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2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid recalls & problems

The 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has 4 safety recalls and 9 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (4 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls
Complaints9filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints
NHTSA overall5 ★crash-test stars
2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid in an NHTSA crash test
NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Air bagsDec 20, 2023

Sensor › Occupant classification

Recall 23V865000999,901 vehicles

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.
StructureOct 26, 2023

Body › Bumpers

Recall 23V720000750,795 vehicles

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.
Electronic stability control (esc)Apr 13, 2022

Control module › Software

Recall 22V239000458,110 vehicles

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.
SeatsOct 14, 2020

Seats

Recall 20V6330003,121 vehicles

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.

Components: Seats; Air bags

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2020 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID SUV AWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk16.4%

Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard

2020 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID SUV FWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk16.9%

Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard

2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid NHTSA side crash test
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid NHTSA side pole crash test
NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Highlander Hybrid Hybrid

36mpg combined
City / highway36 / 35 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AV-S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $1,850/year to fuel

Highlander Hybrid AWD Hybrid

35mpg combined
City / highway35 / 35 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AV-S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $1,900/year to fuel

Highlander Hybrid AWD LTD/PLAT Hybrid

35mpg combined
City / highway35 / 34 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AV-S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $1,900/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Air bags4000—
Tires1000—
VisibilityDefroster/defogger/hvac system1000—
Service brakes, hydraulic1000—
Structure1000—
Service brakes1000—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations