Owners have reported 10 crashes and 11 injuries to NHTSA for the 2020 Toyota Highlander. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints90
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2020 Toyota Highlander frequently report issues with the vehicle's transmission, with many complaints involving a whining or grinding noise under acceleration. Symptoms often include rough shifting, delayed acceleration, and abnormal noises, typically occurring between 44,000 and 84,000 miles. Some owners note that their transmission required replacement, with costs quoted around $8,000 to $12,000. There are reports of transmission failures leading to crashes, one of which resulted in an injury, highlighting potential safety concerns. These patterns suggest prospective buyers should be cautious of transmission issues in this model year, especially if the vehicle has exceeded 40,000 miles.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints35
AIR BAGS
Owners report persistent issues with the airbag system in the 2020 Toyota Highlander, primarily linked to a recall involving the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensors. Complaints frequently mention that the airbag warning light remains on and the seatbelt chime activates unnecessarily, even when the passenger seat is unoccupied. This issue is noted across various mileages, with some vehicles reportedly having undergone unsuccessful recall repairs. Safety implications include the potential for airbags to deploy incorrectly, with two reported crashes and four injuries. Buyers should be aware of the ongoing recall and the unavailability of a remedy, which may affect the vehicle's safety systems.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 4 injury reports
Owner complaints28
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2020 Toyota Highlander frequently report issues with the braking system, particularly a temporary loss of braking when transitioning from regenerative to hydraulic braking. Symptoms described include a sensation of the vehicle lurching forward or a momentary surge when slowing down, often occurring at low speeds or on downhill slopes. Complaints often mention these issues arising after the vehicle exceeds typical warranty mileage, with some reports indicating problems starting around 20,000 miles and persisting beyond 80,000 miles. Safety implications are notable, with reports of near-misses and one confirmed crash attributed to the brakes not engaging properly. Used car buyers should be aware of these potential braking issues, especially in models that may no longer be under warranty.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints26
STRUCTURE
Owners of the 2020 Toyota Highlander frequently report issues with the vehicle's front bumper, with numerous complaints describing the bumper detaching or falling off while driving, often at highway speeds. This issue is linked to a recall, although many owners express frustration with delays in repair parts availability and conditions imposed by dealers before completing recall repairs. Affected vehicles often have mileage ranging from approximately 7,000 to 89,000 miles. Additionally, some owners report problems with the sunroof glass shattering unexpectedly, posing a potential safety risk. These structural issues could be relevant for potential buyers assessing long-term reliability and safety.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints14
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Owners of the 2020 Toyota Highlander frequently report issues with the fuel system, particularly involving the inability to fill the fuel tank to its advertised capacity of 17.1 gallons. Many describe being able to add only 12 to 13 gallons even when the fuel gauge indicates near empty, leading to a reduced driving range of approximately 420 to 500 miles instead of the expected 600 miles. Complaints also often mention inaccurate fuel gauge readings, where the gauge fails to register a full tank after refueling and inaccurately indicates fuel levels when nearing empty. These issues collectively pose potential safety risks, as they may lead to unexpected fuel depletion while driving. Buyers considering this model should be aware of these recurring fuel system concerns.
Owner complaints12
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2020 Toyota Highlander frequently report issues with the vehicle's electrical system, particularly concerning door locks and the rear hatch. Complaints often mention problems with door locks failing to respond to the key fob, with some owners noting that only the driver's side door remains unresponsive. The rear hatch is also problematic, with multiple owners describing it as failing to open or close properly, sometimes requiring manual intervention. Additionally, some owners report battery-related issues, where the vehicle fails to start without a jumpstart, even after a few hours of being parked. These issues appear at various mileages, with some occurring as early as 11,000 miles. Safety implications are noted in complaints about the vehicle stalling or losing power while driving, which could pose a risk in traffic situations.
Owner complaints6
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2020 Toyota Highlander frequently report issues related to unexpected acceleration and power loss. Multiple complaints describe the vehicle surging forward when coming to a stop, often without warning lights, which has led to crashes in some cases. Additionally, some owners experience a sudden loss of power while driving, accompanied by dashboard warnings such as "hybrid malfunction" and "reduced engine power." These issues are reported at various mileage points, including as low as 4,000 miles and as high as 36,000 miles. The safety implications include crashes with injuries, making these reports particularly relevant for potential buyers considering this model.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints5
SUSPENSION
Owners of the 2020 Toyota Highlander frequently report issues with the vehicle's suspension system, specifically citing leaking front struts and bearing plates. These failures are commonly observed around 36,000 to 75,000 miles. Symptoms described include excessive bouncing and difficulty controlling the vehicle, particularly during quick steering maneuvers. Additionally, two complaints mention that the suspension contributes to high cabin noise levels, measuring up to 95 decibels, which some owners find intolerable. While no accidents have been directly linked to these issues, the bouncing and control challenges could pose safety concerns. Parts availability appears limited, with some owners experiencing long delays for repairs. This information may be relevant for used car buyers assessing potential maintenance needs and safety implications.
Owner complaints4
STEERING
Owners of the 2020 Toyota Highlander report issues with the vehicle's steering, often describing a sudden loss of power steering and engine shutdown while driving or turning. Symptoms commonly include warning lights for engine and steering, a locked steering wheel, and an inability to brake effectively, leading to a loss of control. These issues have been noted in vehicles with low mileage, as one report mentions a vehicle with only 300 miles. Safety implications are significant, with two complaints involving crashes and three injuries reported, highlighting the potential for dangerous situations when the steering malfunctions. Buyers should be aware of these patterns, especially the potential for engine shutoff and steering lock during operation.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 3 injury reports
Owner complaints3
ENGINE
Owners report that the 2020 Toyota Highlander experiences engine stalling issues, particularly during acceleration on the freeway and when stopped at intersections. Complaints frequently mention the engine stopping unexpectedly, with one case noting a whining noise upon restart and a transmission failure at approximately 89,000 miles. Additionally, there are reports of the fuel system not allowing the tank to fill to its advertised capacity, with the distance-to-empty meter being inaccurately calibrated. The stalling incidents have potential safety implications, as they occur in traffic situations that could lead to loss of control or accidents. These issues are echoed by other owners in online forums, suggesting they may not be isolated cases.
