2020 Toyota Highlander Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2020 Toyota Highlander ranks 3rd worst out of 21 model years, with a Complaint Index of 90 and an Avoid verdict. Transmission & Powertrain issues dominate at 40% of complaints, alongside 4 recalls covering airbags, structure, and engine control software.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 90/100
- #3 of 21 Highlander years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 315
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 15
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 20
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20 city / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 20 / 0
Top 2020 Toyota Highlander problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain125 (40%)
- Other44 (14%)
- Brakes41 (13%)
- Airbags32 (10%)
- Structure & Body31 (10%)
- Engine25 (8%)
- Fuel System20 (6%)
- Electrical System18 (6%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras7 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the vehicle rolling away unexpectedly in reverse even after being placed in park.
- Some describe the engine shutting off and the steering wheel locking mid-turn, cutting power steering and brake assist.
- Several report sudden unintended acceleration while parking at low speed, resulting in collisions.
- Brake complaints include delayed or unresponsive pedal engagement during low-speed following situations.
- A few owners report airbags failing to deploy during crashes despite significant impact.
- One owner described the vehicle suddenly lurching forward into a garage on its own while parked.
2020 Toyota Highlander 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 20V633000Oct 14, 2020Structure & Body3,121 vehicles
Seats
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.
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.
2020 Toyota Highlander fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 28 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,800
- 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 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Toyota Highlander reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 Highlander ranks 3rd worst among 21 model years with a Complaint Index of 90, earning an Avoid verdict.
- What is the main problem with the 2020 Toyota Highlander?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 40% of complaints, the largest share, with a median mileage at failure of 73,000 miles.
- Does the 2020 Toyota Highlander have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls covering airbag sensors, front bumper cover corrosion risk, seat trim covers affecting side airbags, and an engine control unit programming error.
- How many complaints does NHTSA have for the 2020 Toyota Highlander?
- NHTSA lists 315 complaints for the 2020 Highlander, including 15 crashes and 20 injuries, with no reported fires or deaths.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Toyota Highlander?
- The EPA rates the 2020 Highlander at 23 mpg combined (20 city/28 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800.