VehicleVerdict

2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 9 complaints on file for the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

9

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2020 compare to other Highlander Hybrid years?

Highlander Hybrid NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted481 complaints2004: 0 complaints2005: 2 complaints2006: 481 complaints2007: 160 complaints2008: 272 complaints2009: 55 complaints2010: 26 complaints2011: 5 complaints2012: 11 complaints2013: 6 complaints2014: 2 complaints2015: 5 complaints2016: 9 complaints2017: 7 complaints2018: 7 complaints2019: 9 complaints2020: 9 complaints2021: 17 complaints2022: 10 complaints2023: 10 complaints2024: 0 complaints2025: 0 complaints
Highlander Hybrid NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Highlander Hybrid years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags444%
Brakes222%
Body & Structure111%
Tires & Wheels111%
Visibility & Wipers111%

Does the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

23V865000AirbagsDecember 20, 2023 · 999,901 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.

Consequence

An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.

23V720000Body & StructureOctober 26, 2023 · 750,795 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Highlander & Highlander Hybrid vehicles. During normal vehicle operation, minor impact to the front lower bumper cover may result in the cover coming loose or detaching.

Consequence

A detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will repair or replace the upper and lower front bumper covers as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed April 22, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB12/23TA12.

22V239000Electrical SystemApril 13, 2022 · 458,110 units

Defect

Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Lexus LX 600, Lexus NX 350h, Lexus NX 450h+, Toytoa RAV4 Hybrid, 2021-2022 Lexus LS 500h, Toyota Mirai, RAV4 PRIME, Sienna, Venza, and 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The Skid Control ECU software may not turn on the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system when the vehicle is restarted after the driver has disabled the VSC system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

Consequence

Driving with a deactivated stability control system increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the Skid Control ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 22TA03. Lexus' number for this recall is 22LA01.

20V633000SeatsOctober 14, 2020 · 3,121 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Highlander and Highlander hybrid vehicles. Incorrect seat trim covers on one or both of the front seats can prevent the seat-mounted side air bag from deploying properly.

Consequence

Improper deployment of the seat-mounted side air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seats and replace the seat trim covers as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB14 / 20TA14.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 15, 2024

“After driving on an interstate and having my foot on the brake - the car jumps forward and accelerates. It has done this for a couple years, and it continues to happen more frequently. Sometimes it just jumps forward when you are driving through town and go to slow down. This seems like a safety…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 24, 2025

“The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that the climate control system failed to defrost the windows during rainy or cold weather conditions. As a result, the contact was unable to defrost the windows, making it difficult to see the roadway. The contact was concerned…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · October 27, 2022

“The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 75 MPH, the front passenger’s and driver’s side top shield assembly and the engine cover under components became detached from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · February 29, 2024

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR TIRES, TIRE LINE: EAGLE, TIRE SIZE: 235/55/R20, DOT NUMBER: M68AJM1R0720. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE TREAD ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR SEPARATED, CAUSING THE TIRE TO EXPLODE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · February 26, 2021

2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid — common questions

Is the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid reliable?

The record is thin — 9 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Toyota Highlander Hybrid years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Highlander Hybrid years to avoid are 2006, 2008, 2007, 2009. The cleanest record among Highlander Hybrid years belongs to 2025.

How safe is the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.