2020 Toyota Highlander Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 30about this part
- Share
- 9%of 321 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 21,150miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 30 complaints about the body and structure of the 2020 Toyota Highlander, 9% of the 321 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 21,150 miles. 1 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.
“So when I was driving around speeds of 70mph the Highlander starts to wobble and the driver mirror shaking I went to dealership and they said that it could be a recall in future and didn't fix the problem. Had it for less then one year”
NHTSA complaint #11389935, filed 2021-01, 4,190 miles“The vehicle was in motion on a straight highway on a hot texas day with no other vehicles in the vicinity and no debris on the road and the moon/sun roof exploded (sounded like a gun shot in the car). The car was brand new and only had 4,000 miles on it. The vehicle is currently located at the local Toyota dealer being evaluated but they are denying it as a warranty issue. This could have been life threatening since it was a very loud sound and thankfully we had the inside cover closed to that we were protected from the glass.”
NHTSA complaint #11331499, filed 2020-06, 4,000 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 2025-12“It’s been a known issue that Toyota Highlander has transmission problems under 100k miles from 2016-2021 or later (social media sites confirmed such). My vehicle require a trans axle replacement as well as the struts are leaking oil and my vehicle has less than 62k miles and is only 5 years old. This is being covered under my extended warranty but parts are on back order After doing research many owners complain about a whining noise showing acceleration of vehicle . …”
NHTSA complaint #11666679, filed 2025-06“My bumper detached from the vehicle on two separate occasions on the freeway. I learned about he bumper recall and brought it to Right Toyota Scottsdale (AZ), my local dealer. Right Toyota failed to follow Toyota's explicit recall protocol to replace the damaged bumper and only installed the upgraded hardware after the bumper had already completely detached. By slapping the hardware on the compromised plastic, they performed an incomplete repair that violates Toyota's legally binding instructions filed with federal regulations. …”
NHTSA complaint #11770412, filed 2026-10Related recalls
- 23V720000Oct 26, 2023Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Highlander & Highlander Hybrid vehicles. During normal vehicle operation…Covers: Toyota Highlander 2020–2023, Highlander Hybrid 2020–2023
Related service bulletins
- 11034823Jun 25, 2026Some 2020 – 2026 model year Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a water leak from the roof rack attachment clips. This may be caused by the sealant in the roof…
- 11026318Nov 18, 2025Some 2020 – 2023 model year Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the Power Back Door (PBD) will not open or close and/or stops moving while…
- 11012744Dec 6, 2024The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic…
- 11012743Dec 6, 2024To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film…
- 11012742Dec 6, 2024Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an…
- 11012735Dec 5, 2024Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental…
- 11012727Dec 3, 2024Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding…
- 11007455Jul 29, 2024Some 2005 – 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate…
- 11006161Jul 29, 2024Some 2005 – 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate…
- 11007445Jul 12, 2024The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 9% |
| 2023 | 32 | 17% |
| 2022 | 43 | 16% |
| 2021 | 52 | 10% |
| 2020 | 30 | 9% |
| 2019 | 12 | 2% |
| 2018 | 12 | 4% |
| 2017 | 8 | 3% |
| 2016 | 4 | 4% |
| 2015 | 32 | 17% |
| 2014 | 32 | 24% |
| 2013 | 18 | 9% |
| 2012 | 20 | 11% |
| 2011 | 27 | 15% |
| 2010 | 14 | 6% |
| 2009 | 15 | 11% |
| 2008 | 11 | 3% |
| 2007 | 5 | 4% |
| 2006 | 4 | 1% |
| 2005 | 8 | 4% |
| 2004 | 8 | 3% |
| 2003 | 18 | 7% |
| 2002 | 24 | 8% |
| 2001 | 13 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2020 Toyota Highlander
126 complaintsOther or unknown
45 complaintsBrakes
41 complaintsAir bags
32 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 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