills the RPMs are rising like it’s gear hunting. Don’t understand that, never experienced it before in another vehicle. At a little over 14,000 miles and otherwise the only complaint I have is that I wish the gas tank was bigger and the true mpg for reasonable driving appears to me to be 18.5 mpg. I could do 30 mpg at 55 mph on a flat and straight road though. Stock 2024 FE, fwiw.

 

[Mikie]

Well, this will be interesting for me... On this past Wed, I was driving along, and shazaaam, I got the same three messages flashing (System Malfunction, Hybrid System Malfunction, and Start-Drive Control Malfunction... Along with lots of warning lights on the dash display (very colorful!!)

This situation with all the warning messages persisted for a few days, although the car seemed to be driving fine. However, on Saturday morning, for unknow reasons all the messages went away, and everything appeared to be normal again. I have an appt at my dealer tomorrow morning, so I'll have to see what they turn up...

I'm back from the dealer, and here's an update...

They confirmed that I had TONS of codes, but, they said that they all originated back before the car was new (due to the battery being disconnected, etc.)... And they said that since the codes had never been cleared, the car was "following up" when it started throwing the error messages a few days ago. All according to a master tech (so the service manager told me).

I'm in no position to argue with this, but needless to say that I'm not completely confident that they really diagnosed/resolved the issue... We'll see what happens...

 

[katekebo]

My only issue with the transmission so far is that even when I am coasting down larger hills the RPMs are rising like it’s gear hunting. .

That is normal behavior in all hybrids. When coasting downhill, the drivetrain will "engine brake" using regenerative braking first, until the hybrid battery is 100% full. Once the hybrid battery can't accept any more charge, the transmission will downshift and use the gasoline engine to provide engine braking. Switch the display to monitor hybrid battery charge level and you will see that the battery will get gradually more full while coasting downhill, and once all bars are lit, it will switch to engine braking. It only takes a couple of miles to completely fill the hybrid battery.

 

[Blue Sky]

I chatted with the service guy briefly today: There were three codes set, indicating an internal solenoid failure. The guidance from Toyota is to replace the whole transmission instead of pulling it apart.

ETA provided on the replacement transmission at 2-4 weeks - which is great, because the ETA before was " ¯\(ツ)/¯ "

Yikes!

Hope this gets sorted out for you quickly. If you don't have the ToyotaExtra Care Platinum warranty, now might be a good time to insist they comp or at the very least heavily discount one for you. I know it's easier said than done but it seems like extended warranties are a must with any new vehicle now.

I just jumped from a Wk2 Grand Cherokee with 110k because I worried the transmission was going. Yesterday, I read that my wifes '21 Acura RDX Sh-awd may have a known issue with the transfer case/transmission. A buddy is dealing with the fall out from the GM transmission recall. And my brother-in-law recently dealt with a valve body issue on his F-150. Guess a good transmission is hard to find.

 

[n0m@d]

t really is jank. I noticed in the user manual they've implemented some kind of nonsense called AI-Shift.

video linked to this article is 12yo - - seems to be some marketing bs, not a real AI (at least in its modern interpretation with all the LLMs and such, at best it is some basic machine learning).