Toyota is facing another class-action lawsuit over its UA80 eight-speed automatic transmission, with the latest filing lodged in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
The legal action follows a similar lawsuit filed in Texas late last year and centers on alleged defects in the UA80 transmission used across numerous Toyota and Lexus models since 2017.
The lawsuit claims the UA80 transmission suffers from excessive heat buildup, which allegedly causes transmission fluid to burn and internal components to wear prematurely.
Plaintiffs report that failures can lead to vehicle stalling, but also cite earlier warning signs such as abrupt upshifts, delayed engagement, slipping gears, harsh shifting, unusual noises, and fluid leaks. Faulty software calibration and defective torque converters are also mentioned.
According to the complaint, these defects may prevent the transmission from engaging or remaining in gear, potentially causing unintended vehicle behavior.
The filing argues that such issues pose safety risks and result in diminished vehicle value and expensive out-of-pocket repairs once factory warranties expire.
The plaintiffs contend that Toyota issued multiple technical service bulletins (TSBs) and customer satisfaction programs related to the UA80 as far back as 2016. They argue these measures demonstrate the company’s awareness of recurring problems but claim no comprehensive redesign was undertaken.
Vehicles explicitly named by plaintiffs include the 2024 Toyota Camry, 2024 Lexus TX 350, 2018 Toyota Camry, and 2023 Lexus ES 350. However, the broader list of potentially affected models is extensive:
- 2017–present Toyota Highlander
- 2019–present Toyota RAV4
- 2023–present Toyota Grand Highlander
- 2017–2024 Toyota Camry
- 2017–2020 Toyota Sienna
- 2019–2022 Toyota Avalon
- 2019–present Lexus ES 350
- 2021–present Lexus ES 250
- 2023–present Lexus RX 350
- 2022–present Lexus NX 250
- 2022–present Lexus NX 350
- 2024–present Lexus TX 350
Given the sales volumes of these vehicles, particularly high-volume models such as the RAV4, the potential number of affected units could reach into the hundreds of thousands.
Owner reports suggest some transmission failures have occurred at relatively low mileage, with isolated cases emerging around 30,000 miles in certain Highlander models. Replacement costs can reportedly exceed $9,000 once vehicles are out of warranty coverage.
At present, the failure rate of the UA80 transmission is unclear. Many owners report no issues. However, even a modest defect rate could translate into a substantial number of affected vehicles given the widespread application of the transmission across multiple high-volume models over nearly a decade.
For owners of Toyota or Lexus vehicles equipped with the UA80 transmission, some independent technicians advise more frequent transmission fluid changes than the manufacturer’s recommended interval as a precautionary measure, though this has not been formally mandated by Toyota.
The legal process remains ongoing, and no court findings have yet determined liability.
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