2020 Toyota Highlander Complaint Log

Transmission whines in low gear.

Premature transmission failure. Vehicle had less than 100K miles. Took the vehicle in for an oil change before a long trip. Mentioned a "whine" during acceleration. Told us that the entire transmission would need to be replaced immediately at a cost of over $10,000. Made an appeal to Toyota to help with the cost of replacement and we were denied.

Lift gate does not close and it just beeps. Needs to be closed manually. Toyota has known this issue for a long time but failed to address. Repairs are costly and reduces my cars value

TRANSFER CASE MAKING ROTATIONAL BEARING NOISE FLUID HAVE LOTS OF METAL DEBRI

Transmission malfunction that left us on the highway with no power and in an unsafe situation. Not confirmed as of yet. At dealership tomorrow. No inspection completed by parties listed above. Check engine light appeared prior to malfunction.

While driving and/or accelerating you can feel some harsh shifts as well as slipping and shuttering with only 84k miles on this vehicle.

When braking, and decelerating through 25 to 20 MPH, the brakes temporarily stop functioning. There is a noticeable change in deceleration that can be felt by the driver AND passengers. This almost feels like an acceleration, but we believe it's the brakes briefly stop functioning. The same problem occurs with different drivers so we are confident the problem is mechanical and not operator dependent. We believe this is a brake actuator issue and there may have been a similar problem in earlier model Toyotas.

The vehicle’s automatic transmission (power train) has developed a loud whining/whirring noise under acceleration. This noise increases with engine load and indicates internal mechanical failure. The transmission is still installed in the vehicle and is available for inspection upon request. This issue poses a safety risk because it causes hesitation and unpredictable acceleration behavior while merging or crossing traffic. There is also concern that the transmission could suddenly fail while driving, resulting in loss of propulsion and potentially causing an accident. The problem has been inspected and confirmed by a Toyota dealership, which advised that the entire transmission needs to be replaced at a cost of over $8,000, despite the vehicle having only approximately 77,000 miles. The vehicle has been inspected by a Toyota manufacturer service center. They identified the transmission failure but stated there are no current recall programs covering this specific VIN. No warning lights or error messages were displayed at any time before or during the failure. The first noticeable symptom was the transmission whining/whirring noise during acceleration, which began around 77,000 miles and continues to worsen.

We were driving on the highway and heard what sounded like a gun shot. Our sunroof had exploded. Luckily the interior door was closed or we would have been showered with glass. There was no one around, no rocks or road debris. It just came out of nowhere!

The 8 speed automatic transmission is failing at 100k miles. Whining noises are heard and after being taken to Toyota dealerships mechanic, we were told that the gear mesh or bearing is bad and that we'll need to replace the transmission. We were told that many other highlanders have experienced the same issues. No light popped up before or during driving while the transmission is whining.

My 2020 Highlander developed a whining or grinding noise consistent with the Technical Service Bulletin. I took it to a Toyota Dealership for diagnostic and they confirmed the whining and hissing sound. They said it would cost $9,000 to repair. I called Toyota to request a goodwill repair and they denied me. Toyota case number: 251229000423. The car does not feel safe to drive. We worry that at any moment the car could break down with our children inside. The problem was reproduced at a dealer and inspected. There were no warning lamps or messages, just the obvious sound coming from the transmission.

Transmission failure. Noticed whining when driving, took to local Toyota dealership and they diagnosed transmission failure. They quoted $12,000 for transmission replacement and confirmed that this is a known issue with certain years/models of Toyota Highlander. Ours is a 2020.

At approximately 120,000 miles, the vehicle began exhibiting a pronounced shudder or vibration between 40–50 mph under light acceleration or steady cruising. The condition progressed to delayed shifting and intermittent loss of acceleration response. The most concerning issue is hesitation and reduced acceleration when attempting to merge into traffic or increase speed. On multiple occasions, the vehicle failed to respond promptly to throttle input, creating a potential safety hazard due to loss of propulsion. The vehicle was evaluated at two authorized Toyota dealerships. Both indicated that the condition is consistent with torque converter or transmission failure. Full transmission replacement was recommended at an estimated cost of approximately $9,000. No whining or grinding noises are present; symptoms primarily involve shuddering and hesitation. The vehicle has not been driven since October 21, 2025, due to safety concerns and to prevent further damage. The vehicle has been regularly maintained at Toyota dealerships and has not been used for towing. This complaint concerns loss of acceleration, transmission shudder, and potential premature failure of the 8-speed automatic transmission.

