2020 Toyota Highlander Transmission & Powertrain Problems
NHTSA lists 125 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2020 Toyota Highlander, 40% of all complaints filed for this model year. The median mileage at failure is 73,000. No related recalls are on file.
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints
- 125
- 40% of 315
- Crashes reported
- 2
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Median mileage
- 73,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 0
Typical transmission symptoms owners report
- Owners report a whining or whirring noise from the transmission that develops during acceleration, often between 30 and 40 mph.
- Several complaints describe the whine getting progressively louder over time before dealers diagnose complete transmission failure.
- Some owners say the transmission or transfer assembly failed entirely, requiring full replacement, sometimes just after the warranty period ended.
- A few reports describe the noise appearing gradually after tens of thousands of miles, with dealers initially calling it normal before later confirming a transmission problem.
- One complaint describes the vehicle rolling away unexpectedly while parked and turned off, resulting in a crash and injury.
- One report describes the vehicle unexpectedly moving on its own into a garage while parked.
When 2020 Toyota Highlander transmission complaints were filed
First complaint Jun 12, 2020, latest Sep 17, 2026.
Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2020 Toyota Highlander
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Highlander model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Toyota Highlander transmission reliable?
- NHTSA has logged 125 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2020 Highlander, accounting for 40% of all complaints filed for that model year. Median mileage at failure is 73,000.
- Is there a recall for the 2020 Toyota Highlander transmission?
- No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this problem area on the 2020 Highlander.
- What transmission symptoms do 2020 Highlander owners report?
- Owners most commonly describe a whining or whirring noise during acceleration that grows louder over time, sometimes ending in a diagnosis of complete transmission failure.
- At what mileage do 2020 Highlander transmission problems typically appear?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 73,000 at the time of failure for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on this model year.
- How does the 2020 Highlander compare to other years for transmission complaints?
- The 2020 Highlander's transmission complaints make up 40% of its total complaints, the same share seen in 2019, while 2021 is higher at 43% and 2017-2018 are lower at 27% and 25%.