Toyota transmission problems have been cropping up in 2017 to 2020 models of certain vehicles. There have been a number of complaints about the power train made to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but no safety recalls to date. The Toyota transmission complaints over the past several years have been so numerous that attorneys are now assembling complainants to join a class action lawsuit against Toyota.
The most common Toyota transmission problems logged with the NHTSA involve a lack of power or acceleration in the vehicles, or the automatic transmission remaining “stuck” in a particular gear.
Complaints also include:
- Rough, delayed or sudden shifting
- Failure to accelerate from a stop
- Transmission shudder
- Sudden loss of power
- Premature transmission failure
In this article, we’ll examine the vehicles that are impacted by these transmission problems and the potential class action lawsuit involving it.
Models Impacted by Toyota Transmission Problems
Attorneys assembling a class action lawsuit against Toyota as of September 2020 have identified the following vehicles that are struggling with the transmission issues listed above:
- 2017 to 2020 Toyota Highlander
- 2017 to 2020 Toyota Sienna
- 2018 to 2020 Toyota Avalon
- 2019 Toyota RAV4
Toyota Transmission Complaints to NHTSA
The variety of transmission complaints related to these Toyota vehicles have not yet triggered a safety recall from the NHTSA, which regulates auto safety in the US. If enough similar complaints do eventually arise, the NHTSA would initiate an investigation to determine a cause and enforce a resolution from Toyota. That has not happened to date, however.
As an example of the types of complaints Toyota owners are making, here’s a closer look at the 2018 Toyota Sienna on the NHTSA website.
Some owners report that the vehicle fails to accelerate when they depress the gas pedal, which could potentially create a safety hazard when merging onto a freeway. Owners also report that the 2018 Toyota Sienna will randomly decelerate when cornering.
Numerous owners have complained that the issue only happens when “Eco” mode is engaged, and lament the fact that there is no way to turn this feature off.
Potential Toyota Transmission Class Action Lawsuit
There hasn’t been a single, universal problem identified with the late-model Toyotas that seem to be experiencing these transmission problems. The NHTSA has not initiated an investigation at this point.
However, attorneys assembling a potential class action lawsuit at ClassAction.org want to hear from vehicle owners who have been experiencing any serious transmission problems.
Potential Remedies for Toyota Transmission Problems
Since these are newer model vehicles that are experiencing issues with the transmission, many of these vehicles may still be within their power train warranty. If that’s the case, you can contact your nearest Toyota dealership and ask about having the transmission looked at and potentially repaired.
It’s not uncommon for automakers to extend the power train warranty on vehicles if enough owners make them aware of a potential problem.
Checking Your Toyota Vehicle Against a Safety Recall
The NHTSA posts all vehicle safety recalls on a centralized website. Any repairs made to a vehicle under a safety recall are paid for by the auto manufacturer, at no cost to owners. To check your Toyota vehicle to see whether there are any recalls on it, simply enter your vehicle’s 17-digit VIN number on the NHTSA Recalls website.
