Complaint volume
284 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2020 Toyota Highlander Complaints
284 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2020 Toyota Highlander, grouped by component category.
284 Total complaints
12 Crash reports
0 Fire reports
9 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are power train, air bags, unknown or other. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 12 crash reports, 0 fire reports, 9 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 55 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 37,738 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to power train, air bags, unknown or other?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2020 Toyota Highlander?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2020 Toyota Highlander
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2020 Toyota Highlander complaints?
12 Crash
0 Fire
9 Injury
0 Fatality
10 Towed
7 Medical attention
What are the most common 2020 Toyota Highlander complaint categories?
POWER TRAIN 102
AIR BAGS 29
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 28
STRUCTURE 22
SERVICE BRAKES 21
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 13
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 4
SUSPENSION 4
ENGINE 3
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE 3
284 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | SERVICE BRAKES | When braking, and decelerating through 25 to 20 MPH, the brakes temporarily stop functioning. There is a noticeable change in deceleration that can be felt by the driver AND passengers. This almost feels like an acceleration, but we believe it's the brakes briefly stop functioning. The same problem occurs with different drivers so we are confident the problem is mechanical and not operator dependent. We believe this is a brake actuator issue and there may have been a similar problem in earlier model Toyotas. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2025 | AIR BAGS | I received a safety recall notice from Toyota (Recall No. 23TA15 / 23TB15) for the front passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensors. The letter states that the airbag system may not deploy correctly and that the remedy is not yet available. I’m concerned for my safety and my passengers since the airbag system could fail in a crash. Toyota has not provided a repair timeline or an alternative vehicle. I’ve contacted my dealer and Toyota customer service but was told there’s no fix yet. I would like NHTSA to investigate the delay and require Toyota to provide an immediate remedy or alternate transportation. Symptoms: •Airbag light may remain on or system disabled •Unable to safely seat a passenger in the front seat •No repair currently available despite safety risk Remedy status: •Remedy not available | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The 8 speed automatic transmission is failing at 100k miles. Whining noises are heard and after being taken to Toyota dealerships mechanic, we were told that the gear mesh or bearing is bad and that we'll need to replace the transmission. We were told that many other highlanders have experienced the same issues. No light popped up before or during driving while the transmission is whining. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | We were driving on the highway and heard what sounded like a gun shot. Our sunroof had exploded. Luckily the interior door was closed or we would have been showered with glass. There was no one around, no rocks or road debris. It just came out of nowhere! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2025 | POWER TRAIN | The car started making whining noises when pressing the gas pedal. Toyota reported "noise from transaxle final drive. recommend replace. vehicle ok to drive but noise will continue until transaxle is replaced." There are no warning lights, messages or other symptoms prior to the sound starting or currently. This is a known issue with its 8-speed automatic transmission (UA80E/UA80F) that can cause whining, erratic shifting, and premature failure. This issue is the subject of a Customer Support Program (CSP ZJC) and several lawsuits, but the program has limited coverage for VINs, leading to owner complaints about a lack of assistance from Toyota. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | POWER TRAIN | After my 75000 mile inspection at my Toyota dealership, which is required and I have been bring my vehicle in every 5,000 miles. I started hearing a slight whinny noise. I thought it was around my wheels or tires. Then I thought it must be a new wind noise. Which that is another issue. I took a short trip and by the time I got back it was louder. I took it to the dealership and the technician drove it and said I need a new transmission. I ask my service provider if he has seen any other vehicles having this problem? And I should not have any transmission issues at this mileage. My service provider stated that he knows of highlanders having this issues. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | POWER TRAIN | At around 45,000 miles, my 2020 Toyota Highlander started making a whining noise on acceleration. This condition seemed to get worse (whining got louder) I took it to a Toyota dealership and they said there are no codes left by the vehicle but the repair technician knows that this whine is related to a total transmission failure so the recommendation is to replace the transmission at a cost of approximately $8000, Toyota said the vehicle is out of warranty (by 4 months) so they will offer nothing to assist with the repair. Looking on the internet and this website, it is very clear that this is a common issue with this model of vehicle. Dealer said I can drive it but eventually the transmission will fail, leaving me stranded on the roadside. