2021 Toyota Highlander: Recalls, Complaints & California Lemon Law

The vehicle transmission has a distinct whine noise as previous models have had. This is a known issue with these transmissions.

NHTSA #11744339

Right after the manufacture warranty of 60K miles, the car began to make a humming noise. I took the car into the dealership with 65K miles on 13 Jun 2026, and the Toyota dealership stated that the humming is caused by the transmission and we will need to replace the entire transmission. The cost would be $9,447.29. This issue is known by Toyota and Toyota put out Toyota Service Bulletin (T-SB-008-21) but failed to issue recall for this defective transmission.

NHTSA #11743904

We purchased our 2021 Highlander XLE in the spring of 2024. It came with a powertrain warranty up to 60,000 miles. Unfortunately for us, we're at 65,000 miles and recently started hearing a high-pitched, whining noise when we accelerate. We took it to the Toyota dealership and they told us we need the transmission replaced. A new transmission is around 9,000, before taxes and service fees. We haven't had any other issues and haven't had an accident. There's already a class-action lawsuit against Toyota regarding their Highlander models having UA80 transmission issues. Because of this, we called corporate in hopes they will pay for it under their Goodwill Assistance program. However, because we never had the Highlander serviced at a Toyota dealership before, they told us they won't cover anything. We've routinely serviced this vehicle. We happened to purchase it at a Nissan dealership, so getting maintenance at Toyota didn't cross our minds. Regardless of where we got the car serviced, it's obvious there's a recurring problem with the Highlander's transmission that Toyota has refused to acknowledge, which is costing consumers around 9,000 apiece. We feel cheated by Toyota, and we hope they eventually have to make things right.

NHTSA #11741319

My 2021 Toyota Highlander was making a high pitched whine sound upon acceleration with the sound level holding steady at a consistent speed. We took the vehicle to a Toyota dealership to have it looked at and were told the transmission needs to be replaced. No other warnings were received. We are concerned about our safety if the transmission goes out while on the road.

NHTSA #11740214

My 2021 Toyota Highlander makes a whining sound when driving. Took vehicle to dealership and was told it is a $10,000 repair and repair is critical.

NHTSA #11739665

My car start with a noise and just lost power in the middle of the road causing almost an accident. This was caused due to the manufacture issue for the transmissions with my car model and brand.

NHTSA #11739373

2021 Highlander began with whining noise around May 15, 2026 and just outside the warranty. Had the vehicle inspected at the Toyota dealer for repair. They informed me the transmission failed and needs replaced for a price of $9600. Found on the internet that many folks are having the same transmission issue on several Toyotas made in 2021 with a UA80E or UA80F transmission. Toyota issued a Technical service bulletin (T-SB-0008-21) on FEBRUARY 9, 2021! We received no warning until the whining noise. We attempted a “goodwill case” to get Toyota to help pay but were denied for the simple reason we used our own mechanic. This has absolutely no effect on this transmission failure. Since Toyota was always aware of this issue I feel they should be held accountable. This is a major faulty product.

NHTSA #11742367

I own a 2021 Toyota Highlander with approximately 100,500 miles. The vehicle has developed a noticeable whining noise coming from the transmission/drivetrain area that continues to worsen over time. The noise is most noticeable during acceleration and while driving at highway speeds. I brought the vehicle to Toyota for inspection and was informed that the issue is related to the transmission. However, Toyota denied repair assistance because the vehicle is outside the powertrain warranty period. After researching the issue, I discovered multiple similar complaints involving 2021 Toyota Highlanders equipped with the UA80 transmission, including Toyota Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0008-21 regarding “Whine or Grind Noise From the Transmission.” The symptoms described in the bulletin closely match the symptoms my vehicle is experiencing. Toyota appears aware of this transmission-related issue, yet many owners outside the warranty period are being denied coverage despite similar failures and complaints. I am concerned this may represent a broader transmission defect that could lead to premature transmission failure, unsafe driving conditions, hesitation, loss of power, or expensive repairs for consumers. I believe this issue should be investigated further by NHTSA due to the growing number of similar complaints involving whining transmission noises and transmission failures in Toyota Highlander vehicles. At this time, the vehicle has not yet experienced a complete transmission failure, but the condition is worsening and raises significant concerns regarding reliability and safety.

NHTSA #11740232

Transmission. My 2021 Toyota Highlander with approximately 94,500 miles developed a consistent whining noise during acceleration. The issue occurs daily during normal driving and appears to be worsening. A Toyota dealership diagnosed the problem and confirmed the noise is coming from the transmission and that the transmission requires replacement. This appears to be a premature failure of a major drivetrain component. The condition could lead to loss of power or transmission failure while driving, creating a potential safety risk. There was no prior warning, and the vehicle has been properly maintained.

NHTSA #11735494

The transmission on the 2021 Toyota Highlander failed at only 5 1/2 years old (66,000 miles). This is a known issue from Toyota and they should be held responsible to cover items just barely out of warranty for well maintained vehicles.

