Transmissions after 2001?

My Uncle has a 2003 Camry LE 4 cyl. with 180,000 and my parents have a

The most common problem with the U-series transmissions seem to be jerky shifts and flares. Some models seem to crap out early and require a new (rebuilt) transmission to be installed (U140, U660). IIRC the U240 series (U140 variant??) had some fluid circuit design issues, but couldn't remember if it was in Gear Magazine or ATRA magazine. I don't think the problem was ever fixed before Toyota junked it for the 2005+ U250E 5-speed, which also has harsh downshift problems. Toyota tried in vain to solve these hardware problems with software updates. That's said, probably not all transmissions shift badly, some owners seem to shift smoothly.

The best way is to google the U-series you're going to be looking at and see what other owners are reporting. I personally think the Aisin U-series is a poorly design shame, especially when the bankrupt GM can do so much better with their new 6T/L Hydramatics. The older Aisin A- series, while a little on the flimsy side (higher torque applications) and nothing fancy, were at least driveable and reasonably predictable.