We own a 2020 Toyota Highlander, and both of the exterior door handles for the backseat have broken. The first in Jan 2025 and the second a few days ago. When the first was repaired (a different door) I was told this happens often on Toyota doors and is to be expected. If this is true why are stronger components not being used in manufacturing? The first doorhandle was replaced totaling $370 and now we are going to have to replace the second. It is disheartening to know that you can purchase a car that is supposed to be so safe, but if something were to happen I might not have a way to open the door to get to my children in the back seat.

The rear hatch door will not close or open and just sit there.And dings, you have to manually close it and open it most times and it never fully sucks up and latches fully and it doesnt notify you on the hood display of the car , so when we were driving down the road, we heard loud hissing and road noise coming from the rear and come to find out the rear hatch had never fully closed or latched itself fully.And it hangs up constantly.

DOOR LOCKS DO NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK WITH THE CAR FOB, NOW ONLY THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR DOES NOT UNLOCK WITH THE FOB, YOU HAVE TO UNLOCK FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE

The car started making whining noises when pressing the gas pedal. Toyota reported "noise from transaxle final drive. recommend replace. vehicle ok to drive but noise will continue until transaxle is replaced." There are no warning lights, messages or other symptoms prior to the sound starting or currently. This is a known issue with its 8-speed automatic transmission (UA80E/UA80F) that can cause whining, erratic shifting, and premature failure. This issue is the subject of a Customer Support Program (CSP ZJC) and several lawsuits, but the program has limited coverage for VINs, leading to owner complaints about a lack of assistance from Toyota.

I am filing a complaint with the NHTSA regarding persistent transmission slipping in my 2020 Toyota Highlander LE equipped with the UA80-E 8-speed automatic transmission. Since reaching approximately 55,000 miles, I have experienced noticeable slipping, characterized by delayed acceleration, erratic shifting, and occasional lurching, which align with documented defects in the UA80 platform as outlined in over 430 NHTSA complaints and Toyota’s Technical Service Bulletins (e.g., T-SB-0160-18 and T-SB-0008-21). These issues stem from a known manufacturing flaw involving a washer tab failing to secure the counter drive gear’s retaining nut, leading to gear movement, internal wear, and symptoms like mine. This defect, prompting Toyota’s Customer Support Program ZJC for 2017–2018 models and reported in later years like 2020, compromises vehicle safety and reliability, as slipping can cause unpredictable handling. I urge the NHTSA to investigate further and hold Toyota accountable for addressing this widespread issue across affected models.

While on the freeway vehicle stalled when accelerating and engine stopped, I had to pull over to the side of the road to avoid accident. Turned vehicle back on and started making a whinning noise. Vehicle was taken in and found out the transmission is no good at 89k. Also found out that a lot of people that purchased this vehicle are having the same issue.

At 51,000 mile the transmission started making a whining noise. Took it to the dealer and they stated the transmission needs replacement.

UNKNOWN, dealers are reporting 1-2 2020-2022 Highlanders are needing completely transmission replacements at 8-10k in cost. They are all failing and toyota knows this.

At around 45,000 miles, my 2020 Toyota Highlander started making a whining noise on acceleration. This condition seemed to get worse (whining got louder) I took it to a Toyota dealership and they said there are no codes left by the vehicle but the repair technician knows that this whine is related to a total transmission failure so the recommendation is to replace the transmission at a cost of approximately $8000, Toyota said the vehicle is out of warranty (by 4 months) so they will offer nothing to assist with the repair. Looking on the internet and this website, it is very clear that this is a common issue with this model of vehicle. Dealer said I can drive it but eventually the transmission will fail, leaving me stranded on the roadside.

