repaired · 2026 Q3
Sensor: occupant classification
Risk. An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
2020 Toyota HighlanderProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 323 owner complaints about the 2020 Toyota Highlander, most often about the power train. It is covered by 4 safety recalls, and for recall 23V-865 the manufacturer reports only 59% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 30, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2020 Toyota Highlander has problems
323 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
127Power train2 crash/fire/injury
39Service brakes7 crash/fire/injury
32Air bags3 crash/fire/injury
30Structure1 crash/fire/injury
19Fuel/propulsion system
18Electrical system
17Engine
10Vehicle speed control
7Forward collision avoidance
4015 other systems4 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 127 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 39 | 7 |
| Air bags | 32 | 3 |
| Structure | 30 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 19 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 18 | 2 |
| Engine | 17 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 10 | 2 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 7 | 4 |
| 15 other systems | 40 | 4 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
2020 Toyota Highlander recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2026 Q1
Body: bumpers
Risk. A detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2022 Q3
Air bags
Risk. Improper deployment of the seat-mounted side air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
repaired · 2022 Q1
Engine
Risk. Improper fuel supply programming can result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Toyota.
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Power train
22 owners mentioned a cost$8,850median
Middle half: $8,000 – $9,950
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2020 vs. every other Highlander year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Highlander median. How we score
'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2020 Toyota Highlander safety ratings
2020 Toyota HIGHLANDER SUV AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- Rollover: 4 stars (16.4% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: Standard
- Lane departure warning: Standard
In owners' words
What Highlander owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
I am reporting a premature transmission failure in my 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE AWD at approximately 72,000 miles. The vehicle exhibited transmission-related symptoms beginning before I purchased it. During the test drive at Chapman Ford on May 26, 2025, I noticed a whining noise that sounded like…
• 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…
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.
Own a 2020 Highlander?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.