Toyota Highlander shudder problems

Filed Oct 21, 2026 · Transmission · 105,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The contact stated that the transmission was shuddering however, the vehicle was able to be driven to the residence. The dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer associated the failure with the transmission. The manufacturer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,000.

Filed Sep 28, 2026 · Transmission · CT

Transmission failing beginning at 60,000 miles. Safety issue because car shudders and refuses to accelerate at seemingly random times. My mechanic said this is a known issue and recommended transmission flushing. We've been doing this for six years at lesser and lesser intervals before the problem reappears. Our local Toyota dealership said they've never heard of the problem but it is reported on numerous automotive forums.

Filed Sep 17, 2026 · Electrical · 141,597 miles · VA

develop a high-pitched whine, shuddering, or harsh shifting between 25 and 45 mph, which can lead to premature wear or complete failure. Also, On/ Off from no where and stopped in the middle of the road

Filed Aug 29, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · MD

I own a 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum purchased new. The vehicle has repeatedly exhibited hesitation, shuddering, jerking, and abnormal vibration during acceleration from a stop and the transition from electric propulsion to the gasoline engine. When accelerating from a stop, there can be a noticeable hesitation after pressing the accelerator before the vehicle responds. As the gasoline engine engages, the vehicle sometimes shudders or jerks before accelerating normally. I have also experienced vibration and lurching when the gasoline engine engages or disengages. At times, the condition appears more noticeable with the air conditioning operating. I am concerned this presents a safety issue because the hesitation occurs when accelerating from a stop, when predictable acceleration may be necessary to enter an intersection, cross traffic, or merge into traffic. I reported this condition to an authorized Toyota dealer, but it has not been corrected and continues to occur. I have also experienced a visibility issue involving the windshield and wipers. When the wipers operate, a hazy or filmy appearance becomes visible across the windshield as the blades pass over the glass, temporarily reducing visibility before dissipating. This continues despite attempts to clean the windshield and may involve the windshield surface, wipers, or their interaction. I am concerned because the wipers can temporarily create haze across my field of vision when clear visibility is especially important, particularly during rain, at night, or with headlight glare. I also reported the windshield/wiper issue to the authorized Toyota dealer. It remains unresolved and continues to occur. Both conditions remain unresolved, and I am concerned about the safety consequences of unpredictable acceleration and temporarily reduced forward visibility.

Filed Jun 8, 2026 · Transmission · TX

My 2019 Toyota Highlander XLE V6 developed a serious transmission-related safety problem that ultimately resulted in a sudden loss of propulsion while driving. For some time before the failure, I had noticed an unusual startup noise during cold starts and mentioned this concern during routine service visits at an authorized Toyota dealership. I was advised that the condition was normal. Prior to the major failure, the vehicle otherwise remained drivable. On December 2, 2025, the vehicle underwent scheduled maintenance at an authorized Toyota dealership, including a transmission fluid service. Within the following days, during cold weather conditions (approximately 35°F), the vehicle began exhibiting transmission shudder, RPM flare, harsh torque converter engagement, and illuminated both the Check Engine and Traction Control warning lights. I immediately returned the vehicle to the servicing dealership and reported that these symptoms had appeared following the maintenance visit. After inspection, I was informed that the torque converter clutch actuator had failed and that the transmission would require replacement or rebuilding. The vehicle was released to me, and I was not advised that it was unsafe to drive or that it should not be operated. On the morning of December 11, 2025, while driving home from work in approximately 31°F temperatures, the vehicle suddenly lost propulsion. The engine RPM increased, but the vehicle would not move under its own power. I narrowly avoided being rear-ended by a truck traveling behind me. I believe this created a significant risk of a serious collision. The vehicle was towed and remained out of service for approximately two months because replacement transmissions were difficult to obtain. The transmission was ultimately replaced with a used transmission assembly at a total repair cost of approximately $7,220. After the transmission replacement, the unusual startup noise that I had previously reported completely disappeared,

Filed Feb 20, 2026 · Acceleration, Transmission · ME

At approximately 120,000 miles, the vehicle began exhibiting a pronounced shudder or vibration between 40–50 mph under light acceleration or steady cruising. The condition progressed to delayed shifting and intermittent loss of acceleration response. The most concerning issue is hesitation and reduced acceleration when attempting to merge into traffic or increase speed. On multiple occasions, the vehicle failed to respond promptly to throttle input, creating a potential safety hazard due to loss of propulsion. The vehicle was evaluated at two authorized Toyota dealerships. Both indicated that the condition is consistent with torque converter or transmission failure. Full transmission replacement was recommended at an estimated cost of approximately $9,000. No whining or grinding noises are present; symptoms primarily involve shuddering and hesitation. The vehicle has not been driven since October 21, 2025, due to safety concerns and to prevent further damage. The vehicle has been regularly maintained at Toyota dealerships and has not been used for towing. This complaint concerns loss of acceleration, transmission shudder, and potential premature failure of the 8-speed automatic transmission.

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 Nov 20, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · PA

Almost caused high speed accident merging onto toll road! The vehicle is experiencing a severe transmission slippage, shudder, and grinding noise, consistent with TSB-0008-21 (UA80 transmission failure). This defect causes hesitant acceleration and erratic shifting, creating a safety hazard when merging onto highways or crossing intersections. I am concerned the transmission will fail completely while driving, resulting in a sudden loss of motive power and increasing the risk of a crash. Toyota has covered this exact safety defect in 2017–2019 models (CSP ZJC) but has failed to recall the 2021 models despite identical symptoms. First reared it's head as slipping when putting vehicle in reverse, 25k+ ago. Was told by Toyota Certified mechanics it was an operator error. Morphed into larger issue.

Filed Jul 29, 2025 · Transmission · WA

I’m reporting a drivetrain and engine performance issue affecting my 2019 Toyota Highlander, which I believe is related to Toyota's T-SB-0160-18, T-SB-0008-21, and Customer Support Program ZJC (CSP ZJC). My vehicle is exhibiting the same symptoms like: 1. Intermittent engine misfires (no consistent CEL, but noticeable during driving) 2. Hesitation and shuddering during light or moderate acceleration 3. Unintended surging/lunging — the vehicle will randomly jerk forward without throttle input 4. Whining noise under acceleration, which appears to come from the engine bay These symptoms negatively affect vehicle control and driver confidence, especially when merging, passing, or driving in traffic. The behavior is unpredictable and poses a potential safety hazard. After researching, I found that Toyota issued T-SB-0160-18 and T-SB-0008-21 for this engine, acknowledging similar performance issues due to valve train irregularities and ECM programming. Toyota also released Customer Support Program ZJC, offering limited support to some VINs. However, despite my vehicle showing the same symptoms, it is not included in the CSP, and Toyota has not offered assistance without out-of-pocket costs. This issue appears to be more widespread than Toyota’s internal VIN list suggests. Many Highlander owners have reported the same issues online, and I believe Toyota should take responsibility for correcting these performance defects under a recall, not a limited CSP. I respectfully request that the federal safety agency investigate the scope and validity of Toyota's CSP ZJC and TSBs related to the 2GR-FKS engine and push Toyota to expand CSP ZJC or issue a formal recall to cover all affected vehicles based on symptoms, not just VINs

Filed Feb 3, 2025 · Transmission · 88,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started shuddering, prompting the contact to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway where the failure persisted. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,000.