2021 Tacoma 2.7 quirky little issues

Going on about 6 months of owning my 21 Tacoma 2.7L automatic just rolled over to 11,000 miles. Few things about this truck I'd like to start a discussion about. One could argue the 2.7 is underpowered but that's not what bothers me as much as the Very strange and erratic way the transmission shifts. Specifically when you apply very light throttle pressure to accelerate slightly and the transmission will make a slight "bump" or "thud" noise and shift into a higher gear. I insisted the dealer to check transmission fluid manually about 5 months ago and they told me it was about half a quart low after it sitting at the dealer for about a week and calling everyday. (Hard to say of they actually checked the fluid and pulled one of those customer is always right tricks and sent me on my way) I know the transmission topic had been beaten to death but I'm worried my transmission is a suicidal self destructive time bomb. Very strange sometimes it shifts perfectly fine other times is makes that little "thump" into a higher gear. Granted I've always had manual transmissions prior to this vehicle so the way an automatic transmission functions or is supposed to feel is totally alien to me considering this is the first automatic I've ever owned. On a separate issue the truck makes a whining sound almost like blowing air through a flute or a pipe type of noise specifically when applying very light throttle pressure. I mean VERY light. Anything past that point on the throttle the noise dissappear but then returns when the throttle pressure is reduced. It doesn't make the noise at idle or any other time only when my foot is just barley pressing the gas just a touch but if I hold it there the noise will continue until I either let off the gas or accelerate further. Sounds almost like a fluttering flute. 3rd problem I have is my glove box latch busted off. Luckily it's under warranty. I tried to fix it myself but the little plastic actuator mechanism behind the latch is busted. I frequently lock and unlock it to keep valuables inside. Dealership told me if if wasn't under warranty it would have cost $600 to replace. So the parts are back ordered and who knows how long that will take.

 

My 2021 2.7 hit 41,000 miles recently.
I just changed the oil and cleaned up the engine bay.

I have the same issues you do, it's not a "problem" Toyota can fix- it's just how these transmissions are due to them being tuned a certain way.

I have the same sounds and same trans shift issues and took it in around 15,000 miles and they test drove it and said performing as designed lol.

I really just wanted it documented in case something happens in the future.

Unlike the V6, there is no engine/trans mapping as it has not been cracked yet. Last I heard, they were close.

 

When I brought mine to the dealer 5 months ago to have them check the tranny fluid they did indeed give a paper that said they did the work and added necessary fluid. Hopefully if the transmission explodes it does it under warranty

 

Does this happen when accelerating from a stop or really slow speed? Or does it happen when accelerating while already driving, say if the speed limit goes up and you go from 50 to 70. Mine has a little thud if I accelerate after stopping on a hill. (I live in SF). But it’s a really minor and the transmission works well in all other kinds of driving (it’s approaching 60K).

 

It does seem to happen at lower speeds and low RPM' when it does the little "thud" into a higher gear

 

I wouldn’t worry about it. If the transmission works well during regular driving, I think what your seeing is the gear drops down when accelerating from a stop or low speed. Mine’s been doing that for over 6 years and I think it’s normal.