Toyota Owners Take Legal Action Over Widespread Eight-Speed Gearbox Failures
Three Class Actions Target Toyota's UA80 Transmission
Toyota is facing a wave of legal challenges over its UA80 eight-speed automatic transmission, with three class action lawsuits alleging early failure due to heat and software strain. Owners are reporting harsh shifts, slipping, noise, and power loss, raising concerns about long-term durability and resale value.
Early Failures and Unpredictable Behavior
The new complaints claim the transmission suffers from two core defects, warning that both are inherently dangerous. Faulty units can cause a vehicle to behave unpredictably, leading to early failure. According to the filings, affected transmissions may fail to engage or stay in gear, slip unexpectedly, leak fluid, hesitate between shifts, or produce harsh engagement, burning smells, unusual noises, and even a loss of power.
Reduced Lifespan and Market Appeal
The second lawsuit centers on claims that the transmission can compromise a vehicle's lifespan and market appeal, particularly as issues are said to appear well before the end of a typical ownership cycle. James LaBoutheller, a 2020 Toyota Camry XSE owner, says he heard abnormal noises coming from the transmission and was informed that it needed replacement. Toyota agreed to supply a new transmission but not to pay for installation, leaving LaBoutheller to cover the labor costs himself.
Toyota's Alleged Long-Term Knowledge
According to the class action, Toyota has known about issues with the eight-speed transmission since durability testing before it even started to install the gearbox in customer cars. The company is accused of disregarding years of warning signs, including internal data, customer complaints, dealer service records, and government safety submissions documenting early transmission failures. Toyota not only failed to act on the reported issues but also implemented software updates that increased wear on the transmission, allegedly to improve fuel efficiency.
A Third Lawsuit Surfaces
This isn't the only lawsuit involving the UA80 transmission. Earlier this month, a separate class action was filed in California by plaintiff Neil Pallaya, who purchased a new 2020 Toyota Highlander in December 2020. The vehicle came equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired to a UA80E transmission. Pallaya's complaint details a persistent high-pitched whining noise that began around 67,000 miles, diagnosed as complete transmission failure by a Toyota dealer. Because the vehicle was out of warranty, he was quoted more than $7,400 for a replacement, one he argues is just as flawed as the original.
Expanding List of Potentially Affected Vehicles
The California suit expands the list of potentially affected vehicles, covering the following models:
- 2017-present Toyota Highlander
- 2024-present Toyota Grand Highlander
- 2018-2024 Toyota Camry
- 2017-2020 Toyota Sienna
- 2019-2022 Toyota Avalon
- 2019-present Toyota RAV4
- 2023-present Lexus RX 350
- 2021-present Lexus ES 250
- 2019-present Lexus ES 350
- 2022-present Lexus NX 250 and NX 350
- 2024-present Lexus TX 350
