OBSOLETE NOTICE April 17, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0028-26
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2024 Toyota Grand Highlander powertrain problems
severe 34 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
34
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 34 powertrain complaints filed for the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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 34 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.
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.
Some 2024 Grand Highlander and Grand Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a rotational clicking noise from one or both front drive shaft assemblies when accelerating while making turns. This condition may occur without a grease leak present on the front drive shaft assemblies. An updated front drive shaft assembly is available to resolve this condition.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2024 Grand Highlander and Grand Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a rotational clicking noise from one or both front drive shaft assemblies when accelerating while making turns. This condition may occur without a grease leak present on the front drive shaft assemblies. An updated front drive shaft assembly is available to resolve this condition.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2024 Grand Highlander and Grand Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a rotational clicking noise from one or both front drive shaft assemblies when accelerating while making turns. This condition may occur without a grease leak present on the front drive shaft assemblies. An updated front drive shaft assembly is available to resolve this condition.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report two major acceleration problems across 32 complaints. First is lag or loss of power when starting from a complete stop—the vehicle hesitates, doesn't respond to the gas pedal, or feels like it will stall before suddenly surging forward 1 to 20+ seconds later. This happens randomly but worsens in hot weather with A/C running and after cold overnight sits. Second is harsh, jerky gear shifts during low-speed acceleration, as if the transmission skips gears. Both create serious safety hazards when merging or crossing traffic. Toyota issued a software update (TSB-0017-24/ECM reprogramming), but multiple owners report the problem persists after the update. Dealerships cannot reproduce the issues during service and offer little recourse.
Front CV axles are failing prematurely and making clicking or clunking noises during turns. Owners report noise within weeks of purchase, worsening over time. Toyota's TSB-0082-24 requires axle replacement, but the technicians keep installing an obsolete part number that was superseded mid-production. The original parts have insufficient grease in the CV boots; the updated parts address this. Owners report axles failing again at 50,000 miles—just 25,000 miles after the TSB repair—and dealerships refuse to install the updated part or re-replace them, citing inability to reproduce the issue in the shop.
One owner experienced complete brake failure at the pedal, leading to a crash. Others report bucking or unintended hard braking on downhill approaches. Electrical gremlins include false warning lights, instrument panel failures, and spurious sensor readings. No warning lights appear for most failures, making them difficult for owners to diagnose or dealers to verify.
Failure modes owners describe
Acceleration lag and loss of power from complete stop
Vehicle hesitates, loses power, or fails to respond to accelerator input when starting from a stop or near-stop, with delay lasting seconds to 20+ seconds before normal response resumes. Owners describe it as slipping or stalling sensation, sometimes requiring re-application of pedal.
When: From purchase (Nov 2024 onwards); occurs randomly, sometimes multiple times per week, exacerbated by hot weather and A/C on high, cold start conditions
Symptoms owners cite: No response or sluggish response to accelerator pedal from complete stop; Vehicle feels like it will stall but then suddenly surges forward; Loss of propulsion despite engine running and transmission in Drive; Delayed gear engagement (appearing stuck in low gear); RPMs spike higher than normal before proper acceleration; Lag time from 1 second to 20+ seconds before normal power returns; No warning lights or diagnostic codes stored
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships unable to reproduce issue during inspection. Toyota released software update (TSB-0017-24 or ECM update mentioned across multiple narratives) but problem persists after update in several cases. Some owners reported dealership replaced entire hybrid powertrain without resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB-0017-24 software update issued; ECM reprogramming attempted; one narrative mentions NHTSA Campaign 25V595000 (electrical system) but repair parts unavailable at time of report.
Harsh or jerky gear shifting
Transmission exhibits hard, jerky shifts or feels as if it is skipping gears (shifting too high) during low-speed acceleration, causing momentary loss of power and body-jarring lurches.
When: From purchase; occurs during stop-and-go driving, 0–40 mph acceleration scenarios, especially on initial acceleration from complete stop
Symptoms owners cite: Hard or jerky shifts from 1st to 2nd or 2nd to 3rd gear; Sensation of gear skipping (e.g., shifting from 1st/2nd directly to 4th/5th); RPM surge then drop during shifting; Body jerk or lurch as power is lost then regained; Difficulty shifting out of first gear during acceleration; No warning lights
Codes mentioned: Acceleration error (code pulled by dealership in one case)
Repairs/costs cited: TSB software update attempted without resolution in documented cases. Dealership unable to reproduce during service visits.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB-0017-24 software/transmission update released but reported ineffective in multiple owner reports.
