Toyota, Lexus Transmissions Shudder, Hesitate, Suit Says

Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. and related companies are facing a new lawsuit alleging that they failed to disclose a dangerous transmission flaw in certain Toyota and Lexus vehicles.

At issue are Toyota Highlander, Sienna, and Avalon, and Lexus ES 350, RX 350, and GS 350 vehicles, model year 2018 and newer, the complaint says.

The vehicles are equipped with Toyota’s eight-speed transmission, the “Direct Shift 8AT,” which Toyota developed in a joint venture with Aisin AW, a third-party transmission manufacturer, the suit says.

Toyota touted the Direct Shift 8AT transmission as improving fuel economy and driving stability, the suit ...