Whining noise when accelerating. Took it to toyota dealership and confirm it was the transmission .toyota corporate would not assist repair cost as my warranty is 7k miles pass warranty mark..did a research about the transmission and there is a class action law suit about the faulty transmission

After my 75000 mile inspection at my Toyota dealership, which is required and I have been bring my vehicle in every 5,000 miles. I started hearing a slight whinny noise. I thought it was around my wheels or tires. Then I thought it must be a new wind noise. Which that is another issue. I took a short trip and by the time I got back it was louder. I took it to the dealership and the technician drove it and said I need a new transmission. I ask my service provider if he has seen any other vehicles having this problem? And I should not have any transmission issues at this mileage. My service provider stated that he knows of highlanders having this issues.

The vehicle’s transmission makes an audible whining noise during acceleration and intensifies as the car increases speed. The vehicle has been diagnosed and inspected at the original dealer where the car was purchased and confirmed that the transmission needs to be replaced. The vehicle’s powertrain warranty has just expired and this issue is a major problem and concern with similar model years.

TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT

Transmission is defective. I do have a warranty that I purchased but I am aware that this is a faulty transmission for the 2020 and 2021 Highlander and Toyota refuses to do anything about it. Transmission is 2 - 3 months backordered and Toyota will not provide a rental.

Vehicle: 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE VIN: [XXX] Mileage (approx): 78,000 Problem Description: My vehicle displays an SRS Airbag System Malfunction warning and a seatbelt chime that activates whether the passenger seat is occupied or not, and whether the buckle is latched or not. The chime stops after about a minute, but the SRS light remains on. This behavior matches a false passenger occupancy detection, which suggests the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor is still malfunctioning. My vehicle was included in Toyota Recall 23TA15 (NHTSA 23V865), and the dealer (Classic Toyota of Hampton) marked the recall as completed on September 9, 2025. However, the current symptoms are identical to those described in the recall, which indicates the recall remedy may not have corrected the defect. Toyota now claims the issue is due to the passenger seat buckle, but a buckle alone would not cause the system to chime when the seat is empty. I believe this is a continued failure of the OCS system, which directly affects the airbag and seatbelt safety system. Safety Concern: The ongoing fault may cause the passenger airbag to deploy incorrectly in a crash. I am concerned that the recall remedy was ineffective, leaving my vehicle unsafe. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Lift gate not closing Car gas a whining noise upon acceleration

On September 2, 2025, the vehicle’s Hybrid System shut down on cold start and the vehicle would not start. A dealer inspection reported coolant had entered cylinder #4, allegedly causing the engine block to warp, the cylinder head to crack, and the head gasket to fail. This was a sudden catastrophic engine failure on a five-year-old vehicle with no prior overheating warnings, no dashboard alerts, and no performance issues in the days leading up to the failure. It is highly unlikely for an engine block to warp without sustained overheating, yet the failure occurred on a cold start. The dealership itself described this as a “premature failure” in their service report. At approximately 26,000 miles, the vehicle’s coolant thermostat failed and was replaced under warranty. If the thermostat stuck closed even briefly, the engine could have experienced one or more silent overheat events that never registered on the dashboard. In aluminum blocks, even short bursts of high localized heat can create latent distortion that doesn’t cause immediate problems but can eventually lead to catastrophic failure years later. Safety Risk: – Vehicle became disabled suddenly without warning. – Engine failure occurred without overheating symptoms, creating risk of sudden shutdown during use. Problem Confirmation: – Engine failure confirmed by a Toyota-authorized dealer. – Dealer service report explicitly called this a “premature failure.” Warning Lamps / Symptoms: – A check engine light appeared briefly three days before failure, then cleared on its own. – No overheating warnings or drivability issues were observed prior to failure.

Transmission whine Owners of 2017–2022 Toyota Highlanders, 2017–2020 Siennas, and 2018–2020 Camrys are experiencing serious transmission issues—including high-pitched whining, erratic shifting, clunks, hesitation, and premature failure. These vehicles are equipped with the UA80F (AWD) and UA80E (FWD) 8-speed automatic transmissions.

Road noise was very loud. I thought it was a bearing and I took it to the shop and found out that the 'transfer box' on the side of the transmission had to be replaced. I was told that not replacing it could lead to major transmission failure. This cost $6000. Mechanic said it's unusual. Upon reading the internet I'm learning that I'm not the only one this and similar problems.

