2020 Toyota Highlander · symptom sheet

Transmission fails or needs replacement

56owner reports
71,000median miles
$8,700median quote
0involved a crash

Newest report Sep 4, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

124 of the 311 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 56 of those describe transmission failure, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2020 Highlander.

Tick what matches of 56 reports

warning lights came on first

it was replaced under warranty

I paid for it myself

a second transmission also failed

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the transmission (56 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the transmission and drivetrain covers the 2020 model year as of Sep 9, 2026.

What owners paid

23 of the 56 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $7,000 to $10,000.

$7,000$8,700$10,000

$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 55,000 and 76,000 miles, from the 34 reports that gave a mileage.

824

2725

2126

What owners wrote

“The transmission failed after 56,000 miles. Based on the research this UA80 transmission has a lot of problems and Toyota has issued TBS and even extended warranty for the previous year models in the past. The transmission failed right after the time allowance for the 5 years 60,000 mile powertrain warranty, but within the mileage.”
Filed May 1, 2026 · 56,000 miles

“TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2020 less than 5 years 63,000 miles started making noise Dealer where i bought it; said my warranty expired with 60,000 miles , so i have to pay transmission replace close to $9,000 , obviously this is a Toyota fabrication problem they need to assume responsibility .”
Filed Sep 22, 2025 · 63,000 miles

“Began hearing a high-pitched whining sound when I accelerated. Took it into the dealer and they casually told me that I needed a new transmission. My car was less than four years old, but had more than the 60,000 miles that would apply under a warranty. I am now reading online. This is a widespread problem involving Toyota Highlanders. Canât get a new transmission for three months or more.”
Filed May 14, 2025 · 60,000 miles

“Around 90,000 miles, the transmission has started to whine really bad. This seems to be a common problem with this 2018 to 2021 Highlanders, but 2020 has no recall or service bulletin. My mechanic priced a transmission from a dealership and was told it would be 3 months at least to get a reman transmission. There is a good chance of catastrophic failure before we can get a new transmission installed.”
Filed May 1, 2025 · 90,000 miles

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 56 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.