TT: Some 2014-2021 model year vehicles equipped with Dynamic Torque Control AWD system may experience a ?Noise? or ?Abnormal Operation? condition from the rear differential front coupling. In some cases, even an ?AWD System Message? with or without a DTC may be present with or without other conditions present.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Toyota Highlander powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2018 Toyota Highlander have filed 57 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 98,340 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
57
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 Highlander | 7 |
| 2015 Highlander | 7 |
| 2017 Highlander | 69 |
| 2018 Highlander (this page) | 57 |
| 2019 Highlander | 181 |
| 2020 Highlander | 118 |
| 2021 Highlander | 192 |
| 2022 Highlander | 47 |
When does it fail?
Of the 57 powertrain complaints filed for the 2018 Toyota Highlander, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 57 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Powertrain accounts for 22% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 12 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TT: Currently under investigation. Please contact TAS if you have a vehicle that exhibits a leak from the Transmission Side Cover with no signs of damage or other conditions unrelated to regardless of miles or months in service. If it?s a Sunday or holiday continue with diagnosis and repair, save all parts and details, contact TAS on the next available work day and review details with TAS engineer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TT: Some 2018-2020 model year UA80/UB80 transmission equipped models may experience a leak from the Transmission Side Cover. This issue is currently under investigation. Vehicles are being sought regardless of months in service or mileage. Only seeking vehicles with leaking transmissions with no other signs of damage to the side cover.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Customer Support Program Bulletin: Toyota has received reports indicating potential symptoms, such as a whine noise from the transmission while driving, harsh shifting, reduced power, and master warning light/check engine light illumination, 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.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections have been updated. October 30, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2018 model year vehicles. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded. SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB No. T-SB-0012-13. Service Bulletin No. T-SB-0012-13 is obsolete and any printed versions should be discarded. Be sure to review the entire content of this bulletin before proceeding. Flash reprogramming allows the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) software to be updated
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2018 Highlander's UA80/UA80F transmission carries a critical factory defect: a locking washer tab inside the transmission is insufficiently bent during assembly, failing to properly secure a nut. This defect manifests as early whining noise at moderate acceleration or highway speeds, usually appearing between 50,000 and 110,000 miles, though some owners report it as early as 31,000 miles or as late as 136,000. The whine is distinctive—described as siren-like—and stops when the accelerator is released. Over time, the noise worsens alongside hard shifting, hesitation during acceleration, and shift lag, particularly uphill or from a stop. In some cases, the transmission slips badly enough that the engine revs to 5,000+ RPM while the vehicle barely creeps forward. Eventually, the transmission fails outright: owners lose all forward power mid-highway or while maneuvering, with the engine revving freely but the vehicle refusing to move. No check-engine light or dashboard warning typically appears until failure is complete. Replacement costs run $7,000–$11,300. Toyota issued Technical Service Bulletin TSB-0160-18 and Customer Support Program ZJC acknowledging the defect and covering unlimited-mileage replacement—but only for vehicles manufactured within specific date windows. Many 2018 Highlanders with identical failure patterns are arbitrarily excluded based on VIN production date, even when a dealer confirms the failure matches the bulletin exactly. Denied owners are left to cover replacement themselves or pursue extended warranties that often reverse coverage decisions without explanation.
Same Toyota Highlander powertrain reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021
Failure modes owners describe
UA80/UA80F transmission whining noise and internal wear
Early whining noise from transmission, usually at moderate acceleration or highway speeds, escalating from faint to loud over time. Owners report the whine correlates with internal defects—specifically a poorly bent or insufficiently formed locking washer tab that fails to secure a nut inside the transmission. As wear progresses, transmission eventually loses power or fails catastrophically. Factory assembly flaw acknowledged in Toyota TSB-0160-18 and Customer Support Program (CSP) ZJC (POL19-04), but coverage limited to specific VIN production-date windows, leaving many 2018 Highlanders with identical failures uncovered.
When: Symptoms typically appear between 48,700 and 136,000 miles; most common range 60,000–110,000 miles. Whine may be present as early as 31,000 miles or emerge suddenly at higher mileage.
Symptoms owners cite: High-pitched whining or siren-like noise, especially during acceleration or highway driving; Whining stops when accelerator pedal is released; Hard or rough shifting, particularly in low gears or uphill; Shift hesitation or delay in acceleration response; Vehicle lurches or jerks during acceleration in wet conditions or under load; Transmission slippage (engine revs but vehicle moves slowly or not at all); In later stages: transmission enters limp mode, loss of forward propulsion, inability to accelerate
Codes mentioned: P0741 - Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Performance/Stuck Off, P2757 - Torque Converter Clutch Pressure Control Solenoid Control Circuit Performance/Stuck Off, P2714 - Pressure Control Solenoid 'D' Performance/Stuck Off, P2817 - Pressure Control Solenoid 'H' Performance/Stuck Off, P08BB - Pressure Control Solenoid 'L' Performance/Stuck Off, P0740 - Torque Converter Clutch Circuit/Open, P08BA - Pressure Control Solenoid 'L', P2713 - Pressure Control Solenoid 'D', P2756 - Torque Converter Clutch Pressure Control Solenoid, P2116 - Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor 'E' Minimum Stop Performance
Repairs/costs cited: Full transmission replacement required; no fluid service alone resolves the issue. Owners cite replacement costs of $7,000–$11,300+. Multiple owners report paying out-of-pocket when denied coverage. One owner reported new transmission installed at dealership exhibited same symptoms (hesitation and slippage) with only 10,000 miles on replacement unit. Transmission parts reported on backorder for extended periods. One owner replaced failed unit at independent shop for $7,000 vs. dealership quote of $8,500.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota issued Technical Service Bulletin TSB-0160-18 acknowledging defective locking washer tab in UA80 transmission. Customer Support Program ZJC (also referenced as POL19-04 or T-SB-0008-21 for later model years) covers replacement with unlimited mileage for VINs within specific production-date ranges. However, coverage is narrowly limited: vehicles manufactured outside the bracketed date window—even with identical failures—are routinely denied. Toyota Tier 1 support sometimes initially confirms eligibility, then Tier 2 reverses decision with no explanation. Goodwill assistance requests frequently denied; cases closed without resolution. Extended warranty and CSP coverages exist but many owners report Toyota claims their VIN 'does not fall into the customer support program' despite having the exact same defect. One owner noted initial warranty extension issued in 2020 was later found not to apply to their VIN.
Sudden transmission failure without warning (total loss of forward propulsion)
Transmission fails catastrophically without prior warning symptoms—vehicle operates normally during routine driving, then suddenly loses all forward-gear capability while accelerating on highway or during moderate driving. Engine revs freely but vehicle will not move. Reverse gear may still function. No warning lights, check-engine codes, or diagnostic alerts appear before failure. Loss of propulsion at highway speed poses immediate safety risk to driver and surrounding traffic.
When: Failures documented at mileage ranging from 39,000 to 130,000 miles. Most occur in the 90,000–107,000 mile range. One failure at 67,000 miles, another at 39,000, and several at 100,000+.
Symptoms owners cite: No warning signs prior to failure; During acceleration: engine RPM increases to 5,000+ but vehicle does not accelerate; Vehicle loses all forward propulsion; remains in motion only by coasting; Reverse gear may still function; Engine revs freely when placed in drive and accelerator pressed; No check-engine light, warning messages, or diagnostic trouble codes appear before failure; Vehicle must be towed from roadway
Codes mentioned: P0741 - Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Performance/Stuck Off, P2757 - Torque Converter Clutch Pressure Control Solenoid Control Circuit Performance, P2714 - Pressure Control Solenoid 'D' Performance, P2817 - Pressure Control Solenoid 'H' Performance, P0740 - Torque Converter Clutch Circuit/Open
Repairs/costs cited: Requires complete transmission replacement. One shop (Aamco) diagnosed 'internal failure, fluid burnt' on a transmission that had received fluid service one month prior. Transmission replacement costs $7,000–$11,300+. One case documented Toyota paying $6,000 for parts, leaving owner responsible for tax and labor; parts were on backorder over one month.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No assistance offered by Toyota in multiple cases. Manufacturer notified but provided no coverage or goodwill assistance. One owner was assigned case number by Toyota Customer Experience (800-331-4311) but goodwill assistance denied twice; case closed without resolution. No recall issued for sudden total failure despite pattern of documented complaints. Over 430 NHTSA complaints documented regarding UA80 transmission failures across multiple Toyota and Lexus models from 2017–2024.
Acceleration hesitation, jerking, and shift lag at low mileage
Transmission exhibits delayed acceleration response, inconsistent power delivery, jerking or lurching during gear shifts, and erratic throttle response—sometimes from very low mileage (under 50,000 miles). Vehicle hesitates for several seconds when accelerator pressed; RPM jumps to 5,000+ before vehicle slowly begins to move. Symptoms may be intermittent, appearing and then resolving after restart. Dangerous when passing or avoiding traffic. In one case, brakes also became soft and required pumping after transmission issues began.
When: Symptoms first appear as early as 1,780 miles (factory issue) or between 50,000–90,000 miles. Intermittent hesitation documented at 90,000+ miles continuing to failure.
Symptoms owners cite: Delayed or sluggish acceleration response from a stop; Erratic RPM jumps to 5,000+ before vehicle moves forward; Jerking or lurching during acceleration or gear shifts; Rough, hard shifting—especially in gears 1, 2, and 3; Shift lag or hesitation, particularly during uphill driving; Inconsistent power delivery; vehicle may feel out of sync between engine and transmission; Cruise control erratic (jumps from low RPM to 5,000+, requiring braking to avoid collision); Intermittent nature: problem disappears after vehicle restart; Secondary symptom: soft brake pedal requiring pumping (one case)
Codes mentioned: P0741 - Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Performance, P2757 - Torque Converter Clutch Pressure Control Solenoid, P2714 - Pressure Control Solenoid 'D' Performance, P2817 - Pressure Control Solenoid 'H' Performance, P08BB - Pressure Control Solenoid 'L' Performance, P2116 - Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor 'E' Minimum Stop Performance
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission fluid drain-and-fill service (at dealership or independent shop) does not resolve the issue; symptoms persist or return shortly after service. New transmission replacement required. One owner reported new transmission exhibited identical symptoms (hesitation and slippage) with only 10,000 miles on the replacement unit.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB-0160-18 and CSP ZJC acknowledge the defect and provide unlimited-mileage replacement coverage for affected VINs. However, eligibility is narrowly defined by production date; many owners with identical symptoms are denied coverage. One owner had extended warranty decline assistance despite dealer confirmation of the issue.
Brake system loss of power and engine shutdown during parking lot operation
While maneuvering at very low speed (3–5 mph) in parking lot, service brakes fail to respond despite pedal pressure; vehicle coasts uncontrolled. Multi-function display shows 'Low Brake Power' or 'Brake Power Low' message. Attempt to shift into reverse has no effect. Vehicle eventually coasts to stop; engine shuts down on its own. After restart, brakes function normally with no warning lights. This is a distinct failure mode from transmission issues but reported in powertrain-focused complaint.
When: Single incident reported; mileage not specified.
Symptoms owners cite: Service brakes unresponsive despite pedal pressure (feels like 'pounding the floor'); Vehicle coasts uncontrolled at low speed; Multi-function display shows 'Low Brake Power' or 'Brake Power Low' warning; Reverse gear engagement has no effect on coasting motion; Engine shuts down automatically (not by driver action); After restart, brakes resume normal function; No warning lights present before or after incident (except the brake power display message)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner towed vehicle to dealership for inspection. No repair details provided in narrative.
Transmission case porosity and 'weeping' oil seepage
Transmission case is porous, allowing transmission fluid to seep through the housing. Toyota characterizes this as 'weeping' rather than 'leaking' and does not cover it under warranty. Dealers apply coating to hide the condition. Regular underbody car wash removes the coating, revealing continued seepage. Owner expresses concern over catastrophic failure risk if internal fluid loss is not addressed.
When: Reported after routine maintenance and underbody washing.
Symptoms owners cite: Visible oil seepage through transmission housing; Fluid loss that is ongoing but not classified as 'leaking' by manufacturer; Dealer-applied coating masks the condition until removed by car wash
Repairs/costs cited: No repair provided; warranty denial cited.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota does not classify 'weeping' as a defect or warranty issue. Dealers apply cosmetic coating to hide the condition rather than address root cause.
Cylinder head assembly failure (severe engine knock/noise)
Vehicle requires cylinder head assembly replacement at high cost ($10,684+). Check-engine light triggers; AWD and traction-control systems shut off. Multiple owners report finding this issue is common in online forums for 2018 Highlanders and other Toyota models. One owner reports this as a 'well-known issue' Toyota is not addressing.
When: Diagnosed at under 100,000 miles on vehicles with only a few years of ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Check-engine light illuminates with message 'Take Vehicle to Dealership'; AWD and traction-control systems shut off; No specific noise or hesitation symptoms detailed in narrative
Codes mentioned: Check engine code (specific code not provided in narrative)
Repairs/costs cited: Cylinder head assembly replacement cost: $10,684.20 (one dealer quote). Owner believes this is a manufacturer defect rather than normal wear.
Power steering warning light and hard steering
Power steering warning light appears; steering becomes harder than normal. Owner believes this is the same problem affecting Toyota Tundra and Sequoia models. Reported as a well-maintained vehicle issue.
When: Reported at unspecified mileage.
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering warning light illuminates; Steering effort increases; harder to turn
Synthesized from 57 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 9 most recent
My transmission started making a whine sound upon acceleration, and at times hesitation of acceleration (inconsistent). Toyota Service identified the issue in 2018 as a defective part from manufacturing and related in the repair notice to Toyota Service Bulletin TSB-160-18 which states certain Highlanders (my year and model) have an issue with a defective part in the transaxle/transmission.…
Vehicle’s 8 speed transmission started a low pitch whine when pressing the accelerator around 90,000 miles. Transmission has begun shifting roughly since 105,000 miles. Vehicle is outside of Toyota’s manufacture date deadline for T-SB-0008-21 but this issue sounds exactly like what is described in Toyota’s TSB.
Our transmission has a known manufacture air We have called Toyota several times and they refuse to do anything about this are transmission is going out which could cause a safety issue when driving down the road It's the UA80 TRANSMISSION Toyota is doing a customer support program on this particular transmission but due to the fact ours falls six months after the manufacturer date it doesn't…
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and attempting to accelerate, the transmission whined abnormally loud. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced due to internal failures. The vehicle was not repaired because the…
Transmission developed whine at 64,000 miles similar to the whine/issues experienced for customers covered under Toyota's ZJC Customer Support Program. My VIN was not in the range of impacted units, but had the same issue/failure.
Vehicle experienced whining noise when decelerating. Toyota dealer service technician documented the noise as coming from the transmission due to an issue with the pinion shafts. Our safety was put at risk by a potential for the transmission no longer working when driving. There were no warning lamps, messages, etc. prior to the failure. The failure occurred around 136,000 miles. All recommended…
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving uphill and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle decelerated and rolled backwards unexpectedly. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was inspected by a mechanic friend and diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The…
The transmission makes a whining noise, especially when pulling, as in driving up an incline. I took the 2018 Highlander to Rusty Drewing Toyota in Jefferson City, MO to be diagnosed. They said the transmission needs to be replaced. In researching the problem, I found a bulletin/recall: 7A61K20482. The bulletin says the serial number must be before 7A617E03416. I want to get on your list and…
Vehicle started making a whining noise and diagnosed at Lancaster Toyota as needing a new transmission at a cost of $8500. Ended up having transmission replaced at a local transmission repair shop for $7000.
Had powertrain trouble with your 2018 Toyota Highlander?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2018 Toyota Highlander?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 57 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 43,100 and 107,000 miles, with the median around 98,340. A quarter of owners report trouble before 43,100; a quarter make it past 107,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Toyota/Highlander.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.