2019 Toyota Highlander: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Mar 16, 2026 · Transmission · GA

Transmission began making high pitch whining sound with hard shifting to second gear. Within one year the transmission completely went out and was stuck in third gear.

Filed Mar 12, 2026 · Engine · TX

Our 2019 Toyota Highlander currently has 54,605 miles. In August 2025, when the vehicle had 50,236 miles, we brought it to the Toyota dealership to address a whining noise coming from the transmission. At that time, the vehicle was still under the manufacturer’s warranty. The dealership performed a transmission service during that visit. Within the following weeks, however, the whining noise returned, and the vehicle began experiencing hard and delayed shifting. Our children and grandchildren have recently moved to Washington, and we had planned to drive there to visit them. Unfortunately, we are now reluctant to drive the vehicle due to safety concerns, as we have been advised that the transmission may be failing. The dealership has now recommended a full transmission replacement. Because the original concern was reported while the vehicle was still under warranty, we believe the issue should have been properly diagnosed and resolved at that time. However, the problem was not addressed, and the vehicle is now outside the warranty period, with Toyota declining to cover the cost of the replacement transmission. Given that the problem was first reported while the vehicle was under warranty, we are requesting that Toyota reconsider covering the transmission repair or replacement.

Filed Jan 20, 2026 · Engine · CA

In early January 2026 there was rough/delayed shifting, whining noises, and fluid leaks. Probably linked to the faulty UA80E/F transmission type. The check engine light came on 1/15/26, I took it into a local repair shop. The mechanic flushed and changed the transmission fluid, replaced all of the spark plugs and the serpentine belt. I picked it up on 1/16/26. There was still shuddering, strange sounds (whining/grinding), and hesitation. On 1/20/26 I drove it and the rough/delayed shifting, whining noises, hesitation and burning smell started happening. The car completely broke down on the freeway and wouldn't drive at all. I had to slowly pull over to the shoulder of the freeway and have the car towed to the repair shop. They inspected it and said I need a new transmission, and it cannot be fixed. I believe the next steps are to have it towed to the toyota dealership to have it looked at.

Filed Jan 5, 2026 · VA

After 3 weeks of inconsistent shifting with the automatic transmission and whining and clunking, the car failed to go into gear at all yesterday 1/5/26 while driving near Dulles airport. I had it towed, was told the transmission failed and then I found that this is a systemic design issue with the 2017-2022 cohort of gas V6, 8 speed, AWD Highlanders. Repair will be between $5K and $10K.

Filed Nov 21, 2025 · Transmission · NY

Owners of 2017–2022 Toyota Highlanders, 2017–2020 Siennas, and 2018–2020 Camrys are experiencing serious transmission issues—including high-pitched whining, erratic shifting, clunks, hesitation, and premature failure. These vehicles are equipped with the UA80F (AWD) and UA80E (FWD) 8-speed automatic transmissions. Toyota quietly acknowledged the problem in Technical Service Bulletins T-SB-0160-18, T-SB-0008-21, and a limited Customer Support Program (CSP ZJC)—but only offered coverage to a narrow group of VINs. Thousands of other affected vehicles were left out, even though they show the same exact symptoms.

Filed Oct 27, 2025 · Transmission · MD

My car does have a similar transmission as the one that was recall in Siannas, and Camrys. I have experience the same serious transmission issues—including high-pitched whining, erratic shifting, clunks, hesitation, and premature failure. These vehicles are equipped with the UA80F (AWD) and UA80E (FWD) 8-speed automatic transmissions.

Filed Jun 11, 2025 · Transmission · MD

A wine and hard shifting, toyota does not agree. I experience this issue several times a day. Taking it into the dealership again to try to diagnose.

Filed May 13, 2025 · Transmission · SC

2019Toyota Highlander = Transmission whine and hard shift at times, Needs replacement transmission at 106,000 mile , no codes stored

Filed Apr 28, 2025 · Transmission · NY

Transmission makes a whine noise and also experiencing some harsh shifting. Dealership confirmed the whine noise is an indication of transmission failure and they recommend replacing the transmission. Toyota needs to do a recall on this transmission!!

Filed Jan 23, 2025 · Transmission · PA

Vehicle has 80k miles. When slowing the vehicle down to 10-20 mph and then trying to accelerate again the transmission bangs/clunks into gear and is delayed to get going causing a safety concern. No warning lights on

Filed Dec 6, 2024 · Transmission · MA

1 - The car transmission is emitting a whine noise, harsh shift and loss of power. The dealer recommended the transmission be replaced. The car has 54,857 miles. The auto is available for inspection. 2 - Safety is an issue when the transmission loses power and is unable to accelerate. 3 - The issue was reproduced by the dealer and recommended transmission replacement. 4 - Inspected by dealer only. 5 - There were no warning indicators for the failure.

Filed Sep 19, 2022 · Transmission · CA

My car was manufactured in 10/2018. My car is experiencing whine noise from the transmission while driving, harsh shifting and reduced power. This issue also appeared on previous year models from 2017-2018 and was taken care under bulletin "T-SB-0160-18". However, I called Toyota and they don't want to fix my vehicle under that bulletin even though the issue my car faces is the same. I checked online and many Toyota Highlander Owners face the same issue. I can be contacted on [XXX] or [XXX] Thanks, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).