Toyota / Highlander / 2020
2020 Toyota Highlander problems
Owners have filed 365 complaints about the 2020 Toyota Highlander with NHTSA. Power train accounts for 33.2% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of service brakes at 9.9%.
Complaints365
Crashes28
Fires0
Injuries29
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Power train 33.2% · 121
Unknown or other 11.2% · 41
Service brakes 9.9% · 36
Air bags 8.8% · 32
Structure 8.5% · 31
Fuel/propulsion system 5.2% · 19
Electrical system 4.7% · 17
Engine 4.4% · 16
Severity
Of those complaints, 28 describe a crash and 29 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 23 model years of the Toyota Highlander in this data, 2020 sits 5th by complaint volume. 2019 draws the most.
Filings are rising — 252 in the last three years against 89 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 15,000 miles.
In owners' own words
The 8-speed automatic transmission was making a whirring, whining noise. Transmission could failed completely and stranded occupants including children. Vehicle has been serviced every 5,000 miles and no warning lights or indicators ever came on. Dealer inspected and diagnosed an internal component failure necessitating complete transmission replacement. Vehicle is 4 years and 2 months old with 65,000 miles on it. Power train
I have experienced ongoing transmission problems, including but not limited to rough shifting, delayed acceleration, jerking while driving, and abnormal noises. These issues have significantly affected the safety, reliability, and drivability of my vehicle. This transmission failure significantly undermines Toyotaâs long-standing reputation for reliability and has substantially reduced the value of my vehicle. Power train
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, there was an 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. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 78,000. Power train · reported at 78,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…