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Toyota Camry 2007-2011: Transmission Diagnostic Guide

Transmission problems often go overlooked for far too long. Early diagnosis can prevent large repair bills in the future.

By Jeffrey Smith - August 13, 2015

This article applies to the 6th generation Toyota Camry (2007-2011).

Is your Camry shifting hard or missing a gear? Does your tranny just feel amiss? There are many different issues that your transmission can have, along with just as many symptoms. The most common problem that new Camry owners report is with shifting on cold starts. There is a technical service bulletin on this issue (TC007-07). It is a simple procedure, but you will need to take it to a dealership to have it addressed. It may or may not be covered by your warranty or by Toyota. You may be experiencing other issues not addressed with this TSB. Read on to learn how to diagnose some other problems you may be having.

Materials Needed

  • Floor jack and jack stands (if needed)
  • Catch pan for transmission fluid (if needed)
  • Ratchet and socket set
  • Pliers

Issue 1 – Your TCM may need to be flashed

There is a shift "flare" that is noticeable when the engine is cold.

Symptoms of this issue are noted below:

  • Hard upshift from 3rd to 4th gear within the first 10 minutes of driving.
  • Hard upshifts from 2nd to 3rd or 4th to 5th.
  • Hard downshift on deceleration from 5th to 4th.
  • This mainly affected 2007 models, but could impact other models without the flash upgrades to the transmission control module (TCM).
Figure 1. Under your hood is a sticker that will indicate if your TCM has been upgraded for this shift flare issue.

Issue 2 – Car shakes, rattles and rolls

You may have unevenly worn tires or be out of balance.

If you hear a loud humming noise when driving, or a shimmy or shake that is hard to find elsewhere, your tires may be out of balance. Your alignment may be out of whack, or your tires may have uneven wear. Many people attribute these symptoms to the transmission because it only occurs during certain speeds. Have your car's alignment checked and make sure that the tires are in good condition as well as are properly balanced.

Figure 2. Vibrations may be coming from the wheels and tires, not the transmission.

Issue 3 – CV joint may need to be replaced

The rubber boots may have cracked, leaked grease, and gotten corroded.

A common complaint among Camry owners has been in regards to a bad CV joint. The CV joints themselves usually need no regular maintenance and can last a lifetime. In most cases, it's the rubber protective boot on the outside joint that has been damaged or slipped open from one end, letting in all kinds of road grime and junk that can damage the actual joint. If you are hearing clicking or rattling noises, especially while turning, they may sound like the transmission gears, or otherwise, are coming from your gearbox. Inspect your CV boots and the joints to make sure this isn't your actual problem.

Figure 3. If the rubber boot around the CV joint fails, the joint will soon fail as well.

Issue 4 – Brake-assisted downshifting

Your car seems to downshift all the time while driving in-town or coming off the freeway.

Many new Camry owners get really concerned with their new car apparently downshifting all the time. Newer model Camrys have what is called shift-assist braking. This is a design of the Camry that was made to help prolong the brake pads, drums, or rotors. The car will automatically downshift when the car slows down, most noticeable while driving in town or coming off of highway speeds. Toyota came out with a Shift Feeling Enhancement T-SB-0287-10 in 2010 to address the concerns of Camry owners who didn't like the experience. This doesn't completely negate the feeling; however, many owners were satisfied after this "fix" was implemented on their vehicle. Take yours to a dealership and inquire about this if you are experiencing this problem.

Figure 4. Brake-assisted shifting is supposed to prolong the life of your brakes.

Issue 5 – Clogged transmission lines

There are filters from the transmission to the lines that may have gotten clogged.

Hard shifting could be indicative of clogged filters before the transmission lines. If you pull a line to let the fluid drain, it should come out in a nice steady stream. If not, your line filter is most likely clogged. This is not uncommon for the Camry and is a fairly easy fix to replace the screens. While you are running this test, or if the fluid does come out nicely, check it for appearance and smell. Pull a magnet through the fluid in the catch pan to see if it collects any metal debris. A fluid flush and fill is in order if your fluid is really dirty. If there is significant debris, you'll need to have the transmission looked at by a professional if you are not familiar or comfortable with tearing apart a transmission. If you are still under warranty, take it to a dealership for service.

Figure 5. Check the condition of your transmission fluid.

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