NHTSA #11741801

2021 Toyota Highalnder UA80F Transmission Whine / Known Defect - Potential for Sudden Failure I own a 2021 Toyota Highlander Platinum V6 AWD (UA80F 8-speed automatic transmisstion) purchased in July 2021. Current milage is 78k. Starting 3 days ago I noticed a faint whine noise coming from the transmission. The pitch changes with speed and when the throttle is depressed (It's louder under load/acceleration). This matches the exact symptoms described in Toyota TSB T-SB-0008-21 for whine/grind noise caused by the front carrier assembly pinion shaft issues in 2021 Highlanders with UA80 transmissions. On April 27, I went to a Toyota dealer to confirm the source of the noise and diagnose. As per their diagnosis report "Tech took vehicle on road test to duplicate concern, after confirming complaint vehicle was then lifted up and inspected while under a load, tech as able to isolate noise to transmission at this time, fluid level and condition was inspected to ensure there were no signs of shavings or discoloration and after inspection tech found nothing abnormal during fluid level check. Tech then ran a health check to ensure there were no DTC present related to transmission concern and found no DTC present. Recommend replacing transmission and torque converter at this time". They provided a quote of $9,392. This condition represents a safety concern because the internal wear can progress to harsher shifting, loss of power, limp mode, or complete transmission failure while driving, potentially causing a crash or stranding the vehicle in traffic. I have audio/vehicle recordings of the whine and service records showing regular Toyota dealer maintenance. I am requesting the the NHTSA investigate this ongoing UA80 transmission issue as it appears to be a known manufacturing or design defect tat continues beyond the narrow TSB applicability and warranty limits.

NHTSA #11734132

My automatic transmission failed per the dealership and is just outside of the warranty but is considered a premature failure based on the expected life of the vehicle.

NHTSA #11731942

My 2021 Toyota Highlander equipped with the UA80 transmission developed a whining/grinding noise under acceleration around 73,000 miles. Toyota diagnosed internal transmission failure and recommended full replacement costing approximately $9,000. Toyota issued TSB T-SB-0008-21 acknowledging defects involving the front carrier assembly pinion shafts in these transmissions. This defect creates a potential safety hazard due to possible loss of power or drivability during highway operation. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate the widespread transmission failures affecting 2021 Highlanders and related Toyota vehicles.

NHTSA #11737540

A whining noise was observed at around 78k miles. Brought to the dealer and they indicated parts in the transmission are failing and it requires replacement. They said this has been happening more frequently on 2021 Highlanders (also see T-SB-0008-21). It's also a well-documented issue online. My contact with Toyota was that they did not intend to cover any repairs as the vehicle is out of warranty, even though it's not an isolated issue. They would not disclose how many vehicles have reported this issue. I believe it has reached safety recall-level.

NHTSA #11729765

My 2021 Toyota Highlander was my first car I purchased that I saved up for and has had a sudden issue accrue with a winning sound out of now where. I took it to the dealer ship and they told me I need a new transmission. My vechile only has 73k miles and I noticed this sound is getting worst and worst. I don’t know what to do so I turned to the internet and I was blow away to see how many people have this same issue with the same year and it’s been happing to so many people. I am a father of a special needs child and I sport my family on my own I can not afford to replace this and they won’t do anything for me. I beg anyone that reads this to please help us out cause this is not fair they we pay our hard earned money to get hit with this unexpected issues that they obviously know about but want do anything cause it will ruin there rep.

NHTSA #11727622

Transmission failure @110,000miles and a $9000.00 replacement cost. Service advisor at Toyota Dealership indicated they have seen other similar failures on this Highlander Platinum Model at their dealership but unit is out of warranty by a few thousand miles

NHTSA #11726514

Car was making whining sound with acceleration at 62k miles. Dealer told me I need to spend 8k on a replacement.

NHTSA #11735560

The transmission began making a wheezing sound. The dealership looked at the vehicle and determined it needed a new transmission. This is a known problem. Toyota issued a service bulletin on the issue in February 2021. I purchased the vehicle a few months after that. T-SB-0008-21

NHTSA #11724783

During acceleration above 25 mph a noticeable whining sound is heard from the transmission. When not acceleration the sound goes away. The vehicle only has 72300 miles

NHTSA #11724906

60k miles on the car and the transmission needs to be replaced out of pocket due to a gear pinon wearing down. This is a 10k dollar repair and just happens to be after the warranty has expired.

NHTSA #11737945

2021 Toyota Highlander XSE AWD with approximately 60,400 miles. Vehicle has developed a noticeable driveline/transmission humming/whining noise during acceleration, beginning at lower speeds and increasing with vehicle speed under throttle. Noise is most noticeable while pressing the accelerator and appears consistent with Toyota T-SB-0008-21 regarding transmission whine/grind concerns on UA80F transmissions.

NHTSA #11738297

My vehicle has 67,100 miles. A whining/whistling noise recently started and the dealer has diagnosed that a new transmission is needed at a cost of $6,000-$8,000 and it is out of warranty. Researching this shows that this is a known manufacturing defect referred to under T-SB-0008-21. I am concerned that my transmission will fail while I am operating the vehicle.

NHTSA #11743547

My vehicle is experiencing a transmission safety issue that has been diagnosed by the authorized Toyota dealer service center (Toyota of Scranton). During my most recent service visit on 3/2/26, the dealer reported that the transmission is “failing and whining” and recommended full transmission replacement. This condition creates unsafe driving behavior, including abnormal whining noise during acceleration and the concern for sudden transmission failure while driving. The Highlander started exhibiting issues with the transmission within the past 7 days. This issue appears consistent with the known transmission defect referenced in Toyota Technical Service Bulletin T‑SB‑0008‑21, which addresses whining and grinding noises caused by internal transmission component failure in 2021 model‑year vehicles equipped with UA80-series transmissions. Multiple independent reports indicate that this condition can worsen and may lead to loss of power or drivability while the vehicle is in motion. For safety reasons, I am submitting this complaint so the issue can be evaluated as part of any ongoing or future defect investigations. I am concerned about the potential risk of transmission failure while driving, which could increase the chance of a crash.

