2018 Toyota Highlander: jerking or lurching

Filed Oct 26, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · MD

While driving, my vehicle experienced a severe and sudden failure of the Aisin UA80F 8-speed automatic transmission. The transmission exhibits erratic and hard shifting, severe hesitation, and a dangerous delay in acceleration when trying to merge into traffic or accelerate from a complete stop. Frequently, the engine revs high, but the transmission fails to engage the gear promptly, resulting in a sudden, violent lurch forward when it finally catches. Furthermore, the vehicle intermittently loses motive power entirely while in motion, forcing me to coast to the side of the road. A loud, high-pitched whining noise is audible from the transmission assembly, and diagnostic checks indicate internal mechanical overheating and premature component wear.

Filed Sep 30, 2026 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, there was an audible chime followed by the message "Transmission Overheating". The vehicle started jerking and hesitating while depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, there was a burning odor coming from the vehicle. Due to the failure, the contact pulled off the highway and allowed the transmission to cool down. The vehicle was restarted, and the message disappeared; however, the vehicle continued to hesitate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact continued driving 70 MPH, and the transmission message displayed again. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, and the failure was associated with Customer Support Program: ZJC. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the program. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was provided a case number. The manufacturer confirmed that the vehicle was not included in the CSP. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Filed Jul 28, 2026 · Transmission · ME

This vehicle has a UA80 8-speed transmission that has prematurely failed. This is a KNOWN issue to Toyota and they have refused to provide a fix. It is a safety hazard when all acceleration stops when attempting to merge into heavy traffic (as had happened to me last week) or on a highway traveling at top speed. I have only 27,000 miles on this automobile and it failed with NO WARNING! Within a very short time frame the following occurred: the check AWD system, TRAC off, check engine and the transmission fluid at a high temperature lights appeared on the dashboard. Shortly thereafter I experienced a burning smell, suddenly no acceleration with a high TAC response and vehicle jerking. My transmission is toast. This would have ended very badly for me as it failed on a highway at speed with heavy traffic. Toyota needs to address this and recall and replace. Shame on you Toyota!

Filed Jul 10, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · NY

I just got my vehicle inspected and successfully passed with no codes on 07/07/2026. Today 07/10/2026 as I was driving to work my vehicle began to jerk/ jitter and when into limp mode. I took it to a shop to have the codes checked on it and they said it was something to do with the transmission and they don’t specialize in that type of work. My vehicle has less than 45400 miles on it and been maintained regularly. I was told this was a common issue with these vehicles. I don’t know where to go to get this serviced. I called around to local shops with no luck at getting someone to fix or look at the cause of it.

Filed Feb 25, 2026 · Transmission · 107,700 miles · CT

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made grinding sounds while accelerating. Additionally, the vehicle jerked while shifting into gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the transmission fluid was dirty and that the transmission assembly and torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,700.

Filed May 15, 2025 · Transmission · MA

While driving my 2018 Toyota Highlander (UA80F transmission), I began noticing a faint high-pitched whining noise between 25–45 mph around 63,000 miles. Over time, it progressively worsened, eventually including intermittent jerking and hard low-speed shifts, particularly during acceleration or uphill climbs. In wet conditions, the drivetrain lurches slightly under throttle, increasing risk of loss of control. I had a transmission fluid drain and fill service performed by a Toyota dealership at ~58,000 miles, along with full 4WD maintenance (differentials and transfer case). Despite this, symptoms developed shortly afterward. Toyota was notified and a corporate case was opened. I provided clear sound recordings, videos, and a full inspection history, and cited their Customer Support Program ZJC (POL19-04) for known defects related to UA80F whine and washer tab failures. Although my build date falls within the general failure range, Toyota refused coverage and claimed it was “operating to spec.” Tier 1 support initially confirmed ZJC eligibility, but Tier 2 reversed course with no follow-up. Dealership service also failed to elevate the case properly to my Zurich warranty provider, who required dealer confirmation to proceed. Multiple other owners have reported similar failures around 60K–100K miles, and I believe this is a dangerous latent defect that Toyota is attempting to narrowly contain. Whining precedes jerking, and jerking precedes full failure. Many complainants, like me, are met with stall tactics, deflection, or no follow-through. There were no warning lights or diagnostic codes, but the safety risk is growing. I believe this transmission issue deserves expanded CSP eligibility and potential recall investigation.

Filed Jul 30, 2021 · Fuel system · GA

On July 27, I was driving on a major multi-lane road going approximately 35 miles going to the World Toyota for an oil change. All of a sudden, the vehicle decelerated to almost a stop. I gingerly navigated the vehicle to the side of the road. There was no warning that there was something wrong with the vehicle. After navigating to the side of the road a warning light appeared that said traction control is off. I called World Toyota, told them what happened and they suggested that I get the vehicle towed if I felt I couldn’t drive it. I was about 1/4 mile away from the dealer. The vehicle was a safety hazard, therefore, I had the vehicle towed to the dealer. On July 28, the World Toyota service advisor informed me that 2 of the 6 fuel injectors had failed—#s1 and 4. He advised me the best route would be to replace all 6 at a cost of $3500. He agreed with me that it is odd for fuel injectors to fail on a vehicle with only 48K. We have driven this car very little since purchasing shortly before the COVID lock down in early 2020. I spoke with customer relations at Toyota and they have offered to pay to replace the 2 failed injectors, but have refused to pay the installation costs. I am concerned that the failure the injectors is a huge safely issue for Toyota Highlander owners. I saw where the injector issue has been discussed for 2019 model Highlanders. Here is the information in the inspection report from dealer [“ CUSTOMER STATES THE TRACTION CONTROL OFF LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR STARTED TO DECELEARATE AND THEN STARTED JERKING. VEHICLE TOWED IN. 1HR DIAGNOSTIC APPROVED. remove intake manifold OBSERVATIONS: MULTIPLE CODES FOR OPEN CIRCUIT TO DIRECT INJECTION.NEED TO REMOVE INTAKE MANIFOLD TO INSPECT FUEL INJECTORS”] The information about which injectors failed was given to me by phone by my service advisor, Matthew Bailey. I uploaded the picture sent of mechanic working on vehicle.

Filed Sep 21, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · 43,100 miles · AZ

As of this date, my 2018 toyota highlander has delayed acceleration, hesitation, jerking, lurching, erratic throttle responses, etc. While accelerating from a stop. This has occurred two times to date. I was able to pull to the side of the road, shut off the vehicle, restart and then the vehicle performed properly after that. My concern is what may happen when it does it again. Nothing to show in a photo.