At the shop, Toyota transmission and driveline issues have a recognizable signature. 5,444 documented complaints across 194 year-model entries from 2005 to 2026 is consistent with what we see come in. Complaint volume is spread across the lineup rather than parked on one bad year. That's the signature of a platform or supplier issue, not a single-year flub. 3 fatality reports on file with NHTSA tied to this category on Toyota vehicles. That elevates this from nuisance to safety-critical. Across the 2,214 complaints reporting odometer mileage, the median failure lands at about 49,985 miles. Repair exposure averages $2,500, which is meaningful money outside warranty. Pull a transmission fluid sample if you can. Color and smell tell you more than mileage alone. If the fluid is dark or smells burnt, walk.
ProblemsByVin TOYOTA / POWERTRAIN
194 model-year entries · 2005–2026
Toyota powertrain problems
5,444 owner complaints filed with NHTSA against Toyota vehicles for powertrain issues. See powertrain across all makes →
Complaints
5,444
Recalls
0
Year-models
194
Avg fix
$2,500
274crashes
16fires
149injuries
3fatalities
Worst-affected Toyota model-years for powertrain Top 25 by complaint volume
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
2007 Toyota Camry
250 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2018 Toyota C-HR
190 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2021 Toyota Highlander
188 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2018 Toyota Camry
183 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2019 Toyota Highlander
180 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2012 Toyota Camry
143 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2016 Toyota Tacoma
131 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2020 Toyota Highlander
118 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2019 Toyota Camry
109 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2022 Toyota Tundra
98 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2024 Toyota Tundra
77 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2019 Toyota RAV4
77 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2005 Toyota Camry
75 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2023 Toyota Tundra
74 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2017 Toyota Highlander
69 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2009 Toyota Tacoma
68 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2013 Toyota Camry
64 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2010 Toyota Prius
64 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2007 Toyota Tundra
64 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2017 Toyota Tacoma
63 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2007 Toyota Tacoma
59 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2018 Toyota Highlander
56 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2019 Toyota C-HR
55 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2019 Toyota Corolla
52 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2008 Toyota Prius
52 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
Common questions
How many Toyota powertrain complaints are on file with NHTSA?
5,444 complaints across 194 model-year entries from 2005 to 2026. No active recall campaigns currently cover this category for Toyota.
Which Toyota model has the most powertrain complaints?
The 2007 Toyota Camry leads with 250 complaints in this category. Next: 2018 C-HR (190) and 2021 Highlander (188).
What does it cost to fix Toyota powertrain problems?
Independent shops average $2,500 for powertrain repairs across the Toyota lineup. Dealer pricing tends to run twenty to forty percent higher. Specific cost depends on the failure mode and parts availability.
Are there Toyota powertrain recalls?
No active NHTSA recalls currently cover powertrain issues on Toyota vehicles. The complaints are owner-reported and have not risen to a manufacturer recall.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database.
Editorial commentary written by Shop Foreman, an independent contributor to ProblemsByVin
and not affiliated with Toyota.
Severity ratings derive from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities on the NHTSA complaint and recall record.
Repair cost averages reflect independent-shop pricing and may differ in your area.