NHTSA #11722041

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced transmission failure while driving. There was an abnormal whining sound coming from the vehicle while accelerating, and the sound increased in volume while driving. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with an internal transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 55,803.

NHTSA #11728609

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal whining sound coming from the transmission. The contact was concerned about the sound and contacted a dealer. The vehicle was driven to the dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,347.

NHTSA #11719094

I am reaching out regarding our 2021 Toyota Highlander which currently has $65 K miles and is just out of warranty. Recently we noticed a wining noise during acceleration. We took the vehicle to the dealer who told us that the transmission will need to be REPLACED. $9500 repair. This is a known issue with Toyota and they will not work with us on this. We are stuck! No customer goodwill! Thank you!

NHTSA #11718883

I purchased my brand new Highlander on January 31, 2021 and was told today that I need a transmission replacement. My vehicle started about two month ago with a whining sound while accelerating. My vehicle currently has 78,000 miles and is out of the extended warranty of 60,000/5 year. I learned that Toyota released a bulletin on February 9, 2021 stating transmission issues for particular Toyota models, the Highlander being one. After researching the issue, there are several stories of Highlander owners who are experiencing the same issue. It’s a shame that they knew of the problem in February 2021 and with the transmission replacements on vehicles less than 5 years old and haven’t issued a formal recall for this known defect.

NHTSA #11718225

Toyota is asking me to pay for a brand new transmission replacement in my car that is only 5 years old, 74,000 miles on it. The cost is $10,000. How is it possible a brand new vehicle is needing this? I have read a lot of reviews that Toyota is knowingly using the transmission type that they even had to recall on earlier models. Why are they still making vehicles using this type of transmission when it continues to need total transmission replacement so early on? And Offer zero assistance. We bought Toyota because we thought it was the best. I will never buy Toyota again, this is a huge cost for a young family with a teachers salary.

NHTSA #11717119

Transmission has started to whine, my understanding is this is common for the transmission I have. I have had this verified by 2 different garages. There are no engine lights showing. The noise started around 90K.

NHTSA #11727805

I had the 60,000 mile service on February 2,2026 and after the service was completed I left the dealership and got on the freeway to go home. I heard a whining noise and immediately turned around and took it back to the dealer. I took the mechanic who worked on my car for a drive and he was able to hear the winding noise and we returned to the dealership. It took the mechanic three hours to come to the conclusion that I needed a new transmission. They still have my car and I have not heard anything about coverage or when it will be done.

NHTSA #11716077

The transmission in my 2021 Toyota Highlander began making a loud whining/whirring noise that increases with vehicle speed. The vehicle was inspected by a Toyota dealership, and I was told the transmission has failed and needs to be replaced. Toyota stated the repair would be out of pocket, despite the vehicle’s age and proper maintenance. There were no warning lights prior to the failure. This condition affects drivability and raises safety concerns, including the risk of sudden transmission failure or loss of power while driving, especially at highway speeds. I believe this is a premature transmission defect and am reporting it for investigation.

NHTSA #11717098

Known transmission failure.whining noise when accelerating. T-SB-0008-21

NHTSA #11717532

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that there was an abnormal winding sound coming from the vehicle while accelerating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called a transmission shop and was informed that the part to repair the vehicle was on back order. The manufacturer was contacted, opened a case, and referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

NHTSA #11733296

We began noticing a whining sound that has progressively gotten louder and more frequent upon acceleration. After taking it to the dealership, they claim it requires a transmission replacement. According to the dealership themselves and information online, this seems to be a common defect with 2021 Highlanders.

NHTSA #11716593

Technical Service bulletin was issued for my 2021 Highlander car in February of 2021 for a well documented transmission issue (whine and grind noise). We are now put in a position that requires us to replace the transmission at a substantial cost. This expense is budget crushing and any assistance in getting Toyota to assist with the expense would be greatly appreciated.

NHTSA #11713180

Transmission has failed, making high pitched whining noise while accelerating. Will need full replacement the car only has 66k miles on it - just out of warranty

NHTSA #11713431

Transmission started to make a whining noise. After a month the sound increased in loudness and took to dealer to check. Came back with needing transmission replaced due to bad bearing. Was replaced with aftermarket warrenty protection.

NHTSA #11710429

I started hearing a winning noise that got louder with speed, this month I took it to the dealership in Austin, TX and they said it needed a new transmission. It only has 67,219 miles. My 2008 was sold at 219k miles with no problems. I see online there has been problems with this type of transmission for many years. They are replacing it with the very same transmission....

NHTSA #11713091

I was driving to a stop light when I heard a Raddle. Pull over and all the oil came out the engine. When I took it to the dealer they told me that the engine blew up. 14k repair that Toyota would not cover the repair.

NHTSA #11719592

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the contact heard an abnormal whining sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that it was a known failure. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to work with the dealer to have the transmission repaired. The failure mileage was 66,000.

NHTSA #11707861

I bought my 2021 Toyota Highlander on 11/17/2025 and approximately one month later, I heard a whining noise when the car accelerates past 25 mph. The whining noise gets progressively louder the more the car accelerates. In addition, when driving over a bump or hump, there is a grinding/creaking noise that occurs. I took my car into the Toyota dealership on 12/29/2025 and the service technicians were able to replicate my issues. They even stated that the issue is caused by a bearing failure inside the transmission. I also purchased an extended warranty but unfortunately the inspector sent by the warranty company wants me to get a transmission fluid exchange because they think that will solve the issue. The entire transmission needs to be replaced.

