*UPDATE FROM TOYOTA REP*: Regarding 4th and 5th gear grinding issues...

[husker741]

UPDATE:

Toyota rep came in today and drove my car. He told me Toyota knows there is a problem and is currently working on a fix. Whether that be a new transmission, new parts, different synchros, he does not currently know. But he has had meetings with other reps and they have all had multiple complaints. He sad it is harder than diagnosing a car such as a Camry, because there are not as many and it is a niche car. He told the dealer to do a complimentary transmission fluid flush with new synthetic transmission oil. He asked me very politely to wait it out rather than getting a new transmission because that one could potentially be the exact same way. I kindly obliged because it is not locking me out of the gears, it is just grinding. He said if it gets worse or they take too long with getting the fix, he will personally take care of my transmission for me. He was very, very nice and understanding. So they know it is a problem, and they are working on it. There will be a TSB put out for it, but he just doesn't know when. Although I'm still not happy with it, I feel better that they know about it and are working on it.

IF YOU ARE HAVING ISSUES, CONTACT YOUR DEALER AND GET THEIR REGIONAL REP TO COME CHECK IT OUT. The more complaints, the more they know and hopefully the quicker they act on finding a fix.

[gvan1998]

UPDATE
After calling Toyota several times complaining about the issue. They told me to take the vehicle to the dealer where a Toyota Regional Tech will test drive it. After the tech test drove it, They are replacing my transmission to a new on. But I cant get it installed now boecause the FRS transmission is on nationwide backorder and could take over 2 months. Service advisor told me that this is not a common problem and first she ever heard of, then why is the transmission on backoreder if no one else is having transmission issue

[gvan1998]

Toyota rep in my region stated that this is the first time he heard of this problem and not a wide know n problem

[frslee]

Happened to me few times, but it was my mistake not properly putting in 5th gear.

Now I take my time to put gear and there's no grind at all.

[Dezoris]

Do you guys skip gears when shifting? Those with issues?
2-4th or 3th to 5th 4th to 6th?

[Dezoris]

Originally Posted by gvan1998

UPDATE
After calling Toyota several times complaining about the issue. They told me to take the vehicle to the dealer where a Toyota Regional Tech will test drive it. After the tech test drove it, They are replacing my transmission to a new on. But I cant get it installed now boecause the FRS transmission is on nationwide backorder and could take over 2 months. Service advisor told me that this is not a common problem and first she ever heard of, then why is the transmission on backoreder if no one else is having transmission issue

There are a ton of parts on backorder, it has been like this with this car for over a year now.

[FR-Shadow]

My 4th gear was grinding while up shifting and down shifting mainly after 4k rpms. i took it in to the dealer and they were easily able to replicate it. They changed my fluid...nothing. Then they changed my fluid again with a heavier weight fluid...nothing. They took a video and was again easily able to replicate the grinding. They told me they are submitting to toyota and will probably have the syncro replaced.

Not too keen on them cracking open the tranny. When the first time they swapped fluids they forgot to put back on my cover underneath forcing the other plastics to scrape once i got onto the freeway. I drove back and was like wtf. Sure enough there was my cover on the guys work bench.

All i hear is techs complain about how they hate having to work on our cars because of the subaru parts. Its like suck it up and get used to it as there will most likely be more sold. Not comforting thats for sure.

[thill]

For those of you that are having grinding issues, was this since day 1, or did it surface over time? I have not noticed any so far, even at redline shift between 3 to 4.

[empower-auto]

I'm running Motul Gear 300, the Whiteline Positive Shift bushing and a non-weighted Cusco shift-knob (weighted shift knobs are terrible, learn to feel out your gears and know where they are rather than using a weighted knob bandaid.)

2nd used to have a small grind sometimes stock, and rarely 4th. Since adding the above mods my FR-S (now at 23k miles) shifts perfectly.

[FR-Shadow]

Originally Posted by thill

For those of you that are having grinding issues, was this since day 1, or did it surface over time? I have not noticed any so far, even at redline shift between 3 to 4.

I didnt notice it right away. Happened probably around 5k miles for me.

[zc06_kisstherain]

i drove 4 manual cars before BRZ and every vehicle i drove there is 2nd gear grinding.
also 3rd gear had some resistant blocking but rarely happens. so i am kinda used to it.
if you've driven this car a lot, i am pretty sure you'll know exactly where and when to shift to avoid grinding feel. however, if problem is there all the time, then needs fix for sure. no offense but many people not fully engage /disengage clutch when shifting. this habits would wear out or cause problem in future as well.

[kALMIGHTY]

Yeah, how many miles/kms do you guys have on your odometers who do have this issue? My car's only a week old and has 1300 kms now, with no issues. 3rd to 4th shifts and 5th to 4th shifts are both buttery smooth still, so I don't know if I should be worried about developing that problem eventually.

[husker741]

Originally Posted by empower-auto

I'm running Motul Gear 300, the Whiteline Positive Shift bushing and a non-weighted Cusco shift-knob (weighted shift knobs are terrible, learn to feel out your gears and know where they are rather than using a weighted knob bandaid.)

2nd used to have a small grind sometimes stock, and rarely 4th. Since adding the above mods my FR-S (now at 23k miles) shifts perfectly.

I wonder if it could be the bushing?

[Carwhisperer]

Originally Posted by thill

For those of you that are having grinding issues, was this since day 1, or did it surface over time? I have not noticed any so far, even at redline shift between 3 to 4.

Mine all went away after 10,000miles, and I've heard similar stories with many other people and their 86's.