Transmission failure at 78,000 miles
2020 Toyota Highlander transmission complaints
Page 4 of 5: complaints 71 to 100 of 127, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Transmission Planetary Gears in 2020 Toyota Highlander. Makes a "whining" noise when accelerating. No warning lights or other symptoms. Many reported problems with this model but no recall. Many people are needing to pay out of pocket due to the 60k mileage powertrain warranty.
My 2020 Toyota Highlander is equipped with Toyota’s UA80 8‑speed transmission. At around 62, 000 miles, a loud whining noise developed. The dealership confirmed the transmission is defective. Toyota has issued multiple Technical Service Bulletins acknowledging this transmission defect across all 2020 Highlanders with the UA80, but they are refusing to cover my repair because I am slightly over the 60,000‑mile powertrain warranty. Impact: This is a confirmed design flaw that affects every 2020 Highlander with the UA80 transmission. I rely on this vehicle as my only means of commuting to work—if the transmission fails, I will lose my job.
Whining noise upon acceleration, replacement transmission recommended by Toyota dealer. Defective UA80F installed.
My wife was driving on the highway, felt a bump and the engine RPMs spiked. The check engine light came on as well as a error message that the secondary collision braking system was disabled. The vehicle was taken to the dealership and we were told there was a internal failure in the transmission. The vehicle has approximately 80K miles.
UA80E or UA80F Toyota transmission require a complete replacement at 65K miles. Not covered under warranty or Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0160-18, T-SB-0008-21
At approximately 72,000 miles, my 2020 Toyota Highlander Platinum was diagnosed by my dealership with a failing transmission that requires full replacement. I first began hearing a high-pitched whining noise during light acceleration shortly after a routine oil change, at some point between 60,000 and 70,000 miles. I did not immediately recognize it as a drivetrain issue until the symptoms worsened. This model uses Toyota’s UA80 8-speed automatic transmission, which has been the subject of Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0008-21 and a Customer Support Program (ZJC) for earlier Highlander models due to similar internal component failures. Despite clear continuity in the symptoms and transmission design, Toyota has not extended coverage or issued a recall for 2020 models like mine. The failure occurred shortly after the end of the 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, but symptoms began while the vehicle was still within warranty range. Toyota has not responded to my formal escalation through Customer Care for nearly three weeks. I am deeply concerned Toyota is not addressing what appears to be a systemic and known defect in a critical drivetrain component that can jeopardize vehicle safety. There was no warning light or dashboard alert at the time the failure developed, making this both a mechanical and safety concern. While this issue does not involve a catastrophic failure like the Takata airbag recall, Toyota’s lack of response to a known, widespread transmission issue raises broader concerns about safety, transparency, and accountability. A sudden transmission failure—particularly at highway speeds—could result in loss of power or control. Given that several owners have filed similar complaints, I respectfully urge the federal safety agency to investigate this issue further and assess whether Toyota should issue a recall or expanded service campaign for 2020 Highlander models equipped with the UA80 transmission, particularly in light of prior coverage for earlier model years.
76,000 miles on my 2020 Highlander. Car was made in September 2020, less than 5 years old. Started to hear whining noise from transmission. Over past few days it has gotten louder. Took to Serra Toyota dealer today in Birmingham, Alabama. They confirmed a problem with transmission and told me I needed a new one for $8600. None are even available. I refuse to pay Toyota any money for this. This is a KNOWN issue with the UA80E transmission. The transmission may completely stop working at anytime now. Dealer was unwilling to do anything to help me since car is out of 60,000 mile warranty, and no TSB's or recalls are for my particular year 2020. There is a TSB for 2021 UA80E transmissions. I am so angry about this. This is a clear manufacturing defect. When this transmission dies which will be sooner than later the car will be worthless with no transmissions available.
My 2020 Toyota Highlander Platinum started having the well-known "whining" sound at just under 60,000k. This is coming from the transmission. The vehicle is now just over 60,000k and I did not know that the noise was a cause for concern, let alone something that was an issue (I am not tech savvy - I'm just a regular person). I will not drive this vehicle again, as it is my only transportation for my children. Toyota issued a service bulletin about this issue for 2021 Highlanders ONLY, but as I am now experiencing this problem, I see that this is something well known as a problem.
