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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | POWER TRAIN | Loud whining noise after 55000 miles , Toyota saying i need a new transmission in my suv that now has 60785. I had alerted Toyota regarding the noise a month prior and they said it was a normal noise. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2024 | AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS | The contact's wife owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the audible seat belt chime sounded after the front passenger's side seat occupant had buckled the seat belt. The seat belt warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the failure was related to the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,080. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | 67,080 |
| May 2024 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2024 | SERVICE BRAKES | This vehicle was purchased new. Early in our ownership we ( my wife and I ) occasionally notice that the brakes momentarily release when they are applied for just a second causing us to increase braking which results in the brakes working again. This usually happens when slowing to make a turn at slow speeds. It doesn’t happen all the time but has persisted throughout the four years we have owned the car. We have continued to document this issue with the dealers service department in hopes a service bulletin would be issued with a fix. They have driven the car and done computer diagnostic checks to no avail. Just wonder if anyone else has had this issue and whether anything can be done to fix it ? | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Loud screeching noise from stereo speakers. Very loud. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2024 | POWER TRAIN | Transmission began whining and hesitating around 62K miles. Transmission is the 8AT. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2024 | POWER TRAIN | The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound while failing to shift gear or accelerate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 72,000 |
| Apr 2024 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while inspecting the vehicle after an oil change, she noticed that the front lower bumper assembly was detached and was hanging down. Additionally, there was an abnormal sound coming from the front of the vehicle while driving. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair; however, the dealer informed the contact that the recall repair could not be performed unless she paid a fee to repair a scratch on the bumper. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 7,000. Parts distribution disconnect. | Crash: No Fire: No | 7,000 |
| Apr 2024 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | On numerous occasions when applying the brakes on my vehicle there is a very noticeable "surge" when the vehicle slows to a near stop. It feels like there is a momentary loss of braking before the brakes re-engage. I have had the vehicle since new and it seems like the problem has become more noticeable over time. I have lost some confidence in the safety performance of the vehicle due to this dangerous issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The vehicle continues to place excessive wear on the right rear tire despite the auto dealership service department stating there is nothing wrong with the vehicle. My tires have been replaced 4 times with 89,000 miles on the vehicle. The dealership service department is not willing to look into it any further and states everything is normal despite something clearly wearing this particular tire every 20-25,000 miles. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2024 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure), however, the part to repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable time to remedy the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2024 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact was informed by an independent mechanic that the front bumper had begun to detach from the vehicle on the driver's and passenger’s side ends of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but was later referred to an independent body shop for service. The contact then discovered that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | STRUCTURE | We were driving at around 70 mph on lane #3 on [XXX] near Auburn CA at around [XXX] on [XXX] with 2 passengers and some baggage in the trunk. No baggage were on the roof rack. Traffic was light and no vehicle was directly ahead of us at the time. Weather was cloudy. Suddenly we heard a loud bang above us, like a gun going off. I opened the sunroof cover and found the sunroof glass shattered. After exiting the freeway and parking, we found only the sunroof glass was damaged. The glass was shattered but still intact. There was no damage to the roof or roof racks. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the contact depressed the brake pedal to slow for traffic. The contact stated that the vehicle was vibrating and as he depressed the brake pedal the pedal stiffened and required more pressure to depress. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the brake pedal failure occurred only between driving 60 to 70 MPH. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 87,000 |
| Feb 2024 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | The side view mirrors are very shaky at all speeds-- and worse over bumps/and/or at highway speeds. It causes a distraction in the peripheral vision of the driver, and does not provide a reliable, clear image in the mirror while the car is underway. The problem is worse on the driver (left) side, but it exists on both sides. This creates an unsafe condition where vision is not clear in the side mirrors. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE | The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling or parked, the engine would suddenly seize. The failure occurred intermittently. The check engine warning light illuminated with a message that the brakes were enabled. The contact restarted the vehicle several times before the vehicle operated as needed. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer 3 times however, the dealer was unable to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 45,600. | Crash: No Fire: No | 45,600 |
| Jan 2024 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact discovered online that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made not aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Nav Search and Voice message dictate disabled. Highlander 4th Generation (2020+) Has anyone experienced a DCM failure? My 2020 Highlander LTD hit 70K and 3yr mark; all of a sudden my Nav won't search while driving and I cannot dictate a response to a msg. Other forums suggest, reset the DCM by disconnecting the battery for a minimum of 30 minutes. This can be problematic. NO hands free driving capability. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2023 | POWER TRAIN | The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, he heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and it was determined that the sound was coming from the transmission however, the dealer was unable to provide a cause for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was 100,100. | Crash: No Fire: No | 100,100 |
| Nov 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to jumpstart the vehicle and the vehicle operated normally. The contact had taken to the vehicle to a certified mechanic who tested the battery and alternator but found no failure. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 57,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 57,000 |
| Nov 2023 | POWER TRAIN | The car is barely 3 years old with 74000 miles to it. The is a humming noise coming from the transmission which the dealer said I may want to replace it. It’s not cheap to do so and I don’t expect it to happen to a new car. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2023 | SERVICE BRAKES | On more than 50 occasions while coming to a stop or slowing down I have experienced a surge forward while applying the brakes. It has happened at stop signs, stop lights, going downhill. I cannot duplicate on demand. Several times it has surged me past a stop sign/stop light while I still had my foot on the brake. Also, when the surge happens, I have to push harder on the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. I took it to the dealership on 9/2023 and was told it was not a problem that could be replicated and it has happened several times since then. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2023 | EQUIPMENT | See attached document from complainant | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2023 | SERVICE BRAKES | Was following a truck that was pulling a utility trailer. We had just stopped and started moving again when when he suddenly stopped. I had just sped up maybe going 10 to 15 mph when I applied my brake, the brakes did not engage until after I hit the trailer in front of me and jammed it into truck it was being pulled by.I had front end damage and radiator damage and the car was not drivable. I had noticed previous to this that at times at low speeds the brakes would not engage and would need to be double tapped to get them to engage. Could go weeks without it happening or could happen multiple times in a day. No consistency to the issue. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | Unknown |