MajorCommonTransmission

Toyota Kluger: U660E Auto Harsh 1-2 Shift from ATF Degradation

U660E Auto Harsh 1-2 Shift from ATF Degradation is a common transmission fault on the Toyota Kluger on the 2007–2013 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $300 to $5,500 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 13 documented faults on the Toyota Kluger.

Vehicle: Toyota Kluger
Years: 2007–2013
Fuel: petrol
Gearbox: auto
System: Transmission

This page covers the Toyota Kluger 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 Kluger faults13 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the Clutch yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

The U660E 6-speed automatic transmission fitted to the XU40 Kluger develops harsh, shunting 1-2 upshifts and delayed engagement from Park into Drive or Reverse when the Toyota WS-specification ATF is not renewed at appropriate intervals. WS fluid loses its friction modifier properties under sustained stop-start and towing use, causing the clutch pack controlling the 1-2 shift to engage abruptly rather than smoothly. If the degraded fluid is not replaced, clutch friction material wear accelerates, leading to slipping, burnt fluid, and eventual requirement for a full transmission rebuild. Early intervention with a fluid change resolves the symptom; advanced wear does not.

What you would notice

Harsh, clunking upshift from 1st to 2nd gear particularly under moderate throttle from rest
Delayed or clunky engagement when selecting Drive or Reverse from Park after sitting overnight
Low-speed shudder or judder felt through the floor when the transmission changes up under load
Transmission slip warning light or check engine codes related to clutch slipping
Shift quality noticeably improving immediately after a fresh ATF service indicating fluid-related cause

How to check it

Where to look. U660E 6-speed automatic transmission, mounted centrally in the engine bay and underfloor behind the 2GR-FE engine

Conduct a test drive starting from rest with moderate acceleration and note the 1-2 upshift quality — it should be smooth and imperceptible. Check transmission fluid colour via the dipstick — pink or red indicates good fluid, brown or dark fluid with a burnt smell confirms degradation. Request service history to confirm ATF has been changed. Budget for ATF service on any vehicle where history is absent or intervals exceed 60,000km.

Parts involved: Clutch.

What it costs to put right

$300 to $5,500 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 what fluid specification was used?”
“Has the transmission ever been serviced at a specialist or rebuilt?”
“Does the vehicle hesitate or jerk when pulling away from a standstill?”

Now check the Toyota Kluger 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 Kluger buyer questions

Is u660e auto harsh 1-2 shift from atf degradation serious on a Toyota Kluger?

We rate it major and common on the Toyota Kluger. The U660E 6-speed automatic transmission fitted to the XU40 Kluger develops harsh, shunting 1-2 upshifts and delayed engagement from Park into Drive or Reverse when the Toyota WS-specification ATF is not renewed at appropriate intervals. WS fluid loses its friction modifier properties under sustained stop-start and towing use, causing the clutch pack controlling the 1-2 shift to engage abruptly rather than smoothly. If the degraded fluid is not replaced, clutch friction material wear accelerates, leading to slipping, burnt fluid, and eventual requirement for a full transmission rebuild. Early intervention with a fluid change resolves the symptom; advanced wear does not.

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

$300 to $5,500 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 Kluger years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2007–2013 Toyota Kluger. 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.