Losing confidence in my Tata Harrier AT due to transmission issues

I didn’t buy a VW T-Roc 2 years ago due to the fear of DSG failure. I never thought that dark clouds would also start looming over a torque converter.

BHPian B58lover recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Came across this thread, and wanted to share my own experience with Harrier XZA+ Dark bought in the 1st week of October 2021.

Similar to the issue shared by the OP, the jerk/thud that the transmission goes through when switching from 3rd to 2nd gear, is also present in my Harrier.

I noticed this issue within the first 1000km itself; in fact, it was within the 1st week of taking delivery. But it was so random that first I ignored it, but when it happened again, I told the TASS on the first service, but as luck would have it, I couldn’t reproduce it.

I have been living with it for the past two years & 24000 km, and due to the lack of its recurrence, had almost forgotten about it until now.

Recently 1 month back, I was driving in the city mode, the car has been driven in city mode 95% of the time, 3% eco, 1% sports- a bit enthusiastically. There was a window of overtake, I was in 3rd gear, I pressed the accelerator approximately 50%, and the transmission kicked down to second smoothly, but after overtaking when it was time to upshift, the gearbox made a KHRRRR sound (like putting in gear without pressing clutch), the car nose-dived slightly and then upshifted. I was alarmed as no auto tranny should make this noise. I cut short my long drive and went back home with negative thoughts about the reliability of the tranny and the overall product Harrier, in my mind.

After two days (I had almost let it go as a one-off incident but had noted it down in my notes to tell it to TASS on the 5th service), this incident occurred again, in the same circumstances as above, KHRRR sound, 2nd to 3rd upshift.

I immediately went to TASS, and told them about the issue, but as always, the patient recovers as soon as he goes to the doctor. The car was absolutely normal when TASS checked it, no recurrence and no codes generated.

Lastly, when I told the SA that I had consulted my friend who is in ZF gearbox manufacturing, and he told me that this is not a sign of healthy transmission, the SA told me, “SAAAR, don’t worry, you have a 5-year warranty. If tranny fails, we will replace it completely with a brand new one, and you will get a new transmission in an old car!”

I asked him what if it fails mid-way in my outstation trip, he said, “Saar, take this number of roadside assistance, call them, and they will tow the car to TASS from wherever you are in Bharat, and you will get a new gearbox.”

I said thanks for these confidence-inspiring words and left; since then issue has occurred one more time while the jerking part is perennially present.

I always thought that mine was one of the most sorted of all Harriers, with none of the usual reported issues, still in my mind somewhere, I was always a bit sceptical about Tata products, but had full faith in the engine and gearbox as they were both tried and tested and from reputable manufacturers. Now I am not that confident, especially what will happen post 5-year warranty.

The reason I did not get a T-Roc at that time was the fear of the DSG failure; never had I thought that dark clouds would also start looming over a torque converter, considered the epitome of reliability.

(Upon further enquiry, one of the guys at TASS told me about a Harrier AT driven for approximately 1.7 lakh km had its oil seal failed, leading to spillage of the entire gear oil; the owner failed to notice it and that resulted in gearbox failure. These guys quoted 7 lakhs for a new transmission, so high mileage owners, be aware).

Here’s what BHPian ambujlal had to say about the matter:

What I have experienced is that Harrier absolutely doesn’t like sudden accelerations or being driven in sports mode for extended periods. It may have all the power and torque figures; however, it likes to be treated as a gentle giant, moving at its own pace and comfort. When required, it can beat anyone but that would be a one-off case, and not a norm. It loves to remain relaxed, not meant for any aggressive driving. My experience is with the Automatic version. No idea about the manual version.

Here’s what BHPian B58lover replied:

You are correct, that is what even I felt after driving the Harrier for 2+ years, but it still does not explain that transmission sound.

Here’s what BHPian greyhound82 had to say about the matter:

I didn’t experience any of the sounds in my 3 years of ownership. Most of my driving in sports mode was in single-lane carriageways for overtaking slow-moving traffic by switching to sports from city mode all of a sudden and back. In my instrument cluster, there was no display of the current gear rather it was showing just Auto. How did you know the current gear? Are you driving this in manual mode or auto? Usually in manual the system will decline the gear shifting if there is a mismatch in rev.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

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