Highway downshifting - hard / clunky

Is anyone else experiencing a hard downshift on the highway and taken it to the dealer? Acceleration up to speed is fine, give it a moderate gas pedal increase to down shift a gear shudders the truck and it's not like I would think it should be. Any TSB on this? This would be going 70mp and accelerate to 75-80 to overtake a car type of scenerio.

 

Yes, it’s happened to me a few times. I’ve asked the dealer to look into it and was told that it’s jumping 3-4 gears so a hard shift is normal. It does not feel or sound normal but they offered no more help.

 

I've noticed this exact same thing but it didn't occur prior to the dealership performing the flash for T-SB-0111-22 a few weeks ago.

 

My tundra is doing the same. I haven't taken it in yet but definitely will as soon as I can. I'm at 21k miles and didn't notice it until ~19k but there was a pretty long period where I didn't really do any highway driving. I do know that it did not do this before 5k miles.

 

Noticed this 1-2 times recently going to/from the keys, I'm still below 5K miles and haven't had any updates/flashes performed. Will ask about it next time I'm at the dealer though.

 

I've noticed a similar issue but it's when the transmission upshifts after hard acceleration. Usually after hard acceleration on the freeway and as I take my foot out of the gas i'll get a hard, almost violent, upshift. It's not every time and it's usually if I let off the gas when the RPM's are high. Other than that, some rough-ish downshifting when coming to a stop but nothing as alarming as when accelerating.

 

I have noticed hard downshifts as well. Also have noticed hard up shifts in low gears, especially when truck is not warmed up. Anyone else?

 

I would try manually shifting on the highway while accelerating to see if the clunkiness is still there. You can control the gears better and move up or down by one gear. If it is smooth, the story about the transmission jumping several gears during the passing or slowing could be a legit one. With all the gears to choose from, I can see how it would get confused and how hard you press the accelerator could also add to the transmission’s confusion.

I tried the manual mode when towing a small trailer and it was very smooth when accelerating.

 

Did your dealer ever find anything? My truck does the same thing, Im assuming its normal but not sure. I get a hard clunk when slamming gas on the interstate.

 

I don’t but I roll into the throttle, I would guess that sticking the throttle is like dumping the clutch on a manual…when the transmission is shifting the engine rpm is going to shoot up and that will shock the transmission once the gear is found.

 

@GilFavor, okay yeah, that's what I am thinking. I may just be a bit paranoid about it. I came from the AWFUL GM 8 spd. It is definitely smooth when I roll into the acceleration vs the quick pedal slam lol

 

Ya, Toyota probably allows it for evasive maneuvers or emergencies but probably not good to do frequently…

 

I have this issue with my 23 hybrid. Also, at highway speeds, when on a slight incline, if I gradually accelerate, it feels really rough like a misfire. Any updates??

 

Noticed this on mine today and came to the board searching, mine is more of a hard downshift when I start to brake

 

any updates on this? Is there a new TCU update perhaps?

 

2023 Tundra Hybrid w/ 19K miles and I have this exactly as it was described. And similarly when I roll into the gas pedal it’s crisp snappy shifts that feel great.

 

Late to this but my Limited developed the clunk shifting at higher speeds during my road trip a few weeks, even threw up the warning light, malfunction with the engine or transmission controls. Cleared itself, no codes the dealer could pull up. Love the power band on these beasts but my old mechanic spidey sense is twigging with the transmissions acting like that.

 

So based upon everyone’s feedback - it seems like the 8SPD auto is a little rough around the edges and it’s normal. Guess I shouldn’t be surprised given it’s a beefy truck transmission built for towing and hauling.

 

Yes I’ve felt some hard shifts here and there. Figures crossed it’s just normal.

 

If you only have 8 speeds then the noise you heard was the other 2 dropping onto the highway.