Differential Unit Problems of Toyota Highlander

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and accelerating, the vehicle made an abnormal buzzing and clunking sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times. The dealer repaired the brake pedal and an axle; however, the failure progressively became worse. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the rear differential was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced; however, the part was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.

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When turning steering wheel a clicking noise is heard. There is a TSB out on this problem while vehicle is in motion a noise was heard, and a loud humming noise is coming from the rear. Vehicle was inspected to find problem and differential assembly need to be replaced. There is a TSB out on this problem.

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2006 Highlander generates roaring type noise heard from the front end while driving at highway speeds and humming noise heard after 40mph. Toyota service dealer found that front differential is bad. Estimate $4,500 to repair.

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Traveling at approx 35mph the vehicle suddenly and without warning decelerated rapidly to zero mph and a loud gear - like crunching and grinding sound was heard under the engine compartment. The vehicle would only move at 1 mph to pull off the road and was totally disabled. Vehicle had to be towed. Mechanics concluded the front drive differential suffered a major failure and then ruined the automatic transmission.

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The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Highlander. While driving approximately 20 mph, the vehicle the began to decelerate independently. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the technician replaced the transmission however, the contact noticed that the vehicle would continue to decelerate independently. Three weeks after the repair the contact was driving approximately 65 mph when she heard a loud explosion from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the technician stated that the differential would have to be replaced. The contact believed that the transmission initially did not require replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 101,000.

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I have 2005 Highlander limited v6 awd. The car has issues with the differential fluid leaking after 30,000 miles or every two years. The dealer fixed the leaking for my car at 35,429 miles (no charge due to warranty) in 2008; however, the differential was leaking again at 67,329 miles this year. I contacted Toyota and they told me that the warranty for the differential is 5 years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first. Once the vehicle is outside of these warranty guidelines the cost of repairs becomes the owner?s responsibility.

2005 Toyota Highlander with only 72000 miles (12,000 miles out of warranty), seals on transfer case of transmission leaks onto exhaust pipe causing smoking and smell of burnt fluids.

Gentlemen: I am writing you this e-mail because there is a problem with my car that is not only irritating, but is potentially dangerous to all who own a full time four-wheel drive Toyota Highlander. My Highlander is a 2003, and although we were promised full time four-wheel drive when we bought it, we found out later to our horror that it is not. When driving down a paved highway, all four wheels are driving. This is a time when four-wheel drive is not needed. However, a few months ago, we drove off the pavement into sand on a picnic trip, but did not worry because the full time four-wheel drive would pull us out. It did not! one of the front wheels began to spin in the sand and the other three immediately stopped driving. We were stuck! the problem is that the differential between the front and rear wheels is not anti-slip, but the standard differential that will stop all wheels from driving when one looses traction. This is hardly full-time four-wheel drive no matter how you define it. We were sold a car we paid for but did not get, and something needs to be done to rectify this situation. Who knows how many customers have been bilked by Toyota with this car, and will get them into trouble thinking they had a car that would pull them out. I would like to start a class action law suit to get our money back or get a free car that is indeed the full time four wheel drive we paid for and deserve.

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Transmission fluid leaking from differential - 2000 miles out of warranty - dealer said they have at least two other vehicles that have had similar problems this vehicle is a 2004 Toyota Highlander.

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Transfer assy failed at 74,000 miles and failed again at 101,000 miles.

Harmonic noise from beneath car at 30 mph with power applied, similar noise, of lessened magitude at 60 mph. Dealer replaced rear differential and then transmission. Noise remains. Dealer says Lexus rx300, with same transmission, has had same problem. Unknown cause as yet.

See all problems of the 2001 Toyota Highlander 🔎.