NHTSA Complaint #11713066 — 2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

We have been hearing whining coming from the front of the vehicle for months. Over the life of our time with this car, we have reported to Toyota multiple times about the sound, and about how sometimes the engine seems slow to shift. The whining increases as you press the gas pedal. Toyota is aware of this issue with Highlanders, but has told us they aren't going to fix it, as there is no recall on the issue. Turns out, there's a TSB related to the exact issue that we have with our Highlander. Now that we are out of warranty, we are looking at potentially replacing the transmission of a vehicle that Toyota has a record of intentionally avoiding to repair. Multiple independent service centers have confirmed the issue. They all have referred us back to Toyota because of the severity of the issue. There were no warning lamps or lights or the issue. However, the "whining" is audible every time in the vehicle.