Transmission failure at 78,000 miles

Transmission Planetary Gears in 2020 Toyota Highlander. Makes a "whining" noise when accelerating. No warning lights or other symptoms. Many reported problems with this model but no recall. Many people are needing to pay out of pocket due to the 60k mileage powertrain warranty.

2020 toyota highlander l Transmission..whining noise it gets louder when accelerating

Whining noise upon accelerating. Diagnosed as bad transmission by a Toyota dealership. No warning indicator 62,500 miles

Went to close the right rear passenger door and heard splashing. Door is leaking from somewhere and running down to the bottom of the door filling it with water on the inside.

My 2020 vehicle has 75,000 miles on it. It started making a high pitched sound when accelerating. I brought my vehicle to the dealership where I bought it, to have it inspected. I was assuming it would be a belt or an easy fix. The service agent walked over and cooly explained that I need a new transmission. He continued to say that this is a common issue with this make and model. He stated that at the beginning of the year customers were having to wait a couple of months of transmission parts, but now because of the demand due to the well known power train failure, that the current wait time for transmission parts are only two weeks. He stated several times, that this is a common problem, one that car owners are expected to pay $9,000. to fix. A quick google search brings up a plethora of customers having the same exact problem. Toyota needs to make this right and issue a recall on their faulty product.

Air conditioning has leaked after only 60,000 miles, costing me thousands in repairs. This is a recall on other models, but not this one. Mine and my baby’s safety is put at risk by being forced to drive around in the heat of summer without air conditioning. There were no warning lights. It was verified by the dealer, and I have a video of the inspection.

On August 3, 2025, the vehicle developed a loud humming noise. After an inspection on August 12, Heritage Toyota informed me that the transmission had failed and would require replacement at an estimated cost of $9,000. This failure occurred only days past the five-year warranty and just 8,834 miles beyond the 60,000-mile powertrain limit. I immediately contacted Toyota’s Brand Engagement Center (Case #250814000192). Despite speaking with multiple representatives over several weeks, my inquiries were repeatedly delayed, escalated, or dismissed. At one point, I was even informed that further follow-up on my case would be deleted through Toyota Website. Ultimately, I was offered 50% coverage of the transmission replacement. While I appreciate this offer, it does not fully address the seriousness of a transmission failure occurring under such circumstances. I also contacted Heritage Toyota directly to request assistance, but my calls to the service manager went unanswered, and the dealership declined to provide any additional support. I believe this situation raises concerns about both product quality and customer care. A transmission should not fail in under five years with fewer than 70,000 miles, especially on a well-maintained vehicle serviced exclusively by Toyota. I respectfully request that Toyota be held accountable for this failure and that further review be conducted to determine whether this issue represents a larger pattern of premature transmission failures in Highlanders.

Just went back for secondary break malfunction and was told fuel ‍♀️ i just filled it. Still no remedy for recall since my Last maintenance visit

In reference to NHTSA Recall no. 23V-720 I have made several attempts to have the recall remedied at a certified dealer, dealership is 4hrs away, round trip. On 3 separate occasions I made appointments online for maintenance plus recall. In between 2nd and 3rd remedy attempt lower bumper detached on the highway into traffic. My own vehicle ran it over, several cars swerved on the roadway to avoid the obstacle, some successful and some hit it head on sending it across multiple lanes, it was lastly struck by a semi truck and unrecoverable. On the 3rd attempted I questioned why the recall was not being completed. I was told recalls need to be on a separate appointment. 4th attempt was for the only recall and was turned away because of damage on the upper bumper. Damage was chipped paint and a slight crease near the fog lamp hole. Damage was caused by the upper bumper flapping in the wind while driving since it was no longer braced by lower bumper. I was provided a flow chart by the maintenance manager stating that I needed to repair my bumper before the safety recall could be performed. I showed my recall notice that stated if damage was found on the upper bumper, both upper and lower would be replaced. I asked if my vehicle was going to be evaluated and was told no. A few days later I received a voicemail(missed the call) that my parts had arrived and an appointment had been made for me. I did not ask them to order the parts, I did not plan on returning to them because of their flippant attitude towards my safety. I felt obligated and trapped to return to them since they ordered the parts. I replaced my bumper but did not paint it yet. I figured since the chipped paint was a deciding factor to my safety it would be better not to have it in case other paint damage occurred. (why does paint matter on a safety recall?) Went to 5th attempt and was turned away because my upper bumper was unpainted. I have made appt with new dealer. This is not a reasonable time-frame.

