Toyota Grand Highlander transmission and drivetrain problems, 2024–2026
67 of the 350 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Toyota Grand Highlander 2024–2026 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2024 (52), 2025 (15). Filed under the same heading across these years: 3 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall campaign. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Toyota Grand Highlander transmission and drivetrain problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | — | — | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2025 | 15 | 20% | — | 2 TSBs | the year → |
| 2024 in depth | 52 | 22% | — | 12 TSBs | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.
When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2024: 20 · 2025: 16 · 2026: 31
Too few of these complaints carry an odometer reading to say when the problem shows up.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Specifically the model: 2024 Grand Highlander Hybrid Max. immediately new off the dealer lot when driving between 0-40mph, there is a transmission issue. In real life situation of stop and go, and needing to accelerate after making a right turn out of a driveway or stop sign on to flowing traffic, often times it feels as if the gear is…
I have had 2 intermittent issues since I bought this vehicle brand new. 1) Hard, Jerky shifting from 1-2 or 2-3 gear 2) Huge safety issue regarding loss of power and inability to accelerate from a stop even though the car is on and in drive. This has happened to me multiple times and is very intermittent so it is hard to replicate.
On occasion the car will not accelerate from a dead stop like it should. I think it’s turbo lag. There have been a few times I thought I was going be broadsided pulling out into traffic when normal acceleration would have been safe but with a dead pedal for a few seconds it was terrifying.
The electronic parking brake on my 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander intermittently fails to auto-release when shifting from Park to Reverse or Drive. Curiously, the system does respond to the gear shifter when returning to Park, as the brake will then engage or release as expected once cycled.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaign filed under this heading, any model year
- 26V437000 HighJul 8, 2026 · 5,408 vehicles
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2026 Lexus TX Plug-In Hybrid, TX Hybrid, TX, Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, and Grand Highlander vehicles. The rear axle carriers may have been manufactured with insufficient material strength and could break.
3 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Apr 17, 2026
- OBSOLETE NOTICE April 17, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0028-26
- Apr 16, 2026
- Some 2024 Grand Highlander and Grand Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a rotational clicking noise from one or both front drive shaft assemblies when accelerating while making turns. This condition may occur without a grease leak present on the front drive shaft assemblies. An updated front drive shaft assembly is available to resolve this condition.
- Feb 24, 2025
- Some 2023 – 2025 Crown and 2024 – 2025 Grand Highlander Hybrid vehicles equipped with a Hybrid Transmission Assembly HPC60 may exhibit a shudder sensation when the vehicle is at a complete stop, the State of Charge (SOC) of the HV Battery is greater than 76%, and the transmission is in the Drive position with the brakes applied.
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Toyota Grand Highlander years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?
2024, 52; 2025, 15. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2024 (22%).
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Toyota Grand Highlander?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading across these model years: 26V437000 (2026). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the Toyota Grand Highlander?
Too few of the complaints carry an odometer reading to say.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.