NHTSA #11708422

The transmission has developed a transmission whining noise which Toyota has released a TSB 0008-21. My vehicle has 104,000 miles and is now out of warranty. If this is a known defect on many Toyota vehicle models a transmission replacement should be free if no longer in warranty.

NHTSA #11705014

Whining sound upon acceleration. Occasional hesitation when shifting gears or rough shifting when going from complete stop to accelerating. Dealership says need new transmission. Warranty company test drove and agreed with dealership findings. 60,000 miles .

NHTSA #11699558

I brought my 2021 Highlander L in for some regular maintenance and reported that within the last 2 weeks I have been hearing a whining sound when the vehicle is decelerating. I was informed at the end of the day that the transmission is bad and needs to be replaced. My vehicle is just outside of warranty (69k miles). I have always ensured my Highlander got an oil change on time, had all recommended maintenance done at that appropriate time/milage, and brought it in for safety recalls promptly. This vehicle has never been in an accident, and while I have owned it (and according to Carfax when I purchased it) I have always brought it to a Toyota dealership for any and all work. There have never been any warning messages, and even though my vehicle has been into Toyota regularly for oil changes and regular maintenance, I was never notified of any other issues. I also use this vehicle at least once a year for road trips (over 200 miles) and before every trip bring it in to have it checked. I'm being told it'll be about $10K to fix. Based on my research I have discovered this is a problem MANY people with a 2021 Highlander are having, also a class action lawsuit was filed due to transmission issues but only covered Highlanders up to 2020. This seems to be the same issues those vehicles had but I'm being told it's not covered or a recall.

NHTSA #11699948

Just after the 60,000 mile warranty, the car started making a whining noise when pushing the accelerator. This is part of the well known transmission problem. Transmission will need to be replaced.

NHTSA #11713234

Automatic transmission making humming noise while driving, can potentially fail without warning and leading to loss of power and potential crash.

NHTSA #11698282

At around 70,000 mi the transmission started making noises and at the 80,000 mile marker I took it in for its maintenance they found debris in the transmission fluid and I was just told it's either a replace it now or replace it when it falls out of the vehicle. A vehicle with less than 100,000 mi and I am the only owner, for the transmission to go out or start going out and Toyota not solve problems is ridiculous

NHTSA #11720897

My 2021 Toyota Highlander is experiencing a transmission issue causing a high pitched whining. It has the problematic UA80F. Toyota has declined to remedy the problem even with it being a known issue.

NHTSA #11725246

Transmission is making a loud whine when accelerating. Dealer says the transmission cannot be repaired and must be replaced

NHTSA #11695803

Transmission is making a loud whine when accelerating. Dealer says the transmission cannot be repaired and must be replaced

NHTSA #11695804

2021 Highlander XLE started making a whining noise when accelerating. Noise stops when you let off the gas. Took it to Toyota who said the transmission needed to be replaced. Although everywhere you look this is apparently a known problem, Toyota has yet to cover it or recall the part making the owners have to pay 9k to replace a transmission.

NHTSA #11693834

I am writing about my 2021 Toyota Highlander XLE AWD VIN # [XXX] . I purchased this vehicle brand new on 3/29/2021 at ‘Koons Easton Toyota’ in Easton, MD. In October 2025 I started hearing whining noise from the engine compartment. It was audible only when accelerating the vehicle and would go away if I took my foot off the accelerator. On 10/22/2025, I took the vehicle for inspection to ‘Ourisman Toyota 40’ dealership in Edgewood, MD. The technician told me that this is a known issue in this model/year and recommended to replace transmission as there was no other fix. He gave me a $9,995 estimate for transmission replacement. I subsequently learned that there was technical service bulletin on this exact defect released by Toyota on 2/9/2021. It said that models with UA80F transmission will make whining noise and then fail. The only remedy was to replace the transmission with brand new transmission part number 30500-0E160. This bulletin was posted on NHTSA website also. [XXX] This bulletin was released 50 days before I purchased the brand-new vehicle on 3/29/2021. My frustration and disappointment came from the fact that Toyota had known about this issue for 50 days and still proceeded to sell this vehicle to me. This is unacceptable as there should have been a recall on this defect or Toyota should have pulled the vehicle from the market. This is not about the powertrain warranty running out as that would apply to unforeseen issues that neither manufacturer nor buyer knew about in advance. It is about knowingly selling the customer a defective product even after disclosing the major defect publicly. Transmission failure can be a serious safety issue because it could have caused sudden loss of power and difficulty controlling speed. I request NHTSA to investigate these widespread Highlander transmission issues the same way Ford F150 transmission issues are being investigated. Thanks INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA #11716805

There is a known transmission issue with some 2021 Toyota Highlanders, Avalons, and Camrys. Toyota Bulletin T-SB-008-21 from February of 2021 states 'Some 2021 model year Avalon, Highlander, and Camry vehicles equipped with UA80E or UA80F transmissions may exhibit a whine or grind noise from the transmission. This condition may be caused by an issue with the front carrier assembly pinion shafts'. I have a 2021 Highlander with 127,000 miles that started to show this whine noise. Local transmission shop confirms that a new transmission is needed. I am taking it to a local Toyota Dealer next week to confirm. I started a case online with Toyota USA, and since I'm over Warranty, they started that will not assist with reimbursement. My complaint is how came a recall was not done on this? Why did Toyota do nothing and now many of their customers with these vehicles face costly repairs ($7,000 - $12,000)? Toyota should at least reimburse their customers for some of the cost of the repair needed for this, even if out of warranty.

