Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004 avalon vehicles; 2004 and 2005 camry, camry solara, highlander, and sienna vehicles, 2006 highlander hybrid; 2004 and 2005 lexus es330 and rx330; and 2006 lexus rx400h vehicles manufactured from june 1, 2004 through...
Engine & cooling
Toyota Highlander Engine problems by year
698 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Toyota Highlander's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.
Engine complaints by model year
Engine recalls
Latest Highlander engine complaints
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while his wife was driving, the engine made an abnormal sound. While making a turn, the vehicle experienced a loss of motive power, slowly responded, and the transmission failed to shift properly. The traction control warning light illuminated prior to the failure, and the check engine warning light illuminated after the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with transmission failure,...
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and the contact was informed that the transmission required replacement. The vehicle was driven back to the residence. The contact stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive due to the transmission failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,820.
My 2015 Toyota Highlander equipped with the 3.5L V6 engine developed an engine oil leak originating from the timing chain cover sealing area. On April 30, 2026, Kearny Mesa Toyota in San Diego, California, identified the leak during an inspection when the vehicle had a little over 100,000 miles. I am concerned that this condition may indicate premature failure of the timing chain cover sealing system and warrant investigation into a potential design or manufacturing defect. An engine sealing system should be...
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sufficiently durable to prevent oil leakage under normal operating conditions. The occurrence of this problem at just over 100,000 miles raises concerns about the long-term reliability of this component and whether similar failures affect other vehicles equipped with the same engine. Although the leak was described as seepage or oily residue, it may worsen over time. Depending on its severity and location, leaking oil could contact hot engine or exhaust components, potentially causing smoke or creating a fire hazard. Continued oil loss could also compromise engine lubrication, lead to significant engine damage, or result in unexpected vehicle failure. These are potential safety risks associated with the condition, not claims that a fire or engine failure has already occurred. The oil leak was identified by a Toyota dealership during an inspection. The dealership's diagnosis and related service records may be available for review upon request. Whether the manufacturer has formally investigated or acknowledged this condition as a defect is unknown. I respectfully request that NHTSA review this complaint alongside other reports involving timing chain cover oil leaks in 2015 Toyota Highlanders equipped with the 3.5L V6 engine. I ask the agency to determine whether these reports indicate a recurring premature component failure, whether the condition presents an unreasonable safety risk, and whether further investigation or corrective action is warranted.
While driving, my vehicle experienced a severe and sudden failure of the Aisin UA80F 8-speed automatic transmission. The transmission exhibits erratic and hard shifting, severe hesitation, and a dangerous delay in acceleration when trying to merge into traffic or accelerate from a complete stop. Frequently, the engine revs high, but the transmission fails to engage the gear promptly, resulting in a sudden, violent lurch forward when it finally catches. Furthermore, the vehicle intermittently loses motive power...
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entirely while in motion, forcing me to coast to the side of the road. A loud, high-pitched whining noise is audible from the transmission assembly, and diagnostic checks indicate internal mechanical overheating and premature component wear.
Transmission is failing and accelerating past 40mpg produces very loud sound that seems it could break any moment. It is available for inspection. Safety is compromised as it could experience failure and abruptly lose ability to accelerate. Problem has been confirmed by independent service center who has also contacted Toyota Dealership regarding possible replacement and about the issue at hand. Has not yet been inspected by manufacturer, police, or insurance rep. No warnings and it first occurred June 2026 of this year. Contacted Toyota Brand Engagement Center and denied any assistance.
On October 22, 2026 at 7:55pm I was slowly pulling into a parking spot at our community building applying the brake when the engine started rapidly accelerating causing the car to jump over the curbing even as I continued to press on the brake pedal. I wasn't able to stop the vehicle before it crashed into the community building wall. The engine was still racing but the vehicle being lodged in the wall and corner support kept the vehicle from going further into the building. I was finally able to shut off the engine and luckily for me the airbag system didn't deploy.
The UA80 transmission on my 2018 Toyota Highlander Limited AWD began the "death whine" at 110,000 miles. Brought it directly to a Toyota dealer and was told the transmission needed full replacement. Seems to be very common with these transmissions and there's a service bulletin that's advertised from Toyota (our VIN number was not covered despite the exact same issue described to a T).
