MajorCommonTransmission

Toyota Crown: AA80E / AB60E Automatic Transmission Torque Converter Clutch Shudder

AA80E / AB60E Automatic Transmission Torque Converter Clutch Shudder is a common transmission fault on the Toyota Crown on the 2003–2012 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $350 to $3,500 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 24 documented faults on the Toyota Crown.

Vehicle: Toyota Crown
Years: 2003–2012
Fuel: petrol
Gearbox: auto
System: Transmission

This page covers the Toyota Crown 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 Crown faults24 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

A cutaway automatic transmission torque converter showing the internal turbine and stator. — A torque converter, sectioned. The lock-up clutch inside is what shudders.
No machine-readable author provided. BerndB~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims). · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

What goes wrong

The GRS180 and GRS200 Crown use the AA80E eight-speed or AB60E six-speed automatic transmissions, both of which employ a multi-plate lock-up clutch inside the torque converter to improve fuel efficiency. The friction material of this clutch requires specific fluid friction characteristics maintained by Toyota Genuine ATF WS. As the ATF degrades or if an incorrect fluid is used, the clutch cannot achieve smooth engagement and instead chatters rapidly as it alternately grips and slips, producing a shudder felt through the drivetrain. Contaminated or aged fluid is the primary cause; in advanced cases the clutch friction material is worn or glazed and replacement of the torque converter is required.

What you would notice

Rhythmic shuddering vibration felt through the floor or driveshaft at 70–100 km/h under steady light throttle when the torque converter lock-up clutch is engaged
Sensation similar to driving over a rumble strip that disappears when accelerating firmly or decelerating
Transmission hesitation or flare on gentle acceleration from a standing start

How to check it

Where to look. Torque converter lock-up clutch inside the transmission bell housing, between the engine and transmission unit

Perform a steady-speed cruise at 70–100 km/h under light throttle and check for a rhythmic vibration or buzz through the floor and seat. Scan for transmission fault codes related to torque converter slip ratio. A fresh ATF WS drain-and-fill will often suppress the shudder temporarily, confirming the diagnosis. If a workshop inspection is possible: Drain a sample of the ATF and inspect for dark colour, burnt odour, or metallic particles.

Parts involved: Torque converter, Clutch.

What it costs to put right

$350 to $3,500 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

“When was the automatic transmission fluid last changed, and was Toyota Genuine ATF WS used?”
“Has the car ever exhibited a shuddering vibration at highway cruise speeds?”

Now check the Toyota Crown 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 Crown buyer questions

Is aa80e / ab60e automatic transmission torque converter clutch shudder serious on a Toyota Crown?

We rate it major and common on the Toyota Crown. The GRS180 and GRS200 Crown use the AA80E eight-speed or AB60E six-speed automatic transmissions, both of which employ a multi-plate lock-up clutch inside the torque converter to improve fuel efficiency. The friction material of this clutch requires specific fluid friction characteristics maintained by Toyota Genuine ATF WS. As the ATF degrades or if an incorrect fluid is used, the clutch cannot achieve smooth engagement and instead chatters rapidly as it alternately grips and slips, producing a shudder felt through the drivetrain. Contaminated or aged fluid is the primary cause; in advanced cases the clutch friction material is worn or glazed and replacement of the torque converter is required.

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

$350 to $3,500 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 Crown years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2003–2012 Toyota Crown. 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.