2020 Toyota Highlander: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2020 Toyota Highlander: 4 recalls, 319 owner complaints and up to 24 mpg combined.
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Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Engine, Fuel system Vehicle recall #20V162000 · 2020 · 38,810 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Improper fuel supply programming can result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ECU, free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2020.
Seats, Airbags Vehicle recall #20V633000 · 2020 · 3,121 vehicles
What's wrong: Incorrect seat trim covers on one or both of the front seats can prevent the seat-mounted side air bag from deploying properly.
Why it matters: Improper deployment of the seat-mounted side air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Body & structure Vehicle recall #23V720000 · 2023 · 750,795 vehicles
What's wrong: During normal vehicle operation, minor impact to the front lower bumper cover May result in the cover coming loose or detaching.
Why it matters: A detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will repair or replace the upper and lower front bumper covers as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed April 22, 2024.
Airbags Vehicle recall #23V865000 · 2023 · 999,901 vehicles
What's wrong: A short circuit May develop in the occupant classification system (ocs) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
Why it matters: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 20 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (126): the most common themes are noise or vibration (58), warning light on (27), hard / delayed shifting (26).
- Other / unknown (44): the most common themes are noise or vibration (9).
- Brakes (38): the most common themes are warning light on (5).
- Airbags (32): the most common themes are fails to deploy (3), warning light on (2).
The 2020 Toyota Highlander has 319 owner complaints, ranking #4 of 28 Highlander model years for complaints (1.6× the average Highlander year). Complaints peaked in 2025 (100 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 20,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2019 (492 complaints, 3 recalls), 2021 (529 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 28 | 23 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2020 Toyota Highlander.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2020 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2020 Toyota Highlander. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2020 Toyota Highlander problems?
Owners have filed 319 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (126), other / unknown (44), brakes (38).
What gas mileage does the 2020 Toyota Highlander get?
EPA ratings run up to 24 mpg combined (3.5 L, Automatic (S8)), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2020 Toyota Highlander repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.