VehicleVerdict

2020 Toyota Highlander problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2020 Toyota Highlander sits mid-pack among Highlander years: 348 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 237, with 4 recalls and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 23 injuries in total across these filings.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 117 reports (34% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

348

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

22

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

23

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2020 compare to other Highlander years?

Highlander NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted613 complaints1997: 1 complaints1998: 1 complaints1999: 0 complaints2000: 0 complaints2001: 158 complaints2002: 335 complaints2003: 316 complaints2004: 337 complaints2005: 289 complaints2006: 344 complaints2007: 159 complaints2008: 502 complaints2009: 178 complaints2010: 272 complaints2011: 229 complaints2012: 228 complaints2013: 280 complaints2014: 158 complaints2015: 245 complaints2016: 137 complaints2017: 364 complaints2018: 342 complaints2019: 613 complaints2020: 348 complaints2021: 590 complaints2022: 291 complaints2023: 219 complaints2024: 54 complaints2025: 9 complaints2026: 1 complaints
Highlander NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Highlander years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Toyota Highlander problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission11734%
Other4011%
Brakes339%
Airbags329%
Body & Structure288%
Electrical System175%
Fuel System175%
Engine165%
Driver Assistance123%
Speed Control103%
Seat Belts62%
Suspension51%
Visibility & Wipers51%
Steering41%
Seats21%
Tires & Wheels21%
Latches & Locks10%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2020 Toyota Highlander 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.

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.

20V162000EngineMarch 19, 2020 · 38,810 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Highlander vehicles equipped with a 3.5 L, V6 (2GR-FKS) gasoline engine. Due to an Engine Control Unit (ECU) programming error, fuel may not be correctly supplied to the engine while using the stop and restart feature.

Consequence

Improper fuel supply programming can result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ECU, free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA06.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND IN THE PARK POSITION IN ORDER FOR THEIR MOTHER TO UNLOAD THE TRUNK, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ROLLED AWAY IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER THEIR MOTHER. ONCE THE INCLINE OF THE STREET WAS MORE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 2, 2020 · crash

“I was pulling into a parking space in a parking garage. As i was pulling in, the car unintentionally had a rapid acceleration event and crashed into a cement pillar causing the car to be a total loss”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · May 3, 2024 · crash

“The Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection is a good thing, but there's a problem. It stops the car too abruptly on the highway, leading to rear-end collisions. When you release the brake pedal, the car remains stationary. To get it moving, you need to press the accelerator pedal. There…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 12, 2026 · crash

“Air bags didn’t deploy in severe accident. Vehicle is available for inspection. Air bags not deploying in accident could have led to injuries. No service or dealerships has seen the vehicle. Police didn’t inspect the vehicle. Insurance company is going to look at the vehicle on February 13,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 31, 2023 · crash

“Several times pulling out from stop signs I failed to see cars coming from the passenger side. On August 4th 2021 I failed to see a car until it was directly in front of me and I collided with it. Wondering how I could have failed to see it I started doing research on the internet. I discovered…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · August 4, 2021 · crash

2020 Toyota Highlander — common questions

Is the 2020 Toyota Highlander reliable?

It is close to typical for the Highlander: 348 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2020 Highlander problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (117 complaints), other (40 complaints), brakes (33 complaints).

Does the 2020 Toyota Highlander have recalls?

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

Which Toyota Highlander years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Highlander years to avoid are 2019, 2021, 2008, 2017. The cleanest record among Highlander years belongs to 2000.

How safe is the 2020 Toyota Highlander?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2020 Toyota Highlander 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.