2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
65/100
#8 most-complained of 21 Highlander Hybrid years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has 9 owner complaints and 4 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 65 out of 100 — #8 highest of 21 Highlander Hybrid model years (verdict: Caution). The most reported problem area is airbags (4 complaints, 44% of the total).
- Complaints
- 9
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 35
- 35 city / 35 hwy
Top 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
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 a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid ranks #8 of 21 among Highlander Hybrid model years (Complaint Index 65/100, verdict: Caution). It has 9 complaints and 4 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?
- The most reported problem areas are airbags (4 complaints), brakes (2 complaints), and hvac (1 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 28,500 miles.
- Does the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, most recently reported 2023, covering airbags, structure & body, and brakes.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?
- EPA rates the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid at 35 MPG combined (35 city / 35 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,850. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.