2016 Toyota Corolla: complete transmission failure

Filed Nov 6, 2026 · Transmission · FL

Failed Component: CVT transmission Safety was put at risk: Vehicle has a humming sound that varies pitch with speed, issue was first noticed on the freeway requiring us to stop on the side of the road with vehicles passing next to us at 70mph. Has the problem been reproduced and confirmed by dealer: Yes, vehicle was taken to Arlington Toyota in Jacksonville Florida and they confirmed CVT transmission needs replaced. The cost to replace the transmission was quoted at $11,124.97. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others?... Vehicle has only been checked by Arlington Toyota in Jacksonville Florida which is an authorized Toyota service center. Where there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem: No warning lamps or messages, only humming sound from drive train was noticed.

Filed Dec 2, 2025 · Transmission · CA

My 2016 Toyota Corolla suddenly showed a Check Engine light, and the dealer diagnosed a CVT transmission failure with code P2757. This code is linked directly to Toyota’s own TSB T-SB-0150-16 for torque converter clutch/valve-body failure. The dealer confirmed the issue and quoted me $11K to fix it. This is frightening because a failing transmission can slip, hesitate, or lose power at any moment, which puts me and others at risk. There were no early warning signs, just the sudden light. I brought it in immediately, and the problem was fully reproduced and documented by Toyota. My car is available for inspection whenever needed. Toyota corporate reviewed my case but offered very little help since my vehicle is just outside the 7-year timeframe for CA. I bought the extended warranty when the car was brand new. I have done every single service at Toyota, always on time, and my car has never been in an accident. I’ve taken care of it exactly the way Toyota told me to. This is not normal wear. This is a documented defect that puts drivers at risk and places an enormous financial burden on owners who did everything right. I’m filing this complaint because people deserve protection, accountability, and fairness, especially when a safety-related failure happens in a well-maintained vehicle. I’m only [XXX] , and I expected to own many more Toyotas throughout my life. My whole family drives Toyotas. I grew up believing this brand meant safety, reliability, and loyalty in both directions. I honestly wanted to be a Toyota driver for life. But facing an $11K repair for a known issue that Toyota already acknowledged in a TSB—without meaningful support—has broken my trust in a way I never expected. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 13, 2024 · Acceleration, Engine · WA

We own a 2016 Toyota Corolla Sport model. 4 door sedan. We first started to notice a loud sound that was seemingly coming from the front of the car. It was a whining, rattling sound. The car's mileage is 87k. We took it into the shop, we were first told that it sounded like a bearing going out in the wheel. Then we took it to a licensed Toyota dealership. The dealership then tells us that it is actually due to the transmission chain, and our transmission will need to be replaced for $8900!! So I begin to dig online, and find that our model is the same years of other Toyota models that Toyota has a KNOWN problem with. This is a major issue, and puts our safety at risk if the transmission just suddenly goes out. The Toyota dealership has confirmed that we have an issue, and are saying that the transmission MUST be replaced, effectively decommissioning our work commuter vehicle until we can get this sorted. It was diagnosed by a licensed Toyota technician, but it can be inspected by a insurance rep/mechanic upon request. There were no warnings, no lamps, no codes. We just heard the noise, which is seemingly getting worse and louder. Which appeared about 7/15/24. The car has had it's routine maintenance done per the manufacturers specifications. The fluids are routinely checked, and it is taken in to a Toyota dealership for it's servicing, with certified maintenance records. It was never noted on oil changes that this was an issue, or that the transmission fluid was ever an issue. We do not drive this car hard, we do not abuse it. It is our commuter. And now we are looking at having to replace the transmission for essentially the same cost as the car itself.

Filed Dec 23, 2019 · Transmission · 62,000 miles · MN

Received a service bulletin that the CVT needed a software update. We had this done at inver grove toyota. However, the RPM's continued to fluctuate while driving at lower speeds. Took it back to the dealer and then told the transmission needed to be replaced at the cost of $6000. Car has just over 62000 miles and toyota would not grant an exception to the warranty to cover the new transmission. We now have thr vehicle at an independent shop who is doing a diagnosis. If they find the transmission has failed, they will be replacing it with a used transmission from a salvage yard.

Filed Nov 13, 2019 · Acceleration, Transmission · 80,000 miles · CA

2016 toyota corolla, 80,000 miles. I'm driving up a hill towards the freeway and my car slows and comes to a stop. I try to turn the car on and it won't turn on. Get it towed to a mechanic and they say the transmission failed and it'll be $8,000 to repair. This transmission failure came out of the blue and my car isn't even covered for it because my warranty expired at 75,000 miles. Contacted toyota USA and they said my car isn't covered under the CVT recall of certain 2014-2017 corollas so I'm left with this mysterious transmission defect which put me in a dangerous situation as I was trying to head onto the freeway!

Filed Aug 1, 2018 · Acceleration, Transmission · 116,000 miles · WA

The car failed to accelerate properly when entering the highway. It would not exceed 45 miles per hour. Toyota is aware of this transmission problem as they had previously issued a service campaign bulletin to address the faulty transmission. However, they have since suspended the recall leaving drivers who are experiencing this problem at risk. The only apparent solution is to replace the transmission at a cost of $9200 which may be why toyota is hesitating on issuing a proper recall. Unfortunately, I do not have $9200 so the car remains undriveable.