I was thinking the same thing, the lawsuit may be encompassing all flavors of UA80 just because of similarity. The high failure rate has not shown up yet in Consumer Reports on the ES. Highlanders seem especially prone but I read the root cause was failure to properly engage a locking tab on an internal transmission fastener resulting in whinning and eventual total failure.

Why couldn't Toyota just stick to the good old 6 speed which had a great reputation. I can't imagine the MPG improvement in the 8 speed was worth it.

 

Just no perfect vehicle out there especially these days with all the tech, turbos etc. Based on my reading of this forum and owning an ES for seven years now, I'd say the ES is a pretty reliable and good value vehicle.

 

I think the answer is yes but I can't prove it with hard data, except to say Here is a list of unhappy Highlander owners at Toyotanation.com
Nearly all of the failures occur after 50K miles.

 

It is hopefully a good sign that an equivalent list does not yet exist for the es350. Of course, sales numbers, driving habits, and the propensity of buyers to participate in online forums might influence such a list.

Why might this locking tab issue be present in one line of vehicles but not another? Is the transmission that uniquely crafted to each model?

 

Maybe because the Highlander weighs about 300 to 1,000 pounds more?

 

This article near the end describes at least one suspected root cause Toyota faces lawsuit of transmission failures

 

I’m at 199850kms in my 22 ES 350 in Central Alberta with ridiculous temp swings (-35deg to +35deg) and have no issues, other than slightly jerky shifting once in awhile. I have done 2 transmission drain and fills with Lexus (Toyota) WS fluid and oil changes every 10K kms, amougst other maintenance items (belt, coolant, spark plugs, etc.)

 

You have had great reliability. Are you a DIY'er?
What tranny setting like Econ, Normal or Sport do you mostly select to drive in?
What were the ODO km readings when the drain and fills were done and if they were just a single gravity drain and fill each of the 2 times?
I assume that you are using 0W - 20 engine oil is that Toyota oil or what other brand and type please tell us?

Thank you

 

I doubt it's that. I suspect it's more the same driver that's pushed Toyota into CVTs and turbos against its will (and against its better judgment): the relentless financial pressure on all automakers to hit ever-stricter fuel economy and emissions targets.

My limited understanding is that this transmission generates a lot of internal heat, presumably to keep it in the highest possible gear all the time. To me, that heat's attack on the fluid is the first suspect.

 

I think you are correct: ever stricter fuel economy standards explains the stupid push towards the 8 speed.
If you compare the environmental impact and expense of switching from the reliable and faithful 6 speed to the let's say "imperfect" 8 speed, I'll bet it would have been better just to keep the 6 speed. Is there one person that can say "WOW I'm so happy I have 6 speeds instead of 8 , it's so much thriftier on gas and performs so much better!"
Think about all the warranty claims and lawsuit nightmares people and Toyota are going through for marginal MPG improvement and the destruction of Toyota's reputation for bulletproof quality.

At least we are not talking about Toyota Tundra problems, between Frame, Engine and Transmission it could be worse!

 

I typically drive in Econ, but sometimes have fun in sport+. Most of my driving is highway, but in residential zones I find econ shifts less aggressively. I do at times drive aggressively on the highway when passing, so it does redline and come close to redlining at least 1/trip, but when you punch it, I don't think it matters what mode you are in. I never punch it or even drive slightly aggressively until the vehicle is fully warmed up, and give it 20-30 sec to warm up in summer and usually 1-5 min in winter, depending on how cold it is. Sometimes I jump on the highway within 10 min of starting the car, if i can make all the lights, and if its not warmed up, i will accelerate a bit slower than normal until its warmed up.

I did my first DnF at 98322kms and the second at 188770kms. Both times, the trans fluid looked in good shape, bright red, no burnt smell. For oil changes, Pennzoil Ultra Plat 0w20 with Lexus filters bought in a 20 pack from the dealer when I bought the car new. They were under $8 CAD/filter!

 

If this problem was so widespread for the ES, I suspect we would have heard from at least a single forum member here sometime in the last seven years. Anyone out there with a failed 8 speed? Now watch my trans blow up tomorrow🤣

 

Don't joke. I once asked a coworker back in the early 90's how reliable was his ford escort.
I kid you not, he came in the next morning half smiling and half angry and said to me "Don't you EVER ask me how my car is again".
He had to have it towed from the parking lot the same day I asked because the transmission failed.

I am optimistic we are not hearing about large number of UA80 failures in our ES, whereas new Highlander failures are being tabulated frequently at toyotanations.com. There was one relatively Recent Post on a '19 ES that was reported to be a transmission failure.

 

Even that one was not definitive.