2021 Toyota Highlander · symptom sheet

Transmission fails or needs replacement

98owner reports
70,500median miles
$9,000median quote
0involved a crash

Newest report Aug 21, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

211 of the 504 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 98 of those describe transmission failure, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2021 Highlander.

Tick what matches of 98 reports

lost drive or would not move

warning lights came on first

it was replaced under warranty

I paid for it myself

a second transmission also failed

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the transmission (98 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the transmission and drivetrain covers the 2021 model year as of Sep 9, 2026.

What owners paid

32 of the 98 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $8,000 to $9,995.

$8,000$9,000$9,995

$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 60,347 and 85,000 miles, from the 61 reports that gave a mileage.

1024

3725

5126

What owners wrote

“Our vehicle has 72k miles at normal use- no towing or off roading. Due to a whining noise we took in the vehicle at a Toyota dealer and after a $200 diagnostic fee concluded we need a new transmission priced at $10,800. There was no explanation/diagnosis summary- just we need a new transmission.”
Filed Jul 15, 2025 · 72,000 miles

“Transmission failure at 62000 miles. Toyota issued a service bulletin in Feb 2021. I bought the vehicle new in August 2021 and was not told of service issue. Also, I took vehicle to Toyota dealership for service every 5000 miles up to 55000. I was never told about service bulletin nor advised there could be a full imminent failure of the transmission.”
Filed May 28, 2025 · 62,000 miles

“transmission failure at approximately 80,000 miles dealer has confirmed diagnosis and recommended replacement on-line forums indicate this is a recurring problem with this model engine noises began at approximately 78,000 miles”
Filed May 12, 2025 · 80,000 miles

“The transmission started to make a higher pitch sound when accelerating. We brought the vehicle in for evaluation @ 70,500 miles. We were advised the vehicle needed a new transmission for $ 9,900.00 Not even 4 years old, and Toyota Warrantee department said past the 60K drive train warranty so no support from them.”
Filed Apr 28, 2025 · 70,500 miles

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 98 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.