CV axle noise and premature failure
Front CV axles make clicking, clunking, or knocking noise during turns or light acceleration, with rapid recurrence after replacement. Owners report axle failures at 18,000–50,000 miles; TSB repair installs obsolete part number instead of updated design.
When: Within weeks to months of purchase; recurrence 25,000–30,000 miles after initial TSB repair; cold morning starts produce noise until warm
Symptoms owners cite: Clicking or clunking noise when turning left or right; Knocking or clicking noise during light acceleration and steering input at low speeds; Noise most noticeable on first drive after overnight sitting; Rotational clicking noise and vibration when turning under power; Noise increases in frequency and volume over time; No warning lights detected by vehicle sensors
Repairs/costs cited: TSB-0082-24 requires replacement of front axle assemblies. Original part numbers (43420-0E340, 43410-0E520) superseded by updated versions (43420-0E341, 43410-0E521) mid-production due to insufficient grease in CV joint boots. TSB not updated; dealerships install obsolete parts. Owners report axle failure recurring at 50,000 miles after TSB repair and dealership refusal to install updated part number or replace again.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB-0082-24 issued for axle replacement; production was halted mid-line to update to new part design; however, TSB continues to list obsolete part number, and dealers refuse to install updated version or re-replace failed axles citing inability to replicate in shop.
Brake pedal failure and loss of braking
Brake pedal goes soft or to floor with no braking response despite multiple pump attempts, creating immediate collision risk.
When: One incident reported; mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal depresses fully to floor with no resistance; No braking response despite pumping pedal multiple times; Engine revving audible during brake loss event
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle involved in serious collision (rolled, hit tree and street sign, all airbags deployed, occupant hospitalized). Vehicle totaled.
Bucking or unintended hard braking sensation
Vehicle bucks or shudders as if emergency braking system was activated repeatedly while slowing to a stop, with strong jarring sensation lasting 1–2 seconds.
When: Occurred twice in same scenario: slowing to stop on highway off-ramp incline
Symptoms owners cite: Bucking sensation as if brake pedal repeatedly slammed and released; Strong, jarring jerking motion; No warning lights illuminated; Vehicle operated normally after incident
Transmission shuddering and high-speed vibration
Vehicle shudders and vibrates when exceeding 70 mph, diagnosed as axle leak but issue persisted after repair. Diagnosis complicated by instrument panel electrical failure.
When: At approximately 9,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Shuddering while exceeding 70 mph; Vehicle not driving properly
Repairs/costs cited: Axle leak diagnosed and repaired; failure persisted after repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 25V595000 (electrical system) issued; dealership informed that recall repair parts not yet available and manufacturer exceeded reasonable time for recall completion. Manufacturer notified and case filed but no assistance provided.
Instrument panel electrical failure
Instrument cluster fails, making warning lights inoperative and preventing detection of other system failures.
When: By approximately 9,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Instrument panel complete failure; No warning lights illuminated for other failures (e.g., axle leak); Radio failure and spurious warning lights (e.g., seatbelt warning with no passenger) in related incidents
Repairs/costs cited: Related to NHTSA Campaign 25V595000; recall repair parts not available.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 25V595000 (electrical system) issued; parts unavailable and recall completion delayed beyond reasonable time.
Multiple electrical and sensor glitches
Erratic warning lights, false sensor readings, and system failures including false seatbelt and dual pedal depression warnings.
When: At 4,000 miles and ongoing
Symptoms owners cite: Message indicating both accelerator and brake pedals depressed simultaneously (false); Seatbelt warning with all passenger seats unoccupied; Radio failure requiring vehicle restart; Failures recur regularly after restart
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not taken to dealership or mechanic; not repaired.
Synthesized from 34 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle and reversing, there was an abnormal banging sound coming from the vehicle. While attempting to reverse, the vehicle failed to move, but the vehicle was restarted and operated as designed. While driving, there was an abnormally loud clanking sound coming from the vehicle with the “WRENCH SYMBOL”…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2024 Toyota Grand 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 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander?
It's a meaningful issue. 34 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 34 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 10,333 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/2024/Toyota/Grand 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.