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | STRUCTURE | We own a 2020 Toyota Highlander, and both of the exterior door handles for the backseat have broken. The first in Jan 2025 and the second a few days ago. When the first was repaired (a different door) I was told this happens often on Toyota doors and is to be expected. If this is true why are stronger components not being used in manufacturing? The first doorhandle was replaced totaling $370 and now we are going to have to replace the second. It is disheartening to know that you can purchase a car that is supposed to be so safe, but if something were to happen I might not have a way to open the door to get to my children in the back seat. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | ENGINE | While on the freeway vehicle stalled when accelerating and engine stopped, I had to pull over to the side of the road to avoid accident. Turned vehicle back on and started making a whinning noise. Vehicle was taken in and found out the transmission is no good at 89k. Also found out that a lot of people that purchased this vehicle are having the same issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | DOOR LOCKS DO NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK WITH THE CAR FOB, NOW ONLY THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR DOES NOT UNLOCK WITH THE FOB, YOU HAVE TO UNLOCK FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | POWER TRAIN | UNKNOWN, dealers are reporting 1-2 2020-2022 Highlanders are needing completely transmission replacements at 8-10k in cost. They are all failing and toyota knows this. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | POWER TRAIN | I am filing a complaint with the NHTSA regarding persistent transmission slipping in my 2020 Toyota Highlander LE equipped with the UA80-E 8-speed automatic transmission. Since reaching approximately 55,000 miles, I have experienced noticeable slipping, characterized by delayed acceleration, erratic shifting, and occasional lurching, which align with documented defects in the UA80 platform as outlined in over 430 NHTSA complaints and Toyota’s Technical Service Bulletins (e.g., T-SB-0160-18 and T-SB-0008-21). These issues stem from a known manufacturing flaw involving a washer tab failing to secure the counter drive gear’s retaining nut, leading to gear movement, internal wear, and symptoms like mine. This defect, prompting Toyota’s Customer Support Program ZJC for 2017–2018 models and reported in later years like 2020, compromises vehicle safety and reliability, as slipping can cause unpredictable handling. I urge the NHTSA to investigate further and hold Toyota accountable for addressing this widespread issue across affected models. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | POWER TRAIN | Whining noise when accelerating. Took it to toyota dealership and confirm it was the transmission .toyota corporate would not assist repair cost as my warranty is 7k miles pass warranty mark..did a research about the transmission and there is a class action law suit about the faulty transmission | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | On September 2, 2025, the vehicle’s Hybrid System shut down on cold start and the vehicle would not start. A dealer inspection reported coolant had entered cylinder #4, allegedly causing the engine block to warp, the cylinder head to crack, and the head gasket to fail. This was a sudden catastrophic engine failure on a five-year-old vehicle with no prior overheating warnings, no dashboard alerts, and no performance issues in the days leading up to the failure. It is highly unlikely for an engine block to warp without sustained overheating, yet the failure occurred on a cold start. The dealership itself described this as a “premature failure” in their service report. At approximately 26,000 miles, the vehicle’s coolant thermostat failed and was replaced under warranty. If the thermostat stuck closed even briefly, the engine could have experienced one or more silent overheat events that never registered on the dashboard. In aluminum blocks, even short bursts of high localized heat can create latent distortion that doesn’t cause immediate problems but can eventually lead to catastrophic failure years later. Safety Risk: – Vehicle became disabled suddenly without warning. – Engine failure occurred without overheating symptoms, creating risk of sudden shutdown during use. Problem Confirmation: – Engine failure confirmed by a Toyota-authorized dealer. – Dealer service report explicitly called this a “premature failure.” Warning Lamps / Symptoms: – A check engine light appeared briefly three days before failure, then cleared on its own. – No overheating warnings or drivability issues were observed prior to failure. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | POWER TRAIN | The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, there was an abnormal whining sound coming from underneath the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 78,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 78,000 |
