general problems of the 2019 Toyota Highlander - part 1

Transmission whining sound.

After 3 weeks of inconsistent shifting with the automatic transmission and whining and clunking, the car failed to go into gear at all yesterday 1/5/26 while driving near dulles airport. I had it towed, was told the transmission failed and then I found that this is a systemic design issue with the 2017-2022 cohort of gas v6, 8 speed, awd Highlanders. Repair will be between $5k and $10k.

Loud ear-piercing noise when vehicle is started. Noise lasts about five seconds.

I called Toyota as I was concerned it was sluggish and was having trouble excelerating the appointment was given to me 2 weeks out but was told if anything happens to just bring her in. I had to bring her in the week of the appointment on a tow truck as she was not moving. I was told it’s a faulty transmission I asked if it’s covered by my extended warranty and because it’s over by 4 miles it’s not.

My vehicle has noise in the transmission when accelerating. They should give a voletin. Thanks.

Adaptive cruise control issue and transmission issue transmission is whining. Vehicle taken to the dealer and I am told nothing is wrong with the vehicle.

While driving, I began noticing a high-pitched whining or buzzing noise when pressing the accelerator, particularly at low speeds. The sound resembles an electric or remote-control car and rises in pitch with engine rpms. The noise disappears when I release the gas pedal. A mechanic initially suspected a wheel bearing, but after further inspection, it appears the noise is coming from the transmission or drivetrain. I later discovered that this issue is widespread among 2017–2020 Toyota Highlander models equipped with the ua80e/ua80f 8-speed automatic transmission, which has been associated with internal gear and pump whine. Toyota has issued customer support program pol19-04 and technical service bulletin t-sb-0008-21 addressing similar transmission whine and gear damage, but my vehicle is outside the standard 5-year/60,000-mile warranty and was not included in the extended coverage list, even though the symptoms match exactly. The problem appears to be a design or component defect within the ua80-series transmission, leading to premature wear and potential failure. This can affect drivability, safety during acceleration, and could result in transmission failure without warning.

My car only has just over 70,000 miles and my transmission failed. I get regular maintenance services when needed and never had any prior issues with transmission. I was driving when the transmission failed on me leaving me stuck on the road. I took the car to Toyota service center and was told it needs to be replaced and no further details.

3 of the 4 door lock actuators do not work properly. Some don't lock and some don't unlock. The only door that currently works is the driver's door. If I don't realize that a door did not lock someone can break into my vehicle.

The ac stopped working on our 2019 Highlander. The vehicle has very little corrosion underneath or in the engine bay, yet the rear ac lines have corroded at a location where two different types of metal contact each other. This has been happening with many Highlanders after 5 years, and the cost to replace is expensive.

Upon expiration of the sos subscription the dcm creates a loud feedback noise that goes through the passengers speaker and is causing hearing loss every time the vehicle is turned on. Has been documented many times on reddit from other owners of 2019 Highlanders.

Hello, it seems that my vehicle is having a whirling noise when accelerating at different rpms. When I researched, it isn’t an isolated incident because many others online are experiencing the same issue with most of them being told that the transmission must be replaced. And further investigation, I found that the issue could be the trans axle assembly component which can cause issues if not replaced.

Transmission failure; see attached customer support program bulletin no. Pol19-04 [xxx] (for 2018 Highlanders). My vehicle is a 2019, same body style, same transmission type, etc. Toyota dealership diagnosed my vehicle today and confirmed that the issue is the same as listed in the bulletin. I filed a case with Toyota (corporate). I have located thousands of other customers online reporting the same issue as described in this bulletin. I'm requesting that Toyota modify the bulletin or create a specific one for 2019. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

While driving my hybrid system malfunction, check awd, check engine, and pre-collision system malfunction all came on simultaneously, it also said to put in p. It wouldn’t accelerate so I had to have it towed to the dealer since it had only been 3 days since I bought it. It was sent to a Toyota service center where it took 3 weeks for them to diagnose and replace the high pressure fuel pump. I got the vehicle back, it drove fine for a week until the same thing happened again. It stopped accelerating, said to shift into p-only the hybrid system malfunction, check engine, and pre-collision system malfunction came up this time. I had it towed back to the Toyota service center since the problem clearly wasn’t solved and am awaiting a new diagnosis.

The sos speaker squeals very loudly when starting the vehicle about 7 out of 10 times and is available for inspection. Problem is known by Toyota. [xxx] no. No warning indication or messages. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

[xxx] dear staff there are other people complaining of engine misfire also [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Dear staff, after several payments made for diagnostics I feel like I should commit suicide maybe because of this Toyota I can not afford to pay diagnostics every single day to hear the same story over and over I understand there is a engine check light, I need it repaired please instead of having to pay diagnostic fees which advance autoparts doesnt even charge and Toyota takes $172 diagnostic fees when they can not even themselves rule out the problem in their engineering or manufacturing please look out for similar issues, engine problems in 2gr-fks engines as more people experiencing issues will confirm its Toyota's fault they should either shut down their manufacturing in japan or bring back the standards of japanese automotives.

