Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 | 7% | — |
| 2023 | 20 | 11% | — |
| 2022 | 54 | 21% | 125,000 miles |
| 2021 | 227 | 43% | 60,000 miles |
| 2020 | 126 | 39% | 73,000 miles |
| 2019 | 210 | 42% | 65,000 miles |
| 2018 | 69 | 26% | 98,000 miles |
| 2017 | 77 | 28% | 20,000 miles |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2015 | 7 | 4% | 80,000 miles |
| 2014 | 9 | 7% | 83,000 miles |
| 2013 | 11 | 5% | 16,000 miles |
| 2012 | 7 | 4% | 19,000 miles |
| 2011 | 16 | 9% | 25,000 miles |
| 2010 | 6 | 3% | 66,000 miles |
| 2009 | 7 | 5% | 11,000 miles |
| 2008 | 18 | 4% | 12,000 miles |
| 2007 | 8 | 6% | 18,000 miles |
| 2006 | 22 | 8% | 49,000 miles |
| 2005 | 51 | 23% | 45,000 miles |
| 2004 | 58 | 20% | 10,000 miles |
| 2003 | 13 | 5% | 66,000 miles |
| 2002 | 14 | 5% | 108,000 miles |
| 2001 | 13 | 9% | 85,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Detailed Description of the Incident: I am reporting a recurring powertrain safety issue regarding the 8-speed automatic transmission (UA80-series) in my vehicle. [Symptoms] During cold-start conditions (outside temperatures below 30 F), the vehicle consistently experiences a violent jerk/shock and an audible clicking noise during the first 2nd-to-3rd gear transition. This physical impact is severe enough to be felt directly by the driver through the accelerator pedal. The issue is highly predictable, occurring once after every "Cold Soak" period (6+ hours of sitting). [Dealership Failure] I presented the vehicle to an authorized Toyota dealership for diagnosis. Although the conditions for the issue were met, the technician stated they "could not feel or verify" the shock that I, as the primary driver, clearly experience. …
The vehicle started stalling out randomly on the highway even with it being automatic, after getting home and parking it , it would not back up or drive . Took it to Toyota dealership and they said it's an internal failure of the transmission which is a UA80 model , it only has 92,000 miles on it they can't figure out what caused it . There are lawsuits with this vehicle already from other people and Toyota is not fixing the issue and won't help with mine even after they have known what it is. I took it to one shop before Toyota to get a diagnostic it shown two codes one being in the transmission but they fixed that part and the vehicle still did not drive nor back up and then Toyota got the vehicle right after and they even said that it's internal failure . …
My 2023 Toyota Highlander was experiencing a high pitch whiny noise when accelerating. I looked up on line and saw that this could be a failing transmission issue. I took it into the Toyota Dealership , 6321 West Canal Drive, Kennewick, WA 99336. They confirmed my concerns. They said the transmission was toast and I could not drive it until repaired. They informed me they would have to order a replacement transmission under warranty. They further informed me that there is a backlog of requests for replacement transmissions because this is a major problem with Toyota. They have no idea how long it will be. It could be weeks or it could be months. In looking online, it appears that Toyota has been aware of this issue with the 8 speed transmission and has not been addressing the problem. My question, why isn't Toyota addressing this problem? …
Acceleration Issues, engine lag, poor response time and bucking when accelerated is pressed. Dangerous to drive not enough power to merge with traffic and hesitates to go at stop lights. Bought as a family suv and don't feel safe with them in the car. RPMs jump when at idle. The car struggles to shift gears especially 2nd gear. Does not preform well under normal circumstances not sure how this car would ever be able to tow anything. I feel very mislead by Toyota and its reputation as this vehicle vehicle is lacking safety and performance. Reached out to Toyota about problems and have not received a remedy for the situation. A special campaign was issued but has not helped the problem. Very disappointed with this purchase as I paid over 50k for the vehicle brand new and don't feel safe in the car as it bucks on acceleration and lacks the power to flow with traffic. …
Car fire (total loss of vehicle) after hybrid malfunction. My family and I were traveling west bound on [redacted] near Crawfordsville Indiana on [redacted]. Trooper Chelsey Smith from the Indiana State Police (CAD # [redacted] ) came to the scene. Our car was traveling westbound at about 70 mph when I got a notification of "a malfunction in the electronic control of the engine, throttle, or automatic transmission has been detected. Contact your Toyota dealer to have your vehicle inspected" - I acknowledged the alert and kept driving, then it showed again 30 seconds later and acknowledged again. About 30 seconds later I received a "Hybrid System Alert" stating "A malfunction in the Hybrid System has been detected. Stop in a save location and contact your Toyota dealer to have your vehicle inspected". …
On September 23, 2026, at approximately 7:30 AM, I was driving the vehicle in a parking garage at an estimated speed of approximately 10 mph. While driving over a curve in the parking garage and applying the brakes to slow the vehicle and maneuver into a parking space, the vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own despite the brakes being applied. The vehicle struck the metal wire safety fence and then came to a stop. Prior to this incident, over the preceding 2-3 months, I had experienced intermittent problems with the transmission. Specifically, when shifting from neutral to reverse, the transmission would occasionally become temporarily stuck or fail to engage properly. It would then begin functioning after a small tap. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? …
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated his wife pulled into a parking spot and turned off the engine while the vehicle was in reverse. The vehicle then switched gears to neutral on its own, started reversing, and slightly crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The warning message "Put Transmission Into park Illuminated". The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 2000.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a whining sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The dealer stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. After the vehicle was parked and turned off, there was transmission fluid leaking from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the head gasket had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact then noticed fluid leaking from the transfer case while the vehicle was parked and turned off. …
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Highlander years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2021 (227), 2019 (210), 2020 (126), 2017 (77) and 2018 (69) model years. Transmission complaints make up 43% of all complaints for the 2021.
Is there a recall for Toyota Highlander transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for any Toyota Highlander model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Toyota Highlander transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 46,000 miles; 52% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (127 mentions), followed by the automatic transmission › control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) (7).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.