My wife was driving on the highway, felt a bump and the engine RPMs spiked. The check engine light came on as well as a error message that the secondary collision braking system was disabled. The vehicle was taken to the dealership and we were told there was a internal failure in the transmission. The vehicle has approximately 80K miles.

The contact's wife owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that soon after purchasing a new set of tires, the vehicle made an abnormal rattling sound upon acceleration. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for an oil change and tire rotation, and the contact was informed that no defect was found on the vehicle. As the failure persisted, the vehicle was taken back to the shop, where the tires were purchased. The contact was informed that there was no defect in the tires, and the failure might be related to the differentials of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The manufacturer was then notified of the failure, and the contact was offered partial financial assistance towards the purchase of a new engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

A dealership has confirmed that the transmission in my 2020 Toyota Highlander is bad. It has 101k miles on it currently. I purchased this vehicle with the mindset that I would get 200,000 or 300,000 miles of use with it. I am now having to decide if I am going to trade it in or pay $9,000 to have the transmission replaced. I have been told that there are other 2020 Toyota Highlanders having this same issue. Has there been anything to determine what is causing this issue with the transmissions and will there be a recall?

76,000 miles on my 2020 Highlander. Car was made in September 2020, less than 5 years old. Started to hear whining noise from transmission. Over past few days it has gotten louder. Took to Serra Toyota dealer today in Birmingham, Alabama. They confirmed a problem with transmission and told me I needed a new one for $8600. None are even available. I refuse to pay Toyota any money for this. This is a KNOWN issue with the UA80E transmission. The transmission may completely stop working at anytime now. Dealer was unwilling to do anything to help me since car is out of 60,000 mile warranty, and no TSB's or recalls are for my particular year 2020. There is a TSB for 2021 UA80E transmissions. I am so angry about this. This is a clear manufacturing defect. When this transmission dies which will be sooner than later the car will be worthless with no transmissions available.

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, there was abnormal whining sound coming from underneath the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission assembly. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Support Program: POL 19-04. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 129,000.

UA80E or UA80F Toyota transmission require a complete replacement at 65K miles. Not covered under warranty or Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0160-18, T-SB-0008-21

Whining noise upon acceleration, replacement transmission recommended by Toyota dealer. Defective UA80F installed.

At approximately 72,000 miles, my 2020 Toyota Highlander Platinum was diagnosed by my dealership with a failing transmission that requires full replacement. I first began hearing a high-pitched whining noise during light acceleration shortly after a routine oil change, at some point between 60,000 and 70,000 miles. I did not immediately recognize it as a drivetrain issue until the symptoms worsened. This model uses Toyota’s UA80 8-speed automatic transmission, which has been the subject of Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0008-21 and a Customer Support Program (ZJC) for earlier Highlander models due to similar internal component failures. Despite clear continuity in the symptoms and transmission design, Toyota has not extended coverage or issued a recall for 2020 models like mine. The failure occurred shortly after the end of the 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, but symptoms began while the vehicle was still within warranty range. Toyota has not responded to my formal escalation through Customer Care for nearly three weeks. I am deeply concerned Toyota is not addressing what appears to be a systemic and known defect in a critical drivetrain component that can jeopardize vehicle safety. There was no warning light or dashboard alert at the time the failure developed, making this both a mechanical and safety concern. While this issue does not involve a catastrophic failure like the Takata airbag recall, Toyota’s lack of response to a known, widespread transmission issue raises broader concerns about safety, transparency, and accountability. A sudden transmission failure—particularly at highway speeds—could result in loss of power or control. Given that several owners have filed similar complaints, I respectfully urge NHTSA to investigate this issue further and assess whether Toyota should issue a recall or expanded service campaign for 2020 Highlander models equipped with the UA80 transmission, particularly in light of prior coverage for earlier model years.