2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has a complaint index of 65, ranking 8th worst out of 21 model years, with 9 complaints and 4 recalls. NHTSA lists no crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths tied to these complaints, earning it a Caution verdict relative to other Highlander Hybrid years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 65/100
- #8 of 21 Highlander Hybrid years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 9
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 35
- 35 city / 35 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags4 (44%)
- Brakes2 (22%)
- HVAC1 (11%)
- Structure & Body1 (11%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (11%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Rear tire tread separated and the tire failed at 70 mph, with the owner replacing it with the spare, reported at 9,000 miles.
- Climate control system failed to defrost windows in cold or rainy weather, reducing visibility, reported at 19,000 miles.
- Brake pedal reportedly depressed to the floor without stopping the vehicle despite no warning light, and a dealer performed brake calibration and alignment work, reported at 38,000 miles.
- Multiple owners reported delays getting the airbag sensor recall (23V865000) repaired because replacement parts were unavailable.
- Front and rear undercarriage shield assembly and engine cover detached while driving on the highway at 75 mph, reported at 60,000 miles.
- One owner described the vehicle jumping forward and accelerating while braking, occurring repeatedly over time.
2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V865000Dec 20, 2023Airbags999,901 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification
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.
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.
- NHTSA 23V720000Oct 26, 2023Structure & Body750,795 vehicles
Structure:body:bumpers
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.
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.
- NHTSA 22V239000Apr 13, 2022Brakes458,110 vehicles
Electronic stability control (esc):control module:software
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."
Risk: 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.
2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 35 MPG
- Highway
- 35 MPG
- Combined
- 35 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,850
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2020 compared with other Highlander Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid reliable?
- NHTSA data shows a complaint index of 65 for the 2020 Highlander Hybrid, ranking it 8th worst among 21 model years and giving it a Caution verdict relative to other years of this model.
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?
- Airbags account for 44% of complaints, followed by brakes at 22%, with HVAC, structure and body, and suspension each at 11%. NHTSA lists no crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths linked to these complaints.
- Does the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2020 Highlander Hybrid, covering airbags, structure and body (bumper cover corrosion and undercarriage panel detachment), and a brake ECU software update. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2020 Highlander Hybrid compare to other model years?
- With a complaint index of 65, the 2020 model ranks worse than years like 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2019, which earned Good verdicts with lower complaint indexes, but better than years such as 2006 through 2010 and 2021, which carry Avoid verdicts.
- What mileage do 2020 Highlander Hybrid problems typically show up at?
- Median mileage at failure across reported issues is 28,500 miles, though individual problem areas varied: HVAC issues at 19,000 miles, suspension issues at 9,000 miles, brakes at 38,000 miles, and structure/body issues at 60,000 miles.