NHTSA #11692118

Hearing a whining noise when I step on the gas pedal. The toyota dealership informed me I need a new transmission on a 4 year old vehicle with about 88,000 miles on it. Toyota said because there is no recall, they will not cover the replacement

NHTSA #11691549

66,564 Miles, Transmission slipped and caused a delay in power, now it has a big high pitched whine and continues to do it. This looks to be a big problem across the board for 2021 Highlanders.

NHTSA #11691844

Transmission began producing a whine sound at 58k and slipped several times.. A transmission that slips could cause a wreck involving all passengers. Requires replacement. No warning lamps. Show some integrity Toyota and stand behind your products.

NHTSA #11692041

Noticed 2021 Toyota highlander start whining around 85000 miles. Did some research on the sound and found that Toyota UA80F transmissions have all had the same issue and issued a tsb to their dealerships but not people who purchased the car. Warranty runs out and now you are on the hook for an 10k transmission replacement or risk your car breaking down at any point on the road. Car was inspected today by Toyota to receive the quote to fix at 10400 with no discussion of possible remedies for their defective transmissions. The exact quote would be "that's not our problem, you have to take it up with Toyota office, bud". So now we have a ticking time bomb on the road with the only remedy to pay 10400 to replace a defected transmission that was covered in other recalls by the same company.

NHTSA #11689359

Slipping and Whining transmission while driving in the Ozark mountains on [xxx]. I didn't feel I had full control of the vehicle. No warnings of any kind. Took the vehicle to Saint Charles Toyota service department on 10/2/25 where a bad transmission diagnosis was confirmed. Regards, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA #11693466

Transmisson started whining and slipping at 61000 miles. 1k miles out of warrenty. Even though toyota has a service bulletin about knowing my exact year and serial number transmisson will go bad. No recall issued and they want 9k for a repair. Rick McGill toyota on alcoa highway knoxville tennensse diagnosed it.

NHTSA #11686241

Making a whinnig noise while accelerating

NHTSA #11687246

2021 Toyota Highlander 87000 miles began making humming noise when stepping on gas and goes away when foot off gas. Toyota said metal shavings in transmission fluid and we need new transmission. We have made appointment to replace. No warning lights. No incident just filing complaint

NHTSA #11684575

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, there was an abnormal whining sound coming from the front of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 49,729.

NHTSA #11682149

Our transmission is whining during acceleration.

NHTSA #11742853

at 65,000 miles, the transmission has developed a "whining" sound consistent with TSB T-SB-0008-21.

NHTSA #11683920

Transmission failed and makes whining noise

NHTSA #11679955

Started hearing a whining noise when I would accelerate and then my car bucked a couple of times. I brought it into Toyota on 8/07/25 to be checked out and I was told that my transmission would need to be replaced. My car is 4 years old, bought brand new in April of 2021 and have kept up on regular maintenance. In researching this I am finding out that there is a large number of people who are experiencing this same thing with their Highlanders. I have also come to find out that in February of 2021 there was a TSB put out with regards to this same issue. This was 2 months before I even purchased my car. It for some reason does not include every vehicle and only some vehicles are included leaving others with this problem out of luck. I do not understand how that can be. If I have that UA80F transmission in my car and that is what is being named as one of the transmissions that have this problem then why is that certain vehicles are not being taken care of and why is Toyota not issuing a recall? My warranty has expired so I am being expected to pay out of pocket $8,000 (not including labor) and on top of that they do not even have the parts as they are on back order. We have to hold Toyota responsible for this.

NHTSA #11680607

whine when accelerating. toyota has released a tsb 0008-21 indicating to replace transmission due to incorrect installation of a retaining clip on a nut securing differential in place. Nut can Become loose and stuck in gears of internals of transmission causing transmission to lock up while driving. this will cause loss of power and could result in an accident. Toyota is aware of the issue but refuses to make repairs due to vehicle being outside of powertrain warranty. Toyota has extended warranty to 10 years on 2017 and 208 model years however the problem still exist in 2017-2024 model years with the same transmission UA80E/UA80F

NHTSA #11677812

Complete failure of transmission at approximately 53k miles. No warnings. No lights. Car had just had its 50k miles service appointment. My safety and that of my family was jeopardized when I unknowingly took this car to/from our family vacation out of state- the gears started jumping a few days after we returned, quickly followed by the grinding, whining noises. Come to find out there is a service bulletin that has been out for 4 years! T-SB- 0008-21 issued on February 9, 2021, for select 2021 Highlander models equipped with a UA80E or UA8OF.8-speed automatic transmission. Why wasn't this a recall? How is this not a safety issue? Why wasn't this disclosed by Toyota when I was sold a car with 30k miles on it for $35k miles?

NHTSA #11682344

Our vehicle has 72k miles at normal use- no towing or off roading. Due to a whining noise we took in the vehicle at a Toyota dealer and after a $200 diagnostic fee concluded we need a new transmission priced at $10,800. There was no explanation/diagnosis summary- just we need a new transmission.

NHTSA #11673592

Vehicle starts to produce humming and whining sounds as speed picks up from underneath the vehicle, likely from the transmission/final drive gear area. This problem is consistent and persistent. The whining noise stops when the throttle is released and will resume as throttle is engaged. More reported cases of transmission failure, sudden lost of propulsion and grinding noise are found on public forums. Toyota issued a service bulletin about this problem. Toyota issued extended warranty to prior model years from 2016 to 2017 of the same issue. This will affects millions of Toyota sold with the UA80, UA80E and UA80F transmissions in the US.

