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2020 Toyota Highlander: common problems and reliability
One of the weaker Highlander years.
324 owner complaints, most about power train. 5 recalls.
Should I buy a 2020 Highlander?The 2020 Toyota Highlander has 324 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and service brakes. Owners most often flag 8-speed automatic transmission failures (whining, complete failure): primarily affects non-hybrid (gas) models from approximately 2017-2022. repair costs are reported to be around $7,000+.
Safety record for the 2020 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2020 Toyota Highlander vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Highlander years only. How we score it
Is 2020 a good year for the Highlander?
Across the 25 Highlander model years we track, complaint volume runs from 139 (2001) to 1,005 (2008). With 324 complaints, the 2020 Highlander sits about the same as the model's median of 324.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2020 Highlander
air bags
Campaign 20V633000Toyota 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.
fuel system, gasoline:delivery
Campaign 20V162000Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Highlander vehicles equipped with a 3.5 L, V6 (2GR-FKS) gasoline engine. Due to an Engine Control Unit (ECU) programming error, fuel may not be correctly supplied to the engine while using the stop and restart feature.
structure:body:bumpers
Campaign 23V720000Toyota 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.
air bags:sensor:occupant classification
Campaign 23V865000Toyota 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.
Show 1 more recall
electronic stability control (esc):control module:software
Campaign 22V239000Toyota 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."
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is mixed and heavily dependent on model year and powertrain. The Highlander is widely recognized as a reliable, practical, and comfortable family SUV, praised for its solid build quality, good ride comfort, and strong resale value.
- Very frequent8-speed automatic transmission failures (whining, complete failure)
Primarily affects non-hybrid (gas) models from approximately 2017-2022. Repair costs are reported to be around $7,000+.
- Very frequentTransmission problems in gas models
General reports of issues, clunkiness, and unreliability with the 8-speed automatic in model years 2017-2022, and isolated mentions for 2023.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Highlander. See the full Highlander owner picture and every model year.
Other Highlander model years
Compare every Highlander year side by side to see how 2020 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Highlander against its rivals
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