The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended and made an unusual whining sound. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact's husband, a certified mechanic, diagnosed that the transmission had failed. The contact was informed that the transmission…
2022 Toyota Highlander powertrain problems
severe 38 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
38
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 38 powertrain complaints filed for the 2022 Toyota Highlander, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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 38 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 18% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 10 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2022 Highlander powertrain complaints center overwhelmingly on the UA80E/F automatic transmission. Most common is a high-pitched whining noise beginning around 60,000–80,000 miles during acceleration, worsening over weeks before requiring full replacement at $8,500–$10,400. Owners report no warning lights or system alerts before failure, making it impossible to catch early. Multiple dealers confirm they're replacing these transmissions frequently and sources indicate Toyota documented transmission issues via technical service bulletins as far back as 2018–2021 (T-SB-0008-21, T-SB-0160-18, and others), yet the 2022 models repeat the same problems.
Beyond whining, owners describe transmission hesitation, jerking during acceleration, sudden power loss, and erratic shifts—some occurring as early as 46,000 miles. One owner experienced cascading system failures (Hybrid Alert followed by engine fire on the interstate) resulting in total loss. Transmission fluid leaks and complete drive loss also appear in the cluster. Most failures occur just outside the 60,000-mile powertrain warranty, leaving owners responsible for the full replacement cost. Toyota Brand Engagement has refused coverage in most cases, though one owner's extended VSA warranty covered the repair. Dealerships cannot replicate intermittent issues without diagnostic codes, leaving many owners without recourse.
Same Toyota Highlander powertrain reports on nearby years: 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2023
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission whining noise and internal bearing failure
High-pitched whining sound from transmission, particularly during acceleration and at highway speeds (35-45 mph range). Owners report the noise gets progressively worse. Diagnosis indicates internal bearing failure, pinion shaft damage, or internal component degradation requiring full transmission replacement.
When: 62,000–88,000 miles; most commonly 63,000–82,000 miles; some reports at 70,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: High-pitched whining or whistling noise during acceleration; Noise worsens during acceleration, particularly in lower gears; Grinding sound from transmission; Noise progressively louder over weeks to months; No warning lights or system alerts prior to failure
Repairs/costs cited: Full transmission replacement required; estimated cost $8,500–$10,400; one owner reported VSA extended warranty covered it; some dealerships using refurbished transmissions; long lead times reported (4–5 months backorder); Toyota Brand Engagement offered 50% coverage in one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: T-SB-0008-21 (2/9/2021) acknowledges UA80E/F failures with whine/grind and pinion shaft issues in 2021 Highlander; T-SB-0160-18 Rev1 (12/17/2018) documents UA80 whine/harsh shift issues; Customer Support Program ZJC/POL19-04 (4/18/2019) addresses UA80 whine and reduced power; dealers report replacing transmissions frequently; Toyota refusing to extend warranty or honor claims outside 60,000-mile powertrain coverage
Transmission jerking, hesitation, and power loss during acceleration
Vehicle experiences delayed acceleration response, jerking, hesitation, or sudden power loss during normal driving, particularly when merging or accelerating from a stop. In severe cases, engine RPMs rev without proportional power output, and vehicle cannot exceed 40 mph despite pressing accelerator.
When: Early ownership (10 days in one case); 35–40 mph speeds; at 46,000 miles (one early report); more common 62,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Jerking/stuttering during acceleration from 0–20 mph; Inability to shift smoothly from first to second gear; Engine revving at 2,000–3,000 RPM at low speeds without acceleration response; Hesitation and surging during acceleration; Sudden power reduction forcing vehicle to 20 mph from 70 mph; Vehicle refuses to go faster than 40 mph despite pedal input; No check engine lights triggered
Repairs/costs cited: Toyota dealerships unable to replicate or diagnose without codes; one independent shop suspected fuel pump issue; no successful repairs reported in narratives; vehicle withheld from road use due to safety concerns
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls issued; Toyota unable to identify root cause or apply warranty coverage when diagnostic codes absent; dealer safety-flagged vehicle as unsafe to drive
Transmission failure—complete loss of drive function
Transmission suddenly fails completely, rendering vehicle undrivable. In one early incident (650 miles), transmission fluid leak accompanied immobility. No gradual warning in most cases.
When: 650 miles (one case); 62,800 miles; 71,000 miles; 75,000 miles; 82,329 miles; 125,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not move or accelerate after stopping; Transmission fluid leakage visible; Sudden loss of drive capability
Repairs/costs cited: Full transmission replacement; one case at 650 miles covered by warranty and towed; cases beyond warranty required out-of-pocket replacement ($9,000+)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty coverage applies only to 60,000-mile powertrain period; beyond that, Toyota declines coverage
Hybrid system malfunction and engine fire
Vehicle received sequential warnings: engine/throttle/transmission malfunction alert, followed by Hybrid System Alert. Vehicle reduced power output and then shut down. Thick brown smoke followed by flames emerged from hood and driver-side quarter panel while vehicle was decelerating. Fire destroyed vehicle.
When: While traveling at 70 mph on interstate
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard alert: 'Malfunction in electronic control of engine, throttle, or automatic transmission detected'; Dashboard alert: 'Hybrid System Alert—malfunction in Hybrid System detected'; Vehicle power reduced, speed dropped from 70 to 20 mph; Vehicle alert: power will shut off; Thick brown smoke from hood, driver-side; Flames from hood and driver-side quarter panel; Complete vehicle destruction by fire
Repairs/costs cited: Total loss; vehicle destroyed by fire; Indiana State Police and fire department attended scene
Transfer case/transaxle grinding and failure
Grinding noise from transfer case or transaxle, often accompanied by whining. Diagnosis indicates transmission-related issue or transfer case requiring replacement.
When: 77,000 miles (documented case)
Symptoms owners cite: Grinding noise from vehicle; Whining sound
Repairs/costs cited: Transfer case replacement required; vehicle has been properly maintained
Erratic/harsh transmission shifts and lurching
Transmission shifts erratically, harshly, or unpredictably. Vehicle may jerk, lurch forward, or shift unexpectedly, creating safety hazards during parking or intersection crossing.
When: Various speeds and driving conditions; particularly during eco mode with brake-to-acceleration transitions; when pulling to curb
Symptoms owners cite: Unpredictable transmission surging; Harsh or delayed shifts; Vehicle lurches forward without driver input; Vehicle propels into traffic unexpectedly; Difficulty maintaining controlled acceleration from stop; Erratic behavior when transitioning from brake to accelerator in eco mode
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships unable to diagnose or replicate; one case dismissed as operator error; no repairs documented
Transmission slop/driveline clunk
Metallic clunking or 'bump' felt in drivetrain when decelerating from 35 mph and reaccelerating. Described as slack or slop in transmission connection.
When: After 30–45 minutes of driving
Symptoms owners cite: 'Bump' sensation in drivetrain during deceleration and reacceleration; Metal-to-metal noise; Slack or slop feel in transmission engagement
Synthesized from 38 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
early transmission failure and whining at 40,000 miles
Car developed a whining noise coming from transmission at 63,000 miles. Known manufacturing defect that will lead to transmission failure. No recall issued and Toyota would not extend warranty. I do not feel safe driving the car pending a transmission failure. Toyota’s solution is to replace the transmission at a cost of $9000.
Premature transmission failure
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE WHINING FROM 35MPH-45MPH ACCELERATION. Needs to be replaced this is the third vehicle this week the dealership said had the same issue.
Had powertrain trouble with your 2022 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 2022 Toyota Highlander?
It's a meaningful issue. 38 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 38 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 98,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2022/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.