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ProblemsByVinFile / 2020-TOYOTA-HIGHLANDERNHTSA data synced 3 days ago
Toyota
2020 Toyota Highlander problems
The 2020 Toyota Highlander has 300 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2020 Toyota Highlander has 300 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 118 complaints, typically surfacing around 84,295 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2020 Highlander?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Brakes: 28 complaints, classified severe
Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average
2 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
5 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★5/5
Frontal crash★★★★★4/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2020 Toyota HIGHLANDER SUV AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2020 Toyota Highlander? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
powertrain — 118 owner reports
· tends to show around 84,295 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
airbags — 32 owner reports
· tends to show around 78,082 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
brakes — 28 owner reports
· tends to show around 38,900 mi · ~$450 to fix
body — 27 owner reports
· tends to show around 29,719 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 78,082 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 2 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
powertrain (~$2,500) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2020 Highlander· powertrain
The contact's wife owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that soon after purchasing a new set of tires, the vehicle made an abnormal rattling sound upon acceleration. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for an oil change and tire rotation, and the contact was informed…
My 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has a braking issue identified in Toyota Service Bulletin T-SB-0059-23, Hybrid Regenerative Brake Transition Feeling Improvement. When going downhill and applying the brake, the vehicle lurches forward temporarily as the braking system…
Case #11497584, All 4 tires Brigestone 235/55R20 102V cracked(DOT 4919, Thread 6/32-7/32). Numerous report of this tires exploding. load index 102 is Max load 1874 Lb at 44 PSI. Manufacturing label is 36 PSI, GAWP RR 3405. At 36 PSI(load inflation table) tire capacity is 1620 Lb…
My 2020 Highlander developed a whining or grinding noise consistent with the Technical Service Bulletin. I took it to a Toyota Dealership for diagnostic and they confirmed the whining and hissing sound. They said it would cost $9,000 to repair. I called Toyota to request a…
Had a problem with your 2020 Toyota Highlander?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Highlander and Highlander hybrid vehicles
Improper deployment of the seat-mounted side air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Highlander vehicles equipped with a 3
Improper fuel supply programming can result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Common questions
Is the 2020 Toyota Highlander reliable?
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.8 out of 10 based on 300 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2020 Toyota Highlander has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2020 Toyota Highlander?
The 2020 Toyota Highlander is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Brakes: 28 complaints, classified severe; Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2020 Toyota Highlander?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 118 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 84,295 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2020 Toyota Highlander a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 300 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 84,295 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2020 Toyota Highlander?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 118 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 84,295 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 84,295 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Toyota Highlander has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2020 Toyota Highlander?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 300 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 3 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/Toyota/Highlander.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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