2020 Toyota Highlander Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 41about this part
- Share
- 13%of 322 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 15,592miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 41 complaints about the brakes of the 2020 Toyota Highlander, 13% of the 322 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 15,592 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“We recently purchased our Highlander and it has a little over 4,000 miles. Today while driving down the road at about 45 MPH, the car just lost power and the check engine light came on. 1. Check engine - reduced engine power 2. Secondary collision brake system malfunction we had to park and wait for the Toyota dealership to come and tow it to the service center. At this point I don't know what was wrong or why it just cut out while driving. I am very concerned and can only hope Toyota can address this or replace the car.”
NHTSA complaint #11384736, filed 2020-12, 4,000 miles“I was at a stop sign in my 2020 Highlander waiting to turn left onto a busy road. Upon turning left onto pa state highway 999, the Highlander engine turned off and the steering wheel was locked into a left position. This caused the car to continue turning into the opposing left lane resulting in a head-on collision with an on-coming car. With the engine turned off there was no power steering, no brakes, and no way to unlock the steering wheel. The collision caused my car to bounce back and slowly free roll back to the stop sign as though I never entered the roadway.”
NHTSA complaint #11412850, filed 2021-04, 15,592 miles“I have been having intermittent issues with the brakes when turning on my car and going in reverse. On one occasion, after turning on the vehicle and putting it in reverse, the vehicle did not move despite being on level ground. I had to apply pressure on the accelerator and heard the car strain a little before I heard a sound come from the brakes and the car suddenly jerked backwards. I did not have my foot on the brakes and I did not have the emergency brake on. After this the bakes appears to function as usual. Another time, I turned on the car and went in reverse but the car did not move. …”
NHTSA complaint #11364598, filed 2020-10, 2,000 miles“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 . It was as if I did not press the brakes at all. We rearended the person in front of us . The person behind us hit us as well . It was like we were on ice but we were not .”
NHTSA complaint #11768834, filed 2026-10“On numerous occasions when applying the brakes on my vehicle there is a very noticeable surge when the vehicle slows to a near stop. It feels like there is a momentary loss of braking before the brakes re-engage. I have had the vehicle since new and it seems like the problem has become more noticeable over time. I have lost some confidence in the safety performance of the vehicle due to this dangerous issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11584472, filed 2024-04Related service bulletins
- 10252251Feb 15, 2024TSB: Some 2018 ? 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with an A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS, M20A-FKS, or M20A-FXS engine may exhibit one or more of the following conditions…
- 10244133Aug 29, 2023TSB: Some drivers of 2020 ? 2022 model year Highlander Hybrid vehicles may be sensitive to the momentary transition from regenerative braking to hydraulic braking under certain…
- 10224155Jul 14, 2022TSB: Some 2020 model year vehicles equipped with Audio Plus (version 1021) or Premium Audio (version 1021) or earlier may exhibit one or more of the following conditions: ?Barge…
- 10214323Mar 17, 2022TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions
- 10190453Mar 12, 2021TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
- 10185762Dec 22, 2020TSB: Some 2020 model year Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles may experience a sudden loss of air conditioning cooling with Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) B1423 (Open in…
- 10185760Dec 17, 2020TSB: Some 2020 model year vehicles equipped with Audio Plus (version 1060) or Premium Audio (version 1060) or earlier may exhibit the following concern: ?Distorted screen when…
- 10187241Dec 14, 2020TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
- 10186195Dec 14, 2020TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
- 10173805Mar 10, 2020TSB: Long-term or off-site storage requires special care to keep vehicles factory fresh and ready for delivery. The following guidelines should be performed to minimize vehicle…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 20% |
| 2024 | 8 | 19% |
| 2023 | 20 | 11% |
| 2022 | 40 | 15% |
| 2021 | 68 | 13% |
| 2020 | 41 | 13% |
| 2019 | 20 | 4% |
| 2018 | 58 | 21% |
| 2017 | 29 | 11% |
| 2016 | 19 | 17% |
| 2015 | 15 | 8% |
| 2014 | 3 | 2% |
| 2013 | 17 | 8% |
| 2012 | 14 | 8% |
| 2011 | 17 | 9% |
| 2010 | 30 | 14% |
| 2009 | 26 | 19% |
| 2008 | 81 | 20% |
| 2007 | 36 | 29% |
| 2006 | 102 | 37% |
| 2005 | 24 | 11% |
| 2004 | 24 | 8% |
| 2003 | 33 | 13% |
| 2002 | 12 | 4% |
| 2001 | 19 | 14% |
Other parts of the 2020 Toyota Highlander
126 complaintsOther or unknown
46 complaintsAir bags
32 complaintsBody and structure
30 complaintsFuel system
20 complaintsElectrical system
18 complaintsEngine
17 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsForward collision avoidance
7 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsLane departure
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 Toyota Highlander
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology