general problems of the 2022 Toyota Highlander - part 1

On September 23, 2026, at approximately 7:30 am, I was driving the vehicle in a parking garage at an estimated speed of approximately 10 mph. While driving over a curve in the parking garage and applying the brakes to slow the vehicle and maneuver into a parking space, the vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own despite the brakes being applied. The vehicle struck the metal wire safety fence and then came to a stop. Prior to this incident, over the preceding 2–3 months, I had experienced intermittent problems with the transmission. Specifically, when shifting from neutral to reverse, the transmission would occasionally become temporarily stuck or fail to engage properly. It would then begin functioning after a small tap. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? : possibly transmission how was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? there was no one else in the parking garage as it was early in the morning, otherwise it could have resulted in loss of additional property and possibly injuries. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? going to consult with the dealer soon has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? insurance has been informed. Awaiting their response. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? as mentioned about 2-3 months prior there were minor transmission issues.

While accelerating, the vehicle produces a loud whining noise from the transmission area underneath the vehicle. I took the vehicle to modern Toyota in [xxx] on xxx at 103,287 miles. The dealer diagnosed the condition and their invoice states the vehicle "needs the transmission replaced due to a gear whine. " the estimated repair cost is approximately $10,498. This vehicle is equipped with the ua80e 8-speed automatic transmission. Toyota documented this same condition in technical service bulletin t-sb-0008-21, which describes a whine or grind noise from the transmission caused by the front carrier assembly pinion shafts, and prescribes transaxle replacement as the repair. My vehicle exhibits the identical symptom and requires the identical repair. The vehicle is the original purchase, bought new on xxx. The failure occurred outside the 60,000-mile powertrain warranty limit, leaving the full repair cost to the owner. This appears to be a widespread defect affecting ua80-equipped Toyota vehicles across multiple model years, and I am reporting it so it is on record. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Car started to have a whining noise only when accelerating at 122,000 miles took it to the Toyota dealer where I bought it from. They did a diagnostics and told me it was the transmission and that it cost almost 10,000 to fix it. Car did not have no check engine light at all.

Because I am not an expert, I cannot say with certainty what exact vehicle components contributed to this incident. On August 17, 2026, at approximately 12:40 pm, I was slowly driving my 2022 Toyota Highlander xle in a parking garage where I park my car every week. I saw a parking space, so I slowed down and began pressing the break as I went into the parking space. All of a sudden, the engine revved up, and the vehicle lunged over the wheel stop and hit the cement wall, even though I continued pressing on the break. I then shifted the gear into "park" and turned off the ignition. It all happened so fast and was quite frightening. I, subsequently, inspected the damage; among other things, the hood, front bumper, fender, and some of the trim around the lights were damaged. The seat belt restrained me, but the air bag did not activate. My chest is still sore, and I have some bruising on my left shoulder. I have reported the incident to my insurance agency. On August 20, 2026, I took the vehicle to a collision repair center recommended by the insurance claims agent. I have another appointment on August 24th to have a different repair center inspect and asses the damages and give me a quote on the repairs needed. The experience was shocking, and I would not want this to happen to anyone, which is why I am reporting the incident. This kind of malfunction could have resulted in an injury to another human, so I am thankful that only my vehicle and I were affected. This unfortunate and alarming experience has definitely made me hesitant to drive the vehicle for fear of it malfunctioning again.

Vehicle begin making grinding noises, and stalling during accelerating and also fuel smell. Took vehicle into Toyota waldorf, MD dealership for diagnostic. At 58,000 miles, 2022 Toyota Highlander xle stalls to accelerate due to front differentials failing, causing large chunks of metal on the drain plug indicating internal failure. Vehicle needs transmission and front differential replaced. I have 4 children, 3 of them still small, and driving with the fuel smell would impact them greatly as 1 of my children has asthma. It's also a hazard to be on the road with this vehicle as it can stall at any moment, causing a traffic incident. The problem has been reproduced by dealer, who is refusing to approve the fix under the 60,000 mile power train warranty. There were no other warning signs, no check engine light came on, no issues prior to me hearing this grinding noise and stalling.

Loud noise when accelerating. Noise is gone when let go of gas pedal. Noise like internal gears from transmission.

2022 Toyota Highlander 8 speed transmission started making noise at highway speed. Vehicle has 61,000 miles on it. Also has erratic shifting. Toyota dealer said it needs a new transmission. Just out of warranty so Toyota only agreed to pay 25% of the bill.

In March 2026, a sound was noticed at coasting speed. At regular servicing in June 2026 at 74,226, service department was informed of sound and stated that it might be wheels/ brakes. A further service appointment stated that the transaxle assembly will need to be replaced at a quoted cost of $10,657. 97. At regular service 62,981 and 68,217 the multi-point inspections showed transmission/ transaxle, differential and transfer case all marked “ok”. At regular service 74,226, after informing service department of the sound, the multi-point inspection shows “sealed transmission, fluid not checked”. Nothing was marked with differential or transfer case and everything “under vehicle”- driveshaft, drive, axle hub and bearing, steering linkage, suspension, fluid leaks, exhaust system, fuel lines were all marked “ok”.

