Reliable Auto DB

2020 Toyota Highlander reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2020 Toyota Highlander holds 315 complaints after 7 years, a rate of 22 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Highlander years here — under the median of the other years, which is 27. NHTSA has 4 recalls on file, including Occupant classification, Bumpers, and Air bags.

2020 Toyota Highlander LE
Photo by Kevauto, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

315

Per year

22

Recalls

4

Years on the road

7

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Powertrain (125 of 315), then Service brakes (37) and Air bags (32). Those filings include 15 that report a crash and 13 that report an injury.

Next to 2019 and 2021

The 2019 Highlander has 480 complaints, 49 per year, and the 2021 has 514 complaints, 42 per year. The 2020 has fewer complaints per year than the 2019. The 2020 has fewer complaints per year than the 2021.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2020 Toyota Highlander. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (4)

Recall air bags, sensor, occupant classification 2023-12-20 · NHTSA campaign 23V865000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall structure, body, bumpers 2023-10-26 · NHTSA campaign 23V720000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall Air bags 2020-10-14 · NHTSA campaign 20V633000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall gasoline fuel system, delivery 2020-03-19 · NHTSA campaign 20V162000
Summary 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.
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.

Complaints by component (315 total)

Powertrain
125
Service brakes
37
Air bags
32
Structure
29
Fuel and propulsion system
19
Electrical system
18
Engine
17
Speed control
10
Forward collision avoidance
6
Seat belts
6
Lane departure
5
Steering
5
Suspension
5
Visibility and wipers
3
Back-over prevention
2
Electronic stability control (ESC)
2
Hydraulic brakes
2
Seats
2
Visibility
2
Equipment
1
Fuel system, gasoline
1
Latches, locks, and linkages
1
Tires
1
Wheels
1
Show 16 more Show less
Crash-flagged

15

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

13

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

1820202720212220222420235920241002025652026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "My Highlander started making a whining noise while accelerating. Took it to my local dealership and was told I need a new transmission. I have 87,000 miles on it! Total cost = $8,000."
    Powertrain · filed 2026-09-17
  • "develop a high-pitched whine, shuddering, or harsh shifting between 25 and 45 mph, which can lead to premature wear or complete failure. Also, On/ Off from no where and stopped in the middle of the road"
    Electrical system, Unknown or other · filed 2026-09-17
  • "I was traveling on hwy US1 South about 56-58 mph when I heard what sounded like a gunshot. I immediately slowed down and pulled off the road. As I drove off road on grass/gravel I heard crumbling of glass above on…"
    Unknown or other · filed 2026-09-17
  • "The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle stalled and abruptly stopped in traffic at a traffic light. The driver exited the vehicle. The vehicle failed to restart, and…"
    Steering, Fuel system, gasoline, Engine · filed 2026-09-17
  • "At 51,000 mile the transmission started making a whining noise. Took it to the dealer and they stated the transmission needs replacement."
    Powertrain · filed 2026-09-07

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2020 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID SUV AWD 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2020 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID SUV FWD 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2020 Toyota HIGHLANDER SUV AWD 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2020 Toyota HIGHLANDER SUV FWD 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Highlander 3.5L, 6-cyl Automatic (8-speed) Front-wheel drive 20 28 23 MPG $2800
Highlander 3.5L, 6-cyl Automatic (8-speed) Front-wheel drive 21 29 24 MPG $2700
Highlander all-wheel drive 3.5L, 6-cyl Automatic (8-speed) All-wheel drive 20 27 23 MPG $2800
Highlander hybrid 2.5L, 4-cyl Automatic (AV-S6) Front-wheel drive 36 35 36 MPG $1800
Highlander hybrid all-wheel drive 2.5L, 4-cyl Automatic (AV-S6) All-wheel drive 35 35 35 MPG $1850
Highlander hybrid all-wheel drive LTD/PLAT 2.5L, 4-cyl Automatic (AV-S6) All-wheel drive 35 34 35 MPG $1850

Specs and fitment

5th generation, 2020–present
Body styles SUV
Oil 0W-20 (SAE 5W-20 may be used; 0W-20 preferred) , 5.8 qt capacity
Tire size 235/65R18, 235/55R20
Towing capacity 5,000 lbs

Known issues for this generation

Recall 20V-162 covers certain 2020 Highlander vehicles with the 3.5 L V6 gasoline engine where an engine control unit programming error may fail to supply fuel correctly while the stop-and-restart feature is active, which can stall the engine; dealers reprogram the ECU, free of charge. Recall 20V-633 covers certain 2020 Highlander and Highlander hybrid vehicles where incorrect front seat trim covers can prevent the seat-mounted side air bag from deploying properly; dealers inspect and replace the trim covers as necessary. Recall 23V-720 covers certain 2020-2023 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles where minor front bumper impacts may leave the lower front bumper cover loose or detached; dealers repair or replace the bumper covers. Recall 23V-865 covers certain 2020-2021 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles (among other Toyota and Lexus models) where a short circuit in the Occupant Classification System sensor may prevent the front passenger air bag from deploying; dealers inspect and replace the sensor as necessary. Recall 26V-128 covers certain 2021-2025 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles whose second-row seat backs may fail to lock during adjustment; dealers replace the return springs in the seat back recliner assemblies as necessary.

Compare

Previous year 2019 Toyota Highlander Next year 2021 Toyota Highlander See every Toyota Highlander model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Toyota Highlander reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2020 Toyota Highlander holds 315 complaints after 7 years, a rate of 22 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Highlander years here — under the median of the other years, which is 27. NHTSA has 4 recalls on file, including Occupant classification, Bumpers, and Air bags.

What are common problems with a 2020 Toyota Highlander?

The complaints owners file most often name Powertrain (125 of 315), then Service brakes (37) and Air bags (32). Those filings include 15 that report a crash and 13 that report an injury.

Is the 2020 Toyota Highlander more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2019 Highlander has 480 complaints, 49 per year, and the 2021 has 514 complaints, 42 per year. The 2020 has fewer complaints per year than the 2019. The 2020 has fewer complaints per year than the 2021.

Has the 2020 Toyota Highlander been recalled?

The 2020 Toyota Highlander has 4 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 Toyota Highlander?

Owners have filed 315 complaints about the 2020 Toyota Highlander with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2020 Toyota Highlander get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2020 Toyota Highlander is 29.3 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Toyota Highlander take?

US gasoline Highlanders in these generations prefer 0W-20 (5W-20 may be used temporarily). Approx. capacities with filter: ~6.4 qt (2012-2013 3.5L), ~5.8 qt (2014+ 3.5L V6).

Does recall 20V-162 cover the Toyota Highlander?

It covers certain 2020 Highlander vehicles with the 3.5L V6: an ECU programming error may fail to supply fuel correctly during stop-and-restart; dealers update the ECU software.

What generation is the 2020 Toyota Highlander?

5th generation (2020 onward). 2014-2019 are 4th generation; 2012-2013 are late 3rd generation in this catalog.