Toyota · Highlander · 2020
2020 Toyota Highlander
4
Recalls
271
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2020 Toyota Highlander has 4 recalls and 271 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: power train (92 reports).
If you're searching for a 2020 Toyota Highlander whining noise when accelerating, use the complaint categories and full complaint log as research context; this page does not diagnose one specific cause.
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 29, 2026
Research Context
The 2020 Toyota Highlander page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is power train with 92 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to see whether the 2020 Toyota Highlander reports cluster around one repeated symptom or spread across multiple systems.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2020 Toyota Highlander currently shows 4 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 271 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are power train (92), air bags (29), unknown or other (27).
Recommended Reading For This Search
If this page matches the question you searched for, these guides usually make the next step clearer before you compare nearby years or decide what to check on a specific vehicle.
- Vehicle
- 2020 Toyota Highlander
- Recalls
- 4
- Complaints
- 271
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
Noise-specific searches should be checked against powertrain, engine, and related complaint categories, then compared with recalls and nearby years.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
16.9% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: StandardLane Departure Warning: Standard
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 23V865000December 20, 2023
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
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 Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 23V720000October 26, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
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 Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 20V633000October 14, 2020
AIR BAGS
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 Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 20V162000March 19, 2020
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
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 Status
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.
Owner Complaints
271 totalUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Apr 22, 2026
I was driving on a busy road going 50 mph and my sunroof exploded. Nothing hit my vehicle and It wasn’t a hot or cold day. No one was injured because my sunroof cover was luckily closed.
AIR BAGS
CRASH1 injuryApr 17, 2026
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a passing vehicle suddenly attempted to merge lanes and struck the vehicle on the passenger side door at approximately 45 MPH. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact st...
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POWER TRAIN
Mar 3, 2026
My 2020 Toyota Highlander experiences transmission jerking and hesitation during low speed acceleration. The issue was first reported to the dealership while under warranty but was not diagnosed. The vehicle now requires transmission replacement 7k miles over the warranty despi...
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POWER TRAIN
Feb 19, 2026
1. The vehicle’s transmission appears to be failing. I was driving my 2020 Toyota Highlander on the freeway at about 75 mph with my family in the vehicle when the car suddenly lost power and would not accelerate properly even though the engine was still running. Because of the su...
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POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Feb 17, 2026
Vehicle: 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE Purchased: August 2020 Owner: Original owner Transmission: UA80F Dealer quote for “Transmission assembly remove and replace: $8,666.22 +tax The vehicle is experiencing delayed acceleration (lagging power) and a loud whirring noise from the tra...
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POWER TRAIN
Feb 16, 2026
My 2020 Toyota Highlander, with 83k miles, started making a whining noise when accelerating. I took the vehicle to a local auto shop and they advised there was a transmission issue. There were never any warning signs of issue. I then took the vehicle to Antwerpen Toyota in Clarks...
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POWER TRAIN
Jan 30, 2026
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED SUDDENLY.
POWER TRAIN
Jan 7, 2026
Transmission is presenting a high-pitched whining noise.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jan 6, 2026
The sunroof suddenly exploded while stopped at a stoplight. Luckily I had the interior slide shut otherwise we would have been covered in glass.
POWER TRAIN
Jan 5, 2026
Our 2020 Highlander with 45,000 miles started making a whining noise when accelerating. After the Toyota garage looked at it we were told that we needed a full transmission replacement. No warning lights came on alerting of us of problem. We were also told by the service depart t...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 271 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2020 Toyota models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does this page diagnose a 2020 Toyota Highlander whining noise?
No. This page summarizes NHTSA complaints, recalls, and safety data for the 2020 Toyota Highlander. Use the complaint categories as research context, but have a mechanic or dealer diagnose any specific noise.
How many recalls does the 2020 Toyota Highlander have?
The 2020 Toyota Highlander has 4 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2020 Toyota Highlander?
NHTSA has received 271 owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Toyota Highlander.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2020 Toyota Highlander?
The 2020 Toyota Highlander received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Toyota Highlander?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2020 Toyota Highlander are power train (92 reports), air bags (29 reports), unknown or other (27 reports).
Does the 2020 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 4 recalls on record for the 2020 Toyota Highlander. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.