2020 Toyota Highlander Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 6%of 321 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 11,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the electrical system of the 2020 Toyota Highlander, 6% of the 321 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 11,000 miles. 2 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.
“The vehicle hesitates, stalls and has bucking leaping forward uncontrollably, on the road. The vehicle also has a very loud whining noise upon shifting the car from park to drive and back again from drive to park, at a stand still. This is a major issue with a nee car, my wife and I don't feel safe while driving in this car.”
NHTSA complaint #11325952, filed 2020-05, 50 miles“Vehicle will not start without a jump after 3-5 hours. The battery stays charged less than one day, but typically starts again without a jump if driven again within a 3-5 hour period. The vehicle stays running once jumped. Dealer service department indicates a software update may be required. This has happened since purchase on june 7, 2020. Date below is the most recent date it occurred.”
NHTSA complaint #11395569, filed 2021-02, 60 miles“develop a high-pitched whine, shuddering, or harsh shifting between 25 and 45 mph, which can lead to premature wear or complete failure. Also, On/ Off from no where and stopped in the middle of the road”
NHTSA complaint #11765107, filed 2026-09, 141,597 miles“Blind spot monitoring is not working. Took it to dealership thy said it needed re-calibration but it still doesn't see semi trucks. My wife accidentally ran another women off road because she trusted this Toyota system. System is currently still working intermittently.”
NHTSA complaint #11374846, filed 2020-11, 4,800 miles“The rear hatch door will not close or open and just sit there.And dings, you have to manually close it and open it most times and it never fully sucks up and latches fully and it doesnt notify you on the hood display of the car , so when we were driving down the road, we heard loud hissing and road noise coming from the rear and come to find out the rear hatch had never fully closed or latched itself fully.And it hangs up constantly.”
NHTSA complaint #11704988, filed 2025-12Related service bulletins
- 11031158Mar 18, 2026Some 2020 – 2024 model year Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the air conditioner does not cool due to a leak and/or corrosion in the…
- 11028726Jan 30, 2026OBSOLETE NOTICE January 30, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0001-26.
- 11028722Jan 28, 2026Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map…
- 11024080Sep 17, 2025Although the HV Floor Under Wire Harness and Rear Traction Motor Cable is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we…
- 11020657Jun 13, 2025The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service…
- 11019332Apr 2, 2025To assist with the early detection and early resolution of audio related concerns you may be asked to recover MMR data from the head unit. The following steps are instructions on…
- 11018329Apr 2, 2025To assist with the early detection and early resolution of audio related concerns you may be asked to recover MMR data from the head unit. The following steps are instructions on…
- 11003619Apr 11, 2024Customers have expressed concerns about the performance of Qi Wireless Chargers. Wireless chargers on applicable vehicles are designed to work with Qi Certified devices only…
- 11003564Apr 11, 2024Customers have expressed concerns about the performance of Qi Wireless Chargers. Wireless chargers on applicable vehicles are designed to work with Qi Certified devices only…
- 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…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 10% |
| 2024 | 6 | 14% |
| 2023 | 12 | 6% |
| 2022 | 23 | 9% |
| 2021 | 28 | 5% |
| 2020 | 18 | 6% |
| 2019 | 56 | 11% |
| 2018 | 24 | 9% |
| 2017 | 46 | 17% |
| 2016 | 14 | 13% |
| 2015 | 52 | 27% |
| 2014 | 35 | 26% |
| 2013 | 26 | 13% |
| 2012 | 29 | 16% |
| 2011 | 23 | 13% |
| 2010 | 53 | 25% |
| 2009 | 20 | 15% |
| 2008 | 44 | 11% |
| 2007 | 23 | 19% |
| 2006 | 26 | 9% |
| 2005 | 25 | 11% |
| 2004 | 18 | 6% |
| 2003 | 15 | 6% |
| 2002 | 13 | 4% |
| 2001 | 5 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2020 Toyota Highlander
126 complaintsOther or unknown
45 complaintsBrakes
41 complaintsAir bags
32 complaintsBody and structure
30 complaintsFuel system
20 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 29, 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