2gr engine family in general used in Toyota and Lexus, may have a manufacturing defect as per google about the 2gr-fe engine subtype yes, the Toyota 2gr-fe engine, a 3. 5l v6 found in many Toyota and Lexus models, is known to have a recurring issue with head gasket leaks, particularly where coolant leaks externally from the engine block due to corrosion around the cylinder head where the coolant port is located; this is considered a common problem with this engine type. Key points about the 2gr head gasket issue: leak location: coolant typically leaks outside of the engine block, visible as stains on the block surface, rather than internally into the combustion chambers. Cause: corrosion around the cylinder head near the coolant port, often exacerbated by road salt and old, acidic coolant. Prevention: regularly changing coolant and occasionally hosing down the engine block, especially if you live in a region with heavy winter road salt. Repair: replacing the head gasket usually requires removing the engine, making it a major repair job. So Toyota should be held liable for repair costs and labor as well as the pain and suffering a consumer has to go through, seeing all the drama of the Toyota.

2019 Highlander has a winding sound coming from engine area, no warning lights turned on but winding sound only occurs when in drive and accelerating. Vehicle has 90000 miles and winding sound started around 80000 miles. I brought Highlander to Toyota service and they stated they heard the sound but didnt diagnose it.

When starting the vehicle, and extremely loud feedback noise is emitted from the front right speaker. This happens intermittently. Sometimes it's every 5th time you start it, and sometimes every 29th start. This started happening after the dealer-provided sos safety subscription expired. The noise is extremely loud and very disturbing especially for individuals like our daughter who has special needs. I would not be surprised if it is damaging our hearing. It would likely be especially harmful to children! it has been confirmed by the dealer and is currently back at the shop whule they are further investigating the cause.

There is a very loud feedback noise through speakers intermittently when start and the red and green lights at the sos button flash multiple times. The noise is loud enough to damage hearing of an adult or child.

When I start my car it makes an ear piercing screeching noise. It doesn’t happen everytime but I never know when it is going to happen. I took it to a dealer and 5 guys said they never heard of it. If you look online numerous people have this complaint with out any recalls. Thank you, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

I purchased a 2019 Highlander platinum limited a few weeks ago and it started making an incredibly loud feedback sound from the speakers every 10-15 times I start the vehicle. I do not have a subscription but I currently have a free trial thru sirusxm radio (not sure if this has anything to do with it or not). The loud beeping noise at startup is extremely loud causing my right ear to ring. Luckily I do not have small children in the car to experience this.

Extremely loud high pitched noise when the vehicle starts. The problem began early October 2024 and has continued. It happens every time the car turns on.

When I start the Highlander, there is a loud (hurts your ears) feedback noise through the speakers. It's so loud you instinctively close your eyes and put your hands on your ears, ignoring whatever you were doing before (like maybe putting the car in gear). It lasts a second or two then stops. It doesn't happen every time, more like every 10 starts. I called Toyota and they said take it to the dealer. I'm still waiting to get their feedback.

My car is leaking into my interior. It has come out of the electrical component areas. I worry it has infiltrated airbags & what could happen if they get wet (go off due to damage or not go off when supposed to). Have taken to dealership 3 times with no resolution.

While driving the car on the highway with no other cars in the immediate area it sounded like there was an explosion on the roof. The glass sun roof spontaneously exploded. Small pieces of glass were everywhere. I was able to pull over to a parking lot. There could have been a serious accident or injury as this event caused me to swerve.

While driving my car, the check engine light turned on and my car listed hybrid system malfunction as a flashing indicator. It lost all power in the middle of the road and I was unable to drive and move vehicle. This is the third incident with the same problem since purchasing.

Occasionally upon starting the vehicle an extremely high pitched screech is emitted - probably through the speakers for a few seconds. The sound is ear splitting. This occurs ~5 of the times when starting.

There is a painful ear screech sound from speakers when starting car. Sometimes it happens multiple times a day and sometimes I can go a few days without it happening when I start my car.

I have a sporadic high pitch screeching beep when I start my car. It started about 3 months ago. It is so loud and glad I don’t have little kids or older adults I have to transport. I have noticed my sos consistently blinks green and red.

The sos system is malfunctioning and causing an earsplitting screech on the 2019 Toyota Highlander platinum. This occurs around every third time when the car starts and is damaging my hearing and my kids' hearing. This is well documented on the Toyota nation forum and reddit. . Read more...

We believe the problem is in the sos system. This is an intermittent problem that occurs about every 5 to 15 starts. At start-up, an ear piercing scream/screech comes from somewhere in the front speakers and lasts about 2 to 5 seconds. At times the scream is so loud that it leaves a ringing in your ears. We are very concerned about our grandkids riding in this vehicle. This problem needs to be addressed, it’s not going away and it’s making it different to drive.

When I start the Highlander, there is a loud (hurts your ears) feedback noise through the speakers, and the red and green lights near the sos button flash multiple times. This happens intermittently, and when it doesn't happen the sos button only flashes red/green once.

I was turning into starbucks at a low speed when the next thing I knew the car jumped forward and hit the car in front of me not one time but three times. I was finally able to get the car stopped but had damage to both cars. I believe the accelerator was stuck causing the accident. I want to know if there is a recall on the accelerator petal that it would have caused the Highlander to do this because to me this was a frightening site to go through.