2019 Toyota Highlander: Power Train complaints
Owner-reported issue (NHTSA complaints, not a recall)
Symptoms
NHTSA has 210 owner complaints for the 2019 Toyota Highlander that list the power train component. Complaints are individual owner reports, not verified defects.
Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11772392 (filed 10/20/2026): “I started hearing a faint sound and initially thought it was odd, but certainly sounded different and could not really tell where it was coming from. upon taking it to the dealer for diagnosis, i learned that the transmission will need full replacement. i also took it to an independent shop to get…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11772411 (filed 10/20/2026): “The vehicle began making a whining noise several months ago. after doing some research this vehicle has the ua80 transaxle that has a known defect that produces the whining noise and eventual damage. there are other years of this vehicle that are subject to a recall/repair for this same transaxle …”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11772205 (filed 10/19/2026): “Car experiences pulling, squealing, and eventually just completely stopped in the middle of the road. car is 7 years old w/ ~90k miles and was serviced at the dealership until the most recent inspection. towed to nearest shop and transmission is shot. similar to every other complaint listed onlin…”
Likely causes
These complaints do not establish a single root cause; read the examples above and get a diagnosis.
Fix, in plain English
No single fix is established by these reports. Check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, ask a dealer about technical service bulletins (TSBs) or extended warranty coverage, then have the system diagnosed.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Diagnosis needs a scan tool; repair or replacement needs a lift, transmission jack and the manufacturer's fluid fill/relearn procedure. (Our assessment.)
Cost
No sourced cost range for this issue. Get a written quote after diagnosis.
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
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Sources
Page last updated .