2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER Complaints

The UA80 8-speed automatic transmission failed catastrophically without any prior warning symptoms while driving on the highway. During normal acceleration to pass another vehicle, the engine revved to 5,000 RPM as the transmission slipped, then dropped to 3,000 RPM coasting. After exiting the highway approximately one mile later and coming to a stop at a red light, the transmission would no longer engage in any forward gear. The engine revs freely when placed in drive and the accelerator is pressed. Reverse still functions. The vehicle had to be towed from the roadside. This created a serious safety hazard. The driver was stranded on the side of a busy road and lost all forward propulsion without warning while operating at highway speed. The failure occurred suddenly with zero prior symptoms. The vehicle was operating normally around town earlier the same day. The driver had no advance warning of any kind, no warning lights, no unusual noises, no shifting irregularities, before the catastrophic highway failure. This is consistent with reports from other UA80 owners who describe sudden, total transmission failure at similar mileage. The loss of forward propulsion at highway speed posed an immediate safety risk to the driver and surrounding traffic. The driver had to navigate to the shoulder and then reverse off the roadway to reach a safe location to wait for a tow truck. I contacted Toyota Customer Experience at 800-331-4331 and was assigned a case number. Goodwill assistance was denied twice. I was told the system would not allow the representative to proceed. I was disconnected twice during attempts to escalate to a supervisor. My case was then closed without resolution. Over 430 NHTSA complaints have been filed regarding UA80 transmission failures across multiple Toyota and Lexus models from 2017-2024. The pattern of failure is well documented. I am requesting NHTSA investigate this transmission platform and the adequacy of Toyota's limited CSP ZJC coverage.

I am reporting a documented safety defect in my 2018 Toyota Highlander (VIN: [XXX] ). On March 31, 2026, a certified technician at Groove Toyota (Work Order #XXX) performed a diagnostic inspection to investigate a severe 'airplane whine' noise. The technician verified the noise and used a stethoscope to pinpoint the source as 'very loud coming from final drive,' officially recommending a full transmission replacement at an estimated cost of $8,475. This failure is a direct mechanical match for a known factory assembly error (insufficiently bent locking tab) acknowledged by Toyota in Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0160-18 and Customer Support Program ZJC. Despite the technician's formal diagnosis that the vehicle is mechanically unsound and requires immediate replacement for safe operation, Toyota Corporate denied my request for assistance (Case #XXX) on April 8, 2026. Toyota cited my vehicle's VIN does not fall into the customer support program, although it's essentially the same transmission, effectively refusing to remedy a documented manufacturing defect. This vehicle has excellent service records, and Toyota’s refusal to honor the spirit of the ZJC program leaves me with a documented safety risk that the manufacturer refuses to address. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Vehicle makes a whining noise like a siren when accelerating at 40mph or more when you let go of the accelerator the noise stops. I've been told by a mechanic its the transfer case or related transmission component. Toyota should declare a recall since it can cause an accident if the car stops in the middle of the highway.

2018 toyota highlander awd. Whining noise when gas is pressed. Whining stops when gas pedal not engaged. Started at 116000 mileage. Regular service done at dealer. Slippage/ delay in gear shifting (automatic). No light on dash to show there may be an issue. Bought a toyota, because they are supposed to be great cars that run long time. Not real happy to hear that they know they have quality and training issues that can seriously hurt people, and they are not doing anything about it. And “their”consumers have to eat the cost for their mistake. I hope nhtsa files another motion to cover move of the vehicle having the powertrain issue

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made grinding sounds while accelerating. Additionally, the vehicle jerked while shifting into gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the transmission fluid was dirty and that the transmission assembly and torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,700.

I purchase a 2018 Toyota Highlander in 2021. The vehicle had just over 8000 miles when purchased. The vehicle had manufacturers warranty but I purchased additional extended warranty in addition. I can review and find the dates but I don’t have it at the time I’m filling out this form. In any case, there was an issue with the passenger side door lock actuator not properly functioning. The door would not lock when using the key fob. Since the vehicle was under warranty, they replaced the actuator. In February or March of 2025, the passenger side rear door lock began with the same issues. The dealership diagnosed as another door lock actuator. The vehicle was still under warranty so the actuator was replaced. The actuator was ordered but not replaced until after the vehicle extended warranty had expired. Shortly before the second actuator was replaced, the front driver side lock began to give issues. It will not unlock or lock at all. The only way to get the lock engaged is to manually lock the door. In addition, the driver’s side rear door lock has quit functioning as well. I have reported the issue to the dealership but they have claimed they cannot repair since the warranty expired. The tech at the dealership (Rusty Wallace Toyota in Morristown, TN) told me that he has saw this issue in several highlanders. The safety issues is that the locks do not function unless manually engaged. If a child is in the rear seat, the door can be opened. When exiting the vehicle, the doors can be left unlocked inadvertently and unauthorized access can be gained to the vehicle leaving property at risk. I am in the process of getting these two no. Functioning actuators replaced but have been quoted a price in excess of $500 for the parts and labor. I have done some research and it appears this may be an issues on Highlander models 2009-2024. I can provide work orders to the actuators that have been replaced.

2018 Toyota Highlander Platinum started with a whine noise, vibration, and went into limp mode. The transmission has been noted to needing to be replaced. I am currently at 75,453 miles and started to hear the whine at around 65,000 miles. This car is not safe to drive.

Transmission whining, hard shifting on 1 and 2 and 3 JP Pauley toyota claim my 2018 Highlander is not part or TBD and neew transmission is required to fix issue quote $7300. to repair current mileage 156K

My 2018 Toyota Highlander with 143k miles has poor acceleration shift lag and a whining noise from transmission. Dealer diagnosed and found transmission is failing and in need of replacement. They quoted $9624.00 to replace and the part is on backorder and could take months to get. Toyota customer assistance has declined any assistance with the repair even though they have a extended warranty program and a customer support program for the same year vehicle and with the exact same symptoms offering complete repair coverage regardless of mileage but declined my saying I'm not eligible due to the production date of my vehicle. I feel this vehicle is now unsafe to drive due to the possibility of complete transmission failure possibly at any time on the roadway.

Transmission was slipping and hesitating from 50,000 miles up until it went completely out at 96,956. The day it went out, I pulled out onto the highway and there was no acceleration, it wouldn't move. It was flashing "traction control turned off" "check engine visit dealer" "check awd system" and the check engine light was on as well as the orange triangle with explanation point. Toyota said my vin wasn't covered under the TSB, so my extended warranty paid for most, but not all, of the transmisson and parts. They put in a new transmission but the new one does the same thing. It hesitates and slips with currently only 10,000 miles on the new one.