2020 Toyota Highlander Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 5%of 321 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 8,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the engine of the 2020 Toyota Highlander, 5% of the 321 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 8,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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“After leaving a shopping center on february 29 2020, we pulled out onto a road to head towards home. We were driving about 45 miles per hour in traffic and received a notification on the screen that said the engine was off, put car in park. There was also a warning light that came on for the electronic steering assist with an exclamation point. We were able to coast to the side of the road trying to maneuver through traffic of 4 lanes. We put the car in park and attempted to start the vehicle. It would turn over, but not start. …”
NHTSA complaint #11315755, filed 2020-03, 300 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“Driving 50 miles/ hour vehcle started loosing power and started to shake. Engine light came on and two different messages in dashboard pop out. One about hybrid malfunction and the other output power reduced.”
NHTSA complaint #11386179, filed 2021-01, 1,960 miles“A dealership has confirmed that the transmission in my 2020 Toyota Highlander is bad. It has 101k miles on it currently. I purchased this vehicle with the mindset that I would get 200,000 or 300,000 miles of use with it. I am now having to decide if I am going to trade it in or pay $9,000 to have the transmission replaced. I have been told that there are other 2020 Toyota Highlanders having this same issue. Has there been anything to determine what is causing this issue with the transmissions and will there be a recall?”
NHTSA complaint #11686388, filed 2025-09Related recalls
- 20V162000Mar 19, 2020Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Highlander vehicles equipped with a 3.5 L, V6 (2GR-FKS) gasoline engine. Due to an…Covers: Toyota Highlander 2020
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- 10164330Jul 1, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | 12% |
| 2023 | 28 | 15% |
| 2022 | 11 | 4% |
| 2021 | 47 | 9% |
| 2020 | 17 | 5% |
| 2019 | 71 | 14% |
| 2018 | 35 | 13% |
| 2017 | 47 | 17% |
| 2016 | 9 | 8% |
| 2015 | 10 | 5% |
| 2014 | 3 | 2% |
| 2013 | 32 | 15% |
| 2012 | 17 | 9% |
| 2011 | 17 | 9% |
| 2010 | 12 | 6% |
| 2009 | 23 | 17% |
| 2008 | 58 | 14% |
| 2007 | 7 | 6% |
| 2006 | 19 | 7% |
| 2005 | 6 | 3% |
| 2004 | 16 | 6% |
| 2003 | 41 | 16% |
| 2002 | 7 | 2% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2020 Toyota Highlander
126 complaintsOther or unknown
45 complaintsBrakes
41 complaintsAir bags
32 complaintsBody and structure
30 complaintsFuel system
20 complaintsElectrical system
18 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 27, 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