2020 Toyota Highlander
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 317 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 25 Highlander model years with reports.
Of the 2020 reports, 15 involved a crash. 20 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, sensor, occupant classificationDec 20, 2023
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.
An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 23V865000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, body, bumpersOct 26, 2023
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.
A detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 23V720000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsOct 14, 2020
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.
Improper deployment of the seat-mounted side air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
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.
Campaign 20V633000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, deliveryMar 19, 2020
Toyota 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.
Improper fuel supply programming can result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ECU, free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA06.
Campaign 20V162000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
317 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Sep 14, 2021, crash
While making a legal left turn on a green arrow, we were struck on the passenger side of our vehicle by a vehicle that did not stop at the red light.
Seats, Aug 27, 2021
The driver seat started making a motorized noise 2-3 days after I purchased the vehicle. Over the few months from my oil change the noise got louder and louder as we moved the seat back and forth. When I took my vehicle in for its first oil change I addressed it to the dealership as the seat was now no longer able to move forward or backwards. During their inspection they stated there was a lego which was not possible as I had at the time a 1 & 2 year old who would choke on a lego so there is no way I would allow them to play with legos that small, mega blocks okay because those are huge but legos are too small. Anywho the seat was functionable after the inspection which lasted about a month and then went out again. I then brought it up again at the next oil change which they Checked it out and it worked a bit then went out again. The last time I took my vehicle in for its last oil change I addressed it, they took it apart and left it that way as it is now but were unable to locate the reason why it was defaulted. I however found that a piece was missing from one side of the track under the seat but they couldn't see that it was the reason for the malfunction. I have tried multiple times at least 5 times and speaking with the 2 service managers but to no avail this driver seat still can not be adjusted which means no one can drive my vehicle aside from myself not even in case of an emergency. There are no warning lights or alerts that come up.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Aug 18, 2021, crash
Several times pulling out from stop signs I failed to see cars coming from the passenger side. On August 4th 2021 I failed to see a car until it was directly in front of me and I collided with it. Wondering how I could have failed to see it I started doing research on the internet. I discovered others had this same problem also involving an accident. It was brought to my attention the mirrors are large and placed high in regards to the passenger window. I noted others sighted their height as part of the problem. I have a bad back and kept my seat low to ease getting in and out of the vehicle. My vehicle was totaled but the air bags never deployed and no one was injured.
Lane departure, Jul 24, 2021
The lane keeping assist does not work properly on my vehicle. The lane keeping assist does not keep my car in the center of the lane as intended. For instance, it very forcefully makes the car drift to the left and right of the lane and frequently pulls it into the other lane. I have reported this to my local dealership - Sparks Toyota in Myrtle Beach, SC and Toyota Corporate. Sparks Toyota service has admitted that there are many customer complaints about this issue. They have stated that there is a software download "fix" in the works, but not yet available. I did not take their word for this and called Toyota Corporate. The only "solution" I have been offered is an offer to show me how to turn the feature off. This is totally unacceptable as the is an important safety feature that does not work properly and in fact, creates an unsafe situation while driving. Since my report of the issue, I have been made aware of an owners Facebook forum that other owners state they are having the same issue and seems to be a widespread problem.
Service brakes, Jul 11, 2021
I have a 2020 Highlander hybrid. When I brake my stopping pauses a half second to a second then brakes normally. I am afraid that I can get into an accident due to this happening at the wrong time or if I loan my car to another driver that is not aware of the problem. I took it to the dealer and couldn't reproduce the fault with their computer connected. Though this has been happening about every other day or so. there were no warnings prior, it just happens randomly! Please go to the attached Toyotanation.com link to see other people having the same issues with their Highlander Hybrids. https://www.toyotanation.com/threads/2021-highlander-hybrid-platinum-not-braking-properly.1694783/
Electrical system, Jun 28, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander equipped with a Tekonsha Prodigy RF Electronic Brake Control with Bluetooth kits, part number 902501. The contact purchased the unit to use for towing a trailer. The contact purchased the part at an independent mechanic and had the equipment installed by another independent mechanic. When the contact first attempted to use the brake kit, her and her husband had connected the equipment per the instructions and brake kit showed the letter "C" which meant the part was connected. As the contact started driving the vehicle, a NC (not connected) message had appeared on the brake kit. The contact decided to drive the vehicle back to her home and attempted to reconnect the brake system as instructed but the failure persisted. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the equipment had been placed under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20E033000 (Electrical System). The contact reached out to the independent mechanics, the one who sold the part and the other that installed it, and neither were aware of the recall. The contact also called the manufacturer and had written a letter to obtain the replacement part however, the contact had not heard back from the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 0.
Visibility, Jun 24, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 55 mph the sunroof exploded without warning or impact. There were no reported injuries. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 15,600.
