I own a 2017 Toyota Sienna XLE Premium, FWD, 8-passenger,equipped with the UA80E automatic transmission. At approximately 150,000 miles, the transmission began making a whine in 3rd gear and higher, most noticeable under steady throttle and worse after the vehicle warms up. The sound appears to come from the transmission, but the exact failed component has not been confirmed. A drain and refill with Toyota ATF WS reduced the noise temporarily, but it returned after about 1,000 . The vehicle had approximately 156,000 miles when I last tracked the issue. I am concerned this may be an internal transmission bearing or other component failure. A transmission replacement or rebuild could cost thousands of dollars and Toyota has a ZJC but I’m told my vehicle isn’t covered although it fits the dates and requirements. I am reporting this issue to document the failure and ask the federal safety agency to investigate whether other 2017 Sienna vehicles equipped with the UA80E transmission experience similar whining or premature internal wear.
Toyota Sienna transmission failure problems
65 of the 8,561 owner complaints about the Toyota Sienna describe complete transmission failure, most of them for the 2000 model year.
- owner complaints
- 65
- worst model year
- 2000
- typical repair cost reported
- $5,900
- typical mileage
- 67,000
By model year
Often reported together
Whining noise 10Check engine light 6Grinding brakes 6Jerking 5Hesitation 5Slipping 4Stalling 3Harsh shifting 3
Trouble codes mentioned
P2757 1P2714 1P0746 1P0741 1
What owners say
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.
I have a 2017 Sienna AWD with a UA80 Transmission and the Check AWD System light appeared. I was able to drive it to Towne Toyota in Ledgewood, NJ and they detected the Sienna having DTC Codes P07407E, P27137F and P27567F. They they recommended a transmission replacement costing $9260.84 before tax that I can't afford right now. I am still able to drive the Sienna but Towne Toyota said that the Transmission will eventually fail. After some research, I discovered there is "ZJC UA80 Warranty_Enhancement" by Toyota. I am troubled that the service folks in Towne Toyota did not make me aware of this program! I am afraid to drive the vehicle knowing that the Check Engine Light may reappear. Or worse, the transmission can completely fail unexpectedly that may prevent me or other vehicles from avoiding a collision. It could also strand me on a busy highway and can possibly put my family at risk.
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.
My Toyota sienna is a 2020, has 83,000 miles and has recently been squealing when I accelerate. I took the van to a local body shop and they said it seems to be my transmission. I called Toyota immediately and they knew that the transmissions were faulty and that they would try to work with Toyota to get it fixed. There is no way I can pay 9k for a new transmissions because they put in faulty ones.
2019 Sienna XLE with 77,000 miles has a UA80 Transmission is whining at the final gear per Imperial Toyota Milford MA service center. They want to replace the transmission for 9,000 USD and Toyota Corporate refuses assistance. It appear to be a common defect which could lead to transmission lockup if the gear fails.
Started hearing a whining noise upon acceleration. Took car to Toyota for a diagnostic check. Discovered transmission is failing. Recommended repair is a full transmission replacement, quoted $10,000. After bringing to a local mechanic for a second opinion, he claims this is a widespread issue with Toyota Siennas in similar years. After some research, Toyota quietly claims there was an issue in the manufacturing of these transmissions however won’t take accountability
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH and ascending a hill, the vehicle started making an abnormal whining sound and hesitated while accelerating. The vehicle was driven to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.
While driving our vehicle on the highway, the check engine light suddenly came on and traction control turned off. Within moments, the vehicle began to stall and would not accelerate. My wife and children were in the car and we were nearly hit by another vehicle as she struggled to get the car to safety. It was a terrifying experience that put my entire family in danger, along with everyone else on the highway. Upon taking the car to the dealership, we were told the transmission failed and would need to be replaced.
We have started to experience the transmission whine at that is specified in Toyota's CSP ZJC documentation. We took our vehicle into our local Toyota Dealership Service Center and they confirmed that the whine was a transmission issue and that the only course of action to take would be to replace the transmission. Our vehicle was manufactured in the specified window (manufacture date 10/2016, manufacture data window from the program 7/2016-2/2018), it has the specified transmission model (UA80), we are within the coverage window stated in the support materials (within ten years of first use), we are experiencing the same transmission symptoms described in the program support materials (whining transmission noise), and we have been recommended by our local Toyota Service members to replace the transmission. From this information, it appears that we meet the criteria and are suffering the same issues as are referenced in the ZJC materials, but our VIN is not included in the program. I believe that is an error and the program should be expanded.
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2005-2007 and 2009-2010 Toyota Sienna vehicles. In the affected vehicles, due to a problem within the shift lock assembly, the shift lever may be moved out of the 'Park' position without depressing the brake pedal.
- Risk
- If the shift lever can be moved from the "Park" position without depressing the brake pedal and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may roll, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shift lock solenoid and reapply the grease, free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1‑800‑331‑4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0V. Vehicles that were previously recalled under campaign 13V‑429 are not affected by this recall.
Recall number 17V657000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
- What is wrong
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2014 Sienna vehicles manufactured June 17, 2014, through June 24, 2014. The affected vehicles have a transmission shift control cable whose protective cable sleeve may have been damaged during assembly. This could cause the control cable to bind or separate during gear shift operation causing incorrect gear selection. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect."
- Risk
- If the transmission shift cable separates while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the 'PARK' position, the transmission may not be in 'PARK.' If the vehicle is not in the 'PARK' position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
- Remedy
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the transmission shift control cable, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in early August 2014. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1‑800‑331‑4331.
Recall number 14V414000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2005 Sienna vehicles manufactured January 10, 2003, through August 10, 2005; and model year 2007-2009 Sienna vehicles manufactured February 20, 2007, through December 12, 2008. In the affected vehicles, due to a problem within the shift lock solenoid, there is a possibility that the shift lever could be moved out of Park position without depressing the brake pedal.
- Risk
- If the shift lever is moved out of the Park position without the brake applied, the transmission will either engage a drive gear or Neutral, increasing the risk of a backover or roll away crash.
- Remedy
- Toyota will mail interim notifications to owners beginning in late October 2013. When parts are available, owners will be sent a second notice and dealers will replace the shift lock solenoid, free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331.
Recall number 13V429000 · Recall details
Power train: driveline: driveshaft
- What is wrong
- Toyota is recalling certain model year 2011 venza and sienna passenger cars manufactured from march 7, through march 10, 2011. There is a possibility that the front, right, drive shaft may break due to insufficient heat treatment.
- Risk
- Should the drive shaft break during vehicle operation, the vehicle will lose power without prior warning. Loss of motive power without warning may increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Toyota will notify owners and dealers will inspect the drive shaft, and, if the drive shaft is identified as one that may not have been correctly manufactured, it will be replaced with a new one at no charge. The safety recall began on june 22, 2011. Owners may contact toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331.
Recall number 11V306000 · Recall details
Questions about the Toyota Sienna transmission failure
Which Toyota Sienna years have complete transmission failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2000 (17 complaints), 2017 (12 complaints) and 2004 (6 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix complete transmission failure on the Toyota Sienna?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $5,900 (median of 8 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Toyota Sienna?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history