Toyota Sienna won't shift problems

Filed Jul 14, 2026 · Transmission · FL

Vehicle: 2018 Toyota Sienna XLE AWD, VIN [XXX], approximately 112,000 miles. Component: Power Train / Automatic Transmission (UA80F 8-speed). The vehicle has developed a pronounced whining noise from the transmission that rises with road speed, accompanied by harsh/rough shifting. A Toyota dealer inspected the vehicle and diagnosed a failing transmission requiring replacement. The symptoms and diagnostic trouble codes match those described in Toyota TSB T-SB-0160-18 ("Transaxle Whine Noise, Harsh Shift, MIL ON, or Reduced Power") for the UA80 8-speed transmission. This is the same failure mode Toyota acknowledged in Customer Support Program ZJC, which attributes the defect to a washer/locking tab that was not sufficiently bent during assembly, allowing an internal nut to loosen and causing progressive internal damage. However, this vehicle's transaxle serial number falls outside the range covered by ZJC, so Toyota has not provided coverage despite the identical defect and symptoms. This represents a safety concern. Based on documented failures of this transmission across the UA80 platform, the condition can progress to loss of power, limp mode, or sudden loss of forward propulsion while driving — including at highway speed and without further warning — creating a risk of a crash or of being stranded in traffic. The vehicle has been maintained through authorized Toyota service. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate whether the UA80/UA80F transmission defect warrants a broader safety defect determination and recall, given the volume of similar complaints across affected model years INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 11, 2026 · Transmission · CA

I, as well as other owners of 2017–2018 Toyota Highlanders and 2017–2018 Siennas are experiencing serious transmission issues—including high-pitched whining, erratic shifting, clunks, hesitation, and premature failure. My 2017 Toyota Sienna has the UA80 8-speed automatic transmission at issue and started whining upon acceleration in March/April 2026 timeframe. It has always had the clunking and hesitation problem. According to Gears Magazine, the issue stems from a flawed assembly process involving the counter drive gear support. A locking tab meant to secure a vital retaining nut was not bent properly during factory assembly. This leads to gear movement, internal wear, whining, and eventually failure. Unknown to me, in 2019, Toyota had acknowledged the problem in Technical Service Bulletins T-SB-0160-18, T-SB-0008-21, which only go to dealers, and implemented a limited Customer Support Program (CSP ZJC)—but only offered coverage to a narrow group of VINs, not to all VINs for model years that have these transmissions. My car is experiencing these same symptoms. My Toyota Dealer confirmed this problem and recommended a transmission replacement for $11,000 including labor. They said my VIN was not included in the Customer Support Program. Driving with a failing transmission is highly dangerous. A bad transmission can cause sudden power loss causing the car to halt to a sudden stop, unintended acceleration, or my car might get stuck in neutral while driving. I could lose control or be unable to get to the shoulder on the highway, cause a rear-end collision, or get stuck in busy traffic. DESIRED OUTCOME REQUEST: My VIN should be covered under the Customer Support Program in the category of cars that are “less than 10 years old regardless of mileage” or a full recall of all VINs of these model years with these transmissions should be executed. Thank you.

Filed May 22, 2026 · Transmission · GA

The transmission went out. It wouldn't shift going 45-55 mph. We stopped at a light and put it into Park, then put it into drive but it wouldn't go. We were stuck at a light in traffic 10:30pm. We had to call 911 to get a cop to sit behind us so we wouldn't get hit. My wife, my 3 kids, and I were in the minivan. While waiting for the tow truck I saw on reddit that many 2017/2018 Toyota Sienna's had transmission problems. The vehicle is at Milton Martin toyota in Gainesville, GA. Toyota says it isn't covered by Bulletin ZJC. Toyota said the transmission is the issue.

Filed Aug 18, 2023 · Fuel system · AL

While traveling at a high speed, van's power train jerked hard and rapidly slowed on its own, not allowing me to excelerate. Almost rear ended by following vehicle that managed to swerve around to avoid my rapid deceleration. Check engine light came on and was hard to start. Had to allow the van to sit a while before I was able to start. Van acted like it was in limp mode. This malfunction has occurred several times. Mechanic code shows P0087 fault code. Low fuel pressure. Toyota has recalled many of these vehicles in this year for this issue, but mine seems to not be one of them. Very dangerous.

