Complaint 2210156

Complaint Summary

POWER TRAIN

Owner Narrative

I own a 2021 Toyota Highlander with approximately 100,500 miles. The vehicle has developed a noticeable whining noise coming from the transmission/drivetrain area that continues to worsen over time. The noise is most noticeable during acceleration and while driving at highway speeds. I brought the vehicle to Toyota for inspection and was informed that the issue is related to the transmission. However, Toyota denied repair assistance because the vehicle is outside the powertrain warranty period. After researching the issue, I discovered multiple similar complaints involving 2021 Toyota Highlanders equipped with the UA80 transmission, including Toyota Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0008-21 regarding “Whine or Grind Noise From the Transmission.” The symptoms described in the bulletin closely match the symptoms my vehicle is experiencing. Toyota appears aware of this transmission-related issue, yet many owners outside the warranty period are being denied coverage despite similar failures and complaints. I am concerned this may represent a broader transmission defect that could lead to premature transmission failure, unsafe driving conditions, hesitation, loss of power, or expensive repairs for consumers. I believe this issue should be investigated further by NHTSA due to the growing number of similar complaints involving whining transmission noises and transmission failures in Toyota Highlander vehicles. At this time, the vehicle has not yet experienced a complete transmission failure, but the condition is worsening and raises significant concerns regarding reliability and safety.

Owner-submitted narrative on file with NHTSA. Complaint narratives are self-reported and have not been verified.