2020 Toyota Highlander problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (119) · Service Brakes (33) · Air Bags (29)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota Highlander model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
60 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification 2023-12-20 · campaign 23V865000 · 999,901 vehicles
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.
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Structure:body:bumpers 2023-10-26 · campaign 23V720000 · 750,795 vehicles
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.
Risk: A detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Seats 2020-10-14 · campaign 20V633000 · 3,121 vehicles
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.
Risk: Improper deployment of the seat-mounted side air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Engine 2020-03-19 · campaign 20V162000 · 38,810 vehicles
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.
Risk: Improper fuel supply programming can result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (186)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2026-06-25 · T-SB-0040-24 Rev1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2020 – 2026 model year highlander and highlander hybrid vehicles may exhibit a water leak from the roof rack attachment clips. this may be caused by the sealant in the roof channel obstructing the proper seating position for the clip gasket.
Electrical System 2026-03-18 · T-SB-0021-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2020 – 2024 model year highlander and highlander hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the air conditioner does not cool due to a leak and/or corrosion in the rear underbody air conditioner tube and accessory assembly. the anti-corrosion material has been updated to reduce the possib
Electrical System 2026-01-30 · T-SB-0106-22 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
obsolete notice january 30, 2026: this bulletin is now obsolete. please see t-sb-0001-26.
Electrical System 2026-01-28 · T-SB-0001-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2018 – 2024 model year toyota vehicles equipped with a premium audio with dynamic navigation system require a special service tool (sst) usb flash drive to update the map, points of interest, and system software.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-07 · T-SB-0055-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2026 toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Structure:body 2025-11-18 · T-SB-0086-25 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2020 – 2023 model year highlander and highlander hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the power back door (pbd) will not open or close and/or stops moving while opening or closing. a modified pbd unit assembly is available to address these conditions.
Showing the 6 most recent of 186 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-28 · Unknown Or Other“premature transmission failure with the only option to replace to rectify the issue. toyota refuses to assist with any portion of the cost even though there are tsb's published noting the ongoing premature transmission failures. toyota corporate cited routine maintenance not being done at a toyota dealership as their reasoning for refusal to help a…”
2026-10-19 · Unknown Or Other“thanks for your service, which is much appreciated. i had a terrifying experience with my 2020 toyota hylander hybrid on xxx. i was traveling slowly on the right eastbound lane of [xxx] trying to exit onto [xxx], when a car suddey merged from my left, near my front bumper. i put on my brakes with enough room to spare to avoid a collision, howeve…”
2026-10-11 · Structure:body“my bumper detached from the vehicle on two separate occasions on the freeway. i learned about he bumper recall and brought it to right toyota scottsdale (az), my local dealer. right toyota failed to follow toyota's explicit recall protocol to replace the damaged bumper and only installed the upgraded hardware after the bumper had already completely…”
2026-10-04 · Service Brakes · 💥 crash“we were behind a vehicle that had come to a rolling stop because the vehicle in front of him had hit the person in front of him , we were going about 25 miles per hour and about 2 car lengths from him . i applied the brakes but the vehicle failed to stop . it was as if i did not press the brakes at all. we rearended the person in front of us . the …”
2026-10-02 · Power Train“• what component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? the ua80 8-speed automatic transmission assembly (specifically internal mechanical wear resulting from front carrier assembly bearing degradation/torque converter heat buildup). no, the component and the contaminated transmission fluid are currently…”
2026-09-28 · Steering“the steering wheel heating component burned my fingers twice due to a malfunction. i had to attempt to pull over immediately because the steering wheel began smoking and the pain from my finger/hand. dealership confirmed and fixed issue and the wheel is no longer available to inspect. i was burned while holding the steering wheel and could have s…”
2026-09-26 · Unknown Or Other“my 2020 toyota highlander only has 68,826 miles on it. it began making a high-pitched whining sound three months ago. i have taken it to my mechanic and he said the transmission is about to go out. toyota is not willing to fix it out of good faith/goodwill since my warranty has ended. my argument is i bought that car thinking it would go 150,000 mi…”
2026-09-17 · Unknown Or Other · 141,597 mi“develop a high-pitched whine, shuddering, or harsh shifting between 25 and 45 mph, which can lead to premature wear or complete failure. also, on/ off from no where and stopped in the middle of the road …”
2026-09-17 · Steering · 29,296 mi“the contact owns a 2020 toyota highlander. the contact stated that while driving, the vehicle stalled and abruptly stopped in traffic at a traffic light. the driver exited the vehicle. the vehicle failed to restart, and the steering wheel was inoperable. the contact was concerned the vehicle might move forward. the check engine warning light was fl…”
2026-09-17 · Power Train“my highlander started making a whining noise while accelerating. took it to my local dealership and was told i need a new transmission. i have 87,000 miles on it! total cost = $8,000. …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.