Fourth generation (XU70)
2020 Toyota Highlander
The most reported problem on the 2020 Toyota Highlander is transmission failure, with 57 complaints, usually around 71,000 miles.
- 317owner complaints
- 4recalls
- 15involved a crash
- 63,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 28, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Highlander doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2020 model year.
Is the 2020 Toyota Highlander reliable?
The 2020 Toyota Highlander has 317 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, 1.4 times the median of 233 for 2020 SUVs on this site. Of the 12 Highlander model years since 2014, it has the 3rd most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2019 and 2021
- At 45 complaints for each year on the road, the 2020 runs below the 2019 (61) and well under the 2021 (87).
- Top problem
- No problem dominates. The largest, transmission failure, covers 57 of the 317 complaints (18%), and brake wear is next with 39 (one complaint can fall under more than one problem, so these overlap). A quarter of the 35 owners who gave a mileage for transmission failure saw it by about 55,000 miles, and half by about 71,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 17 of the 317 complaints (5%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, about the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 15 reports mention a crash and 20 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 6 of 15, fall under brake wear.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- Airbag has a recall on the same system (20V-633 and 23V-865). Transmission failure and brake wear have none. A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Complaints are still climbing. 2025 brought 100, the most of any year so far. So far in 2026, 67 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: transmission fails or needs replacement, 57 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
317 complaints is 1.4 times the median 2020 model on this site and 1.4 times the median 2020 SUV. Among the 11 Highlander model years here it ranks 3rd for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2020 Toyota Highlander
Toyota filed 186 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2020 Toyota Highlander. 25 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 1 bulletin · 39 complaints
TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
Airbag warning light or recall 1 bulletin · 32 complaints
Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition.
Hybrid or EV system warning, loss of power 4 bulletins · 9 complaints
Some drivers of 2020 ? 2022 model year Highlander Hybrid vehicles may be sensitive to the momentary transition from regenerative braking to hydraulic braking under certain driving conditions, such as while driving downhill, or turning with light brake pedal ...
Some 2020 ? 2023 model year Highlander Hybrid and 2021 ? 2023 model year RAV4 Hybrid, RAV4 Prime, Sienna Hybrid, and Venza Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a MIL ON condition with one or both of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) present: ?P24517F ? ...
2 more on this problem
Some 2020 ? 2022 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid and 2021 ? 2022 Sienna Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a MIL ON condition with Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) P0087 (Fuel Rail/System Pressure ? Too Low) and/or P107A2A (Fuel Rail Pressure Sensor (Low) Signal ...
Some 2020 ? 2022 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, and 2021 ? 2022 model year Venza Hybrid vehicles equipped with the 12.3-in.
Seat belt or seat problems 2 bulletins · 8 complaints
Some 2010 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard?. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the Rapgard?.
Some 2010 ? 2021 model year Toyota vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard?. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the Rapgard?.
Windshield cracks or distorts 1 bulletin · 7 complaints
Some 2018 model year Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2019 model year Avalon and Avalon Hybrid, 2020 ? 2021 model year Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, and Corolla, and 2021 model year Sienna Hybrid vehicles may exhibit decreased front windshield defroster performance ...
A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 5 bulletins · 5 complaints
The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks.
The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. Follow the procedures outlined in this service bulletin to aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks
3 more on this problem
Some 2020 ? 2022 model year Highlander and RAV4 vehicles, and 2022 model year Tundra vehicles equipped with a start/stop switch may exhibit water entry to the vehicle from the HVAC drain hose being disconnected from the air conditioning radiator assembly ...
Some 2020 model year Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles may experience a sudden loss of air conditioning cooling with Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) B1423 (Open in Pressure Sensor Circuit/Abnormal Refrigerant Pressure) present.
TT: In certain cases of leaking air conditioning systems, the root cause of the leak is inadvertently overlooked, causing a repeat repair.
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 10 bulletins · 5 complaints
Some 2018 ? 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS, M20A-FKS, or M20A-FXS engine may exhibit one or more of the following conditions: ?Milky/discolored engine oil.
TT: Vehicles listed above equipped with a Denso Ten radio (Entune Audio Plus or Premium Audio) may exhibit a condition in which the radio screen continues to show a Bluetooth phone call in progress after the call has ended.
8 more on this problem
Some 2020 model year vehicles equipped with Audio Plus (version 1060) or Premium Audio (version 1060) or earlier may exhibit the following condition: ?Distorted screen when using Apple CarPlay® while making a hands-free phone call.
Some 2018 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS, or M20A-FKS engine may exhibit one or more of the following conditions: ?Milky/Discolored engine oil.
TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ?Difficulty to pair the phone. ?Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first turning on the vehicle.
Some 2020 ? 2021 model year vehicles equipped with Audio, Audio Plus, or Premium Audio (versions 1784) or earlier may exhibit one or more of the following conditions: ?Intermittent blank screen. ?Navigation map update fails. ?Album art inoperative.
Some 2020 model year vehicles equipped with Audio Plus (version 1060) or Premium Audio (version 1060) or earlier may exhibit the following concern: ?Distorted screen when using Apple CarPlay® while making a hands-free phone call.
TT: The microphone circuit passes through the DCM before reaching the radio/navigation system. To simplify the diagnosis of the microphone, Safety Connect SOS button lights, and DCM (Data Communication Module/telematics transceiver) inoperative conditions, ...
TT: Some 2020 model year vehicles may display abnormal Safety Connect operation during PDS or after replacement due to DCM activation issues.
TT: Some vehicles equipped with Dynamic Navigation may experience a pop-up message notifying them that their map update service will end soon. The date that is shown could be more than one year in the future.
Driveshaft, axle or transfer case problems 1 bulletin · 5 complaints
TT: Some 2014-2021 model year vehicles equipped with Dynamic Torque Control AWD system may experience a ?Noise? or ?Abnormal Operation? condition from the rear differential front coupling.
Complaints filed by year
100 complaints came in 2025. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2020 Toyota Highlander
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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 3.5 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.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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.
All 4 recalls on the 2020 Toyota Highlander, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
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Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2020 Toyota Highlander?
Transmission failure, with 57 of the 317 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 71,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2020 Toyota Highlander problems start?
Of the 125 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 26,000 miles and half by about 63,000.
Is the 2020 Toyota Highlander better or worse than the 2019 and 2021?
Counted per year on the road, the 2020 has fewer complaints than both the 2019 and the 2021: 45 a year against 61 and 87.
How many 2020 Toyota Highlander complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
17 of them (5%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for transmission failure on the 2020 Toyota Highlander?
No recall on file for the 2020 Toyota Highlander is on the same system as transmission failure. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.