2019 Toyota Highlander: whining or grinding noise

Filed Nov 2, 2026 · Transmission · IA

Whining in the transmission. Took to a certified Toyota Mechanic and confirmed transmission is failing. Will need a total transmission replacement.

Filed Oct 26, 2026 · Transmission · CO

The transmission has been making a whining noise for a little while now. After having it diagnosed by Toyota, the entire transmission has to be replaced. According to multiple reports on the internet, the 8 speed transmission in the 2017 to 2026 model will fail prematurely do to defective components. Toyota has even replaced multiple model year transmissions under a specific TSB but has not included later model years. I know have to spend $10,500 to replace the transmission at Toyota.

Filed Oct 21, 2026 · Transmission · UT

Transmission is making a whining noise, took it to the dealer and they confirmed the transmission needs to be replaced. Looked online and there appear to be thousands of these cases with the transmission going out on Toyota Highlanders between 2017-2021

Filed Oct 20, 2026 · Transmission · NE

The vehicle began making a whining noise several months ago. After doing some research this vehicle has the UA80 transaxle that has a known defect that produces the whining noise and eventual damage. There are other years of this vehicle that are subject to a recall/repair for this same transaxle issue, but not for the 2019 even though it's the same transaxle with the same assembly defect. This is a known issue by the manufacturer. The end result without repair will be a transaxle failure while in gear / loss of propulsion. This vehicle has not been taken to a dealer for inspection yet. If a request for inspection is made, the vehicle can be made available. Also, no warning lamps or messages gave any early indication of an issue, only a whining noise was noticed.

Filed Oct 7, 2026 · Transmission · 74,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that driving the vehicle lost power and failed to properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was an abnormal whining sound coming from the transmission and the vehicle lunged forward and unintendedly accelerated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact was informed that the transmission was on back order from the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 74,000.

Filed Oct 2, 2026 · Transmission · NC

The vehicle has a loud whining noise coming from the front of the car. The noise is only heard when I am pressing the accelerator but once I let off it goes away. I took the car into the dealership for inspection and was told it was the transmission that needs to be replaced. Toyota is refusing to assist with the repair because it is out of warranty. Even though they know this is a known issue.

Filed Sep 29, 2026 · Transmission · WI

The transmission developed a faint whining noise, first noticed September 2026 around 84,000 miles, along with some hesitation during operation. A Toyota dealer diagnosed internal bearing failure inside the transmission and recommended full replacement. An independent shop also quoted full replacement. Estimates ranged $8,500–$10,000. Vehicle not yet repaired; available for inspection. Safety risk: the noise is faint enough that a driver could reasonably dismiss it as imagined, unlike a loud noise or dashboard warning. No warning lamps or messages appeared at any point. This absence of a clear warning means affected drivers may keep driving unaware a component is failing internally. The vehicle also experienced hesitation during operation, which could affect safe acceleration, for example when merging into traffic. Based on documented failures of this transmission design in other vehicles, continued driving risks progression to slipping or sudden loss of motive power, with less chance a driver recognizes the need to stop before that happens. Inspected by a Toyota dealership and an independent repair shop; not inspected by manufacturer corporate, police, or insurance.

Filed Sep 29, 2026 · Transmission · NH

2019 Toyota Highlander XLE, 137K miles. Always maintained, never any issues whatsoever, family loved our 'forever' car, UNTIL the dreaded whining noise began underneath the front floorboard. No warning, no indication, just started while driving on the highway and increasingly became louder over the two additional months I drove it. Quick online search indicates this is a very common issue. Brought to a local dealership in Southern NH, where it was quickly diagnosed as a failing transmission in need of replacement. No warranty, out of pocket cost approx. $8K. Just so happened they had a spare, remanufactured transmission already in house, since this was becoming a 'common issue'. They even had what sounded like a dedicated technician that did at least one replacement a week and had the repair time down to a science. No other warning signs, no software codes, no jerking or slipping while driving, just the noise that increased as the gas pedal was pressed. Well known issue, yet no recall for the 2019 year. Toyota forums indicate the replacement transmissions fail as well after accumulating some miles, which might explain why they only offered me a 1-yr warranty if I had replaced mine. It's for this reason I traded in this Highlander vehicle, as this vehicle was no longer safe or suitable for any long distance family driving. It was also my wife's primary vehicle to transport my young daughters, and I believed that the Highlander would have soon left them stranded. I even purchased AAA tow service for the first time in my life at [XXX], all because of this known transmission issue. I now warn everyone who is searching for this SUV to be very aware. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 28, 2026 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was a whining sound coming from the engine compartment. Additionally, the vehicle experienced hard, rough, and jerky shifting. The check engine warning light illuminated later and the message "Traction Control Off" was displayed. The vehicle was immediately driven to the local dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact stated that during routine maintenance the transmission fluid was flushed and refilled by the local dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Sep 28, 2026 · Transmission · NY

Stated hearing a whining noise when accelerating. Research shows this is a known issue witg 8 speed transmission especially Around 60k-80k miles.

Filed Sep 24, 2026 · Transmission · MI

When I accelerate my car makes a whining noise. I had the transmission flushed and it did not help. My Toyota dealership said to drive it until it gets worse.

Filed Sep 2, 2026 · Transmission · MD

The UA80 8-speed automatic transmission failed at 87,896 miles. Symptoms began as slipping in 1st and 2nd gears and harsh jerking when accelerating from a stop, with the engine revving while the vehicle failed to move. This is a loss of motive power that can occur without warning in traffic. On 8/31/2026 a Toyota dealer diagnosed a failed transaxle requiring complete replacement, with a whine traced to the differential inside the transmission, and quoted $11,126.81. This matches the failure mode in Toyota TSB T-SB-0160-18, which Toyota addressed for some 2017-2018 VINs under Customer Support Program ZJC. My 2019 has the same UA80 unit but falls outside that program. The replacement part is backordered with no ETA per Toyota's own case portal. The vehicle is maintained on schedule and available for inspection. Toyota declined goodwill assistance and refused to provide the denial in writing.