Toyota Transmission Defect: Drivers Report Hesitation, Whining Noises, and Costly Failures Featured
Owners of Toyota and Lexus vehicles with 8-speed automatic transmissions may be entitled to compensation—learn how to join the class action lawsuit.
Toyota’s “Reliable” Vehicles, Dangerous Transmission Problems
Toyota has built its reputation on safety and reliability. But a growing number of Toyota and Lexus owners say their vehicles equipped with 8-speed automatic transmissions are doing the opposite—hesitating, jerking, whining, and in some cases suffering premature transmission failure that can cost thousands of dollars to fix.
Recent class action lawsuits allege that Toyota and its transmission supplier Aisin designed and sold a defective 8-speed transmission and torque converter assembly, then failed to warn the public or provide an effective fix. Plaintiffs claim Toyota knowingly put profits ahead of safety and left drivers to shoulder the risk and expense.
If you own or lease a Toyota or Lexus with an 8-speed automatic transmission, you may have legal rights and options.
What Vehicles Are Affected?
The complaint filed in federal court alleges that the following “Class Vehicles” contain a defective transmission assembly (model years may expand as the case progresses):
- Toyota Highlander (2017–present) and Grand Highlander (2024–present)
- Toyota Camry (2018–2024)
- Toyota Sienna (2017–2020)
- Toyota Avalon (2019–2022)
- Toyota RAV4 (2019–present)
- Lexus RX 350 (2023–present)
- Lexus ES 250 (2021–present)
- Lexus ES 350 (2019–present)
- Lexus NX 250 and NX 350 (2022–present)
- Lexus TX 350 (2024–present)
Other lawsuits also focus on 2024 and newer Toyota Tacoma trucks equipped with 8-speed automatic or hybrid 8-speed transmissions.
If your vehicle appears in this list—or you have been told your Toyota or Lexus needs a replacement 8-speed transmission—it may be covered by the class action allegations.
What Is the Alleged Transmission Defect?
According to the lawsuit, the Transmission Assembly (the 8-speed automatic transmission and torque converter) is defectively designed so that it generates excessive heat, burns and degrades transmission fluid prematurely, and causes internal clutch damage and accelerated wear.
As the defect progresses, owners report:
- Harsh or delayed shifting between gears
- Hesitation or lag when accelerating from a stop
- Jerking, surging, or “lurching” forward
- Whining, humming, or grinding noises from the transmission
- Sudden loss of power, “limp mode,” or complete transmission failure
- Repeat failures even after the transmission has been replaced
Drivers describe frightening situations—pressing the gas and getting no response when merging, turning, or crossing intersections, or losing power at highway speeds. These behaviors are not what consumers expect from a modern transmission advertised as smooth, efficient, and long-lasting.
How Did Toyota Allegedly Respond?
According to the complaint and other lawsuits:
- Toyota and Aisin jointly developed the 8-speed transmission to meet fuel-economy goals, but allegedly did not correct serious heat and durability issues revealed during testing.
- Dealers often ran diagnostic tests and told owners the vehicles were “operating normally” or that the behavior was a “characteristic” of the transmission, even when owners reported hesitation, surging, or whining.
- Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) and “fixes” frequently involved software updates or replacing transmissions with similar units that allegedly suffer from the same design problem.
- Some owners paid thousands of dollars out of pocket for replacement transmissions shortly after the original failed—and then faced additional failures, long backorders, or vehicles sitting in the shop for weeks or months.
The lawsuits contend that Toyota knew about the defect for years, yet continued to market these vehicles as safe, reliable, and durable while failing to provide a permanent repair or recall.
What Are Owners Losing?
Owners and lessees of affected vehicles may face:
- Out-of-pocket repair costs for transmission replacement or related parts
- Future repair costs if the defect continues or recurs
- Loss of vehicle value because of the known defect and transmission history
- Safety risks from unexpected hesitation, loss of acceleration, or failure while driving
Many owners say they would not have purchased or leased these vehicles—or would have paid less—if they had known about the transmission defect beforehand.
Your Legal Rights: Join the Toyota Transmission Lawsuit
If you own or lease a Toyota or Lexus with an 8-speed automatic transmission and have experienced:
- Hesitation, surging, or jerking between gears
- Whining, humming, or grinding noises from the transmission
- Warning lights or “limp mode” related to transmission problems
- A recommendation to replace your transmission, or a transmission that has already been replaced
you may be part of a proposed class action or may have an individual claim.
A class action lawsuit seeks to:
- Recover money for repair bills, replacement costs, and loss of vehicle value
- Force Toyota and Aisin to fully disclose the transmission defect
- Compel them to provide a real, permanent fix—or buy back defective vehicles
How to Find Out if You Qualify
If you believe your Toyota or Lexus may be affected:
- Gather your records – purchase or lease documents, repair invoices, and any written diagnosis or dealership notes related to transmission problems.
- Note your symptoms – when you first noticed hesitation, whining, or shifting issues, and any safety incidents or near-misses.
- Contact our legal team – you can complete our secure online form or call our office to discuss your situation at no cost.
There are deadlines for filing claims, and evidence is easier to preserve early. If your vehicle is covered by the alleged defect, you could help hold Toyota and Aisin accountable and potentially recover significant compensation.
You do not have to deal with this alone. If your “reliable” Toyota or Lexus has become a safety risk or an expensive headache because of transmission problems, you may have important legal rights. Reach out today to learn whether you qualify to join the Toyota transmission class action lawsuit. Simply fill out the form shown on this page and a product liability lawyer will contact you. There is no cost to you.