Which Toyota Highlander years have the most transmission problems?

The 2019 model year has the most complaints, followed by 2021, 2020, and 2018. These years share the whine that leads to failure. Newer years show fewer reports, but they have had less time to collect them, so that does not clear them.

Is it safe to drive a Highlander with a whining transmission?

Owners warn it is risky. Many say the transmission failed with no warning light, leaving the car without power in traffic or on the freeway. One dealer told an owner the noise could last another 10,000 to 20,000 miles, but another car failed within weeks. Get it inspected promptly.

Is there a recall for Highlander transmission problems?

Federal recall records show no recalls in this area. Owners cite Toyota service bulletins and a customer support program, but many say their VINs were not covered. Ask a dealer to check your VIN for any open program.

How much does a Highlander transmission replacement cost?

Owners report dealer quotes of about $7,300 to over $11,000, with many around $8,000 to $10,000. Some say the part was backordered for months. Cost depends on the dealer, and out-of-warranty owners often pay in full.

At what mileage do Highlander transmissions fail?

Whining often starts around 60,000 miles, near the end of the warranty. Failures in owner reports run from 39,000 to 143,000 miles. Because the noise can start early and failure may come without warning, mileage alone is not a reliable guide.

Last updated: 2026-10-10

Toyota Highlander Transmission Problems

Toyota Highlander transmissions often start with a whine under acceleration, then fail and need full replacement, mostly in 2018 to 2022 models.

Owner complaints: 485
Share of all complaints: 26%
Crash / fire / injury reports: 5 / 1 / 1
Related recalls: 0

Highlander transmission complaints by model year

Complaints peak in the 2019 model year, followed by 2021, 2020, and 2018. Those four years carry the whine-then-failure pattern. The 2022 year has fewer reports but the same story. The 2023, 2024, and 2025 years have fewer complaints, but they have had less time on the road to collect them, so low counts do not make them safer. Their reports lean toward hesitation from a stop and front axle noise. The 2026 year has no complaints yet, which says little because it is so new.

2018
44 · 1.8/10k sold
2019
145 · 6.1/10k sold
2020
90 · 4.2/10k sold
2021
127 · 4.8/10k sold
2022
30 · 1.3/10k sold
2023
12 · 0.7/10k sold
2024
28 · 3.1/10k sold
2025
9 · 1.6/10k sold

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA under power train. Newer model years have had less time to collect complaints.

What goes wrong

The main complaint is a whine or grind from the automatic transmission when accelerating. It often shows up with no warning light. Later, owners describe rough shifts, slipping, high revs with little movement, and cars that will not go into gear. Dealers usually call for a full replacement, and some owners wait months for a backordered unit.

Failure can be sudden. Owners report losing power in city traffic or on the freeway and being towed from busy intersections. Crash reports describe vehicles rolling away after the driver got out, including a 2020 case with an injury. One 2022 vehicle burned at highway speed after engine, transmission, and hybrid system warnings. Transmission and power train trouble makes up about a quarter of all complaints on this model, so it is the area to check first.

Symptoms owners report

Whine under acceleration

A high-pitched whine or grinding noise when you press the gas is the most common first sign. It may fade off the throttle and grows louder over time. Many owners say no warning light came on before the transmission failed.

Slipping and harsh shifts

Owners report rough shifts, especially from Park to Drive, plus slipping and high revs with slow movement. One owner saw the engine rev to 3500 to 4000 rpm while the car would not move in first gear, though reverse still worked.

Will not go into gear

Some cars lose acceleration, then refuse to enter drive and have to be towed. A few owners lost power in traffic or on the freeway, and one pushed the car out of the road by hand.

Hesitation and lurching from a stop

Newer model years draw reports of a pause when pulling away, followed by a lurch or surge. It can make merging or turning across traffic risky. Dealers often cannot reproduce it and find no fault codes.

Front axle clicking

Some 2024 and 2025 owners hear clicking, popping, or vibration when turning under power. Several had both front axles replaced under a Toyota bulletin, and some say the noise came back. Replacement axles can take months to arrive.

Rolling or creeping away

Crash reports describe vehicles rolling or moving on their own after the driver got out, or after the engine was shut off without the transmission in Park. Others describe a sudden lurch while parking.

When the problems start

Whine reports often begin between about 45,000 and 80,000 miles, and many owners say it starts just past the 60,000-mile warranty. Complete failures range widely, from 39,000 to 136,000 miles in 2018 reports, and some owners report failures near 143,000 miles. Hesitation complaints on newer cars can begin very early, around 2,000 miles. Front axle clicking on 2024 cars was repaired at roughly 20,000 to 25,000 miles.

Repairs and recalls

Federal recall records list no recalls in this area. Owners cite Toyota service bulletins, including T-SB-0008-21, which they say ties the noise to worn pinion shafts in the front carrier. A customer support program exists, but many owners say their VINs fall outside it. Dealers typically quote a full replacement at about $7,300 to over $11,000. Some owners say Toyota declined help once warranty ended, and some waited months for a replacement unit.

Checking a used Highlander for transmission problems

Ask for service records and any dealer notes about transmission noise, bulletin work, or a replaced transmission.
Test drive from a cold start and listen for a whine under acceleration that fades when you lift off the gas.
Feel for rough shifts from Park to Drive, slipping, or high revs with slow movement during hard acceleration.
Pull away from a stop several times and watch for hesitation followed by a lurch or surge.
On newer cars, turn sharply under power and listen for clicking or popping from the front axles.
Ask a Toyota dealer to check the VIN for any open customer support program before you buy.

A VIN check shows whether the car you're looking at had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.

Look Up a VIN →

Toyota Highlander Transmission Problems: common questions

Which Toyota Highlander years have the most transmission problems?: The 2019 model year has the most complaints, followed by 2021, 2020, and 2018. These years share the whine that leads to failure. Newer years show fewer reports, but they have had less time to collect them, so that does not clear them.
Is it safe to drive a Highlander with a whining transmission?: Owners warn it is risky. Many say the transmission failed with no warning light, leaving the car without power in traffic or on the freeway. One dealer told an owner the noise could last another 10,000 to 20,000 miles, but another car failed within weeks. Get it inspected promptly.
Is there a recall for Highlander transmission problems?: Federal recall records show no recalls in this area. Owners cite Toyota service bulletins and a customer support program, but many say their VINs were not covered. Ask a dealer to check your VIN for any open program.
How much does a Highlander transmission replacement cost?: Owners report dealer quotes of about $7,300 to over $11,000, with many around $8,000 to $10,000. Some say the part was backordered for months. Cost depends on the dealer, and out-of-warranty owners often pay in full.
At what mileage do Highlander transmissions fail?: Whining often starts around 60,000 miles, near the end of the warranty. Failures in owner reports run from 39,000 to 143,000 miles. Because the noise can start early and failure may come without warning, mileage alone is not a reliable guide.

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