Toyota Corolla whining noise problems

Filed Mar 10, 2026 · Transmission · 76,099 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, there was an abnormal whining sound coming from the vehicle, and the vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the tachometer was raised to high levels while exiting the highway. While at a stoplight, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating with the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. An OBD2 scanner was used to diagnose the vehicle, and DTC: P0741, P075B, P1604, P2757, P2820(X4) were retrieved, which were related to the torque converter. The contact was informed that the CVT transmission needed to be replaced, and the contact was provided with an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but denied any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 76,099.

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 Feb 26, 2024 · Electrical · MD

Experiencing a high-pitched whining/ringing sound from the air conditioning system. It is highly distracting and irritating, and basically prevents the use of some fan speed settings for extended durations due to the pain it causes. Many other Corolla owners are experiencing the same issue and Toyota refuses to take action in every case, saying the problem is "characteristic of the vehicle" or something to that effect. Issue is well-documented in this forum thread among other places. [XXX] See in particular post [XXX] for objective evidence of the sound and a probable root cause analysis. A particular chip resonates at about 15.7 kHz. I encourage you to put that frequency into an online tone generator to get an idea of the problem, although for some people, especially those who are older, sounds this high are inaudible like a dog whistle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 12, 2023 · Tires · 5,000 miles · AR

The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Corolla equipped with Hankook tires Tire Line: Kinergy Tire Size 205/55R/16 DOT Number(N/A). The contact stated that the low tire pressure warning light would frequently appear on the instrument panel due to low tire pressure on all four tires. The contact also stated that a loud, whining noise would emit from all four tires while driving at various speeds. The dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The tires have yet to be repaired. The vehicle and tire failure mileage was approximately 5,000.

Filed Jul 18, 2022 · Electrical · NJ

There is a high pitch electrical whine coming from the fan blower (right side by the glove compartment) noise causes pain to my right ear after hearing it consistently which I believe will become a health problem. Vehicle has had blower replaced by Toyota dealer with no fix. There are numerous complaints found on Toyota forums describing this exact issue and nothing has been done to rectify this issue.

Filed Jan 4, 2020 · Transmission · 30,000 miles · CA · crash

The car seems to be making a whining noise when first started from the transmission or torque converter, while in park, neutral. Also a rattling noise in reverse and drive! Also on uphill roads from a stand still the transmission slips and makes a loud noise without accelerating occasionally. Also there seems to be a vibration coming from the car in higher speeds of 40+ and rubber banding when in slow less than 15 MPH.

Filed Oct 20, 2019 · Fuel system, Transmission · FL

2020 toyota corolla se -(vehicle purchased new) (CVT transmission) upon minimal to normal acceleration vehicle makes a hard shift feel like a bump kick in acceleration of speed between 8-9 MPH. Will feel more of a hard shift at times if coasting with minimal speed then to the normal acceleration (start and stop traffic type of conditions). Periodically once reaching to speed of 36 MPH seems like the transmission is starting to slip then continues with normal operation. While sedentary at stop light vehicle has had loss of power in and out near stalling out. Separate occasion without the air conditioner being on, a rough idol took place. At times if put in sports mode shifting is smooth without too much trouble; with exception of at higher speed open road removing off the gas pedal will make a whining high rev noise like the transmission went out and did not down shift even with pressure applied to the brake. Will then down shift after approximately 15-20 seconds. Lane departure indicators have gone off without there being a correct response for that action taking place. Vehicle has been owned for less than ninety days and appears to continually further in its defects.

Filed Apr 27, 2014 · Engine · 28,408 miles · FL

Continuous high pitched whining noise. Had to replace water pump.

Filed Aug 21, 2012 · Engine · 40,088 miles · IN

My vehicle started emitting a high-pitched whine noise on 8/17/12. I went to the local toyota dealer first thing in the morning on 8/18/12. The service intake person verified the presence of a whine noise but could not identify its cause, suspecting that it might be the alternator. He could not take car in until monday, 8/20/12, due to a staff shortage. Since I was not told that the car was unsafe to drive, I continued driving it. Late that same day, the vehicle started overheating. I pulled to the closest auto service; they diagnosed the problem and immediately replaced the failed water pump. It is my understanding that this is covered under the powertrain warranty. I needed an operable vehicle and the dealership was closed at that time. I believe I have a right to get reimbursed for this repair by the toyota dealer.

Filed Jan 18, 2012 · Transmission · 106,072 miles · AZ

While driving on the freeway, there was a sudden loud whine and loss of power. Since I was in the middle of nowhere, I continued down the road until I got to a service station. There, I checked all fluids, which were fine; I then continued on my way to an appointment with an eye specialist I had, and at that time I noticed the clutch was difficult to use. Once I had the appointment with the specialist, I had the car towed to the nearest auto transmission service center, where I had to have a new transmission, clutch, and axle put on my car for over $4,000 because they said "no one rebuilds toyota transmissions". I am a 60-year-old woman who always takes the car for regular oil changes, and had a pre-trip car check just 6 weeks before that by a very reliable, honest mechanic. I stay close to home, and only took this trip because I had to see an eye specialist. This car has only 106,000 miles on it!