2004 Toyota Kluger CVX from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

Before the first service, the car was missing badly, had a dreadful transmission hesitation lasting 2 seconds on occasions, surged badly, and was impossible to drive smoothly.

A complete new wiring harness was fitted, following a Technical Service Bulletin from Toyota. This fixed the engine miss, but all the other problems remain to this day.

Toyota is unable to fix any of these other problems, all of which are transmission related. To make matters worse, they refuse to acknowledge these are problems, calling them a "normal operational characteristic". I was then told that a fix was being worked on. I have learned that they have been trying to find a fix since 2002. This problem is seen in a small, but significant number of Toyotas and Lexus with the 3.0 or 3.3L engine and 5 speed auto.

I really want to like this car, but the problems with the transmission are so bad, and Toyota Australia's attitude so abysmal that I would get rid of it today if only I could avoid the huge hit on my lease.

At certain speeds when I give the accelerator about 50% or more pressure, the transmission just sits there for 2 seconds. The engine then revs to over 5000 rpm, and then suddenly bangs into gear with an almighty jolt. The problem is unpredictable, and very unsettling. I consider it to be a major safety issue, and it has caused me to have 3 near misses in 5 months. My wife simply refuses to drive the car, and I have had to totally modify how I drive to allow for the dreadful lack of responsiveness.

In addition to the transmission lag on moderate to hard acceleration, it is almost impossible to drive the car smoothly when slowing down and speeding up at speed humps, traffic lights, tight corners etc, as the car can't work out which gear it should be in. This car is supposed to have class-leading smoothness. My particular car is simply appalling.

Toyota claims that the car falls within normal operational parameters; I have driven 10 year old Korean cars with better transmissions than this.

In the US, the National Highway and Traffic Safety Authority is currently deciding whether to mount a full investigation into this problem. This follows hundreds of reports of similar problems on various Toyota and Lexus user web boards. Several cars have been replaced under lemon laws or arbitration due to this problem.

I stress that most Klugers (and Camrys and Lexus RX330s) do not seem to have this problem, or if they do, it is only mild. I have driven several of these cars and only one other was affected like mine. Be aware however that if you are unlucky enough to get a lemon like mine, Toyota will not want to know you.

Transmission aside, the car is almost perfect. It has a fabulous ride, is very quiet, and is reasonably comfortable, although someone taller than 180cm might be a bit cramped as the driver's seat doesn't move back very far.

It handles better than other similar priced crossover 4WDs apart from perhaps the Ford Territory. It is quite roomy without being too huge on the outside. Economy is OK - about 14L/100 km in mixed driving, and when the transmission behaves itself, it is surprisingly quick.

I think the sound system is a bit ordinary, and I'm not a big fan of the dash or front grille, but overall it is a sensible, practical design.

But oh, the transmission in my car is a shocker. Until Toyota acknowledge and fix this potentially dangerous problem, I cannot recommend this otherwise very good car.

This is the best automatic I have had any experience with. Very smooth in both up shifts and downshifts. No drag and no clunk as it goes into gear after being in Neutral.

The fact that you have this problem points to something different in your vehicle that must be fixable. It is a pity that Toyota/Lexus does not appear to take responsibility. The fact is that they are not alone - just check out horror stories from other manufacturers. When you get a lemon you are in trouble. The sooner that Australia has anti-lemon consumer laws like the US (surprise on this) the better for consumers.

I have a January 2004 Kluger CVX and have had the same problems with the transmission and after having 3 near misses re the transmission badly hesitating I phoned Toyota Australia and they tried to fob me off, but in the next breath the gentleman on the phone told me that they are aware of the problem, but don't know what is causing it. I was using normal unleaded fuel, but have changed to premium and the problem isn't quite so bad. It tells you in the car manual supplied that you are supposed to use premium, but no one else does especially the dealers, it should at lease say on a sticker near the fuel cap. Otherwise a great vehicle to drive.

In South Africa you can buy these cars and pay for them in klugerrands.

The Transmission on my 2005 Kluger generally runs smooth, but on occasion will suddenly hesitate to change up or seems not to know which gear to select.

Could this be a software problem I ask?

I rang Toyota Australia, they were not interested...

(I wonder if Toyota Japan treat their customers with the same contempt?)

My resolve is; great car, but poor support, next year I will not be interested in Toyota I will by a Honda or Ford.

By the way my wife owns a Volvo C70, which refuses to start one in ten times... Volvo don't want to know... but Volvo users in the UK solved the problem... Volvo still don't want to know...

“Bring in the Lemon Laws Australia”.

The Toyota dealer's foreman told me they have a program change that decreases the lag from 1.5 seconds to 0.7 seconds.

