2020 Toyota Highlander VIN Check, Recalls & Reliability
The 2020 Toyota Highlander has good reliability. There are 8 recalls and 269 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Toyota Highlander. Severity signals include 10 crash-related complaints. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Power Train (90), Air Bags (35), Unknown Or Other (28).
Highlander reliability snapshot
Data sourced from Auto Reliability Index, aggregating NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and RepairPal repair-cost records.
Used-car research
Research the Toyota Highlander before checking the VIN
Compare model years, recurring problems, safety campaigns and market value first. Then use the VIN to verify the history of the individual car.
Most-reported 2020 Toyota Highlander issues
Owner-reported problem categories from NHTSA complaint filings. Counts reflect complaints per category for the most-recent model year on file.
- Power Train90
- Air Bags35
- Unknown Or Other28
- Service Brakes26
- Structure26
- Fuel Propulsion System14
Pre-purchase inspection checklist for the 2020 Toyota Highlander
Hands-on checks distilled from real NHTSA complaint patterns and recall histories. Bring this list to a test drive or mechanic inspection.
- Listen for whining noise from transmission during acceleration
- Check if fuel tank can be filled to full capacity
- Inspect front struts for leaks
- Test rear hatch for proper opening and closing
- Verify no unexpected power loss during a test drive
- Ensure steering functions smoothly without warning lights
2020 Highlander recalls (5)
Every NHTSA safety recall logged against the 2020 Highlander. A VIN check confirms whether any recall remains unrepaired on a specific vehicle.
- AIR BAGSNHTSA 23V865000Dec 20, 2023
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
- STRUCTURENHTSA 23V720000Oct 26, 2023
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Highlander & Highlander Hybrid vehicles. During normal vehicle operation, minor impact to the front lower bumper cover may result in the cover coming loose or detaching.
Consequence: A detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will repair or replace the upper and lower front bumper covers as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed April 22, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB12/23TA12.
- AIR BAGS, SEATSNHTSA 20V633000Oct 14, 2020
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Highlander and Highlander hybrid vehicles. Incorrect seat trim covers on one or both of the front seats can prevent the seat-mounted side air bag from deploying properly.
Consequence: Improper deployment of the seat-mounted side air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seats and replace the seat trim covers as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB14 / 20TA14.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINENHTSA 20V162000Mar 19, 2020
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Highlander vehicles equipped with a 3.5 L, V6 (2GR-FKS) gasoline engine. Due to an Engine Control Unit (ECU) programming error, fuel may not be correctly supplied to the engine while using the stop and restart feature.
Consequence: Improper fuel supply programming can result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ECU, free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA06.
- ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)NHTSA 22V239000Apr 13, 2022
Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Lexus LX 600, Lexus NX 350h, Lexus NX 450h+, Toytoa RAV4 Hybrid, 2021-2022 Lexus LS 500h, Toyota Mirai, RAV4 PRIME, Sienna, Venza, and 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The Skid Control ECU software may not turn on the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system when the vehicle is restarted after the driver has disabled the VSC system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Consequence: Driving with a deactivated stability control system increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the Skid Control ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 22TA03. Lexus' number for this recall is 22LA01.
Used-market value
2020 Toyota Highlander resale snapshot
Listing benchmarks establish a market range; trim, mileage, condition, title history and prior damage determine what one vehicle is worth.
2020 Toyota Highlander on the road
212,276 2020 Toyota Highlander units were sold new in the US — a key signal for the size of today's used-market inventory.
How the 2020 Toyota Highlander stacks up against rivals
The most-shopped alternatives in the same segment. Each link opens a side-by-side reliability and cost comparison.
Reliability verdict for the 2020 Toyota Highlander
With an 83/100 score against a 73/100 segment average, the 2020 Toyota Highlander rates as above average for reliability. That points to generally solid ownership outcomes relative to peers, even with a meaningful volume of reported problems.
Issue patterns are not evenly spread. Reports cluster most heavily around the powertrain, with secondary concentration in air bags, brakes, and structure, plus a notable share logged as unknown or other. This mix suggests the risk profile is shaped more by a few key systems than by broad, low-level noise across the vehicle. The recall count is elevated, adding more compliance-related activity than a limited recall record would.
Overall, this Highlander presents above-average reliability with a moderate buyer risk level.
What you get in a 2020 Toyota Highlander report
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2020 Toyota Highlander — Frequently asked questions
Is the 2020 Toyota Highlander reliable?
With an 83/100 score against a 73/100 segment average, the 2020 Toyota Highlander rates as above average for reliability. That points to generally solid ownership outcomes relative to peers, even with a meaningful volume of reported problems.
How many recalls does the 2020 Toyota Highlander have?
5 NHTSA safety recalls have been issued for the 2020 Toyota Highlander. A VIN check confirms whether any remain unrepaired on a specific vehicle.
What are the most common 2020 Toyota Highlander problems?
The most-reported 2020 Toyota Highlander problem areas are: Power Train (90), Air Bags (35), Unknown Or Other (28).
Should I run a VIN check on a 2020 Toyota Highlander?
Yes. A VIN report verifies title brands, odometer history, accident records, and recall completion on a specific 2020 Toyota Highlander, complementing the model-year reliability data on this page.