Ok so I have an '06 Scion xA with 30k miles on it. I have brought the car in 3 times due to transmission problems and a wicked grinding/rattling sound comming from under the hood. The dealer has no clue what is going on but they have had to replace all the synchros as well as 3rd, 4th and 5th gear (3rd was almost fully stripped). I do not race the car, drive like a teenager and have 0 mods (except an eclipse radio and aftermarket shift ****, the **** was WAY after the problems).

If I accelerate at anything below 3k RPM in any ger (throttle more then 25%) there is a highly audible grind/rattle from under the hood. Doesn't sound remotely healthy and my dealership has finaly told me they were able to reproduce it on its third visit (I have always been able to trigger it 100% of the time).

Transmission does not always want to shift into reverse. It is an intermitent problem but this is what happens :
-Won't shift all the way into reverse, when you let out the clutch the gears grind and it then pops out of gear. (90% of the time when it doesn't shift into gear this is what happens)
-Won't shift all the way into reverse, when you let out the clutch it pops into gear (only happend a couple times)

It is a highly intermitent problem and have yet to be able to find a way to consistently reproduce it. Happens in cold, warm, hot weather as well as when the car has been runing for a while or was just started after sitting for a while.

Any thoughts?

 

I think if you talk to a real transmission specialist/builder, they will have an idea. The symptoms you are describing are fairly common- i drive many different cars every day and have felt similar problems.
Gen1 xB and xA manuals are hit or miss, they frustrated many owners. I would insist on getting a whole new gearbox + slave cylinder. Is it under warranty?

 

It is under warranty still as I bought the extended plan. Now is there a gen 2 for the xA? Mine was the last year they made it and cannot remember if they made more then one gen, or is the xD the "gen 2"?

Is it normal for the shifter to have about 1" of movement to either side while in gear? Never feels like is tight at all. If this is normal any way to tighten it up? Do short throw shifters affect this at all? I can get a more exact measurement on how much "wiggle room" the shifter has while in gear if that helps at all.

Going to take the car to another dealership and get a second opinion after I get back from vacation and rip out the grill.

Btw to anyone reading I just recently got the Falken Ziex Ze 912 tires on it and they are amazing. Incredible grip and very responsive. Haven't pushed them to really hard yet but had some fun on back roads to see how well they stick to the road.

 

You should be covered under your 5 year factory drive train warranty, check your delivery date (purchase date) or call your dealer with your VIN number to find out.

 

Just got a call from the second dealership and they said that the loud rattling/grinding sound is normal for xA's and they found the same noise in 3 other xA's. Not really sure I am buying that because I definately have not heard this noise the entire time.