They don't do it unless you complain. Just had 20k service and they said nothing. Booked in for the mod which is supposed to make a big improvement.

Owns a brand new 2006 CVX and the 5-sp auto is quite "unique" compared to other auto's that I've driven in the past.

The transmission need at least 3-4 seconds to think before engage to one of the gear. It happens when restart from slowing down (1-2-3 gear range) before speed bump or traffic light. Sudden acceleration occur most of the time (it's like the transmission is disengaged at 3000rpm and suddenly engaged). Apart from the transmission, everything seems to be fine.

Ohh.. one thing, squeak from underneath of the third row seating.

My Kluger Grande is a fantastic car in every respect and lives up to all the advertising blurb except for one minor detail... driving it.. it is a pig because of the dreadful transmission. I have spoken to Toyota customer service and the dealership. The dealer is limited in what they can do as the fault lies entirely with Toyota. I have had all the toyota fixes does on the car and only had a minor improvement. Toyota Australia refuse to admit there is a problem or a customer satisfaction issue, yet you only have to read the various reports on the web such as this unfortunate soul to see that Toyota is happy to take your money, but not say thanks in the way of support.

http://www.motorsm.com/AUS/cars/complaints_corner_l.asp#393 I I got fobbed off by being told there's nothing more can be done, and it's my fault the way I drive it. C**p!!

They claim that the car was performing within specifications. Well if that is toyota specifications I am taking my next $60K new car money to another brand. DO NOT BUY A TOYOTA especially a KLUGER... be warned...

Excessive time shifting into drive, or taking up drive, can be attributed to low fluid level, which is not usually difficult either to check or to fix.

Owned Kluger from new and now done 42k. Generally very happy with vehicle apart from transmission that is unacceptably poor for an otherwise good vehicle without too many faults or omissions - the obvious ones have been identified by others. The transmission 'hesitation' problem identified is not an illusion and has not been improved by the Toyota dealer 'fix', that they won't offer unless asked.

Excellent finish with no other problems, engine brilliant.

Using BF Goodrich All Terrain tyres and plenty of wear currently left although extremely noisy and would not recommend on this vehicle for that reason.

Even though this car is otherwise a fair bit better than a Territory, unless Toyota do something about the above, trade reviewers and buyers will prefer elsewhere.

I bought a new CVX in March 2006. Have now covered 27000klm.

Love the car in most respects, but am appalled by the same transmission woes. The lag in down change from 2nd to 1st has nearly caused accidents at roundabouts & inersections several times, and the surge from 1st to 2nd causes great passenger discomfort (and driver embarrassment!).

Similarly to others here, Toyota don't want to know & state my car is 'operating within normal parameters'. I hate this feature so much that I, too, have considered trading out after only 1 year.

Someone above commented about a squeak from the 3rd row. Our similar squeak is the cargo blind. Remove it & remove the noise.

Also, tyre wear is unacceptable. Standard Toyo 225/70/16 showed unusually hard wear at the 5000klm service - Toyota said my wife was driving too hard. Tyre rotation, balance & alignment at 10000 failed to slow the wear & we need new tyres at 27000. Toyota offered to fit the same tyres again. I've gone elsewhere for Yokohama with a dealer fitted guarantee of 40000 minimum so long as we rotate & balance every 10000.

I HAD a Kluger Grande purchased in July 2005. Loved the car, the build quality and driving it in a straight line at motorway speeds. Around town the transmission was WOEFUL. Gear changes were uncertain and unpredictable, and didn't know what it was going to do when the accelerator pedal was pushed. It lagged terribly then surged. Braking and then accelerating was very frustrating as it could take ages for the car to realize that it was not supposed to be slowing down. Towing something was even worse.

I complained to local Toyota dealer and they were very helpful (Castle Hill Toyota, I'd recommend them to anyone) They updated the gearbox, changed the computer software several times. There was a small improvement, but still not satisfactory. After more complaining on my part, eventually they put me on to Toyota Australia and they brokered a deal to trade in the KLUGER at at very good deal for a Prado Grande Diesel. Best thing I ever did. The Prado is superb, all it needs are a few more little storage areas for nik-naks for the driver.

So my advice is if you are really hacked off with your Kluger's transmission, get your dealer on your side and ask for assistance to trade from Toyota Australia. I will definitely buy another Toyota.

I have a volvo V70 2001 model which has the same "operational characteristic" flaws as this particular Kluger. I have been told by a transmission specialist it most likely is the valve body controlling the transmission. To fix would cost at least AUD 3000. I am putting up with it, until it becomes worse. I would get about 1 bad shift in about every hour of driving (city traffic), exclusively at low throttle.

Still, very annoying.