| Sep 2025 | POWER TRAIN | All of the sudden around 70K miles, the transmission started to make a "whining" noise. It does not sound right and I'm afraid the transmission could fail while I'm driving. I took it to the dealer and they acknowledged that it's a known issue but that in my case the noise is not loud enough to warrant replacing the transmission. A quick research on the internet revels that this is a very common problem. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | POWER TRAIN | 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 . | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | POWER TRAIN | My 2020 vehicle has 75,000 miles on it. It started making a high pitched sound when accelerating. I brought my vehicle to the dealership where I bought it, to have it inspected. I was assuming it would be a belt or an easy fix. The service agent walked over and cooly explained that I need a new transmission. He continued to say that this is a common issue with this make and model. He stated that at the beginning of the year customers were having to wait a couple of months of transmission parts, but now because of the demand due to the well known power train failure, that the current wait time for transmission parts are only two weeks. He stated several times, that this is a common problem, one that car owners are expected to pay $9,000. to fix. A quick google search brings up a plethora of customers having the same exact problem. Toyota needs to make this right and issue a recall on their faulty product. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | AIR BAGS | Vehicle: 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE VIN: [XXX] Mileage (approx): 78,000 Problem Description: My vehicle displays an SRS Airbag System Malfunction warning and a seatbelt chime that activates whether the passenger seat is occupied or not, and whether the buckle is latched or not. The chime stops after about a minute, but the SRS light remains on. This behavior matches a false passenger occupancy detection, which suggests the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor is still malfunctioning. My vehicle was included in Toyota Recall 23TA15 (NHTSA 23V865), and the dealer (Classic Toyota of Hampton) marked the recall as completed on September 9, 2025. However, the current symptoms are identical to those described in the recall, which indicates the recall remedy may not have corrected the defect. Toyota now claims the issue is due to the passenger seat buckle, but a buckle alone would not cause the system to chime when the seat is empty. I believe this is a continued failure of the OCS system, which directly affects the airbag and seatbelt safety system. Safety Concern: The ongoing fault may cause the passenger airbag to deploy incorrectly in a crash. I am concerned that the recall remedy was ineffective, leaving my vehicle unsafe. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | POWER TRAIN | Transmission is defective. I do have a warranty that I purchased but I am aware that this is a faulty transmission for the 2020 and 2021 Highlander and Toyota refuses to do anything about it. Transmission is 2 - 3 months backordered and Toyota will not provide a rental. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Went to close the right rear passenger door and heard splashing. Door is leaking from somewhere and running down to the bottom of the door filling it with water on the inside. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | POWER TRAIN | 2020 toyota highlander l Transmission..whining noise it gets louder when accelerating | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | POWER TRAIN | The vehicle’s transmission makes an audible whining noise during acceleration and intensifies as the car increases speed. The vehicle has been diagnosed and inspected at the original dealer where the car was purchased and confirmed that the transmission needs to be replaced. The vehicle’s powertrain warranty has just expired and this issue is a major problem and concern with similar model years. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | POWER TRAIN | TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | On August 3, 2025, the vehicle developed a loud humming noise. After an inspection on August 12, Heritage Toyota informed me that the transmission had failed and would require replacement at an estimated cost of $9,000. This failure occurred only days past the five-year warranty and just 8,834 miles beyond the 60,000-mile powertrain limit. I immediately contacted Toyota’s Brand Engagement Center (Case #250814000192). Despite speaking with multiple representatives over several weeks, my inquiries were repeatedly delayed, escalated, or dismissed. At one point, I was even informed that further follow-up on my case would be deleted through Toyota Website. Ultimately, I was offered 50% coverage of the transmission replacement. While I appreciate this offer, it does not fully address the seriousness of a transmission failure occurring under such circumstances. I also contacted Heritage Toyota directly to request assistance, but my calls to the service manager went unanswered, and the dealership declined to provide any additional support. I believe this situation raises concerns about both product quality and customer care. A transmission should not fail in under five years with fewer than 70,000 miles, especially on a well-maintained vehicle serviced exclusively by Toyota. I respectfully request that Toyota be held accountable for this failure and that further review be conducted to determine whether this issue represents a larger pattern of premature transmission failures in Highlanders. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |