Noises During Shifting Problems of Toyota Highlander

Guest states her vehicle is whining during accelleration, will stop whining for a moment when vehicle upshifts and then return. Guest has been in contact with service manager. Noise confirmed in drivetrain, noted sublt but it does occure test drove on back hill. Please have checked advise. Comments: verified reported sound. Like make and model comparison vehicle did not exhibit sound. Traced source of sound to transmission. Replacement of transmission needed to address reported sound. Warranty company sent independent inspector out, warranty company approved replacement with oem remanufactured transmission. Car has been at dealer for since July 18, 2026 (1 month and counting) and still waiting for replacement transmission to be available from Toyota. Repair estimate: $9681. 80 original approved: $0. 00 total approved: $9681. 80.

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When hit breaks hard. . . I hear a bang/noise from rear of my highlanger. ( dealership admit this is abnormal sound but they can't do anything about it). Transmission shift roughly, not smooth shifting. If car is in drive and im holding breaks car rear starts making banging noise n start shaking. So far my car has only 20k miles on it . Suspension is pretty stiff doesn't help while driving over post holes.

I am leasing two Toyota vehicles . . . A 2008 Toyota Highlander and a 2009 Toyota camry. During December 2009 I experienced problems with the 2008 Toyota Highlander transmission and sudden acceleration while braking. Details include a transmission noise rattle while driving on a California freeway at about 60 mph. This transmission noise continued for 3-4 minutes, sounding louder as if a part was loose inside of the transmission. I shifted the transmission on the 2008 Highlander between gears and the noise eventually stopped. The second complaint on the 2008 Toyota Highlander occurred on December 5, 2009, while I was parking the vehicle. As I approached the parking place, with my foot covering the brake pedal, I experienced unexpected acceleration while braking. The 2008 Toyota Highlander suddenly lurched without warning and would have continued to accelerate through a plate glass window at the bank if I didn't apply full force of the brake! I was able to apply the brake firmly enough to overcome the sudden acceleration in order to stop the vehicle in time. Carlsbad, California Toyota of carlsbad was notified on December 9, 2009 in writing regarding these two issues. I had personally delivered a two page document detailing both of these complaints to the Toyota of carlsbad service department. I have not received any response from my complaint by Toyota of carlsbad or the Toyota motor corporation.

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