Every 2020 Toyota Highlander recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Air Bags · NHTSA 23V865000
Dec 20, 2023Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
- 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. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
Full recall details for 23V865000 →Structure · NHTSA 23V720000
Oct 26, 2023Structure:Body:Bumpers
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB12/23TA12.
Full recall details for 23V720000 →Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · NHTSA 22V239000
Apr 13, 2022Electronic Stability Control (Esc):Control Module:Software
- Problem
- 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."
- Risk
- Driving with a deactivated stability control system increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 22V239000 →Air Bags · NHTSA 20V633000
Oct 14, 2020Air Bags
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- Improper deployment of the seat-mounted side air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- 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. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB14 / 20TA14.
Full recall details for 20V633000 →Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA 20V162000
Mar 19, 2020Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- Improper fuel supply programming can result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 20V162000 →
2020 Toyota Highlander complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 328 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Toyota Highlander, reporting 16 crashes, 20 injuries. Toyota has issued at least 186 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Power Train127
- Unknown Or Other44
- Service Brakes39
- Air Bags36
- Structure32
- Fuel/Propulsion System19
Service bulletins by component
- Equipment (101)
- Electrical System (93)
- Structure (70)
- Engine (34)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (34)
- Equipment Adaptive/Mobility (15)
Read Toyota Highlander owner complaints and bulletins, every year
What people reported
Owners have filed 328 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Toyota Highlander. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Crash
“We were behind a vehicle that had come to a rolling stop because the vehicle in front of him had hit the person in front of him , we were going about 25 miles per hour and about 2 car lengths from him . I applied the brakes but the vehicle failed to stop .”
2020 TOYOTA HIGHLANDEROct 4, 2026 · KY
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11768834
“After driving on an interstate and having my foot on the brake - the car jumps forward and accelerates. It has done this for a couple years, and it continues to happen more frequently. Sometimes it just jumps forward when you are driving through town and go to slow down.”
2020 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRIDJun 24, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11668825
Injury reportedCrash
“I was told by oxmoor dealership I had to talk to toyota corporate before I could get my car touched and that I did not need to talk to a lawyer. I called.”
2020 TOYOTA HIGHLANDERAug 10, 2026 · KY
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11756049
“The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 75 MPH, the front passenger's and driver's side top shield assembly and the engine cover under components became detached from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated.”
2020 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRIDApr 28, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11657262
Injury reportedCrash
“I pushed the brake and swerved and the car kept going and a greater speed and surged into a house.”
2020 TOYOTA HIGHLANDERJul 16, 2026 · KY
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11750781
Check your Highlander by VIN
Not every 2020 Toyota Highlander is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Toyota dealer.
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