2020 Toyota Highlander · symptom sheet
Transmission fails or needs replacement
- 57owner reports
- 71,000median miles
- $8,700median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 17, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
125 of the 317 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 57 of those describe transmission failure, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2020 Highlander.
Tick what matches of 57 reports
Transmission failure on other Highlander years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2023, 2024.
What this problem usually is
This is the end of the road for a transmission: the car stops moving under its own power, or a shop says the unit has to be replaced or rebuilt. Half of the owners here mention a warning light or message, and a quarter mention it happening again or to a second unit.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the transmission (57 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the transmission and drivetrain covers the 2020 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
What owners paid
24 of the 57 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $8,000 to $10,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 55,000 and 77,000 miles, from the 35 reports that gave a mileage.
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 57 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. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 39 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 32 reports