2024 Toyota Grand Highlander transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 26, 2026CAOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

   2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid AWD. Vehicle exhibits a severe metallic "clunk" or "boom" noise and impact from the undercarriage specifically when reversing under moderate to firm acceleration. This is a recurring issue reported by numerous owners of this model, related to harsh powertrain engagement and movement when changing direction under load. This issue is NOT related to wheel rotation, brakes, or CV axles. The vehicle has approximately 70,000 miles, has been…

   NHTSA complaint #11767120 · source
2. Filed Sep 9, 2026ALTransmission & DrivetrainWheels & Tires

   2024 Toyota Grand Highlander XLE FWD. At approximately 38,000 miles I began hearing a roaring/humming noise that varied with vehicle speed. The condition initially progressed slowly but then became much worse within several days. At 41,510 miles a Toyota dealer diagnosed and replaced the right rear hub/wheel bearing assembly. I was advised that the failed bearing was nearly seized when removed. After replacement the noise was reduced but remained present. The dealer was…

   NHTSA complaint #11762946 · source
3. Filed Sep 4, 2026TXTransmission & Drivetrain

   When ambient temperature are over ~90 the vehicle will lose power during acceleration. This happens typically in the speed range of ~20-35mph. The vehicle’s rpm will spike high but lose the ability to increase speed or shift gears. This occurs ~ 40-50% of the time when over 90 degrees. On several occasions we were forced to abandon merging onto the highway because the vehicle wasn’t safely able to accelerate to match the speed of vehicles on the highway. We reported this…

   NHTSA complaint #11762145 · source
4. Filed Sep 1, 2026ILEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   At 5:16 pm, CST. I was stopped at a stop sign headed west on a 25 mph road crossing a 30 mph road (that does not have a stop sign) in Illinois. After waiting for a an appropriate gap in traffic, I attempted to accelerate though the interesting. I released the brake pedal and attempted to accelerate. The vehicle barely accelerated. The engine seemed to minimally climb in RPM and only accelerated minimally out into the cross road. This lasted approximately 1-2 seconds. AT this…

   NHTSA complaint #11761276 · source
5. Filed Aug 25, 2026TNEngineAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   Sometimes, when trying to accelerate in certain situations, the vehicle accelerator pedal will not respond or the engine stutters and won't immediately respond to input and the vehicle seems to stall. This has been scary several times in traffic. The vehicle originally would throw an engine code on the dash about system failure and was taken into the dealer after several of these incidents and a software updates was performed, but it still happens randomly although now with…

   NHTSA complaint #11759560 · source
6. Filed Aug 24, 2026800 miTXAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander. The contact stated that while making a right turn from a complete stop to merge into traffic, the vehicle hesitated and failed to exceed 7–10 MPH. The contact released and then depressed the accelerator pedal again, and the vehicle responded as intended. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where software updates were performed on several occasions; however, the failures persisted. The vehicle…

   NHTSA complaint #11759021 · source
7. Filed Aug 11, 2026TXEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   Vehicle intermittently fails to accelerate when accelerator pedal is depressed after stopping. Vehicle may move extremely slowly for several seconds and then suddenly regain power. This has occurred while entering/intersecting traffic and has resulted in near-collision situations. Dealer cannot duplicate the problem.

   NHTSA complaint #11756305 · source
8. Filed Aug 3, 2026PATransmission & Drivetrain

   My vehicle has a recurrent issue with failing front axle assemblies. The vehicle experienced rotational clicking and had both from axle assemblies replaced around 20,000 miles. Around 40,000 miles the clicking returned and toyota has refused to replace the failing axles again. I currently am at 63,000 miles and I won an arbitration case regarding the axles. The arbitration decision ordered toyota to replace the axles and determined that the parts were defective and covered…

   NHTSA complaint #11754520 · source
9. Filed Jul 28, 20265 miNJTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and turning the steering wheel to the left or the right, occasionally there was a clicking sound coming from the vehicle. The dealer was contacted and diagnosed the failure as an axle failure. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred approximately two to three months later. The vehicle was repaired five times due to failures. There was no sound coming…

   NHTSA complaint #11753270 · source
10. Filed Jul 22, 2026LATransmission & Drivetrain

    I own a 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Platinum Hybrid MAX with approximately 34,000 miles. The vehicle has experienced repeated delayed or absent acceleration from a complete stop, creating a serious risk when entering traffic. Before the most recent repair, I reported intermittent hesitation to the Toyota dealer. On Sunday, July 12, 2026, shortly after startup, the vehicle hesitated twice within the first half mile. At the second stop sign, I attempted a left turn into…

    NHTSA complaint #11752231 · source
11. Filed Jul 16, 2026ILEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

    I've had consistent issues with the vehicle accelerating and shifting. These include sluggish acceleration, loss of power and sputtering when we've come to a complete stop and starting to move again. We've almost been hit by other vehicles at least over 20 times because the vehicle has failed to accelerate when pulling into a roadway. The car hesitates during acceleration regardless of how much I push the gas. Once it starts to go, it feels as though the car can't shift from…

    NHTSA complaint #11750786 · source
12. Filed Jun 23, 2026ILEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    Vehicle: 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max The vehicle intermittently experiences a severe hesitation and shudder during acceleration from approximately 0-40 mph. The condition occurs only under specific circumstances: -The vehicle has been parked long enough for the engine, transmission, and related systems to cool to ambient air temperature. -The vehicle is started and driven shortly thereafter. -Engine oil and transmission temperatures are below approximately 160°F.…

    NHTSA complaint #11745922 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology