*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Power train
Within 1 mile of the Dealership, the new to us, 2018 Highlander was: -Lunging, not accelerating/Delayed shifting -Unpredictable surging -unintended acceleration -Excessive revving before upshifting I brought it back to the dealership & was given a loaner vehicle Once the transmission line was supposedly fixed, I drove it home. Then discovered it had leaked onto my driveway. They took it back & fixed something in the transmission again. After a few months, we thought it was good to go. In October 2026 it was doing all of the above lunging, lack of response from Transmission Again. I drove it to the dealership. Then told I needed a replacement Transmission. They said line rusted and was…
Aug 4, 2025Engine
While driving, my vehicle experienced a severe and sudden failure of the Aisin UA80F 8-speed automatic transmission. The transmission exhibits erratic and hard shifting, severe hesitation, and a dangerous delay in acceleration when trying to merge into traffic or accelerate from a complete stop. Frequently, the engine revs high, but the transmission fails to engage the gear promptly, resulting in a sudden, violent lurch forward when it finally catches. Furthermore, the vehicle intermittently loses motive power entirely while in motion, forcing me to coast to the side of the road. A loud, high-pitched whining noise is audible from the transmission assembly, and diagnostic checks indicate…
Feb 9, 2026Engine
The UA80 transmission on my 2018 Toyota Highlander Limited AWD began the "death whine" at 110,000 miles. Brought it directly to a Toyota dealer and was told the transmission needed full replacement. Seems to be very common with these transmissions and there's a service bulletin that's advertised from Toyota (our VIN number was not covered despite the exact same issue described to a T).
Oct 14, 2026Power train
My transmission had to be replaced at 30,000 miles and a year and two weeks later it needs replaced again at 42000 miles. Toyota will only cover 1/2 the replacement the second time and nothing the first.
Sep 14, 2026Power train
I took my car in to the dealer for a noticable hum sound that was staying to occur. UA80 transmission model has been determined to be failing by the dealership that I took it to. They determined there's metal flakes showing in the fluid.
Oct 2, 2026Power train
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, there was an audible chime followed by the message "Transmission Overheating". The vehicle started jerking and hesitating while depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, there was a burning odor coming from the vehicle. Due to the failure, the contact pulled off the highway and allowed the transmission to cool down. The vehicle was restarted, and the message disappeared; however, the vehicle continued to hesitate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact continued driving 70 MPH, and the transmission message displayed again. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, and the failure was…
Aug 16, 2026 · 130,000 milesPower train
I would like to report a transmission problem with my 2018 Toyota Highlander XLE which I purchased in XXX with 108,000 miles. Since about mid-XXX it has been making a noticeable whine under acceleration in the speed range of about 35-50 mph. I had the noise diagnosed on XXX at the Toyota of [XXX] dealership; they confirmed it and said it cannot be fixed except to replace the entire transmission at a cost of $9900 (estimate attached). I also called the national Toyota customer service center and was told there is no recall, customer support program, or warranty extension available for my vehicle. It is a UA80F (AWD) transmission which have a history of failing prematurely in a variety of…
Jul 15, 2026Power train
Whining noise in the transmission
Sep 14, 2026
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