I brought my 2020 Toyota Highlander to Round Rock Toyota in 09/2024 for a failed transmission, referenced in TSB T-SB-0008-21. As of today, the vehicle has been in Toyota’s possession for over 10 months and remains unrepaired. My assigned case manager (Case #241003001730) has confirmed that Toyota has no ETA for the replacement part. I’ve also confirmed through Toyota’s customer support line that their parts department cannot provide a timeline. Toyota acknowledged the issue is tied to a known defect, yet there is no resolution. I was denied a loaner vehicle until escalating the issue to the dealership’s upper management. Toyota’s delay has caused significant personal and financial hardship. This is a clear breach of their powertrain warranty and represents a systemic breakdown in their ability to support affected customers. I am seeking immediate federal review of this issue, as it affects vehicle safety, value, and reliability.
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, there was abnormal whining sound coming from underneath the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission assembly. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Support Program: POL 19-04. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 129,000.
Transmission failure- this affects the safety of others when the car decides it doesn’t want to accelerate and could potentially lead to car accidents when another vehicle runs into it. The transmission needs to be completely replaced. This issue started back in January and has been an ongoing problem since warranty and Toyota will not assist with issue of their faulty product.
Transmission making whining noise that increases with speed. Concerned about safety if transmission fails while driving Diagnostic done at Toyota and confirmed transmission is failing and needs new replacement. There are no warning lamps. Noise has increased intensity over short period of time
At around 61,000 miles, I noticed a whining sound in the vehicle when accelerating. I took the vehicle in to a Toyota dealer for diagnostics and their technicians indicated that my vehicle had transmission failure and it needed to be completely replaced - quoted at $8,000 to do the replacement. Diagnostic appointment also cost $174. Parts are on back order and no one could tell me when parts would come in - guess was one month. In reality, parts are now finally in (I'm about to take it in to be fixed) after 2 months. I was told by the dealership that I could drive it at my own risk of failure - if it were to fail, I would be stranded wherever that may be putting my family and those around me at risk due to the unknown nature of when that could happen. This failure is recorded for the same model and same UA80 transmission on several online forums: [XXX] The vehicle has been inspected by a Toyota dealer as I stated previously. Diagnostic report says "Internal component failure. Recommend transmission" No other warning lights or messages from the car to warn me of this problem even now. Just the whining sound from the failure itself. Keep in mind, Toyota's powertrain warranty period is 5 years or 60,000 miles - this vehicle just surpassed both of those limits as this problem came about. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
It’s been a known issue that Toyota Highlander has transmission problems under 100k miles from 2016-2021 or later (social media sites confirmed such). My vehicle require a trans axle replacement as well as the struts are leaking oil and my vehicle has less than 62k miles and is only 5 years old. This is being covered under my extended warranty but parts are on back order After doing research many owners complain about a whining noise showing acceleration of vehicle . If left unfixed this leads to transmission gears slipping and eventually needing an entire replacement Some owners also complain about leaky struts. My car has an issue with leaky struts and is being fixed under warranty Some owners say they need an entire new transmission and after that is replaced the rear transaxle goes and needs replacement Toyota is not putting a recall on this but it’s a known issue. Owners are asking to have this put out as a recall by toy. All parts are on back order and takes several months before transmission can be repaired or replaced. This tells me there are hundreds if not thousands of Highlander’s having the same issue This is a Toyota problem and is related to building transmission in the factory..recall the older vehicles and do better in the factory
Whining noise from the transmission after 66K miles - Change fluids still no improvement - Known issue with UA80 transmission . Dealers knew of the issue but still sold cars
Final drive failing in transmisssion
8 speed automatic transmission started whining at 45k miles (purchased new), has been inspected, dealer confirmed transmission is bad and part is on back order (date keeps moving out),
Began hearing a high-pitched whining sound when I accelerated. Took it into the dealer and they casually told me that I needed a new transmission. My car was less than four years old, but had more than the 60,000 miles that would apply under a warranty. I am now reading online. This is a widespread problem involving Toyota Highlanders. Can’t get a new transmission for three months or more.
2020 Toyota Highlander l developed a whining noise and after extensively researching this sound it seems like its common on highlanders with the UA80 transmission and leads to transmission failure. There is a Toyota forum where owners have gathered about this issue not only for this year highlander but early models when the specific transmission above started being used. Quotes to replaced this transmission range from $6,000-$13,000 at the dealer. Toyota has been called and they have been of no help to anyone. Even worse it seems all places are backordered on these transmissions and owners are left without a car. To quote a toyota member who called to get hemp with the issue, this is what Toyotas response was: “ Toyota refuses any support stating that "we can't predict an average life expectancy for any specific part of component", This only means life expectancy on their parts does not exist? Shouldnt they have a target life expectancy on parts? A lot of dissatisfied toyota owners as toyota is hiding from this issue.
Around 90,000 miles, the transmission has started to whine really bad. This seems to be a common problem with this 2018 to 2021 Highlanders, but 2020 has no recall or service bulletin. My mechanic priced a transmission from a dealership and was told it would be 3 months at least to get a reman transmission. There is a good chance of catastrophic failure before we can get a new transmission installed.
At about 85,000 miles, the transmission developed a whine noise, and two dealers and a transmission shop all state it needs replacement. However, the backlog for replacement is enormous and I risk the transmission failing catastrophically while driving.
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, there was a whining sound coming from the transmission. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the internal bearings had failed, and the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced Technical Service Bulletin: TSB-0008-21 as a possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 99,000.
There is a whining noise coming from the power train/transmission. It only happens when the accelerator pedal is pressed. We had a couple of mechanics look at it. The transmission oil was changed twice, with the vehicle less than 78,000 miles. Neither mechanic can find any issue with any other item, including the engine. The noise still persists. There are no warning lights on. We have researched the web. Toyota is aware of the problem and has replaced some transmissions still under warranty. They have issues a TSB (TSB008-21) in February 2021, but did not issue a recall or notify owners of a potential problem.
The transmission is making a whining noise at 104;368 miles. We own another 2020 Toyota Highlander and it had to have the transmission replaced for the same reason. It is available for inspection. It’s a safety hazard because it’s a bearings in the transmission that’s failing. The transmission will eventually stop working. The issue was confirmed by a Toyota dealer and one of our transmissions has already had to be replaced. Toyota has a service bulletin out for this known problem. There were no warning signs for the transmission noise.
Around 92k miles my transmission started makining a whining noise while driving. Dealership diagnosed a transmission problem and it needed to be replaced. They said eventually the transmission will go bad and stop working, potentially leaving me stranded or causing an accident. Spoke with Toyota HQ who would not offer financial assistance or assist with getting a part. UA80F transmissions are on a nationwide backorder. They also would not acknowledge that there is a problem.
Transmission going out afraid it will come apart or lose power while driving. Toyota dealership told me that we could put new transmission in but it will be the same as the one that is in it and that problem with them has not been corrected and it probably won't hold up long either. Our vehicle only has 71000 miles and we bought it new.
The 8-speed automatic transmission was making a whirring, whining noise. Transmission could failed completely and stranded occupants including children. Vehicle has been serviced every 5,000 miles and no warning lights or indicators ever came on. Dealer inspected and diagnosed an internal component failure necessitating complete transmission replacement. Vehicle is 4 years and 2 months old with 65,000 miles on it.
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle was making an abnormal whining sound. The contact stated that the failure occurred at various speeds. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: T-SB-0008-21 Whine Or Grind Noise from Transmission (Power Train). The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
At 76000 miles my 2020 Highlander water pump began to fail. 20 days after the water pump was replaced at Kings Toyota dealership, the transmission is now failing at 79000 miles. The warranty only covers repairs on each up to 60000 miles. This car has been maintained by the dealership and no engine light ever came on. The water pump was $1200 to repair and I’m being quoted $10K to repair the transmission. I also don’t trust that dealership didn’t accidentally cause the transmission to fail bc they surprisingly have a new transmission in stock the day I came in. If it truly failed today, then Toyota needs to recall this car for safety reasons. It went from fine to not fine in just a few days of driving.
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