Toyota Highlander check engine light comes on

Filed Oct 30, 2026 · Transmission · UT

My 2018 Toyota Highlander AWD (75,000 miles) was diagnosed with internal transmission failure on its UA80F 8-speed automatic transmission. The diagnosis confirmed fluid shear and internal metal wear requiring a $9,000+ replacement. The UA80 series is subject to Toyota TSB T-SB-0160-18 and Customer Support Program ZJC for factory assembly flaws involving retaining hardware and bearing wear. Toyota denied goodwill coverage because my VIN falls outside their narrow ZJC date window. Component Failed & Inspection Availability: UA80F 8-speed automatic transmission assembly (powertrain). The vehicle and transmission are intact and available for the federal safety agency or manufacturer inspection upon request. Safety Risk: Premature internal mechanical failure of the UA80F transaxle presents a severe highway safety risk. Gear wear, fluid shear, and bearing failure in this unit can rapidly progress to a sudden loss of forward propulsion, gear slippage, or full transaxle lockup at high speeds, creating an extreme collision hazard. Dealer/Independent Confirmation: Yes. Confirmed by a technician during a professional inspection that documented stored transmission codes (P0741,P2714 & P2757) and a $9,000+ replacement estimate at 75k miles. Manufacturer/Other Inspections: Inspected by an authorized Toyota dealer and escalated to Toyota Customer Experience (Case File Opened). Toyota acknowledged the diagnosis but denied goodwill assistance due to VIN parameters. No police or insurance inspections have occurred. Warning Lamps & Prior Symptoms: A Check Engine Light illuminated, prompting the inspection, but self-cleared before arriving at the dealer. Stored TCM codes confirmed an active failure. This self-clearing behavior masks an active mechanical defect, creating an additional safety hazard.

Filed Oct 14, 2026 · Transmission · MD

Transmission had problems with shifting gears - can hear a banging noise while shifting gears. Reported to dealer and they indicated diagnostics report showed purge valve issues. Nothing showing transmission errors. 9/20/26 significant transmission Issues occurring with eco mode turning on and off problems with shifting and no power with RPM up to 5 let off gas pedal and eco shift then transmission accelerated. Problem repeated for 40 miles on Interstate 95 with family and animals. Engine lights finally come on stating AWD error traction control On and off visit dealer an 1/8 mile from Haley Toyota Richmond VA - $280 diagnostics show transmission failure, needs to be replaced for $12000 at 87K miles warranty expired no assistance offered and "0" transmissions available throughout the United States- - $470 out of pocket tow truck to get it to a local transmission shop in Waldorf MD 25 miles from home. Definitely a safety issue when there is no acceleration on a major highway and now error codes to indicate there is a major transmission problem!

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 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.

Filed Sep 17, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · 29,296 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle stalled and abruptly stopped in traffic at a traffic light. The driver exited the vehicle. The vehicle failed to restart, and the steering wheel was inoperable. The contact was concerned the vehicle might move forward. The check engine warning light was flashing, and the message “High Power Consumption” was displayed. The ignition and steering warning lights were illuminated, and “Low Power” message was displayed. The vehicle was running but failed to move. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V162000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine) and Special Service Campaign 21TC05. Bystanders nearby attempted to assist the contact. The Emergency Services was contacted, and the Local Police responded to the scene. The insurance company was called and arranged a tow. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, and the battery was replaced. Additionally, the contact spoke with the service director, management, and the technicians. The manufacturer was contacted by phone, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 29,296.

Filed Sep 17, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · 123,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. While driving 20 MPH uphill, the messages "Engine Failure," "Brake Failure," and "Pull Over to A Safe Place, See Owner's Manual" were displayed, and several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, but the failure persisted. After a second restart, the message "See Dealer" was displayed with the check engine warning light illuminated. After a third restart, the vehicle was driving rough while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.

Filed Sep 14, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · MO

My 2019 Highlander was driving totally normal, when all of a sudden the transmission started slipping and then would no longer accelerate. I was on a windy back road in Alaska with no service, so after letting it sit for a bit I tried to drive it again. It then drove maybe 1/2 more miles before slipping completely and no longer accelerating. No check engine lights came up. I got it towed to my house where a mechanic took a quick scan and said there was a number of transmission codes popping up.

Filed Sep 4, 2026 · Transmission · PA

Car started to have a whining noise only when accelerating at 122,000 miles took it to the Toyota dealer where I bought it from. They did a diagnostics and told me it was the transmission and that it cost almost 10,000 to fix it. Car did not have no check engine light at all.

Filed Aug 27, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · CA · crash · 5 injuries

Incident: [XXX] Conditions: Clear daylight, dry pavement, normal highway conditions Crash/Injuries: Allstate Claim #[XXX]; several people injured At approximately [XXX], I was driving my 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid at about 55 mph in the slow/right lane. The vehicle ahead suddenly made a hard stop. I immediately and forcefully applied the brakes for an emergency stop. My front-seat passenger, [XXX], also saw the danger and yelled for me to stop at the same time. Based on our recollection, approximately five seconds elapsed between his warning and the collision. Despite the rapidly closing distance, the Toyota Pre-Collision System (PCS) did not appear to activate. There was no audible warning/beeping, no flashing red warning, and no “BRAKE!” indicator on the dashboard. This was also observed by [XXX] and [XXX], who was seated in the second row and is particularly attentive to warning signals. The vehicle also did not appear to provide any automatic emergency braking or brake-assist intervention. Despite my immediate and forceful braking, the vehicle did not stop in time and collided with the vehicle ahead, causing significant damage and injuries. The forward-facing sensors and windshield were clean and unobstructed. There were no dashboard warning lights or known system malfunction indicators before the crash. I purchased the Toyota Plus service package after completing the required maintenance during the initial coverage period. All scheduled maintenance and inspections were performed on time by certified Toyota technicians. I was repeatedly assured that the vehicle, including the braking system, was operating normally. I request that the federal safety agency investigate the possible failure of the PCS, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking/brake assist, and their integration with the braking system. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)