Car started to make whining noise when accelerating, was taken to a car repair shop & it was found that the transmission will need to be replaced with only around 43k miles on the vehicle. Let it be noted that there are many other people on numerous Toyota forums complaining of the same issues.

- Rome, GA, USA

I-??m reporting a drivetrain and engine performance issue affecting my 2019 Toyota Highlander, which I believe is related to Toyota's T-SB-0160-18, T-SB-0008-21, and Customer Support Program ZJC (CSP ZJC). My vehicle is exhibiting the same symptoms like: 1. Intermittent engine misfires (no consistent CEL, but noticeable during driving) 2. Hesitation and shuddering during light or moderate acceleration 3. Unintended surging/lunging -?" the vehicle will randomly jerk forward without throttle input 4. Whining noise under acceleration, which appears to come from the engine bay These symptoms negatively affect vehicle control and driver confidence, especially when merging, passing, or driving in traffic. The behavior is unpredictable and poses a potential safety hazard. After researching, I found that Toyota issued T-SB-0160-18 and T-SB-0008-21 for this engine, acknowledging similar performance issues due to valve train irregularities and ECM programming. Toyota also released Customer Support Program ZJC, offering limited support to some VINs. However, despite my vehicle showing the same symptoms, it is not included in the CSP, and Toyota has not offered assistance without out-of-pocket costs. This issue appears to be more widespread than Toyota-??s internal VIN list suggests. Many Highlander owners have reported the same issues online, and I believe Toyota should take responsibility for correcting these performance defects under a recall, not a limited CSP. I respectfully request that the NHTSA investigate the scope and validity of Toyota's CSP ZJC and TSBs related to the 2GR-FKS engine and push Toyota to expand CSP ZJC or issue a formal recall to cover all affected vehicles based on symptoms, not just VINs

- Yakima, WA, USA

Defect with Transmission as hundreds of other people if not, thousands have already stated. Whining noise from Transmission after only 70,000 miles such a big issue that Toyota has a backorder on replacement transmissions.

- Hopatcong, NJ, USA

Transmission started making a whining noise. Auto shop confirmed it will need a new transmission.

- Sartell, MN, USA

A wine and hard shifting, toyota does not agree. I experience this issue several times a day. Taking it into the dealership again to try to diagnose.

- Waldorf, MD, USA

There has been a high incidence of this model of Toyota Highlander having faulty transmissions. My vehicle had 129,000 when the transmission failed. It was metal shavings in the fluid. I-??m hoping you will put pressure on Toyota to recall or help replace these transmissions. Thank you.

- Fort Smith, AR, USA

-?? Transmission Failure. Inspection is available upon request. -?? We do not know if we are at risk if the transmission fails while driving. -?? Certified Toyota Dealership diagnosed and deemed failure -?" recommends full replacement -?? Component was inspected by a certified Toyota dealership -?? No warning lights

- South Lake Tahoe, CA, USA

Less than 95k miles. Dealer says transmission needs replaced and cooler. Bought new- owned 5 years and 2 months. Many other 2019 highlanders online stating same problem.

- New Kensington, PA, USA

Hello, it seems that my vehicle is having a whirling noise when accelerating at different RPMs. When I researched, it isn-??t an isolated incident because many others online are experiencing the same issue with most of them being told that the transmission must be replaced. And further investigation, I found that the issue could be the trans axle assembly component which can cause issues if not replaced.

- Antioch, CA, USA

Upon acceleration, the engine revved high and a whine sound started once the car (2019 Highlander XLE) approached 25-40 miles per hour. It appears that this is a transmission issue that Toyota was aware about years before selling the 2019 (and later) Highlander and other models (according to consumer complaints online). The car has 92,700 miles on it and is thus out of warranty. It had a recall in 2020 though I do not know exactly what was allegedly fixed. Had Toyota disclosed these serious transmission issues, I would not have purchased the car. My local mechanic has advised that the transmission will need to be replaced at a high cost.

- Morristown, NJ, USA

At approximately 85K miles my 2019 Highlander began to exhibit a high pitched -??whirring-?? sound upon accelerating. The noise stops once you take your foot off the gas. I brought the vehicle to my local Toyota dealership to investigate the noise. They concluded that it is the transmission and I would need to replace the entire transmission. There are no warning lights or other indications aside from the sound. Transmission fluid is clear of any shavings or other indicators of an issue. Toyota service stated they could not tell me if or when the transmission might fail, just that it should be replaced. There are multiple reports of similar occurrences on online Toyota forums. There are also recalls for the exact same sound for the 2018 Highlander. I opened a case with Toyota customer service and was told there was nothing they could do to assist.

- Cortlandt Manor, NY, USA

2019Toyota Highlander = Transmission whine and hard shift at times, Needs replacement transmission at 106,000 mile, no codes stored

- Greer, SC, USA

A whinning noise can be heard from car while driving. Vehicle has just under 60k miles and dealer is saying the transmission is failing and it would need to be replaced. There was no warning lights or indication on display.

- Hayden, ID, USA

2019 toyota highlander bought 3/15/25 with approximately 82,000 miles. Started making whining noise 4/7/25. On 4/9/25 took vehicle to dealer 4/11/25 notified need new transmission and transaxle seal need on new transmission. 2 weeks later on 4/25/25 picked up vehicle drove home 3 days later noticed gear oil leaking and sprayed all over under chassis. Vehicle brought back to dealer on 4/29/25. On 4/30/25 notified needs new transaxle seal on new transmission. Notified on 5/9/25 new transmission will need to be replaced again. They stated there is gouging/nicks where transaxle and transmission connect. Dealer is saying there is no transmission to put in. Toyota has put a stop to all transmissions. So now I have a vehicle with only 82,000 miles and no way to fix it.

- Cedar E Bethl, MN, USA

Transmission failed while driving down the highway almost causing an incident. These transmissions are very unsafe and should be recalled. Toyota refuses to take responsibility for this year Highlander although it is the same 80ua transmission that was recalled in the 2017 and 2018. While Toyota has said this problem has been remedied in the later years it is very false. Please do an investigation on this before people get hurt from accidents if they haven-??t already.

- Liverpool, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware of an abnormal whining sound coming from the vehicle, and the transmission was shifting hard. No warning light was illuminated. 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 vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

- Delanson, NY, USA

Transmission makes a whine noise and also experiencing some harsh shifting. Dealership confirmed the whine noise is an indication of transmission failure and they recommend replacing the transmission. Toyota needs to do a recall on this transmission!!

- Oakville, NY, USA

the transmission completely failed. it is at Spitzer Toyota in Monroville.

- Great Falls, VA, USA

Needs transmission at 90,000 miles - original owner - well maintained car- manufacture defect according to dealer According to various websites other 2019 Toyota Highlanders have had similar issues Had 2009 Highlander that lasted til almost 200,000 with no Issues

- East Brunswick , NJ, USA

We have noticed a whinning noise as we accelerate the vehicle. Doing some investigation online I came across a lot of threads with the same issue. Seems to be the transmission. Reached out to a Toyota tech friend and he mentioned it is the transmission. They have had several Highlanders and Camry with the same issue.

- San Marcos , CA, USA