NHTSA #11679684

At 119,000 miles, the UA80F transmission in our 2021 Toyota Highlander XSE started making a whining noise. A dealer confirms the transmission needs to be replaced. After much research, this is apparently a known issue and Toyota will not warranty the repair after the 60,000 mile warranty expires. Estimated repair cost is $11,000.

NHTSA #11682893

Winning sound coming from the transmission - upon seeking information online I was able to find a service bulletin from 2021 that addresses the issue - I see a large number of posts online with people having the same issue - the only solution is a transmission replacement - Toyota should be made to do a recall on these vehicles

NHTSA #11691673

There is a known defect with transmissions in certain model years of Toyota cars, mine being one of them, per this TSB: [XXX] The transmission can catastrophically fail but Toyota will not replace the defective part unless the vehicle is still under warranty. I had the Toyota dealer verify that the transmission is beginning to fail and requires replacement. The transmission has begun to emit a "whining" noise. Should the transmission fail catastrophically during operation, it could cause a sudden loss of power, seize a drive wheel, or another event causing a loss of vehicle control. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA #11668835

Whine noise when vehicle is in motion and accelerating. Took it to the dealer for inspection, and advise to replace the transmission

NHTSA #11667488

Upon inspection at my local Toyota dealership, the UA80F 8-speed transmission on my 2021 Toyota Highlander has a known whining noise attributed to a failed transmission pump. The whining noise occurs when the car accelerates from 0 to around 50 miles per hour. When it gets to highway speeds, there is no noise. Anyone in the car can be put at risk if the transmission stops functioning on the roadways, and we're left stranded or we're suddenly blocking traffic. This issue is a known issue according to T-SB-0008-21, and there are many people online who seemed to have encountered this issue even beyond the warranty limits of 5 years/60,000 miles. Even my local AAMCO tells me that this is a dreaded and known issue of past customers. This issue first appeared around the 60,000 miles of distance traveled. There is no warning for this problem. You just have to be fortunate enough to discover the noise before the warranty deadlines. I discovered the noise at around 58,000 miles around June 2025, but I didn't know it was an issue back then. Had I known about this, I would've still qualified for the warranty. This noise has been reproduced and confirmed by my local Toyota dealership, and they're quoting me $11,506.53 to fix this issue. Other 3rd party transmission shops are quoting me ~$6,000. I'm frankly frustrated that Toyota did not issue a recall for this known issue that I did not cause. I wanted to drive this car for life, but I'm unsure what to do now. Either pay an exorbitant amount of money or sell it.

NHTSA #11727608

My transmission started whining at 63,000 miles and my mechanic said it needs to be replaced. However, there is a nationwide backorder on Toyota transmissions. That should be a sign to NHTSA that this is a widespread issue and needs a recall! Of course this was right after the 60,000 mile Toyota warranty. I have extended warranty but it doesn't cover consultations or taxes.

NHTSA #11666261

I have a high pitched whine noise during acceleration from the transmission area. The noise gets louder with acceleration but goes away immediately when I take my foot off the gas pedal and starts again when you press the gas pedal again.

NHTSA #11669130

The transmission is making a whining noise when accelerating. I took the vehicle to a Toyota dealership and they said the transmission needs to be replaced. And I asked why the Highlander only has 58 thousand miles on it. How is it already going out. And they couldn’t give me an answer

NHTSA #11666627

Transmission in our 2021 Toyota Highlander required a full replacement due to a known part defect (front carrier assembly front pinion shaft). Toyota will not cover any portion of the $8k cost. In looking into the issue, this is very widespread with even our dealership confirming four transmission replacements by customers in a short period of time. The transmission is also back ordered (ours took 3 months), but the dealership has seen up to six months. I am guessing this is do to the high demand.

NHTSA #11683118

Transmission failure

NHTSA #11665294

The transmission has a whining, grinding noise and occasional jerks vehicle. I had dealership look at the vehicle and they said it's a problem with this model but Toyota has not done a recall they issued a service bulletin. I was told it needs replacement but Toyota has been reluctant to work with owners outside of the service manufacturers warranty. This proved true, I was denied any goodwill assistance, and after several days of requesting why they denied any assistance, I'm not able to get an answer. This is a safety issue that they are aware of and not taking proper acceptance and assistance in rectifying. We carry our new born and toddler grandchildren in this vehicle as well as elderly parents. The thought of a total transmission failure on a busy highway or street is terrifying, I asked the dealership service manager about the safety of driving the vehicle and he recommended not operating it until it's replaced. In my[XXX] I haven't asked the government for anything, but I am asking you to look into this matter and if called for mandate a recall.. Thanks [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA #11666644

The transmission has gone out on my 2021 Highlander. It was inspected by the Toyota dealer. I was told by them that this is a known issue with these trucks. There are no warning lights but just a whine when driving the car and I believe it does put my safety as well as other at risk as this could go out at any moment.

NHTSA #11668934

In May 2021 I purchased my Highlander XLE with 5 miles on the odometer. In Feb 2021 dealerships were notified of Toyota Technical Service Bulletin (T-SB-0008-21) dated Feb 2021 was a problem. I have never been notified of the TSB for transmission whine/grinding noise. At approximately 75,000 miles (out-of-warranty) and regular servicing, my vehicle developed a noticeable whine from the transmission. Now at 102,000 miles I am stuck with a transmission replacement ($7500-$9000) looming at sometime in the future. Very disappointed. I have been reprimanded by grandkids that "You drive like a Grandpa" so, I am not hard on my vehicles. My 1993 Chevy S10 had over 388.000 miles when sold. it was solid!. I think Toyota should be forced to do the right thing and cover any cost of replacement and temporary rental. Seems replacements are back ordered for months!

NHTSA #11710072

Transmission makes whining noise

NHTSA #11743525

Transmission makes whine noise upon accelerating. Cannot be fixed except with new transmission. The longer you drive, the longer it affects and damages other parts. Mechanic was amazed that my relatively new Toyota needed over $10k in repairs. Toyota denying there’s a problem.

NHTSA #11666993

Routine maintenance was done 5000 miles ago. Routine maintenance. At 50,151 miles and routine 50,000 mile maintenance a whistling/whining sound was noted. I was told a new transmission is needed. PLEASE MAKE THIS A RECALL. PLEASE MAKE TOYOTA STOP CHANGING OUT TRANSMISSIONS AT 50,000 miles on the regular. There is a known TSB, but so many VIN's are outside of this range experiencing the exact same issue that it is inconceivable that Toyota doesn't know they have a problem. Having a warranty that covers it is a band-aid. The wear and tear on the overall engine and parts due to transmission failure means they are knowingly selling cars that will fail. Why isn't it told to every buyer to expect transmission failure at 30-50,000 miles at the time of purchase? TELL US AND THEN LET US DECIDE IF THAT IS HOW WE WANT TO INVEST OUR MONEY IN OUR CARS. My first Toyota and my last. AND what is worse, the NHTSA KNOWS about all these incidents and just lets it ride. We have lost the consumer in the values we hold as a country. Insurance doesn't mean insurance. Transmissions are only worth 30-50,000 miles when it should be 200,000+ by now. Quality standards are there for a reason. Having a powertrain warranty that protects the manufacturing IS NOT how it was intended. FORCE TOYOTA TO FIX THIS ISSUE. STOP SELLING CARS WITH FLAWED TRANSMISSIONS. I feel taken advantage of and am stuck with a car I no longer want, (because as the service advisor said, "if it happens again, you will still be covered at no cost to you?!") - this is not ethical or technically sound.

NHTSA #11662848

My transmission is failing in my 2021 Toyota Highlander. Has started making the high pitched whining noise. Fix is to replace the whole transmission. Dealer has confirmed and does have the transmission on order.

NHTSA #11664219

When accelerating there is a whining noise coming from the front of the vehicle. There was no warning lamp that came on just the noise is what prompted me to take it to Toyota of Hattiesburg to be diagnosed. The transmission is what malfunctioned. Yes Toyota confirmed the problem and said my transmission needs to be replaced. I am very disappointed because Toyota’s has the reputation to last forever. As this is my 3rd Toyota and I have been very happy until now because Toyota is not taken responsibility for this problem that is continuing to arise in the transmissions. I have attached the paperwork showing what Toyota said.

NHTSA #11662235

I am filing this complaint due to a severe transmission failure in my 2021 Toyota Highlander XSE, which I believe poses a significant safety hazard. At approximately 70,000 miles, the vehicle’s 8-speed automatic transmission failed. Prior to this failure, I reported a persistent gear noise (described as a whining or grinding sound during acceleration and gear shifts) to my Toyota dealership [Shore Toyota] when the car had less than 60,000 while the vehicle was under the 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. The dealership dismissed the noise as “normal” and did not perform diagnostics or repairs, despite my concerns. The gear noise worsened over time, leading to more frequent noise and shifting, jerking, issue failure in May 2025. The noise occurres while driving from 0 to at 35mph. I later learned that the 2021 Toyota Highlander’s 8-speed transmission (UA80E/UA80F) has known issues, as documented in Toyota Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) T-SB-0008-21 (issued February 2021). The TSB describes a whining noise identical to what I reported, requiring a full transmission replacement for affected vehicles. Numerous other owners have reported similar failures, with some experiencing delays of 3–6 months for replacement parts due to backorders. My vehicle’s symptoms match the TSB, and the dealership’s failure to address the noise during the warranty period likely allowed the defect to progress to catastrophic failure.

NHTSA #11661584

Rear liftgate motors no longer functioning.

NHTSA #11701505

Failed seals on roof rack that allowed water to enter the A pillars. Unknown potential damage to air bag system, and electrical wiring. Smaller leaks can go undetected and damage components over time without owners knowledge. Dealer confirmed water intrusion, Toyota refused to repair the defect. Toyota is aware of the problem and had issued a service bulletin on April 22, 2024 (T-SB-0040-24) with a range of 2020-2023 Highlander vehicles affected. This defect may also affect components within the B pillars, and more.

NHTSA #11701289

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure). The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH and exiting a highway with his family, the front bumper assembly detached from the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was steered to the side of the road where duct tape and glue was used to secure the bumper, and the vehicle as taken to the residence. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where the dealer and the dealer refused to perform the recall repair due to temporary repair that the contact had performed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA #11684445

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000(Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. An unknown local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA #11674293

Dull Popping noise from rear bar under seat of 3rd row

NHTSA #11674880

Transmission. I believe the transmission is defective. A lot of customers has complained that toyota Highlander 2021 transmission is defective I was driving my car and the transmission went bad, I could not move my car again. I had to tow it to a mechanic and they diagnose that the transmission is bad

NHTSA #11679722

The sunroof glass on our 2021 Highlander unexplainably shattered on our ride home on 7/20/25 at approximately 12:30PM. Sky was overcast, and the temperature was in the mid 80's. We had just entered the highway and were still accelerating to highway speed. We were not near a pedestrian overpass where a rock could have been tossed from above. Broken glass edges are pointing upward. The sunroof was in the fully closed position and not tilted. Safety would have been at extreme risk if we did not have the inner slide closed. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the Toyota dealership or insurance.

