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

What has your dealer done for you? Replaced the transmission? Told you it's normal? Changed the fluid?

I'm getting so sick of it and if I can't replicate it during those 15 minutes with the technician, they won't do anything for me. It's starting to ruin the experience of the car. I'm now feeling it in 3rd as well.

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.

Well took it in again and they could replicate it. Toyota rep will be coming out ASAP.

All my gearbox grinding is intermittent; the only one that can be replicated is the 2nd gear issue which is considered "normal operation" unfortunately. Dealership said I could pay for a flush since everything is functioning as it should...when the tranny finally goes I'll point back to that service visit and say "I told you so" and bitch til I get a new tranny.

I've gotten it twice within the past week...cant seem to find the conditions to replicate it though.

Mine grinds like a mofo but only during one specific gear change. It feels like crap.

Dealer told me whatever I'm feeling is "normal", my transmission is still breaking in at 10000 miles... Yeah, I guess it goes from good to worse after the break-in?

I wonder if Toyota blacklists any cars that cost them too much money to fix already... I have a feeling trying to get this fixed is gonna be a long battle.

Anybody got video of gear grinding? I had some during winter because of the cold but never ever had a grind in warmer weather. Changing fluid makes wonders sometimes, and it's pretty cheap to try if the dealer gives you trouble.

Sweet. I rode with a tech and he couldn't replicate the issue. (Long story short: I can only get it to shift without a grind from 3-4 if I shift very slowly and deliberately, which I informed them explicitly. So of course, the tech only shifts slowly and deliberately, and when pressed, acts like there's no other way to drive the car). Needless to say, I'll either be talking to another tech (I work at a sister dealership so there's some incentive to go to that particular one) or going to another dealership.

Has anyone tried a Subaru dealership for this? I tried asking the tech about it and he mumbled something about that maybe being a good idea, but he seemed pretty clueless overall.

Try this: Make the shift from 3rd to 4th at high revs. Take 3rd gear to the redline, and shift. That's when I get the most problems, and I've tested it at different RPMs. It gets progressively worse the higher the tach.

^ Yes, we are all having that exact same issue. Now if only we can get lucky and have Toyota issue a TSB for it...

My BRZ does the exact same thing. Mentioned it to the dealer and they told me it is normal. I'll have a tech go for a ride with me next time I have it in, or it pisses me off, whichever comes first. I won't let those clowns drive it.

I've noticed the dealer loves to blow people off and say "that's normal."

Frankly, it's not. You have got to be forceful with the dealer if you want to get your problems taken care of, and elevate it if they keep dismissing you.

True and that's my plan. It really won't be normal as it gets worse and worse down the road. I've already had issues with them about my window switch.

The Toyota Rep will be here tomorrow and I will take him for a ride to show him how fucked it is. Supposedly they all know about the situation and are currently working on fixing it. Then they will put out a TSB or recall and fix it for everyone.

Well that's welcome news to say the least.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

I wonder if it could be the bushing?

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

i had some grinding issues with 2nd 5th and 6th when i first had the car. One day it would be fine one day it would shift like doggy doo doo... i swapped my tranny and diff fluid to motul gear 300 during my first oil change. everything is butter now expect occasionally getting into 1st or 2nd when the car is cold. but i consider that normal and livable.

Did the rep give any indication that they were coordinating with Subaru to get the TSB out for both manufacturers?

I got a new tranny ordered the same day I took mine in. Got car back in less than a week.


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Yes because it is the Subaru transmission.

It's an Aisin box...Toyota is the majority shareholder of Aisin.

is this grinding like a missed throw grinding when you miss a gear?

Yes. It's bad. Just showed up for me at 16k miles. Quick 3-4 shift above 5k RPMs and I get anywhere from minor to awful grinding. I'm thinking a fluid change is in order. This morning while cruising at around 40 mph, I fully depressed the clutch and kept moving the shifter from 3-4.. grind.. grind.. grind. :(

Man that blows! Possible for some fluid. Take it to the dealer now that is is more apparent.

If you swap bushings and lubricants you could be screwed if you get a warranty issue. With the way these are acting, I'm not risking it as much as I'd like to.

I'm 6'1", and I easily slam the clutch to the floor every time. I still get it BAD in 4th gear at high RPMs and I've been having the problem since around 3800k miles.

6th to 5th Grinding
 

Had the same issues with my BRZ. Took it in to my local Subaru dealer, told them what the issue was. (I was grinding when I would down shift from 6th to 5th, usually at higher speeds, even with rev matching it always grinds). Tech took it out and drove it the same way I do, was able to replicate it every time. Got a call the next day, and was told that they got a hold of regional Subaru rep who advised the dealership to just replace the transmission. Should get it back by Friday.

That's awesome. Good tech.

I took mine in and I guess I just got unlucky. I CLEARLY stated REPEATEDLY, "The transmission grinds when I shift swiftly from 3rd to 4th at high RPM's--starting at about 5000 RPM and especially at and over 7000RPM. The only way I can get it to shift without grinding is to shift very slowly and deliberately."

So the tech drives with me in the passenger seat. We get on the highway and first, he goes partial throttle and shifts very slowly at exactly 5000 RPM. No grind, of course. So I tell him, try full throttle and shifting in a performance manner. Okay. He goes full throttle to 5000 RPM, and shifts very slowly and deliberately. No grind, of course. I told him to try it at a high RPM and shift like he means it. He shifts at 6800, very slowly and deliberately. No grind---of course. I pressed him on the issue, and he acted like there is absolutely no other way to drive the car. It didn't help that this guy is practically mute--I have never met a person who talked so little.

That whole experience just left a bad taste in my mouth. I'll give it another shot though. I can deal with a slow deliberate shift when I'm accelerating onto the highway, but when I'm hauling ass on backroads, it's intolerable :mad0259:

I am having this same issue :( We will see what the toyota tech says when I bring it in.