Noises/Leaks
Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, seals and/or weather stripping, air and water leaks.
What Owners Say
"Front passenger door handle rattles"
Anonymous, FL (2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid LE 2.5-L 4 Cyl hybrid)
GREEN CHOICE
2020
Toyota Highlander Hybrid
EPA MPG:
35 mpg
EPA MPG:
35 mpg
RECALL ALERT:
There are 4 recalls on this vehicle.
Learn More.
Reliability
Overall Reliability
The 2020 Highlander Hybrid has about average reliability compared to other cars from the same model year.
Most Common Trouble Spots
Common Trouble Spot
Common Trouble Spot
Owner Reported Trouble Spots
The Reliability score is based on our latest subscriber survey of 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid owners. The owner comments describe problems respondents experienced with this vehicle.
Brakes
Premature pad/rotor wear, pulsation or vibration, antilock system, parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, squeaking, brake failure, regenerative braking.
What Owners Say
"On a recent road trip to Nova Scotia, I noticed the breaks would suddenly release for a a second. They would quickly re-engaged, but felt like they momentarily slipped."
Anonymous, ON (2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Hybrid Platinum 2.5-L 4 Cyl hybrid)""When I bought the car the first brake failure resulted in a rear end crash with $6,000 in damages. I have a log of every time it happened including date, time, speed and location of failure. This has been going on for four years. Speeds up to 45 mph would experience failure. Finally a few month ago a software fix was installed and now the failure is limited to approx 20 mph.Then dealer set brake peddal to top and seemed to help initially, but no longer. Just last week brakes failed in the middle of a left turn and the unexpected event nearly lead to a head on crash. -- This just is not acceptable that no one can find the problem.""
Anonymous A., MO (2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE 2.5-L 4 Cyl hybrid)In-car Electronics
Infotainment system (audio, GPS, phone), rear entertainment system, backup or other camera/sensors, head-up display.
What Owners Say
"If I drive too long the CarPlay stops working and screen goes blank. I have to turn the car off and it goes back to normal"
Anonymous, SC (2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited 2.5-L 4 Cyl hybrid)"SOMETIMES MY PHONE DOESN'T PAIR"
Anonymous, CA (2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Unsure 2.5-L 4 Cyl hybrid)Electrical Accessories
Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, USB ports, alarm or security system, remote engine start, heated or cooled seats, heated steering wheel, headlights, automatic headlights, automatic wipers, wireless charging pad.
What Owners Say
"Lift gate motors jammed when closing. Had to replace both. Expensive parts."
Anonymous, CT (2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE 2.5-L 4 Cyl hybrid)""Remote engine start would start, but I would open car door and it would not turn car off. As soon as I hit the brake to put in gear it would turn off and the console display would give check engine light and a couple of other messages. Dealer could not find the problem.Let it set overnight and the battery was dead. So had to jumpstart. The last time it happened I was outside of town at an event and everyone had left. It left me stranded in 20 degree temperatures until tow truck arrived, over an hour. Jump start worked. Finally found that there were a number of defective remote start units on cars. Toyota should have recalled those vehicles, but did not.""
Anonymous A., MO (2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE 2.5-L 4 Cyl hybrid)Exhaust
Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, heat shields, leaks.
What Owners Say
"rear hatch motors failed"
Anonymous, MI (2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE 2.5-L 4 Cyl hybrid)"Sunroof shattered while driving"
Anonymous, CA (2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum 2.5-L 4 Cyl hybrid)Drive System
Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, four-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive components, driveline vibration, electrical failure, traction control, electronic stability control.
What Owners Say
"Axel cracked. It took about a year to get it looked at and fixed."
Anonymous, SC (2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited 2.5-L 4 Cyl hybrid)EV Battery
Electric/hybrid battery pack failure, replacement or malfunction, or cooling.
What Owners Say
"I was in Mn for a couple of months and my gas mileage was 1/2 of what I normally get. The Toyota company said it was from the cold!!!!"
Anonymous, CO (2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum 2.5-L 4 Cyl hybrid)Body Hardware
Windows, locks and latches, doors or sliding doors, tailgate, trunk or hatch, mirrors, seat controls (power or manual), seat belts, sunroof, convertible top, glass defect.
What Owners Say
"Passenger power seat stopped moving back and forth. The screw rod that makes this happen is made of plastic and broke. Had to purchase a complete seat base assembly to repair problem. Contacted Toyota and they would not take responsibility. Said warranty was over. Poor customer service."
Anonymous, MD (2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited 2.5-L 4 Cyl hybrid)Engine Major
Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbocharger or supercharger, timing chain or belt.
Electric Motor
Electric drive failure, replacement or malfunction.
Climate System
AC compressor, blower (fan) motor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate system, electrical failure, refrigerant leakage.
Transmission Minor
Gear selector and linkage, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission, leaks.
Engine Electrical
Alternator, starter, hybrid battery replacement, hybrid battery related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, spark plugs and wires failure, auto stop/start.
Transmission Major
Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, premature clutch replacement.
Engine Minor
Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, fuel leaks, oil leaks.
Engine Cooling
Radiator, cooling fan, water pump, thermostat, antifreeze leaks, overheating.
Paint/Trim
Paint (fading, chalking, peeling, or cracking), loose interior or exterior trim or moldings, rust.
Suspension/Steering
Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.
Fuel System/Emissions
Sensors (O₂, or oxygen, sensor), emission-control devices (includes EGR), fuel-injection system, fuel gauge/sender, fuel pump, problems filling up the tank.
2020 SUVs Reliability
This Car
0
100
Toyota vs. Other New Car Brands Reliability
Overall Reliability Verdict
POTENTIAL TROUBLE SPOTS
Electric Motor
EV Battery
Engine Major
Engine Minor
Engine Cooling
Engine Electrical
Transmission Major
Transmission Minor
Drive System
Fuel System/Emissions
Exhaust
Suspension/Steering
Brakes
Climate System
Electrical Accessories
Body Hardware
Paint/Trim
Noises/Leaks
In-car Electronics
Reliability indicates how models have performed in the past, providing the basis for predicting
how the vehicles will hold up in the year ahead. These charts provide the most comprehensive reliability
information available to consumers. Based on information received from our latest subscriber survey for
about 380,000 vehicles, our reliability history charts give
you a rundown on how 2000 through 2025 vehicles are holding up in 20 potential
trouble spots, ranging from the engine, transmission, electric motor, EV charging, and brakes,
to power equipment and the electrical accessories.
Recalls
PROVIDED BY
AIR BAGS
Dec 20, 2023
An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
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.
What should you do:
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.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number:
23V865000
Potential Number of Units Affected:
999901
STRUCTURE
Oct 26, 2023
A detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
What should you do:
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.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number:
23V720000
Potential Number of Units Affected:
750795
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
Apr 13, 2022
Driving with a deactivated stability control system increases the risk of a crash.
Summary:
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."
What should you do:
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.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number:
22V239000
Potential Number of Units Affected:
458110
AIR BAGS, SEATS
Oct 14, 2020
Improper deployment of the seat-mounted side air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
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.
What should you do:
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.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number:
20V633000
Potential Number of Units Affected:
3121
Check Vehicle for Unrepaired Recalls
Enter a valid 17-character VIN
Enter a valid 17-character VIN
"There is a rattle in the rear passenger quarter panel. I cant figure out what is causing the rattle."
Anonymous, FL (2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE 2.5-L 4 Cyl hybrid)