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. This seems like a safety issue.
The worst 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Airbags4
- Brakes2
- Body1
- Tires1
- Visibility1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags4
- Brakes2
- Body1
- Tires1
- Visibility1
Recalls 4
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 23V865000 · Recall details
Structure: body: bumpers
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 23V720000 · Recall details
Electronic stability control (ESC): control module: software
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 22V239000 · Recall details
Seats
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 20V633000 · Recall details
See all 4 recalls for the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Defect investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
the federal safety agency received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, the federal safety agency opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified the federal safety agency he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by the federal safety agency regarding the subject matter of the petition.
DP22005
Technical service bulletins for the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 140
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Although the flow shut-off valve is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 36 months or...
- Although the HV Floor Under Wire Harness and Rear Traction Motor Cable is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle...
- Customer support program 24TE04
- Engine
- Frequently Asked Questions CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM 24TE04 Multiple Model & Model Year Toyota Vehicles...
- This Customer Support Program provides coverage as it applies to Flow Shut-off Valve Coolant Leak on...
- Obsolete notice
- Water leak from the roof rack attachment clips
- Condition in which the air conditioner does not cool due to a leak and/or corrosion in the rear underbody...
- Obsolete notice
2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4‑cyl Hybrid | FWD | 36 | 35 | 36 |
What 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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. The contact was unable to recover the parts. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the was no reason for the parts to have detached from the vehicle unless there was a crash. The contact emphasized that the parts had detached while driving. The components were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired; however, the contact believed that the repair was not appropriate because there were zip ties left underneath the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced the failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal would depress to the floorboard and the vehicle would fail to stop. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the mechanic repaired the brake calibrations and brake alignment. Despite the repair, the contact stated that the failure returned. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that the climate control system failed to defrost the windows during rainy or cold weather conditions. As a result, the contact was unable to defrost the windows, making it difficult to see the roadway. The contact was concerned for his safety while operating the vehicle. An undisclosed dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2020 toyota highlander hybrid equipped with goodyear tires, tire line: eagle, tire size: 235/55/r20, dot number: m68ajm1r0720. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the tread on the passenger's side rear separated, causing the tire to explode. The contact pulled over and replaced the tire with the spare tire. The vehicle was taken to vancouver toyota (10455 ne 53rd st, vancouver, wa 98662, (360)944-3001) where the tire was replaced. The manufacturer was informed of the failure however, there was no assistance provided. The approximate failure mileage was 9,000.
Compare the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Other model years
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Questions about the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Is the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid reliable?
Owners have filed 9 complaints about the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, 1.5 times a typical Highlander Hybrid model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?
Airbags, with 4 complaints. Next is brakes (2).
How many recalls does the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have?
4 recalls, covering air bags, structure and electronic stability control (esc).
Was there a recall on the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid airbags?
Yes, 1 recall: 23V865000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid get?
Official estimates for the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid range from 36 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.5L 4-cyl hybrid, FWD) gets 36 city and 35 highway.
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