What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2020 Toyota Highlander

Typical pattern

5.7% of complaints about the 2020 Toyota Highlander came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2020 vehicle — around the middle of the 178 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 5.0 yr in service. The most-reported system is power train (125 complaints), typically at 5.8 yr or about 78,000 miles.

Complaints
369
Median age at failure
5.0 yr
Median mileage
15,000 n=75
Crash / fire / tow
8.9% of reports
Safety recalls
4

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Power train
125 reports · 78,000 mi
5.8 yr
1.6%
Other
41 reports · 4,800 mi
4.8 yr
9.8%
Service brakes
37 reports · 15,592 mi
3.7 yr
16.2%
Air bags
31 reports · 89,083 mi
4.9 yr
9.7%
Structure
30 reports · 30,000 mi
4.3 yr
3.3%
Fuel / propulsion
19 reports · 5,000 mi
1.3 yr
10.5%
Engine
16 reports · 8,000 mi
3.3 yr
12.5%
Electrical system
16 reports · 11,000 mi
4.1 yr
12.5%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

23V865000 2023-12-20
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.

An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.

23V720000 2023-10-26
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.

A detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

20V633000 2020-10-14
Air bags

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.

20V162000 2020-03-19
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery

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.

In owners’ own words

Engine 4,000 mi 1.3 yr in service
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.
Engine 1,960 mi 1.3 yr in service
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.
Engine 8,000 mi 1.4 yr in service
THE ENGINE DIED WHEN STOPPED AT STOP SIGN. AND THEN RESTARTED WHILE TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE.
Fuel / propulsion 700 mi 7 mo in service
TOYOTA ADVERTISES AND REPRESENTS THAT THE HIGHLANDER HYBRID′S FUEL TANK CAPACITY IS 17.1 GALLONS, AND BASED ON ITS 35 MPG RATING, THE RANGE SHOULD BE ABOUT 600 MILES. HOWEVER, I AM NOT ABLE TO FILL THE TANK BY MORE THAN 12 GALLONS THUS REDUCING MY RANGE TO 420 MILES. I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE NEWLY DESIGNED SADDLE TANK WHICH PROHIBITS THE TANK FROM BEING FILLED COMPLETELY THUS CHEATING ME OUT OF ABOUT 180 MILES OF DRIVING RANGE.

Other Highlander model years

20232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001

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