2017 Toyota Highlander

The UA80 Transmission whine began around 120000 miles, this transmission is from the same [XXX] plant that the ZJC CSP has been issued out of but they claim my vin doesn’t fall into the margin of VIN numbers that are covered. On XXX the Toyota service center of Dan Cava Toyota world in [XXX] stated they were sure the transmission would give out any time and they were sorry they couldn’t help and that many people have this issue and they are sure it’s the same cause as the ones that were affected by this CSP it just wasn’t added into the margin of VIN numbers that Toyota decided they would cover. There are plenty of forums and petitions on the internet of people going through this very same issue. I am amongst many who feel Toyota should have to expand the CSP to include any VIN with these transmissions in the years these were made to be covered. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11775017

Incident

Oct 29, 2026

Transmission whining, rough shifts at lower gears. Dealership says my car doesn't fall under the secondary csp even though it has the same symptoms.

NHTSA ID

11772328

Incident

Oct 16, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID

11769850

Incident

Feb 6, 2026

2017 UA80F AWD Toyota Highlander Transmission Failure at 145,000 miles with regular maintenance. Starts off delayed shifting and jerking when accelerating, accompanied with faint whistle/whirring sound from under the dash. with Transmission falls under the Toyota Customer Support Program ZJC TSB 016018. my VIN did not fall in their ViN Database “range”. Multiple reports on same issue posted online from other Highlander and Sienna models who were also denied free coverage, free replacement, or free repair as stated in Customer Support Program and quoted over 15,000 for repair. This is an extremely expensive repair and is a safety issue that can lead to multiple crashes, operating failure, and poses a risk for injury/death.

NHTSA ID

11769168

Incident

Aug 31, 2026

Our Toyota Highlander XLE which has 137000 miles on it has the very well documented "whine" issue with the UA80 transmission. This "whine" issue/failure has resulted in at least two TSB's to be generated by Toyota and is considered the beginning stages of a total transmission failure. It impacts 2017 through at least 2022.The symptoms (whine sound/grinding sound/DTC codes/rough operation/unexpected slippage) are identical in all years. Toyota covered a small subset of the total number of failures suggesting an improperly installed "washer" was at fault. The online community impacted by this failure, most of which are outside of that serial number range, clearly do not feel the same way. Failures have occurred on vehicles with as little as 50,000 miles. The issues of transmission slippage/failure to maintain speed/failure accelerate are all safety risks. This problem has been confirmed MANY times by Toyota and it's network of dealers. I had my own vehicle inspected (at my expense) by a local Toyota dealer and they confirmed the failure. In my particular case, the "whine" sound is the only initial symptom with the expectation of other symptoms and issues if I continue to drive the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11768784

Incident

Aug 10, 2026

customer support program ;; ZJC....Toyota has received reports about potential symptoms, such as a whine noise from the transmission while driving, harsh shifting, reduced power, , in the subject vehicles that are equipped with a model UA80 transmission. There is a possibility that a washer tab, designed to prevent the loosening of a nut inside the affected transmissions, was not sufficiently bent during assembly. This could lead to the nut loosening and, over time, lead to the symptoms described above. i.ve been having this issue with my transmission for a couple of years. my issue started ,when i first got this highlander back in 2017 .when coming to a stop ,i would get a thumping sound from tranny .i took this SUV to dealer ,twice for said tranny issue and pre collision system not functioning properly was told nothing wrong! this happened while suv was still under warranty! i eventually need to replace front windscreen : after which pre collision was functioning properly this was done by Safelite AutoGlass! a couple of months the tranny had a new issue ,tranny began to hesitate. a few months went by and then another new symptom developed ,i was getting shuttering at 1400 rpm ,which goy worst if you were at this rpm for a little while. I've been sick for a couple of years now and was not able to take to dealer to diagnose issues associated with tranny. i've kept driving my highlander with these issues ,since it started!! CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM ZJC addresses some of the issues i have with my transmission. i don't know why my transmission and vin# is not included in this program.. i'm worried if i went to doctors appt and highlander broke down ,what i'm going to do..i'm on social security disability ,i cant afford much !

NHTSA ID

11765980

Incident

Apr 2, 2017

The transmission had to be replaced. A warning message was displayed and we took the vehicle in and were told the transmission had to be replaced. Toyota Highlander transmission problems are most prominently reported in 2020–2022 V6 gas models using the UA80E 8-speed automatic transmission, as well as specific 2017–2019. The repair shop was aware of the issue and had replaced the transmission for other customers. Shop said "Toyota should have done a recall on this." Toyota Highlander models equipped with the Direct Shift 8-speed automatic (UA80E/UA80F) transmission—primarily 2017 to 2022 V6 gas models—are most prone to transmission failures, whining noises, and erratic shifting. No, Toyota has not issued an official government safety recall for the transmission of the 2017 Toyota Highlander, despite widespread owner complaints and reports of premature failure.

NHTSA ID

11765947

Incident

Feb 24, 2026

About a few weeks back we started noticing a whining noise while accelerating. For safety reason we are not using the truck for long distance driving. Yes, the problem was able to reproduce by an independent mechanic and confirmed. Has not been inspected by the manufacturer or any other. There are no warning lights on the dashboard.

NHTSA ID

11763061

Incident

Aug 4, 2026

Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manual and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines.

Some customers may experience echoing on the line calling the vehicle when using Bluetooth Hands Free. This is caused by the phone Hands Free volume being too low.

The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks.

Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfaces can occur. Acid rain damage can typically be identified on vehicles by the presence of stains on the paint surface that resemble hard water spots. Unlike water spots however, acid rain damage cannot be removed by regular washing procedures. Also, because acid rain can etch and soften the paint, normal buffing or polishing repair procedures should not be attempted. This can cause further damage and result in visible depressions in the paint surface. The following are the three major categories of acid rain damage: •Minor damage: requires only buffing to repair. •Moderate damage: usually requires neutralizing, color sanding, and buffing. •Severe damage: extending beyond 1/2 mil of clearcoat on a pearl, metallic, or solid color, requires neutralization, sanding, and repainting. In cases where acid rain damage is minor, neutralization and buffing with a liquid-type paint finessing product may provide an adequate repair. Only specially formulated products outlined in this bulletin should be used for that purpose. Unfortunately, other than minor damage, there is no simple method of determining the actual extent (depth) of acid penetration other than color sanding a representative affected area until there is no visible etching or depressions, followed by measuring the amount of paint removed with either a magnetic or digital-type film thickness gauge. The procedures in this bulletin are intended for use by qualified body/paint technicians and should not be attempted by inexperienced personnel. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. Perform frequent vehicle washing, as often as daily, during high heat and humidity periods to minimize the potential for paint damage due to acid rain exposure. This is especially important in geographical areas known for high frequency and concentration of acid rain and industrial fallout.

To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer. Consequently, the film should remain on the wheel for as long as possible.

The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage can occur. This damage is the result of actual etching of the paint and appears as pitting or water spots. As acid rain droplets on the vehicle surface evaporate, the concentration strength of the acid increases, causing deeper and more rapid damage. This evaporation and corrosive action also occur more rapidly on dark colored cars as direct sun heat increases. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. In areas known for high frequency and/or concentration of acid rain, frequent vehicle washing during high heat or humidity periods will minimize the potential for paint damage caused by acid rain. It is further recommended that either reverse osmosis or deionized water be used to prevent water spotting.