Transmission failure at 38,896 miles.

2023 Toyota Highlander w au80 transmission whinning noises when accelerating. 69000k miles, serviced at emerson Toyota, scheduled transmission check at 57000k miles, technician stated slight whinning was normal.

System failed -transmission makes a high pitch whine, which Toyota has identified as a product manufacturing issue with the 2017-2022 v6 Highlander, but has not done anything to rectify the issue for those of us out of warranty. As this transmission issue usually doesn't start happening until 60,000 miles, unless you bought an extended warranty, you're out another $8k to $10k due to their negligence. Found this on redit - Toyota knows the ua80f whines—it’s in TSB t-sb-0160-18 , t-sb-0008-21 and csp zjc. But unless your VIN’s on their cherry-picked list, they’ll play dumb. Safety risk - transmission stops working and car is inoperable. Reproduced - yes, Toyota is aware that several cars are affected and doesn't care. Symptoms - identified symptoms are high pitched whine, rough shifting, transmission slippage, etc.

Whining sound, when acceleration.

Known faulty transmission. Ua 80 transmission shifts early causing erratic shifting and excessive wear and tear on the transmission causing premature wear and tear.

I am having a problem on the transmission as described by the geras 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. ".

Noticed a sound coming from the car. I took it to the dealership which they said I would need my transmission replaced. They could only get me a refurbished one, which after parts and labor, it would cost 10,000 dollars. Upon talking with the technician, the transmission my car uses has been known to be faulty and having issues, usually after the warranty. So much so that Toyota did a recall on previous car years to extend the warranty for the transmission. The technician said they are replacing them often, which is why the supply is so low. These transmissions are the ones Toyota has been using since 2016, which have had many defects and causing issues. If this was known for years, why did Toyota continue to use them?.

To whom it may concern, I am submitting this complaint to report a serious mechanical issue involving the transfer case on my 2022 Toyota Highlander. This problem raises concerns regarding the safety, reliability, and overall performance of the vehicle. While driving, I began hearing a grinding noise coming from the vehicle. Concerned, I brought the vehicle to an authorized dealership for a diagnostic inspection. I was informed that there is a transmission-related issue and that the vehicle requires a transfer case replacement. At the time of diagnosis, the vehicle had approximately 77,000 miles and has been primarily driven locally under normal conditions. This type of major drivetrain failure at such mileage is unexpected and concerning, especially given that the vehicle has been properly maintained. The failure of a critical component such as the transfer case can significantly affect vehicle control and drivability, posing a potential safety risk. This raises concerns about a possible defect in the drivetrain system or a broader issue affecting similar vehicles. I respectfully request that this matter be investigated to determine whether this is an isolated incident or part of a wider pattern. If necessary, appropriate corrective actions should be taken to ensure consumer safety. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I am available to provide any additional documentation, including service records and diagnostic reports, upon request.

I am reporting a premature transmission failure on a 2022 Toyota Highlander le at approximately 85,000 miles. The vehicle began exhibiting a whining noise. When brought into the Toyota dealership, I was notified that it needs a full transmission replacement. The vehicle was inspected by an authorized Toyota dealership, which determined that the transmission has failed and requires full replacement at an estimated cost of approximately $9,400. There were no warning lamps or messages of the problem prior to the failure. A transmission failing at this mileage creates a significant safety risk, especially when merging into traffic, accelerating from a stop, or maintaining highway speeds. This vehicle has been regularly maintained, with service performed through authorized Toyota dealerships. Despite this, Toyota has declined to provide assistance for the repair. This has caused a massive financial stress and strain. There is a documented pattern of similar transmission failures involving Toyota Highlander vehicles equipped with the 8-speed automatic transmission (ua80 platform) across multiple model years. This appears to be part of a broader pattern of premature transmission failures that may indicate a defect affecting vehicle safety. The consistency of complaints across multiple vehicles and model years suggests this is not an isolated incident. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this issue for potential safety defects and determine whether further action, including recall or manufacturer accountability, is warranted.

The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine while the accelerator pedal was depressed. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired out-of-pocket. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

Ua80 transmission failure @ 3. 5 yrs old and 89k miles.

My 2022 Toyota Highlander experienced transmission-related issues that affected the vehicle’s performance, reliability, and overall value. These problems caused inconvenience, safety concerns, and additional stress, and in some cases required diagnostic visits, repairs, or time without use of the vehicle. As a consumer who purchased the vehicle with the reasonable expectation of dependable operation, I believe compensation is warranted for the diminished value, disruption, and potential repair costs resulting from this defect.

