2022 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER Complaints

The transmission on this vehicle has failed - I’ve been told by Toyota Dealer Maintenance that I need the transmission replaced on this vehicle with under 70,000 miles and just over three years old. I began hearing a whining noise while accelerating, and brought it in for service. No system warnings.

HIGH PITCH WHINING SOUND WHEN DEPRESSING ACCELERATOR. DEALER DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AND SAYS THE TRANSAXLE AND TORQUE CONVERTER HAS TO BE REPLACED. ALL STARTED HAPPENING JUST AFTER 60000 MILES SO OUT OF WARRANTY. $8500 REPAIR BILL

I am writing to express my concerns regarding my 2022 Highlander. As a loyal Toyota family, with this being my fourth Toyota, my husband’s second, and my parents’ fifth, we have consistently valued the Toyota brand and our dealership in Bryan, TX. Recently, I brought my Highlander with (73,000 miles) to Family Toyota in Arlington due to a whining sound during acceleration. I was informed that the transmission requires replacement, at an estimated cost of $8,291. Furthermore, the transmissions are currently on back order, which would leave me without my vehicle for several months. While I have not found any official recalls addressing this specific issue, I have noted that this is a common concern with this model, and there are several class-action lawsuits pertaining to similar transmission problems across various models. I have also sought opinions from two independent transmission repair shops, both of whom have quoted a full transmission replacement. I contacted Toyota several times on what options may be available to me. They so far have left me with no rental car assistance and offered a very small discount on their known issue. I have already incurred approximately $800 in rental car and diagnostic expenses and am unable to cover the $8,291 replacement cost. It is disheartening to have owned my Highlander for less than three years, be unable to drive it, and still owe $20,000, which is not what I associate with the Toyota standard of quality. I now can not get to work and have a $47,000 piece of junk in my driveway and not even an apology from the company I once thought was #1 in customer service and reliability.

The part that failed is the driver side mirror cover. It has never been struck by anything and just flew off the side of the car while driving on the highway. This part flying off the car could cause an accident if striking a motorist, motorcycle, pedestrian. I do not have the part that flew off because I can't go back and pick it up off the highway. This just happened today. I have called a body shop to order a new part. The plastic part can only be replaced by purchasing the whole $1500 side mirror assembly. There was no sign that it was going fly off the car as there has never been struck by anything. it was in perfect shape just as the rest of the car.

Water leaking into airbag area. Known leak issue per NHTSA [XXX] ) from defective roof rack attachment clips. Per Toyota, not covered by Toyota unless car still under warranty. Leak issue is common issue with many Toyota (RAV4, Highlander). I cannot tell if the potentially waterlogged airbag area is defective unless I get into an accident to test it. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Complaint Description: The automatic transmission in my 2022 Toyota Highlander failed completely at only 62,800 miles. Toyota Brand Engagement Center offered to cover 50% of the replacement cost, but I was informed that the transmission is on national backorder with an estimated wait time of 4–5 months. This leaves me without a safe and reliable vehicle for an extended period of time. The failure is consistent with Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0008-21 (Feb 9, 2021), which acknowledges internal component failures and abnormal noises (whine/grind) in UA80E/UA80F transmissions. A major drivetrain failure at this mileage is unacceptable and raises concerns about safety, reliability, and Toyota’s handling of known transmission defects. I am requesting NHTSA to investigate this issue as it appears to be systemic and affecting many 2021–2022 Toyota Highlander owners.

While driving my 2022 Toyota Highlander (VIN: [XXX] , 29,427 miles), I have experienced multiple recurring safety defects that Toyota has been unable or unwilling to repair under warranty. •Front collision sensors frequently trigger without any object present, creating a risk of unexpected emergency braking at freeway speeds. •Transmission hesitates and surges unpredictably, sometimes propelling the vehicle into traffic. •In heavy rain, my windshield wipers activated on their own and multiple system failure warnings appeared (including ABS failure), nearly causing a crash. •Persistent startability issue when fuel is below half a tank. •Seatbelt malfunction caused a passenger to strike their head. •Seat heater failure, seat separation, persistent coolant odor, and nonfunctional factory wireless charger since purchase. These defects are intermittent but recurring, and their unpredictability increases the danger. Toyota and the dealer have failed to duplicate the issues during short test drives, but they continue to occur during normal operation. This vehicle remains under factory and extended warranty, yet repairs have been denied. I believe these defects pose a serious risk to myself, my passengers, and others on the road. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The grill of the vehicle is too big. There is nothing to stop the condenser from being damaged. There should be a plate for airflow but also stop the damage being done to the condenser. Shouldn't have to file an insurance claim, pay out of pocket and warranty doesn't cover. Recurring problem something should be done.

Two weeks ago, I had my 2022 Toyota Highlander serviced at Romano Toyota for my state inspection and regular maintenance. The dealership passed the inspection and did not mention any problems with my vehicle. However, just two days after the maintenance, the check engine light came on unexpectedly. The vehicle began to hesitate and shift roughly, with noticeable jerking during acceleration and delayed gear engagement. This created a safety hazard, especially when merging into traffic or crossing intersections, because the SUV would not respond quickly when pressing the accelerator. A diagnostic scan revealed transmission-related trouble codes (P2714 – Pressure Control Solenoid D, and/or P2757 – Torque Converter Clutch Pressure Control Solenoid Performance). I returned to the dealer, and they confirmed the issue but could not provide an immediate fix due to parts availability. They advised continuing to drive, which I feel is unsafe. The symptoms persist, and the transmission sometimes feels like it is slipping, which could result in loss of power in high-speed situations. This issue appears similar to other UA80 8-speed automatic transmission problems reported by Toyota owners from 2017–2022. Publicly available NHTSA records show over 200 similar complaints involving hesitation, rough shifting, and transmission failure. These reports suggest a potential widespread defect that may affect vehicle safety. Given the safety risk of delayed acceleration and possible transmission failure, I believe this defect needs investigation and corrective action.

The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the backup camera would intermittently fail to operate as the screen would appear blank. The contact also stated that the warning chime would fail to alert the driver to people or objects in the vicinity of the vehicle while reversing. The dealer was notified of the failure, and the contact was given an estimate for a diagnostic. After negotiating with the dealer, they agreed to reset the vehicle's sensors; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the backup camera was not covered under the warranty. The contact then stated that while backing out of a parking space, the back up system failed to alert her of her proximity to another parked vehicle; as a result, the contact crashed into a parked vehicle. The air bags did not deploy, no injuries were reported, and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.