My husband was driving my car out of town, and while driving approximately 70 mph, my car stopped going. When he pressed the gas pedal, the engine revved, but did not move forward. He had to coast down the interstate and pull over on the side of the road. He said he almost got tear ended by a semi-truck. I called roadside assistance through my insurance company and it took them 2.5 hours to get to us. We had to have it towed about 70 miles to a shop and pay $184.00. The body shop we towed it to said it is the transmission. He said he knew it to be a common issue with 2019 Toyota Highlanders. I looked it up online and found several instances of similar stories. There was no warning.
My transmission had to be replaced at 30,000 miles and a year and two weeks later it needs replaced again at 42000 miles. Toyota will only cover 1/2 the replacement the second time and nothing the first.
Transmission failure after whining noise, taken to Toyota multiple times with no diagnosis. Today was informed the transmission is failing by another mechanic. 193,000 miles.
I own a 2021 Toyota Highlander Platinum AWD equipped with the 3\.5L V6 and approximately 77,000 miles\. The vehicle developed a humming/whining, airplane\-like noise from the front drivetrain while accelerating\. The noise increases with vehicle speed and stops when the accelerator is released\. There is no vibration, and the vehicle makes the same noise while traveling straight\. I took the vehicle to an authorized Toyota dealer, Kerry Toyota, and the dealer diagnosed the transmission as the source of the noise...
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and recommended replacement of the transmission\. The quoted replacement cost is approximately $7,600 plus tax\. Toyota previously issued Technical Service Bulletin T\-SB\-0008\-21 concerning a whine or grind from certain 2021 Highlander UA80 transmissions and identifying the front carrier assembly pinion shafts as a potential cause\. My vehicle is approximately 17,000 miles beyond Toyota's 60,000\-mile powertrain warranty\. I contacted Toyota requesting goodwill assistance with the transmission replacement, and Toyota declined assistance\. I believe there may be many similar cases involving 2021 Toyota Highlanders equipped with the UA80 transmission, including vehicles experiencing comparable whining or grinding noises and premature transmission\-related failures\. I am reporting this because an internal transmission problem that develops shortly beyond the powertrain warranty may worsen and could potentially result in loss of vehicle propulsion\. I believe NHTSA should review this issue along with similar complaints involving 2021 Toyota Highlanders equipped with the UA80 transmission\.
I bought a vehicle in cash three weeks ago at Universal Toyota located at [[redacted]] . Two days later, I called the sellers [[redacted]] and [[redacted]] to have a noise fix /checked. It turns out the transmission is bad/damaged and of course it's not safe to drive. Universal Toyota don't want to fix it (expensive) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I purchased a 2013 Toyota Highlander in 2018 or.2019 with 64,000 miles. I was told to go 5000 miles before changes. My oil was gone many times when I did this. I reported this to Toyota dealership.I eventually stopped using them because they were hearing my problem. The complaints of lack of power and changing to 3000 mile oil changes wasnt heard. Now at 234 k.miles I have had to gix thr Catalytic converter twice, the oil pan gasket. The mechanic said there was metal in my oil and that engine failure was coming. Toyota has never acknowledged thier own oil consumption issues in their 4 cylinder engines.
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle stalled and abruptly stopped in traffic at a traffic light. The driver exited the vehicle. The vehicle failed to restart, and the steering wheel was inoperable. The contact was concerned the vehicle might move forward. The check engine warning light was flashing, and the message "High Power Consumption" was displayed. The ignition and steering warning lights were illuminated, and "Low Power" message was displayed. The...
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vehicle was running but failed to move. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V162000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine) and Special Service Campaign 21TC05. Bystanders nearby attempted to assist the contact. The Emergency Services was contacted, and the Local Police responded to the scene. The insurance company was called and arranged a tow. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, and the battery was replaced. Additionally, the contact spoke with the service director, management, and the technicians. The manufacturer was contacted by phone, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 29,296.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. While driving 20 MPH uphill, the messages "Engine Failure," "Brake Failure," and "Pull Over to A Safe Place, See Owner's Manual" were displayed, and several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, but the failure persisted. After a second restart, the message "See Dealer" was displayed with the check engine warning light illuminated. After a third restart, the vehicle was driving rough while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.
The a/c condenser was damaged due to impact of road debris. This caused loss of proper system operation. The cost to repair was $1100+. The debris entered thru the front grill, which has nothing in place to prevent debris from entering the engine compartment.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data