In order to enable you to drive at the correct speed, the gearbox transfers power from the motor to your wheels. Since the transmission must convert the exact amount of power for the intended speed, even a little transmission problem can have a significant impact on the performance of your Highlander. It’s a straightforward automotive issue to identify. Shift delays, grinding while accelerating, the car shaking at any speed, whistling noises, and a burning odor emanating from under the hood are all potential symptoms of transmission problems with the 2021 Toyota Highlander. You can lose fuel economy or discover that you can’t drive your Toyota Highlander at all if you neglect gearbox problems.
In This Article...
How long do the transmissions on Toyota Highlanders last?
Even though the Toyota Highlander is made to last, most of its parts will ultimately need to be fixed. According to RepairPal, repairs might cost you $489 on average. Usually after three to six years, rust is the first issue that needs to be addressed.
However, corrosion could be visible sooner depending on the local climate. Typically, the Highlander’s doors, tailgate, and external handles get rust.
According to reports, the braking rotors and pads endure 30,000 to 70,000 kilometers. According to YourMechanic, replacing brake rotors costs $280 and replacing brake pads costs a minimum of $140. You’ll notice faster wear on these parts if you stop frequently from higher speeds.
Under ideal circumstances, the tires on the Toyota Highlander can last up to 60,000 miles. Each regular tire can cost up to $300, but each performance tire can cost up to $500. Every 100,000 miles, the spark plugs should be replaced. The transmission in the Highlander typically has the longest lifespan, lasting up to 200,000 miles, and has an average replacement cost of $3,500.
What issues are there with Toyota Highlanders?
Similar problems with the motorized tailgate and air conditioning system plagued the Toyota Highlander’s previous version from 2008 to 2013. A few owners have also complained of oil leaks from the engine and clunking sounds they hear when rotating the steering wheel.
Which Toyotas are prone to transmission issues?
There are apparently a number of complaints about the power train in specific Toyota car models from 2017 to 2020 that have been submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, there haven’t yet been any safety recalls.
In some Toyota vehicles, a lack of power or acceleration is the most frequent gearbox issue reported to the NHTSA. Another issue raised by customers was the automatic transmission being stuck in a certain gear.
Additional grievances against Toyota’s transmissions include:
- harsh, sluggish, or abrupt changing
- failure to move forward after stopping
- jerky transmission
- abrupt power outage
- breakdown of the transmission too soon
Toyota Models Impacted by Transmission Problems
Attorneys started putting up a class action lawsuit against Toyota in September 2020, and they have named the following vehicles in that case:
- Toyota Highlander from 2017 to 2020
- Toyota Sienna 20172020
- Toyota Avalon from 2018 to 2020
A Toyota Highlander has what kind of transmission?
Starting at $35,205, the 2022 Highlander is offered in a variety of trims and may be customized to match your everyday driving needs. The SUV has a distinctive outer design that is aggressive, and it offers outstanding value in terms of safety requirements, general quality, and driving characteristics. In 2022, the Toyota Highlander will be offered with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine producing 295 horsepower, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. In the Highlander Hybrid, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors work together to provide 243 horsepower. There is a choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive on this car, and it includes a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). With this trim, drivers will spend less on gas than they would with the standard model.
The Toyota Highlander 2022 should still be able to haul 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. That’s sufficient for a weekend trip in the camper or yacht with the family. The Highlander Hybrid earns up to 36 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway, compared to the gas-powered Highlander’s up to 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.
Toyota transmissions are they dependable?
Large SUVs and off-road Lexus and Toyota cars are the principal applications for this 5-speed automatic transmission. This automatic transmission has been made by Toyota since 2003. The operational speed of the A750 is not what sets it apart. Even though the A750 operates under tremendous loads on a continual basis, it is one of the most reliable transmissions. For instance, a Toyota Land Cruiser with this transmission typically functions in difficult and intense driving circumstances. Finding a car with an A750 transmission that needs repair before 400,000 kilometers is difficult. Toyota transmission components are very dependable and long-lasting. Only solenoids in the Toyota A750 transmission may run out of service resources quite quickly (during the first years), however this issue can be readily fixed by replacing the solenoids. This transmission is still reliable even after several hundred thousand miles.
What is the Toyota Highlander’s reliability?
The Toyota Highlander has a 4.0 out of 5.0 reliability rating, placing it seventh out of 26 midsize SUVs. It has cheaper ownership costs than the national average due to the $489 average annual repair cost. When compared to all other vehicles, the frequency and severity of repairs are both about average.
Which Toyota Highlander model is the best?
The 20082013 edition is most likely the best option. You get more interior room, more features, a more potent engine lineup, better safety ratings, and better crash test results with this generation.
What issues do Toyota Highlanders from 2021 have?
Customers were enraged by the Highlander’s frequent fuel pump problems in prior years. Sadly, the 2021 Toyota Highlander doesn’t seem to have undergone much changes.
“My 2021 Highlander Hybrid Platinum is experiencing a fuel filling difficulty,” reads one NHTSA complaint. The vehicle won’t need more than 13.5 gallons at fill-up for the first 2,000 kilometers. Nothing to top off. The car’s fuel tank holds 17.1 gallons. According to the car’s estimation, the distance to empty has only been 2 miles. It uses between 12.5 and 13.5 gallons per fill up. It’s unclear whether the tank is unable to fill completely because there are still 4-5 gallons at the empty level or whether it is filling partially. I bought this automobile so I could travel with my family and take advantage of its fuel efficiency and range. In order to prevent my family from becoming stuck without fuel, it is crucial to know if the tank is actually empty or still has a significant amount of petrol.
Another complaint reads, “The gas tank only holds 12.513 gallons with a range of 425-450 at most, in contrast to Toyota’s statements in their advertising and specifications that the tank holds 17.1 gallons and the car has a range of 598 miles. I confirmed this is out of specification with Toyota, and they claimed the tank will only hold 14 gallons and the range will make the decision on its own. I worry that I will run out of gas because I use the car for long distances and bought it because of the tank capacity and range.
Toyota has not yet commented on this issue or any other fuel-related problems. Given the numerous class action cases involving malfunctioning fuel pumps that were improperly serviced on other models, it makes sense that the firm would like to remain silent. On the current course of events, it won’t be long before this “improved model encounters the same kind of litigation.
Do Toyota Highlanders cost a lot to repair?
During its first ten years of use, a Toyota Highlander will need roughly $5,771 in maintenance and repairs. This is $3,362 less than the industry average for popular SUV models. Additionally, there is a 16.08 percent likelihood that a Highlander will need a significant repair at that time.