Service brakes, Jun 14, 2021
My Toyota Highlander is a hybrid and there is an ongoing problem with the brakes under certain conditions. When you are slowing the vehicle down, with your foot on the the brakes, there is a point under 10 miles an hour, where the brakes appear to let go and you must quickly exert dramatically more pressure on the brakes to stop the car. Fortunately it has not resulted in an accident because my wife and I are aware of the potential danger. The danger is, this occurs when you are stopping at a stop sign or crosswalk, pulling into a parking space, or around pedestrians, even pulling into our garage. I have own previous Toyota Hybrids and this vehicle behaves very differently. In my opinion the route of the problem may be the regenerative braking. As you step on the brakes the regenerative braking supplies most of the braking power and then at a slower speed the regenerative braking abruptly dis engages. It seem there should be a way to smooth the erratic behavior of the brakes. I have filed my concerns with the Toyota customer experience center in November of 2020 under my name and file number #2011280027. The car is available anytime to demonstrate the problem, there are no open recalls for this VIN#, and I have been told there are no service bulletins for this problem. The problem has occurred the whole time I have owned the vehicle.
Steering, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 18, 2021, crash
In my 2020 Highlander I approached a stop sign at a "T" intersection behind 4 other cars. After stopping and looking to see road was clear of oncoming traffic, I pulled out and started my left turn. As I was turning into my lane the car engine turned OFF and the steering wheel was LOCKED in the left position. There was no power for the brakes, which left me jamming on the brake pedal as hard as I could only slowing the car slightly. The steering wheel was LOCKED LEFT and I thought I was going to break it trying to force it back. With no ability to move the steering wheel or brake, I braced myself as the Highlander continued turning in the left direction into the other lane. The result was a head on collision with a Mini Cooper, both cars totaled, and injuring both myself and the other driver. Highlander was investigated by forensic company in the employ of the insurance company, but they could not find any error in the cars CDR (Crash Data Retrieval) system.
Engine, May 4, 2021
GAS WILL NOT FILL UP TO THE ADVERTISED AMOUNT. DISTANCE TO EMPTY METER IS NOT CALIBRATED CORRECTLY. OTHERS ON TOYOTA FORUMS EXPERIENCE THE SAME ISSUE.
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Apr 19, 2021, crash
I WAS AT A STOP SIGN IN MY 2020 HIGHLANDER WAITING TO TURN LEFT ONTO A BUSY ROAD. UPON TURNING LEFT ONTO PA STATE HIGHWAY 999, THE HIGHLANDER ENGINE TURNED OFF AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS "LOCKED" INTO A LEFT POSITION. THIS CAUSED THE CAR TO CONTINUE TURNING INTO THE OPPOSING LEFT LANE RESULTING IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION WITH AN ON-COMING CAR. WITH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING, NO BRAKES, AND NO WAY TO UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL. THE COLLISION CAUSED MY CAR TO BOUNCE BACK AND SLOWLY FREE ROLL BACK TO THE STOP SIGN AS THOUGH I NEVER ENTERED THE ROADWAY.
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 31, 2021
EACH TIME I FILL UP THE CAR WITH GAS I AM UNABLE TO FILL THE TANK TO ITS LISTED CAPACITY. THE VEHICLE HAS A 17 GALLON TANK, BUT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS NEAR EMPTY (1-2 GALLONS REMAINING) I CAN PUMP IN ONLY 12-13 GALLONS OF GAS. THIS GREATLY IMPACTS THE RANGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DATE SHOWN BELOW IS MY MOST RECENT FILL-UP, BUT IT HAS HAPPENED EACH TIME I FILL UP. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO MY TOYOTA DEALER.
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 7, 2021
THE VEHICLE IS SOLD AS HAVING A 17 GALLON FUEL TANK. I'VE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE FOR 5000 PLUS MILES NOW. I HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO GET MORE THAN 13 GALLONS OF FUEL INTO THE TANK. I HAVE WAITED UNTIL THE GAGE SAID THERE WAS ONLY 12 MILE UNTIL EMPTY. STILL COULD ONLY FILL UP WITH ON 13 GALLONS OF FUEL. THE GAGE SAY'S IT'S FULL. I HAVE MADE THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AWARE OF THE ISSUE. BUT THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING ON THEIR SYSTEM ABOUT A RECALL OR NEEDED REPAIR. IF THE VEHICLE IS ADVERTISED AS HAVING A 17 GALLON TANK I SHOULD BE ABLE TO USE THAT WHALE 17 GALLONS OF FUEL. INSTEAD I CAN ONLY FILL UP TO 13 GALLONS.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 21, 2021
UNABLE TO COMPLETELY FILL FUEL TANK. WHEN FUEL LIGHT COMES ON AND I GO TO FILL IT, I GET NO MORE THAN 13 GALLONS IN MY TANK. THE FUEL GAUGE ONLY READS 3/4 FULL. NEVER COMPLETELY FULL.