After multiple visits to a private mechanic, it has been determined that the transmission on this 2022 Highlander will need to be replaced. I have seen multiple reports stating this is a common issue with certain Toyotas.

Transmission failure of 2022 Toyota Highlander le at 82,329 miles. Safety compromised due to possible roadside failure.

The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended and made an unusual whining sound. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact's husband, a certified mechanic, diagnosed that the transmission had failed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact related the failure to several unknown tsbs. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty. In addition, the contact was advised to contact the NHTSA hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.

Early transmission failure and whining at 40,000 miles.

Automatic transaxle whining from 35mph-45mph acceleration. Needs to be replaced this is the third vehicle this week the dealership said had the same issue.

Transmission failed at 63,000 miles, new transmission was installed.

Transmission failed at 75k with no warning lights or prior evidence.

I had been driving my 2022 Toyota Highlander xle with 46k miles that I just got for about two weeks, so about 10 days out of the 14 I actually drove it from home to work and back home. Within those 10 days driving the SUV, 8 mornings and one afternoon the Highlander engine had issues accelerating and shifting gears. Basically when pulling out on to a highway from a side street coming down a hill when pressing the gas to enter the highway and flow of traffic the engine stuttered from zero to 20mph causing the entire SUV to jerk repeatedly and the gears would have issues shifting from first to second. I had to let my foot off the gas pedal then press again repeatedly as the SUV kept jerking trying to accelerate forward stuck no more than 20 mph for 30 seconds then started to even out and climb up after a minute. I have caught this on video twice. This has caused me to hold up traffic on the highway behind me with no where to pull off because my particular side street comes out from a gulch cliff side. No check engine lights came on each time. I took it to an auto shop that did a minor test drive and suggested it go directly to servco Toyota as it should have powertrain warranty on it still and they believed it was a fuel pump issue. The issue did not happen with this auto shop but I showed them the video. I scheduled an appt at Toyota and it is with them now. They did 2 test drive but could not replicate the issue and could not see any codes coming up. I opted to leave the vehicle with them to do more test drives where the issue has happened as I do not feel safe driving it and the manager also said they did not feel safe having their techs drive it so the manager will do it. Without check engine light/code they are saying they cannot check the fuel pump or do anything else but will try to do more test drives to replicate the issue. I have seen numerous reddit, facebook group posts, and a petition about this same issue but no official recall or word from Toyota.

Four days ago, engine started making a whining noise when accelerating, especially in lower gears. No warning signs. 2022 Highlander platinum is 3 years old, 80k miles, out of warranty; no extended warranty purchased due to historical, stellar Toyota reliability. Toyota service department at Toyota dealership today said whining is due to a bearing issue within the transmission (my personal mechanic inspected and said that is also likely) and cannot be repaired. Transmission could last another 10k-20k miles they said, before it becomes undrivable or just drops, causing a potential safety issue. Net, the entire transmission needs to be replaced to the tune of $9186. Just shocking.

The transmission began making a whining noise at about 70,000 miles. It gradually became more noticeable. We had recently completed a thorough service, including transmission fluid exchange at 68,538 miles at a Toyota dealer. In March 2026 we took it to a Toyota dealer at 75,196 miles to report the noise and the dealer said the noise was coming from the transaxle and advised replacing the transaxle, which will require replacing the transmission. This was confirmed by a second Toyota dealer a few weeks later. Upon further research, it is clear that this is a significant safety issue and I will need to expend between $6k - $8k for repair from an independent shop and at a much higher expense if done through a Toyota dealer.

Car developed a whining noise coming from transmission at 63,000 miles. Known manufacturing defect that will lead to transmission failure. No recall issued and Toyota would not extend warranty. I do not feel safe driving the car pending a transmission failure. Toyota’s solution is to replace the transmission at a cost of $9000.

About 4 weeks a go I started hearing a whining noise from my Highlander. Thinking it was a belt we replaced. Whining continued to get worse only on acceleration. We are at 88,000 miles and it is now at Toyota getting a new transmission. Is there not something that can be done about this? I have read thousands of articles that show the ua 80e/f transmissions that are in the 2021-2022 models are junk. Luckily we bought a Toyota vsa and it is covering it. What about after 100,000 miles. Whats to say after another 80,000 it won't go out again which will cost me the $10,000. When the dealers put new transmissions in these vehicles are they using the same parts for the ua 80 e/f or the upgrade parts that fixed the 2023? if we have a vsa it should extended a year past the 100,000 mile mark because of the issue or they should have to replace them completely to match the 2023 models.

Premature transmission failure.

Ua80f/e transmission in the 2018-2022 Toyota Highlander are defective. Mine has a loud whistle while accelerating. Problems have been acknowledged by Toyota however they’re refusing to fix.

Transmission was replaced at 62,000 miles, along with the passenger headlight. Transmission had the dreaded "whine" at 60k miles. Headlight led lights were dead at 61k miles. All service work was completed at the local Toyota dealership.