2021 Toyota Highlander transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 6, 2026NJTransmission & Drivetrain

   Noticed a whine noise slowly progressing over a couple of weeks. Researched the sound and took it for diagnostic eval. with Holman Toyota in Mt. Laurel, NJ on 10/3/2026. As suspected, the transmission is failing. Mechanic documented via video the fluid sample containing suspended metallic particles with discoloration and burnt odor. They also verified the whining sound coming from the transmission. This is a known failure for the 2021 highlander with a TSB bulletin. Although…

   NHTSA complaint #11769405 · source
2. Filed Oct 4, 2026NETransmission & Drivetrain

   65K miles on the vehicle and have started to get a whining noise from the transmission during acceleration. UA80F transmission installed with multiple class action lawsuits against Toyota for this issue as it leads to catastrophic failure with high replacement cost. Stopped driving the vehicle and looking into transmission replacement options. Toyota needs to be held liable for mechanical defects.

   NHTSA complaint #11768883 · source
3. Filed Oct 4, 2026MOTransmission & Drivetrain

   We bought a 2021 Toyota Tacoma Platinum in November 2020. In February 2021, Toyota issued a Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0008-21. The bulletin say 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. This bulletin says repair is covered under the Toyota Powertrain Warranty. This warranty is in effect for 60 months or 60,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the…

   NHTSA complaint #11768861 · source
4. Filed Oct 3, 2026SCTransmission & Drivetrain

   Transmission jerks and shutters at low speeds on acceleration 0-20 mph. Vehicle has low milage 25518 at which time the dealer re-flashed the software on july 29th 2026.The vehicle was fine for two months , then on October 3rd the problem came back on October 3rd 2026 hesitating like a premature upshift from 1st to 2nd gear at 5 mph with a shutter. The current mileage is 28000 on the vehicle and the problem is intermittent.

   NHTSA complaint #11768772 · source
5. Filed Sep 23, 2026MITransmission & Drivetrain

   Toyota refuses to issue a recall for a well known issue with the UA80 transmission that fails around 5 years on many Highlanders. I follow [XXX] and there are countless posts about this issue. Mine failed at one month before my warranty was up and replacement was covered but it was replaced with the same transmission which I assume will also fail after 5 years or another 50,000 miles. There is a service bulletin for repair from Toyota so they're half admitting the issue but…

   NHTSA complaint #11766307 · source
6. Filed Sep 21, 2026PATransmission & Drivetrain

   In my Toyota Highlander 2021 XLE model ,on 9/18 I hear a whinning noise when gas pedals is pressed. Took it to the Toyota TriCounty dealer in Limrick,PA for diagnosis. It was reported it is due to a transmission issue and it would cost around 10,600$ to repair. I haave been taking this vechile to same dealer to servie for last 5 years and this problem did not surface. I was told the car can be driven but would the car would stop when the transmission actually fails. Opened a…

   NHTSA complaint #11765895 · source
7. Filed Sep 14, 202658,000 miINTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving 22 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted by phone, and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the repair was not…

   NHTSA complaint #11764202 · source
8. Filed Sep 14, 2026INTransmission & Drivetrain

   Tech: SCOTT RICHART test drove vehicle performed inspection. Noise hear is coming from transmission internally. condition present is similar to condition described in T-SB-0008-21 for whine noise from transmission. Transmission would need replaced to remedy the noise. Vehicle is out of warranty, DOFU is 04/14/21. Transmission is not in the serial number range described in the TSB. Transmission serial # is A3A21C08858. QUOTED $8574.50 TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION WITH…

   NHTSA complaint #11764197 · source
9. Filed Sep 10, 2026WITransmission & Drivetrain

   Leadcar Toyota LaCrosse WI has diagnosed and reported that the transmission needs to be replaced. Pertains to Service Bulletin T-SB-0008-21 the pinion shaft bearing defect. The major powertrain component is failing prematurely. Cost to repair is over $9,000 as it is out of warranty. We purchased the vehicle at 67,550 miles on 3/29/2025. Since we never owned a Toyota before we thought the whining of the transmission was unique to that vehicle. Once we heard about the service…

   NHTSA complaint #11763402 · source
10. Filed Sep 9, 2026INTransmission & Drivetrain

    transmission has failed. Toyota states: Toyota Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0008-21 addresses a whining or grinding noise in select 2021 Toyota vehicles equipped with UA80E orUA80F automatic transmissions caused by a defect in the front carrier assembly pinion shafts. Yes it can be available for inspection. This can be repaired with a $12,000 new transmission. * Sudden loss of acceleration: You may press the gas and the vehicle doesn’t accelerate normally. This is…

    NHTSA complaint #11763069 · source
11. Filed Sep 8, 2026TXTransmission & Drivetrain

    The 8 speed automatic transmission (UA80E) in my 2021 Toyota Highlander Limited V6 FWD failed at 75,491 miles. The failure presented as a loud whining noise during acceleration between 30 and 40 mph. A Toyota dealership diagnosed complete transmission failure requiring full replacement of the transaxle assembly at a cost of $8,144.45 (repair order dated August 14, 2026). The dealership service manager confirmed in writing that the failure appears consistent with Toyota TSB…

    NHTSA complaint #11762799 · source
12. Filed Sep 6, 2026TXTransmission & Drivetrain

    **Component/System:** Automatic Transmission — 8-speed (UA80E/UA80F), Toyota Highlander **Description of the problem:** My 2021 Toyota Highlander (approximately 116,000 miles) has developed a high-pitched whining noise a while ago, that occurs during acceleration, consistent with the symptom described in Toyota's own Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0008-21 (issued Feb 9, 2021) for whine/grind noise in the transmission on this model. The vehicle has not yet been formally…

    NHTSA complaint #11762480 · 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