Engine, Feb 13, 2021
THE ENGINE DIED WHEN STOPPED AT STOP SIGN. AND THEN RESTARTED WHILE TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 10, 2021
VEHICLE WILL NOT START WITHOUT A JUMP AFTER 3-5 HOURS. THE BATTERY STAYS CHARGED LESS THAN ONE DAY, BUT TYPICALLY STARTS AGAIN WITHOUT A JUMP IF DRIVEN AGAIN WITHIN A 3-5 HOUR PERIOD. THE VEHICLE STAYS RUNNING ONCE JUMPED. DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT INDICATES A SOFTWARE UPDATE MAY BE REQUIRED. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE PURCHASE ON JUNE 7, 2020. DATE BELOW IS THE MOST RECENT DATE IT OCCURRED.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 5, 2021
2020 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID AWD. WHEN FILLING FROM ALMOST EMPTY (PER LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT AND DISTANCE TO EMPTY READING ALMOST 0), TANK ONLY ACCEPTS ~12.5 GALLONS BEFORE GAS STATION FUEL NOZZLE AUTO CLICKS OFF. THE FUEL GAGE AT THIS POINT INDICATES THAT THE VEHICLE IS ~7/8 FILLED. THE OWNERS MANUAL WARNS ABOUT NOT ATTEMPTING TO FILL AFTER THE FUEL NOZZLE AUTOMATICALLY CLICKS OFF. BEING UNABLE TO FILL TANK MAY LEAD TO OWNERS ATTEMPTING TO OVERFILL TANKS AND COULD RESULT IN INADVERTENTLY SPILLING FUEL WHICH POSES A SAFETY RISK AND AN ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE RISK. IT CAN ALSO LEAD TO MORE EMISSIONS. A SIMILAR PROBLEM EXISTS WITH 2019/2020 TOYOTA RAV4 PER NHTSA RECORDS, TOYOTA HAS PROPOSED A FIX FOR THIS VEHICLE BUT HAS STATED THAT NO OTHER MODELS ARE AFFECTED BY THIS ISSUE. THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED ABOVE IS ALMOST IDENTICAL WITH THE EXCEPTION THAT THE VEHICLES HAVE DIFFERENT FUEL TANK CAPACITIES. TOYOTA HAS INDICATED THAT THIS IS "NORMAL".
Structure, Jan 26, 2021
SO WHEN I WAS DRIVING AROUND SPEEDS OF 70MPH THE HIGHLANDER STARTS TO WOBBLE AND THE DRIVER MIRROR SHAKING I WENT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT IT COULD BE A RECALL IN FUTURE AND DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. HAD IT FOR LESS THEN ONE YEAR
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 25, 2021
WHEN RE-FUELING THE VEHICLE WITH DTE OF LESS THAN 30 MILES, THE FUEL SHUTS OFF AROUND 12 GAL. 2ND CLICK FOR FUEL STOPPAGE MAY YIELD ANOTHER 0.5 GAL. NOTHING ADDS UP TO 17.1 GAL OF FUEL IN THE TANK. GOING BEYOND THE 1ST CLICK IS BAD FOR THE SYSTEM, YET ONLY FILLS THE CAR UP TO 7/8 FULL ON THE FUEL GAUGE.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 21, 2021
FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT PROPERLY REGISTER FULL HYBRID FUEL TANK (DESIGN) AND/OR DEFECTIVE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT. TOYOTA SERVICE REPORT (6032680/1- 25 SEP 2020); TOYOTA SERVICE REPORT (6046594/1- 21 JAN 2021).
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 19, 2021
2020 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID PLATINUM AWD CANNOT FILL UP FUEL TANK ALL THE WAY. MAX CAN FILL IT UP WHEN IT SHOWS 0 MILES LEFT OF FUEL IS LESS THAN 13 GALLON AND CAR HAS OVER 17 GALLONS. TOYOTA IS SAYING THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE IS. NO SOLUTION AT THIS TIME FOR A $50K CAR
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 17, 2021
THE FUEL TANK CAPACITY LISTED AS 17.1 GALLONS BUT ONLY TAKE BETWEEN 12-12.5 GALLON WHEN FILLED UP, EVEN WHEN THE RESERVE HAS RAN DOWN WHERE MILE TO EMPTY IS NEAR ZERO. TOTAL MILES RANGE BETWEEN FILL UPS IS UNDER 500 MILES, FAR LESS THAN THE 616 MILES RANGE CLAIMED BY TOYOTA.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 13, 2021
VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE REIEVED CODE P0300 REDUCED ENGINE POWER ON HIGHWAY WHEN ACCELERATING
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jan 2, 2021
DRIVING 50 MILES/ HOUR VEHCLE STARTED LOOSING POWER AND STARTED TO SHAKE. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND TWO DIFFERENT MESSAGES IN DASHBOARD POP OUT. ONE ABOUT HYBRID MALFUNCTION AND THE OTHER OUTPUT POWER REDUCED.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Engine, Dec 23, 2020
WE RECENTLY PURCHASED OUR HIGHLANDER AND IT HAS A LITTLE OVER 4,000 MILES. TODAY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT 45 MPH, THE CAR JUST LOST POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. 1. CHECK ENGINE - REDUCED ENGINE POWER 2. SECONDARY COLLISION BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WE HAD TO PARK AND WAIT FOR THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO COME AND TOW IT TO THE SERVICE CENTER. AT THIS POINT I DON'T KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG OR WHY IT JUST CUT OUT WHILE DRIVING. I AM VERY CONCERNED AND CAN ONLY HOPE TOYOTA CAN ADDRESS THIS OR REPLACE THE CAR.