2021 Toyota Highlander

Started with a transmission whining. Now is setting check engine light and jerking. Toyota knows there is a manufacturing defect in the UA80 transmission in these vehicles, but continued to sell them even after the released TSB# T-SB-0008-21, and refuses to repair this under warranty. Toyota is the only company offering replacement transmissions and therefore can set there own price to scam consumers. Please help us get a resolution.

The rear hatch of the vehicle started malfunctioning right when the three year manufacture's warranty was expiring on 08/2024 (very convenient). It would only open part way, barely or sometimes not open at all. One instance, my dog's tail got stuck in the hatch and it would not open. I had to force it open and thankfully I am able to do that. January of 2025 I took the car into Will's Toyota in Twin Falls, ID (where I purchased it new) and they told me that my option was to replace the hydraulic struts that were $1000 for the service. I took the car in on 10/23/25 due to the issue getting worse to have them replace the hydraulic struts. The dealership said they've had a lot of cars with the same issue. I just do not understand how a company can sell a car and a major part of the car fail conveniently when the warranty is to expire. Oh and I called Toyota customer service to complain and they said they don't keep track of this kind of thing...

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS). However, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

My 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has a braking issue identified in Toyota Service Bulletin T-SB-0059-23, Hybrid Regenerative Brake Transition Feeling Improvement. When going downhill and applying the brake, the vehicle lurches forward temporarily as the braking system transitions from regenerative to hydraulic braking. The first time my vehicle did this, it was very alarming and I had to take additional measures to slow my vehicle as I was driving downhill. My vehicle frequently demonstrates this problem, however, I did not report it to my local Toyota dealer because I read in an online chat group that it was a characteristic of this vehicle. Although the TSB recommends a Reprogram of the Brake Actuator Assembly Control Module, the repair is only covered under the Toyota Basic Warranty which is in effect for 36 months or 36k miles, whichever occurs first. My vehicle is past the warranty limit, and because I did not report it to my dealer previously, this repair is not covered under the TSB or the Toyota Basic Warranty. Toyota Highlander Hybrid model years 2020-2022 are affected. The Technical Service Bulletin was issued August 29, 2023, so if a 2020 model Highlander Hybrid has this problem, 2020 models would have already passed the warranty limit by the time the TSB was issued and thus would not be covered. This is a safety risk as drivers can lose control of the vehicle when braking, particularly when going downhill. The Warranty should be extended, or this problem should be elevated to a RECALL so that older affected vehicles, or those with higher mileage can be covered under warranty. Drivers should not have to pay for a recognized problem that affects the safety of this vehicle and has been identified in a Technical Service Bulletin. This problem puts drivers at risk of losing control of the vehicle and the problem can be mediated with a software reprogram. T-SB-0059.23 should be elevated to a RECALL, or extended regardless of age or mileage.

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.

Slipping and Whining transmission while driving in the Ozark mountains on [xxx]. I didn't feel I had full control of the vehicle. No warnings of any kind. Took the vehicle to Saint Charles Toyota service department on 10/2/25 where a bad transmission diagnosis was confirmed. Regards, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

There is a known transmission issue with some 2021 Toyota Highlanders, Avalons, and Camrys. Toyota Bulletin T-SB-008-21 from February of 2021 states 'Some 2021 model year Avalon, Highlander, and Camry vehicles equipped with UA80E or UA80F transmissions may exhibit a whine or grind noise from the transmission. This condition may be caused by an issue with the front carrier assembly pinion shafts'. I have a 2021 Highlander with 127,000 miles that started to show this whine noise. Local transmission shop confirms that a new transmission is needed. I am taking it to a local Toyota Dealer next week to confirm. I started a case online with Toyota USA, and since I'm over Warranty, they started that will not assist with reimbursement. My complaint is how came a recall was not done on this? Why did Toyota do nothing and now many of their customers with these vehicles face costly repairs ($7,000 - $12,000)? Toyota should at least reimburse their customers for some of the cost of the repair needed for this, even if out of warranty.