Transmission Noise Problems of Toyota Highlander

With 300miles on Highlander started to experience issues in driving and drop in performance. Performance was very significant especially noticeable in mpg. At scenarios when the car would not drive up the hill but rev to max and start rolling back with �clicking� noise. Toyota was send to service many times after to multiple Toyota dealerships but they did not have any diagnosis. At 15k miles on the car driving on highway (70mph) the Highlander lost power and started loud noise. When pulled over found oil smell and smoke from engine. During examination found 3 cylinder went loose. During that time one of them came off the side and hit the transmission. Almost a full month the Highlander was rebuilt but no final word what had happened by Toyota corp. The car is about 17k miles and started to act the same way. As a family we are afraid to drive the car especially my pregnant wife with children. I am afraid this may happen again and can lock up all wheels and can result in massive accident. Toyota is not taking this as serious and seems to me they do not care. As of right now the Highlander has problems with alignment, lane assist, and lack of power. Please see pictures.

See all problems of the 2019 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

Within the past month or so there were a few separate/sporadic occasions when the transmission of my 2014 Highlander with 82,344 gentle miles on it seemed to slip/not engage for a moment when first starting to travel at a low rate of speed. When the transmission did engage during these episodes it was abrupt and noticeable creating an audible noise and jerked the vehicle. This past weekend the same thing happened except that this time the check engine light came on and the messages "trac off" and "check awd system" were displayed. I brought the vehicle immediately to the dealership I bought it from and that has performed all the service and after they inspected it and ran the codes I was told that although it's, and I quote, "extremely rare for a Toyota with such low miles to need it, the transmission is bad and it needs to be replaced. " this frustrating not only because all recommended service has always been performed, and the car has been well taken care of, but I had complained about a vibration and rattling noise when first accelerating from the under carriage while the car was still under warranty and the dealership could not identify where the noise was coming from or what was making this occur when it was obvious it was originating from under the driver/passenger area at the front of the transmission.

See all problems of the 2014 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

When car goes above around 35-45 mph a abnormal whine noise emanates from the transmission.

See all problems of the 2011 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

4 weeks ago there was a noticeable high pitched whine during acceleration from 40 mph and up. The whine's pitch would change up or down when the automatic transmission changed gears and the vehicle's speed changed. On 2/12/2018, the transmission let go (the engine would rev, but no power to the wheels) while my wife was driving on a busy 45 mph street. Fortunately, the person behind here didn't rear-end her and my wife was able to pull the vehicle into a turning lane and stop with flashers on. She turned the vehicle off and on. The transmission engaged and she was able to drive the vehicle home. Right before the transmission let go, she heard a grinding noise. When I drove the vehicle to the dealership, the whine was gone on acceleration, but now it would whine on deceleration! the mechanic at the dealership determined the transmission needed to be replaced due to an internal clip that becomes unseated. The clip can cause internal damage to the transmission. They were working on another Highlander with the exact same problem. There is a conversation published on edmunds. Com with other people reporting the same issue I had with my Highlander's 8-speed automatic transmission. My Highlander had 13. 200 miles on it when I took it to the shop. It took 9 calendar days to get the vehicle fixed due to limited availability of the transmission. The dealership told me my replacement transmission was the only one in the country (USA) when they ordered it! if this is happening with so many Highlanders with this 8-speed automatic transmission, it's just a matter of time before a serious accident results from the transmission failing on someone else.

See all problems of the 2017 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

When car goes above 38 mph a abnormal whine noise emanates from the transmission.

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 75 mph, there was an abnormal noise coming from the transmission. In addition, the failure occurred when driving 40 mph or higher. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was serviced under a manufacturer warranty for the transmission in November of 2015. The contact stated that the transmission utilized was rebuilt. The dealer diagnosed that the transmission utilized for the repair met the manufacturer standards. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200.

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Pulled out of work parking lot onto major highway and heard loud clunk from engine area. Car stopped moving forward so I pulled off to side. Put car in park and engine was still running. Put car into drive and nothing happened. Put car in reverse and nothing happened. Loud metal grinding noise coming from engine compartment. Transmission shop said common problem with these transmissions. Cost to rebuild: $4,155.

See all problems of the 2002 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

2005 v6 Toyota Highlander - transmission update flash - does not resolve lag issue as intended, and later makes transmission stutter and jerky - not resolved after transmission fluid change and inspection. Two dealers stated: could not replicate issue. Family and friends have driven and ridden in vehicle and state they feel it drives like an old car or worse - makes noises and is not smooth, also can be dangerous if a quick response is necessary.

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