NHTSA #11674890

My 2021 Toyota Highlander, purchased with 16k miles, has a leak in the AC system in the rear of the vehicle (as of May 2025, at 3 years 10 months into the vehicle's service, with 28k miles). This pipe runs the length of the car and costs $2000-$3000 to repair. This was confirmed at an independent service center that used leak detection dye to identify the problem. I am finding multiple reports of people having this problem in young Toyota vehicles (<4 years old) and with low miles. I believe this is a design flaw and not indicative of normal corrosion, as the vehicle does not exhibit corrosion elsewhere in the under carriage.

NHTSA #11665077

My transmission is making acceleration unreliable, whining noise and unreliable. No accident yet but I took to toyota and they quoted $8K for entire new transmission when it appears this is a known ongoing issue for toyota highlanders. They should be recalled and fixed.

NHTSA #11709492

I am seeing a transmission slip and also engine whining noise. There is a widely known issue with this transmission failing. My serial number A3A20M01780 falls right outside the scope of the TSB issued by Toyota for these transmissions.

NHTSA #11664736

I own a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The vehicle exhibits a dangerous braking surge defect. When braking during cornering or in stop-and-go traffic, the vehicle randomly surges forward even though the brake pedal is depressed. This creates a serious safety hazard and increases the risk of collision. On multiple occasions, this defect has nearly caused an accident. The last time it happened we were driving in stop and go traffic and the vehicle surged forward while depressing the brakes and the engine died leaving a red triangle on the dash. Toyota has acknowledged this condition through Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0059-23, which applies to my vehicle. The bulletin involves reprogramming the brake actuator assembly control module to address the braking transition between regenerative and hydraulic braking. Despite this, Toyota has refused to apply hybrid system warranty coverage, misclassifying the defect as a conventional brake issue. My vehicle is available for an inspection. I contacted Toyota corporate, who initially responded but failed to provide follow-up or resolution. The defect persists after the bulletin was applied. Toyota’s refusal to cover the repair under the hybrid warranty leaves me with an unresolved safety defect. This complaint is intended to document the ongoing safety risk and Toyota’s failure to provide adequate remedy under warranty. I request NHTSA investigate this issue as a systemic safety defect affecting 2020–2022 Highlander Hybrid models.

NHTSA #11705290

My 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has a braking issue identified in Toyota Service Bulletin T-SB-0059-23, Hybrid Regenerative Brake Transition Feeling Improvement. When going downhill and applying the brake, the vehicle lurches forward temporarily as the braking system transitions from regenerative to hydraulic braking. The first time my vehicle did this, it was very alarming and I had to take additional measures to slow my vehicle as I was driving downhill. My vehicle frequently demonstrates this problem, however, I did not report it to my local Toyota dealer because I read in an online chat group that it was a characteristic of this vehicle. Although the TSB recommends a Reprogram of the Brake Actuator Assembly Control Module, the repair is only covered under the Toyota Basic Warranty which is in effect for 36 months or 36k miles, whichever occurs first. My vehicle is past the warranty limit, and because I did not report it to my dealer previously, this repair is not covered under the TSB or the Toyota Basic Warranty. Toyota Highlander Hybrid model years 2020-2022 are affected. The Technical Service Bulletin was issued August 29, 2023, so if a 2020 model Highlander Hybrid has this problem, 2020 models would have already passed the warranty limit by the time the TSB was issued and thus would not be covered. This is a safety risk as drivers can lose control of the vehicle when braking, particularly when going downhill. The Warranty should be extended, or this problem should be elevated to a RECALL so that older affected vehicles, or those with higher mileage can be covered under warranty. Drivers should not have to pay for a recognized problem that affects the safety of this vehicle and has been identified in a Technical Service Bulletin. This problem puts drivers at risk of losing control of the vehicle and the problem can be mediated with a software reprogram. T-SB-0059.23 should be elevated to a RECALL, or extended regardless of age or mileage.

NHTSA #11694237

whinning noise during acceleration on the road and gear shift problems

NHTSA #11714697

Almost caused high speed accident merging onto toll road! The vehicle is experiencing a severe transmission slippage, shudder, and grinding noise, consistent with TSB-0008-21 (UA80 transmission failure). This defect causes hesitant acceleration and erratic shifting, creating a safety hazard when merging onto highways or crossing intersections. I am concerned the transmission will fail completely while driving, resulting in a sudden loss of motive power and increasing the risk of a crash. Toyota has covered this exact safety defect in 2017–2019 models (CSP ZJC) but has failed to recall the 2021 models despite identical symptoms. First reared it's head as slipping when putting vehicle in reverse, 25k ago. Was told by Toyota Certified mechanics it was an operator error. Morphed into larger issue.

NHTSA #11700698

My gas tank does not fill up to 17 gallons like it claimed it would when I purchased the vehicle, It also keeps automatically shutting off after filling up a little bit 8-10 gallons and it is not full, I have to hold the handle and fuel manually and constantly worried its going to over fill.

NHTSA #11701016