2020 Toyota Highlander power train problems
120 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 2020 Toyota Highlander — 40% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“We have a 2020 Toyota Highlander with 89K miles that we have owned since it was new. I was informed today to not drive it any long distances from the dealer due to an impending failure of the transmission, creating a large safety issue for me and my family. I understand there are related recalls of…”
filed Jul 29, 2026
“Transmission stalls in situations where speed is needed. For example when merging into traffic all of a sudden no power then when gear finally engages there a huge thump and feels like being hit from behind.”
filed Jul 7, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Power Train problems in other Highlander years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Highlander | 3 | 8% |
| 2023 Highlander | 16 | 9% |
| 2022 Highlander | 47 | 21% |
| 2021 Highlander | 199 | 41% |
| 2019 Highlander | 187 | 40% |
| 2018 Highlander | 60 | 23% |
| 2017 Highlander | 70 | 27% |
| 2016 Highlander | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 Highlander | 7 | 4% |
| 2014 Highlander | 8 | 6% |
| 2013 Highlander | 11 | 5% |
| 2012 Highlander | 7 | 4% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2020 Toyota Highlander
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.