2020 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2020 Toyota Highlander. This model year has 273 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Transmission / Drivetrain.
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Worst 2020 Toyota Highlander Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Transmission / Drivetrain
Uncategorized Issues
Airbag Malfunctions
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2020 Toyota Highlander. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 101 | 2 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 38 | 2 | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 32 | 3 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 31 | 2 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 27 | 1 | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 17 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 16 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 14 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 10 | 2 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 4 | 2 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 4 | 2 | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2020 Toyota Highlander. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 273 most recent complaints
Transmission developed a "whine" just before 87,000 miles resulting in the transmission and torque converter needing to be replaced as the transmission was failing.
I have a 2020 Toyota Highlander Limited, at 140k my car began whining with acceleration, I took it to the dealership and a new transmission and was quoted 9,790 alone for a new transmission. I have had Toyotas since I began driving, I have never put more than breaks and battery’s…
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a passing vehicle suddenly attempted to merge lanes and struck the vehicle on the passenger side door at approximately 45 MPH. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact st…
I was driving on a busy road going 50 mph and my sunroof exploded. Nothing hit my vehicle and It wasn’t a hot or cold day. No one was injured because my sunroof cover was luckily closed.
At approximately 75,000 miles the vehicle had a whining noise coming from the engine area. Took it to the dealer and they tested it, listened to it and determined that the transmission needed replaced. They confirmed the t-case oil is in good condition and level. No maintenanc…
UA80 8 Speed transmission on 3.5V6 AWD transmission whine with transmission failure
The vehicle is a 2020 Toyota Highlander experiencing a transmission system malfunction, specifically involving the automatic transmission and/or torque converter. Component/System Failure: The transmission produces a noticeable whining noise during acceleration and exhibits abno…
My 2020 Toyota Highlander experiences transmission jerking and hesitation during low speed acceleration. The issue was first reported to the dealership while under warranty but was not diagnosed. The vehicle now requires transmission replacement 7k miles over the warranty despi…
Vehicle produces a noticeable whining noise under acceleration. Shifting is completely normal and no other drivability issues are present. Issue matches the pattern described in TSB T-SB-0008-21 (UA80E/UA80F front carrier assembly pinion shaft bearing failure). Multiple owners re…
1. The vehicle’s transmission appears to be failing. I was driving my 2020 Toyota Highlander on the freeway at about 75 mph with my family in the vehicle when the car suddenly lost power and would not accelerate properly even though the engine was still running. Because of the su…
Vehicle: 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE Purchased: August 2020 Owner: Original owner Transmission: UA80F Dealer quote for “Transmission assembly remove and replace: $8,666.22 +tax The vehicle is experiencing delayed acceleration (lagging power) and a loud whirring noise from the tra…
My 2020 Toyota Highlander, with 83k miles, started making a whining noise when accelerating. I took the vehicle to a local auto shop and they advised there was a transmission issue. There were never any warning signs of issue. I then took the vehicle to Antwerpen Toyota in Clarks…
At approximately 120,000 miles, the vehicle began exhibiting a pronounced shudder or vibration between 40–50 mph under light acceleration or steady cruising. The condition progressed to delayed shifting and intermittent loss of acceleration response. The most concerning issue is…
Taken vehicle at least 6 times to dealer (Corwin Toyota), to enquire about the 23v-865 recall, and each time have been told the repair is not available. Most recently asked December 2025.
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED SUDDENLY.
Premature transmission failure. Vehicle had less than 100K miles. Took the vehicle in for an oil change before a long trip. Mentioned a "whine" during acceleration. Told us that the entire transmission would need to be replaced immediately at a cost of over $10,000. Made an …
Our 2020 Highlander with 45,000 miles started making a whining noise when accelerating. After the Toyota garage looked at it we were told that we needed a full transmission replacement. No warning lights came on alerting of us of problem. We were also told by the service depart t…
I have experienced ongoing transmission problems, including but not limited to rough shifting, delayed acceleration, jerking while driving, and abnormal noises. These issues have significantly affected the safety, reliability, and drivability of my vehicle. This transmission fail…
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera screen displayed a black screen. The contact stated that the failure was persistent. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The dealer…
Whine noise when you accelerate coming from the automatic transmission. Car is hesitant in shifting gears when needing to accelerate causing safety issues/concerns while driving due to the inconsistency. Toyota dealer as inspected the vehicle and recommended a transmission replac…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2020 Toyota Highlander.
Recalls for 2020 Toyota Highlander
4 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2020 Toyota Highlander. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2020 Toyota Highlander — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2020 Toyota Highlander reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2020 Toyota Highlander has 273 NHTSA owner complaints, 11 crash-related, and 4 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Transmission / Drivetrain (101 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Toyota Highlander?▾
#1: Transmission / Drivetrain (101 complaints). #2: Uncategorized Issues (38 complaints). #3: Airbag Malfunctions (32 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2020 Toyota Highlander?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2020 Toyota Highlander?▾
The 2020 Toyota Highlander has 11 crash-related complaints and 0 fire reports out of 273 total NHTSA complaints. 12 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2020 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?▾
Yes — 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2020 Toyota Highlander. The largest issue: AIR BAGS. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2020 Toyota Highlander?▾
The 2020 Toyota Highlander has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Transmission / Drivetrain issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Toyota Highlander reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2020 Toyota Highlander
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.