Toyota Highlander grinding brakes problems

Filed Nov 5, 2026 · Brakes · WA

Subject: Sudden Unintended Braking and Loss of Vehicle Control – 2008 Toyota Highlander V6 AWD I am reporting a serious and potentially life-threatening incident involving my 2008 Toyota Highlander V6 AWD. Shortly before this incident, I had all four tires replaced at Les Schwab. While driving approximately at highway speeds, with my foot on the accelerator and absolutely no pressure on the brake pedal, I suddenly heard a knocking sound and felt the vehicle jerking violently. It felt similar to ABS activation, although I do not know what system was responsible. I stopped and inspected everything finding nothing wrong so proceeded to drive the car back home. The vehicle then suddenly and forcefully applied the brakes without any input from me. The rear wheels appeared to lock, causing the tires to skid. The back end of the vehicle fishtailed and began attempting to spin around. I struggled to maintain control. There were three children riding in the vehicle with me. All four occupants were placed in immediate danger. After stopping, I shifted into Park and then back into Drive. The brakes released, and the vehicle began moving normally again. However, I subsequently noticed a continuous metallic grinding noise. No ABS, traction control, or other warning lights illuminated. I am requesting an investigation into the cause of this sudden unintended braking, rear-wheel lockup, and loss of vehicle control. This incident could easily have resulted in a fatal collision. Three children were passengers in the vehicle when it unexpectedly applied its own brakes at approximately 45 mph.

Filed Oct 19, 2026 · Transmission · PA

Car experiences pulling, squealing, and eventually just completely stopped in the middle of the road. Car is 7 years old w/ ~90k miles and was serviced at the dealership until the most recent inspection. Towed to nearest shop and transmission is shot. Similar to every other complaint listed online. Now being quoted ~$9k to repair/replace on a car worth ~$20k.

Filed Oct 19, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · CA

Thanks for your service, which is much appreciated. I had a terrifying experience with my 2020 Toyota Hylander Hybrid on XXX. I was traveling slowly on the right Eastbound lane of [XXX] trying to exit onto [XXX], when a car suddey merged from my left, near my front bumper. I put on my brakes with enough room to spare to avoid a collision, however the Hylander overrode my controls, slammed on the brakes with a squeal of my tires, stopped my car completely, started doing a slow, repeating beep, and wouldn't move, though the engine was running. This left my husband and I in an active freeway lane with cars traveling in front of us, to the side of us, and coming up behind us, at 65-70 mph., unable to move our vehicle. I had to turn off the engine off and on again, while in the active freeway lane, to get the Hylander to stop beeping and get it to move again so I could drive off the freeway. I was terrified we'd be rear-ended and possibly be killed, since some automated system in the Hylander would not allow the car to move after it took over and slammed on the brakes. I contacted Stevens Creek Toyota in [XXX] soon afterwards hoping to speak with a service manager about what happened. [XXX] I was told that no one was available when I described my issue to a phone receptionist there. She sent me to a manager's voicemail, where I left a detailed message about what happened. I asked that I be called back as soon as possible, to disable whatever feature caused the car to react in such a dangerous way. No one from the dealer ever called me back or offered a solution. I have no idea what to do or where to go, to get this feature disabled, or if it can hopefully be disabled. Please investigate why 2020 Toyota Hylander Hybrids have a feature that takes over the controls, slams on the brakes, then doesn't allow the car to move again until the car is completely turned off and on again. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 15, 2026 · Transmission · 65,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a loud grinding and humming sound was heard intermittently from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a transmission failure and warned that the transmission could experience a complete failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The mechanic contacted the manufacturer, who confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer contacted the dealer on the contact's behalf; however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

Filed Oct 4, 2026 · Transmission · MO

We bought a 2021 Toyota Tacoma Platinum in November 2020. In February 2021, Toyota issued a Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0008-21. The bulletin say transmissions may exhibit a whine or grind noise from the transmission. This condition may be caused by an issue with the front carrier assembly pinion shafts. This bulletin says repair is covered under the Toyota Powertrain Warranty. This warranty is in effect for 60 months or 60,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle’s in-service date. Our transmission began making this noise around 75k miles, outside the warrant. Toyota knew about this problem over 5 years ago and did not take action to recall it. Now this repair is going to cost between $9,000 to $12,000 out of pocket. I cannot afford this repair. I have uploaded the bulletin from Toyota.

