NHTSA Complaint #11499691 — 2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

Transmission problem in our 2017 Toyota Highlander started at 104k miles. unfortunately for us out of warranty and lucky for dealer and manufacture who shifted the cost to consumer outside warranty. We experienced delayed and sudden shifting, slow at accelerating. One day the engine kept revving but car was not moving. Also reverse gear stopped working. We brought the car to local dealer, who gave us every excuse in the world that it was our driving habit, we take it off roading etc etc. The truth I am a very careful driver which I am sure the dealer laughed at me for saying that. Never took the car off roading, or on monthly long trips. All services were completed by the dealer. The quoted us a cost of $9500 plus tax plus $250 diagnosing fee. Also reported the issue to Toyota consumer line, got the same answer car is outside warranty and no cost sharing as no official recall has been issued. Upon doing some research, we came across similar issues reported by same model. The sad part is local dealership was fully aware of similar issue, yet they failed to warn customers or suggest necessary repairs while the car had full warranty. A tech at dealer even said, they are not going to suggest it as in that case the repair would have to be done at dealers expense. How, is this ethically right to leave the consumer in dark, at risk on the road and blame the problem on bad driving habit? This is perfect case of bad dealership and a company hiding their problem. Wait till actually someone dies to issue a recall?