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Toyota Altezza: Manual Transmission 3rd Gear Synchro Wear

Manual Transmission 3rd Gear Synchro Wear is a common transmission fault on the Toyota Altezza on the 1998–2005 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $1,200 to $3,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 7 documented faults on the Toyota Altezza.

Vehicle
Toyota Altezza
Years
1998–2005
Fuel
petrol
Gearbox
manual
System
Transmission

This page covers the Toyota Altezza as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Toyota Altezza faults7 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph for this fault yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of something else.

What goes wrong

The E153 5-speed manual transmission fitted to the RS200 Altezza is known for synchromesh ring wear on 3rd gear, which experiences the highest frequency of use during spirited driving that these vehicles attract. The brass synchro cone wears against the gear hub, reducing cone contact area and friction coefficient until the blocker ring can no longer match shaft and gear speeds before engagement, causing grinding during 2-3 upshifts and 3-2 downshifts.

What you would notice

  • Grinding noise when shifting into or out of 3rd gear, especially under load
  • Notchy or resistant gear engagement on the 2-3 shift
  • Difficulty selecting 3rd gear at moderate to high engine speeds

How to check it

Where to look. Inside the E153 5-speed gearbox, 3rd gear synchromesh assembly

Test drive the vehicle and perform deliberate 2nd-to-3rd and 3rd-to-2nd shifts at varying speeds. Any grinding, notchiness, or resistance during these specific shifts is indicative of synchro wear. Double-clutching the shift masking the symptom is a red flag that the seller is aware of the fault. Inspect gearbox oil colour and check for metal particles.

What it costs to put right

$1,200 to $3,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

  • “Does the gearbox grind or resist when shifting into 3rd gear?”
  • “When was the gearbox oil last changed and what fluid type was used?”
  • “Has the transmission ever been rebuilt or had any work done?”

Now check the Toyota Altezza you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Toyota Altezza buyer questions

Is manual transmission 3rd gear synchro wear serious on a Toyota Altezza?

We rate it major and common on the Toyota Altezza. The E153 5-speed manual transmission fitted to the RS200 Altezza is known for synchromesh ring wear on 3rd gear, which experiences the highest frequency of use during spirited driving that these vehicles attract. The brass synchro cone wears against the gear hub, reducing cone contact area and friction coefficient until the blocker ring can no longer match shaft and gear speeds before engagement, causing grinding during 2-3 upshifts and 3-2 downshifts.

How much does it cost to fix on a Toyota Altezza?

$1,200 to $3,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Toyota Altezza years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 1998–2005 Toyota Altezza. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Test drive the vehicle and perform deliberate 2nd-to-3rd and 3rd-to-2nd shifts at varying speeds. Any grinding, notchiness, or resistance during these specific shifts is indicative of synchro wear. Double-clutching the shift masking the symptom is a red flag that the seller is aware of the fault. Inspect gearbox oil colour and check for metal particles. Look here: Inside the E153 5-speed gearbox, 3rd gear synchromesh assembly