Filed Oct 3, 2026 · Transmission · PA

Our Toyota Highlander XLE which has 137000 miles on it has the very well documented "whine" issue with the UA80 transmission. This "whine" issue/failure has resulted in at least two TSB's to be generated by Toyota and is considered the beginning stages of a total transmission failure. It impacts 2017 through at least 2022.The symptoms (whine sound/grinding sound/DTC codes/rough operation/unexpected slippage) are identical in all years. Toyota covered a small subset of the total number of failures suggesting an improperly installed "washer" was at fault. The online community impacted by this failure, most of which are outside of that serial number range, clearly do not feel the same way. Failures have occurred on vehicles with as little as 50,000 miles. The issues of transmission slippage/failure to maintain speed/failure accelerate are all safety risks. This problem has been confirmed MANY times by Toyota and it's network of dealers. I had my own vehicle inspected (at my expense) by a local Toyota dealer and they confirmed the failure. In my particular case, the "whine" sound is the only initial symptom with the expectation of other symptoms and issues if I continue to drive the vehicle.

Filed Sep 30, 2026 · Engine · KY

I own a 2021 Toyota Highlander Platinum AWD equipped with the 3\.5L V6 and approximately 77,000 miles\. The vehicle developed a humming/whining, airplane\-like noise from the front drivetrain while accelerating\. The noise increases with vehicle speed and stops when the accelerator is released\. There is no vibration, and the vehicle makes the same noise while traveling straight\. I took the vehicle to an authorized Toyota dealer, Kerry Toyota, and the dealer diagnosed the transmission as the source of the noise and recommended replacement of the transmission\. The quoted replacement cost is approximately $7,600 plus tax\. Toyota previously issued Technical Service Bulletin T\-SB\-0008\-21 concerning a whine or grind from certain 2021 Highlander UA80 transmissions and identifying the front carrier assembly pinion shafts as a potential cause\. My vehicle is approximately 17,000 miles beyond Toyota’s 60,000\-mile powertrain warranty\. I contacted Toyota requesting goodwill assistance with the transmission replacement, and Toyota declined assistance\. I believe there may be many similar cases involving 2021 Toyota Highlanders equipped with the UA80 transmission, including vehicles experiencing comparable whining or grinding noises and premature transmission\-related failures\. I am reporting this because an internal transmission problem that develops shortly beyond the powertrain warranty may worsen and could potentially result in loss of vehicle propulsion\. I believe the federal safety agency should review this issue along with similar complaints involving 2021 Toyota Highlanders equipped with the UA80 transmission\.

Filed Sep 27, 2026 · Transmission · OH

I would like to report a transmission problem with my 2018 Toyota Highlander XLE which I purchased in XXX with 108,000 miles. Since about mid-XXX it has been making a noticeable whine under acceleration in the speed range of about 35-50 mph. I had the noise diagnosed on XXX at the Toyota of [XXX] dealership; they confirmed it and said it cannot be fixed except to replace the entire transmission at a cost of $9900 (estimate attached). I also called the national Toyota customer service center and was told there is no recall, customer support program, or warranty extension available for my vehicle. It is a UA80F (AWD) transmission which have a history of failing prematurely in a variety of Toyota vehicle models, beginning with the whining noise and progressing to grinding and mis-shifting before failing completely. Although my transmission is still functioning adequately despite the whining noise, I am concerned that it may break down well before the expected lifespan of the vehicle. In financial terms, the repair cost is quite onerous and the resale value is now substantially less than it should be. The biggest concern is that it could cause a safety hazard if a failure occurred in conditions such as extreme hot or cold weather, remote or hilly or curvy terrain, or while driving in busy highway speed traffic. As such, I believe that Toyota should bear the responsibility to address these transmission issues and a recall should be issued. Thanks for your consideration. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 20, 2026 · Transmission · MD

Vehicle begin making grinding noises, and stalling during accelerating and also fuel smell. Took vehicle into Toyota Waldorf, MD dealership for diagnostic. At 58,000 miles, 2022 Toyota Highlander XLE stalls to accelerate due to front differentials failing, causing large chunks of metal on the drain plug indicating internal failure. Vehicle needs transmission and front differential replaced. I have 4 children, 3 of them still small, and driving with the fuel smell would impact them greatly as 1 of my children has asthma. It's also a hazard to be on the road with this vehicle as it can stall at any moment, causing a traffic incident. The problem has been reproduced by dealer, who is refusing to approve the fix under the 60,000 mile Power Train Warranty. There were no other warning signs, no check engine light came on, no issues prior to me hearing this grinding noise and stalling.

Filed Sep 20, 2026 · Transmission · MD

Vehicle begin making grinding noises, and stalling during accelerating and also fuel smell. Took vehicle into Toyota Waldorf, MD dealership for diagnostic. At 58,000 miles, 2022 Toyota Highlander XLE stalls to accelerate due to front differentials failing, causing large chunks of metal on the drain plug indicating internal failure. Vehicle needs transmission and front differential replaced. I have 4 children, 3 of them still small, and driving with the fuel smell would impact them greatly as 1 of my children has asthma. It's also a hazard to be on the road with this vehicle as it can stall at any moment, causing a traffic incident. The problem has been reproduced by dealer, who is refusing to approve the fix under the 60,000 mile Power Train Warranty. There were no other warning signs, no check engine light came on, no issues prior to me hearing this grinding noise and stalling.