At the shop, Toyota transmission and driveline issues have a recognizable signature. 4,938 documented complaints across 191 year-model entries from 2005 to 2025 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 2,032 complaints reporting odometer mileage, the median failure lands at about 52,523 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
191 model-year entries · 2005–2025
Toyota powertrain problems
4,938 owner complaints filed with NHTSA against Toyota vehicles for powertrain issues. See powertrain across all makes →
Complaints
4,938
Recalls
0
Year-models
191
Avg fix
$2,500
251crashes
15fires
139injuries
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
2018 Toyota C-HR
172 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2019 Toyota Highlander
171 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2018 Toyota Camry
171 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2021 Toyota Highlander
157 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2012 Toyota Camry
143 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2016 Toyota Tacoma
130 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2020 Toyota Highlander
105 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2019 Toyota Camry
97 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2022 Toyota Tundra
95 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2019 Toyota RAV4
75 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2005 Toyota Camry
75 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2024 Toyota Tundra
69 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2023 Toyota Tundra
69 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2009 Toyota Tacoma
68 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2017 Toyota Highlander
66 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2013 Toyota Camry
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
53 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2019 Toyota Corolla
52 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2008 Toyota Prius
52 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2024 Toyota Tacoma
50 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2006 Toyota Tacoma
47 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2006 Toyota Corolla
46 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
Common questions
How many Toyota powertrain complaints are on file with NHTSA?
4,938 complaints across 191 model-year entries from 2005 to 2025. No active recall campaigns currently cover this category for Toyota.
Which Toyota model has the most powertrain complaints?
The 2018 Toyota C-HR leads with 172 complaints in this category. Next: 2019 Highlander (171) and 2018 Camry (171).
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.