2021 Toyota Highlander

Almost caused high speed accident merging onto toll road! The vehicle is experiencing a severe transmission slippage, shudder, and grinding noise, consistent with TSB-0008-21 (UA80 transmission failure). This defect causes hesitant acceleration and erratic shifting, creating a safety hazard when merging onto highways or crossing intersections. I am concerned the transmission will fail completely while driving, resulting in a sudden loss of motive power and increasing the risk of a crash. Toyota has covered this exact safety defect in 2017–2019 models (CSP ZJC) but has failed to recall the 2021 models despite identical symptoms. First reared it's head as slipping when putting vehicle in reverse, 25k+ ago. Was told by Toyota Certified mechanics it was an operator error. Morphed into larger issue.

To whom it may concern I hope I've chosen the proper avenue for my problem. I purchased and new 2021 Toyota Highlander. I chose Toyota for it reputation of high standards of dependability. However I took the vehicle in at 20,611 miles (9/22/2021) into the dealership for multiple transmission issues. When passing it would kick down into a lower gear and race the motor. There was also chunky shifting and a small whining noise. (service Ref #XXX). The service manager only wrote down the first symptom. Upon doing a computer diagnostic without driving the vehicle the service manager told me to just drive it more that it probably needed more breaking in. The downshifting and chunky shifting did go away for the most part, but the whining persistently got worse. Finally at 115,000 miles it got much worse and I took it back to the dealership. They informed me that the transmission needed replaced at over $9,000. I reached out to Toyota upon finding out there was a in company TSB alert for this very symptom (Case #XXX). Toyota informed me there was nothing they were willing to do since it was out of warranty even though I reported the problem with no resolution when it was in warranty. My wife and I are in our [XXX] and don't have cash like that. we don't feel we should be responsible for the repair, especially when the issue was report properly before the warranty expired. How can you help? Thank you for your attention. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I brought my 2021 Highlander L in for some regular maintenance and reported that within the last 2 weeks I have been hearing a whining sound when the vehicle is decelerating. I was informed at the end of the day that the transmission is bad and needs to be replaced. My vehicle is just outside of warranty (69k miles). I have always ensured my Highlander got an oil change on time, had all recommended maintenance done at that appropriate time/milage, and brought it in for safety recalls promptly. This vehicle has never been in an accident, and while I have owned it (and according to Carfax when I purchased it) I have always brought it to a Toyota dealership for any and all work. There have never been any warning messages, and even though my vehicle has been into Toyota regularly for oil changes and regular maintenance, I was never notified of any other issues. I also use this vehicle at least once a year for road trips (over 200 miles) and before every trip bring it in to have it checked. I'm being told it'll be about $10K to fix. Based on my research I have discovered this is a problem MANY people with a 2021 Highlander are having, also a class action lawsuit was filed due to transmission issues but only covered Highlanders up to 2020. This seems to be the same issues those vehicles had but I'm being told it's not covered or a recall.

Vehicle had a very loud high pitch whining noise the rapid accelerated I was braking and brakes were not working vehicle screen was flashing Vehicle Malfunction. yes vehicle is available. I could not stop the vehicle I struck three signs and a lady fell down as i was approaching the the building very fast, hit a wrought iron black fence and it fell on a park vehicle and then i hit a park vehicle and it stop i threw it in park. i am not sure. Insurance company After the vehicle accelerated there was a message saying VEHICLE MALFUNCTION, not before the accident.

2021 Highlander XLE started making a whining noise when accelerating. Noise stops when you let off the gas. Took it to Toyota who said the transmission needed to be replaced. Although everywhere you look this is apparently a known problem, Toyota has yet to cover it or recall the part making the owners have to pay 9k to replace a transmission.