Toyota Highlander whining noise problems

Filed Nov 8, 2026 · Transmission · CA

My vehicle began making a faint whine noise at around 80k miles. The vehicle is now at around 112,000 miles and the whine is louder. On cold morning the vehicle is sluggish in lower gears when accelerating. After extensive research I've found that the associated whine is related to the Toyota UA80 transmission.

Filed Nov 4, 2026 · Transmission · IL

I purchased my 2021 Toyota Highlander AWD brand new in March 2021. In May 2026, at approximately 120,000 miles, I began hearing a high-pitched whining noise coming from the transmission. The noise became louder as I accelerated. Toyota disregarded the noise and advise that it was normal due to the mileage of the vehicle In August 2026, I took the car back to perform an oil change and tire rotation and I mentioned once again the noise coming from the transmission, Once again the dealer told me that i was due to the mileage. I took the car in October 26 to perform oil change and tire rotation and I mentioned the noise again. The dealer then made an appointment to inspect the issue Toyota dealership technicians inspected my vehicle and diagnosed failing transmission bearings. Toyota confirmed that the transmission needs to be completely replaced. The estimated replacement cost is $9,500. I am concerned about the safety risk because a failing transmission can potentially cause loss of power, unexpected changes in vehicle movement, or difficulty accelerating while driving in traffic. I am concerned that the condition could worsen and create a dangerous situation for me, my passengers, and other drivers. The first symptom was a high-pitched whining noise that began in May 2026 at approximately 120,000

Filed Nov 4, 2026 · Transmission · MI

**Component:** The 8-speed automatic transmission (Aisin UA80F, AWD) failed internally. A Toyota dealer test-drove the vehicle on 10/09/2026 and verified the noise comes from transmission internals. The repair order states: "Internal transmission failure causing whining noise while driving/accelerating." **Safety risk:** The transmission is failing internally and has not yet failed completely; if it does while driving, it could cause a sudden loss of motive power. I am reporting it because the same failure mode is documented in Toyota service bulletin T-SB-0008-21 (front carrier assembly pinion shafts), but this transaxle — serial A4A20M 00395, built at TMMWV in December 2020 — is immediately outside the bulletin's affected range (A4A20L00101–A4A20L01824, November 2020). It failed identically, which suggests the November 2020 production change did not fully correct the defect. **Inspection:** A Toyota dealer confirmed the failure by test drive and inspection. Toyota (the manufacturer) has not inspected the vehicle. No police or insurance inspection. **Symptoms:** A whine at all speeds. No warning lamps or messages. No crash, injury, or fire.

Filed Nov 3, 2026 · Transmission · IL

The transmission started whining over the summer and has been gradually getting worse. I took it in and was told it needed a new transmission. The vehicle just has 72,000 miles on it and the whine started around 67,000 miles. From my research, this appears to be a known issue with Toyota. If the transmission goes out while I’m driving I could lose control of the vehicle and/or become a hazard, and put my life at risk as well as others on the road.

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 Nov 1, 2026 · Transmission · WV

The UA80 Transmission whine began around 120000 miles, this transmission is from the same [XXX] plant that the ZJC CSP has been issued out of but they claim my vin doesn’t fall into the margin of VIN numbers that are covered. On XXX the Toyota service center of Dan Cava Toyota world in [XXX] stated they were sure the transmission would give out any time and they were sorry they couldn’t help and that many people have this issue and they are sure it’s the same cause as the ones that were affected by this CSP it just wasn’t added into the margin of VIN numbers that Toyota decided they would cover. There are plenty of forums and petitions on the internet of people going through this very same issue. I am amongst many who feel Toyota should have to expand the CSP to include any VIN with these transmissions in the years these were made to be covered. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 30, 2026 · Transmission · PA

I am reporting a premature transmission failure in my 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE AWD at approximately 72,000 miles. The vehicle exhibited transmission-related symptoms beginning before I purchased it. During the test drive at Chapman Ford on May 26, 2025, I noticed a whining noise that sounded like it was coming from the transmission. I brought this to the dealership’s attention and was told nothing was wrong. The noise continued after purchase. Over time, the transmission developed increasingly erratic operation and required professional diagnosis. At approximately 71,903 miles, Meenan Transmission documented a transmission whine, erratic operation, diagnostic trouble code P2713-7F (pressure control solenoid D), and transmission fluid containing metal contamination with a burnt odor. Additional diagnostic codes identified during troubleshooting included P0740, P0741, P2756, P2757, P2713 and P2714. The transmission ultimately required complete replacement. The replacement was authorized through a warranty arranged by Chapman Ford. A replacement transmission and additional parts were supplied by Toyota, to my understanding, and installed by an independent transmission repair facility. I am concerned about a complete transmission failure occurring at approximately 72,000 miles, particularly given the prior whining noise and progressive deterioration. I am also aware that Toyota previously established Customer Support Program ZJC for certain 2017–2018 Highlanders and Siennas equipped with UA80 transmissions. That program identified reported symptoms including transmission whining, harsh shifting and reduced power. My 2020 Highlander is not included in that program, despite having experienced a premature transmission failure involving the same transmission family. I am requesting that the federal safety agency document this failure and evaluate whether similar complaints involving 2020 Toyota Highlanders equipped with UA80 transmissions indicate a potential safety-related defect.

Filed Oct 29, 2026 · Transmission · PA

My 2021 Toyota Highlander XLE began making a high-pitched whining noise when accelerating. When researching this noise, associated with the make, model, and year of my vehicle, it became apparent that the noise is associated with a manufacturer's defect in the [XXX]‑speed transmission (Toyota [XXX]). The cited notification states that the correction for this defect is a transmission replacement that is only covered by the 60,000 mile/5 Year warranty. There are three class-action lawsuits associated with this issue, and I wanted to document my incident in the event that my service appointment with [XXX] Toyota in [XXX], on 11/23/2026 indicates that my transmission is affected by the defect so many have experienced. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 28, 2026 · KY

Premature transmission failure with the only option to replace to rectify the issue. Toyota refuses to assist with any portion of the cost even though there are TSB's published noting the ongoing premature transmission failures. Toyota corporate cited routine maintenance not being done at a Toyota dealership as their reasoning for refusal to help and when asked if it was required to only use Toyota dealerships for routine maintenance, they stated that "they can't tell me to ONLY use Toyota but that it was the deciding factor." The cost is close to $10,000 which is catastrophic for most working families. There were no warning lights on the dashboard. Just the distinct high pitch whining sound when accelerating that is noted in the published TSB's. With no warning lights on the dashboard, had I not noticed the whining sound, if "catastrophic failure" would have occurred while driving, innocent lives could have been permanently altered or ended.

Filed Oct 26, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · MD

While driving, my vehicle experienced a severe and sudden failure of the Aisin UA80F 8-speed automatic transmission. The transmission exhibits erratic and hard shifting, severe hesitation, and a dangerous delay in acceleration when trying to merge into traffic or accelerate from a complete stop. Frequently, the engine revs high, but the transmission fails to engage the gear promptly, resulting in a sudden, violent lurch forward when it finally catches. Furthermore, the vehicle intermittently loses motive power entirely while in motion, forcing me to coast to the side of the road. A loud, high-pitched whining noise is audible from the transmission assembly, and diagnostic checks indicate internal mechanical overheating and premature component wear.