Filed Dec 3, 2018 · Transmission · 105,000 miles · VA

All of the sudden, after a long drive on highway, I parked and fuel my car and my car would not change gears properly or very sudden burst then stuck in gear, then after little while I stop on the side and now it won't drive or reverse or sometimes won't go park.

Filed Jul 19, 2018 · Transmission · 53,000 miles · HI

Shift gear stuck in neutral mode for toyota sienna 2005. Driving sienna out of my garage in reverse, then stepped on brake--to proceed to move gear to drive mode. Then van got stuck in neutral mode. Attempted to move shift lever all the way back to p to get out of n mode, and nothing happened. Light stays on "n" position. Looked at vehicle manual to follow directions ie. If can't shift automatic transmission lever... Ignition key to lock, park brake on. Push down shift lock override button. Shift out of p position only while using a button. Shift to "n" position, start engine while keeping brake pedal depressed. Will have to have van towed to toyota dealer. This happened at home in the driveway outside of the garage. I was reversing out of the garage to drive out of the driveway to road.. I will need to contact toyota for an appointment first and hire a tow company to deliver to toyota dealer. Also, when engine is turned on and stepping on car brake, shift lever moves to p, r, n ,d, and lower gears but is permanently stuck in "n" mode is my best explanation. Fortunately, this incident occurred at home and not on the road, highway or other area of traffic. I can only assume some kind of cable/mechanism broke. Botton line, gear won't get out of neutral mode, even with steps as noted from vehicle manual.

Filed Nov 1, 2017 · Driver assistance, Transmission · 200,000 miles · FL

This report includes two separate safety issues. First issue: after backing out of my driveway onto my street, my car would not shift into drive gear from reverse. The engine would not restart after turning the key off since it was still in reverse, even though the lever was shifted back to park. Thankfully, I don't live on a busy street and there happened to be a few linemen doing work that were able to push the van back into my driveway. With two young children in the car and not being able to push the van on my own, this could've been a very dangerous situation in a busy location. After disassembling the dash, my husband discovered the mechanism in the gear shift had malfunctioned and was able to repair it himself instead of towing it to a toyota dealer for pricey repairs and towing fees. Second issue: on multiple occasions (usually, but not always, while accelerating onto a highway on-ramp) the traction control light will illuminate, a repetitive beeping will sound, and the steering wheel vibrates and becomes difficult to control since it freezes up. This has happened on dry roads and smooth driving conditions only when no traction control is needed. Each time is happens it is a stressful experience since it could be lead to an accident due to lack of control. After calling a toyota service center to inquire if there are any known issues of this, they deny it. Upon doing our own research, we were able to discover other people with the same issue. A very similar replication of our situation is shown in this video. The only difference is that ours doesn't happen as often in one drive. It usually will happen a one or two times and then not happen again for weeks or months. Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sy9a8shj0xg

Filed Oct 29, 2017 · Transmission · AL

On 9/10/17 my wife was driving the above mentioned car. She tried to park the car in the parking lot, the car will not shift in park, the shifter was free and then car started rolling. The car was about to go over the ravine, she pressed the emergency brakes. And stopped the car, otherwise she would have gone through the ravine and hit the main road traffic. She called me and I got her home and then went back to try to turn the car on, it will not run and gears shifter was stuck. I got the car towed to my mechanic at eoc homewood store #0102.

Filed Jan 3, 2017 · Acceleration, Engine · 6,000 miles · IL

In cold temperatures, this vehicle model (according to the dealer) does not shift into overdrive right away when driving from a cold-start. This causing a momentary acceleration when braking and presents an unexpected safety issue. I have found this issue posted on several car forums and it appears to affect more than just the 2016 model sienna, but does not trigger a fault of any kind.

Filed Aug 27, 2014 · Transmission · 160,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota sienna. The contact stated that while in reverse, the vehicle moved forward. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle but failed. The contact stated that the vehicle was stuck in second gear even though the instrument panel read that the vehicle was in park. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000. Updated 10/09/14