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ProblemsByVin File / 2020-TOYOTA-HIGHLANDER
2020 · toyota

toyota Highlander problems

2 safety recalls. 271 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.0 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

powertrain
98 reports · avg $2,500
moderate
airbags
32 reports · avg $1,100
severe
brakes
26 reports · avg $450
moderate
body
25 reports · avg $1,500
moderate
electrical
12 reports · avg $850
moderate
cruise control
7 reports · avg $600
severe
suspension
5 reports · avg $900
moderate
visibility
5 reports · avg $350
moderate

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…
12/31/2025 · NHTSA ODI #11708000.0
2020 Highlander · brakes
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…
12/31/2025 · NHTSA ODI #11708018.0
2020 Highlander · wheels
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…
12/30/2022 · NHTSA ODI #11499606.0
2020 Highlander · powertrain
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…
12/29/2025 · NHTSA ODI #11707470.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 2 of 2

severe NHTSA 20V162000 19/03/2020

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.
severe NHTSA 20V633000 14/10/2020

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.

Common questions

Is the 2020 Toyota Highlander reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 271 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2020 Toyota Highlander is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

What's the most common problem on the 2020 Toyota Highlander?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 98 complaints filed. 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. 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 271 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 aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 18 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with toyota. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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