NHTSA vehicle safety data

2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 9 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Toyota dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid owner complaints

Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, describing incidents dated February 26, 2021 to June 24, 2025.

Most-cited components

Air Bags 4 complaints
Service Brakes 2 complaints
Structure 1 complaint
Tires 1 complaint
Visibility/Wiper 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11668825 · Filed June 24, 2025
After driving on an interstate and having my foot on the brake - the car jumps forward and accelerates. It has done this for a couple years, and it continues to happen more frequently. Sometimes it just jumps forward when you are driving through town and go to slow down. This seems like a safety…
ODI #11657262 · Filed April 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 75 MPH, the front passenger’s and driver’s side top shield assembly and the engine cover under components became detached from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact…
ODI #11650788 · Filed March 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall…

Read all 9 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Defect Petition DP22-005: Pedestrian alert sounds
Closed August 7, 2023
- Recall 22V-063

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

OCS Sensors May Short Circuit

NHTSA #23V865000 · Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification · NHTSA notice

Reported December 20, 2023 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 999,901 vehicles

Repair completion: 61.97% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Toyota campaign 23TA15, 23LA03 · Owners notified October 31, 2024

Defect description

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.

Safety consequence

An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Front Bumper Assembly May Detach

NHTSA #23V720000 · Structure — Body — Bumpers · NHTSA notice

Reported October 26, 2023 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 750,795 vehicles

Repair completion: 84.79% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Toyota campaign 23TB12 / 23TA12 · Owners notified April 22, 2024

Defect description

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Highlander & Highlander Hybrid vehicles. During normal vehicle operation, minor impact to the front lower bumper cover may result in the cover coming loose or detaching.

Safety consequence

A detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will repair or replace the upper and lower front bumper covers as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed April 22, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB12/23TA12.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Stability Control Deactivated on Startup/FMVSS 126

NHTSA #22V239000 · Electronic Stability Control (ESC) — Control Module — Software · NHTSA notice

Reported April 13, 2022 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 458,110 vehicles

Repair completion: 97.66% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Toyota campaign 22TA03, 22LA01 · Owners notified May 27, 2022

Defect description

Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Lexus LX 600, Lexus NX 350h, Lexus NX 450h+, Toytoa RAV4 Hybrid, 2021-2022 Lexus LS 500h, Toyota Mirai, RAV4 PRIME, Sienna, Venza, and 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The Skid Control ECU software may not turn on the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system when the vehicle is restarted after the driver has disabled the VSC system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

Safety consequence

Driving with a deactivated stability control system increases the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will update the Skid Control ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 22TA03. Lexus' number for this recall is 22LA01.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Seat Trim Can Interfere with Air Bag Deployment

NHTSA #20V633000 · Air Bags · NHTSA notice

Reported October 14, 2020 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 3,121 vehicles

Repair completion: 98.62% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Toyota campaign 20TB14 / 20TA14 · Owners notified December 11, 2020

Defect description

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Highlander and Highlander hybrid vehicles. Incorrect seat trim covers on one or both of the front seats can prevent the seat-mounted side air bag from deploying properly.

Safety consequence

Improper deployment of the seat-mounted side air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seats and replace the seat trim covers as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB14 / 20TA14.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

2020 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID SUV FWD

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Frontal Crash

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Rollover

17% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control Forward Collision Warning Lane Departure Warning

1 investigation

2020 Toyota HIGHLANDER HYBRID SUV AWD

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Frontal Crash

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Rollover

16% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control Forward Collision Warning Lane Departure Warning

1 investigation

9 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

Service Brakes

ODI #11668825

Incident: June 24, 2025 · Filed: June 24, 2025

After driving on an interstate and having my foot on the brake - the car jumps forward and accelerates. It has done this for a couple years, and it continues to happen more frequently. Sometimes it just jumps forward when you are driving through town and go to slow down. This seems like a safety issue.

Structure

ODI #11657262

Incident: February 29, 2024 · Filed: April 28, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 75 MPH, the front passenger’s and driver’s side top shield assembly and the engine cover under components became detached from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was unable to recover the parts. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the was no reason for the parts to have detached from the vehicle unless there was a crash. The contact emphasized that the parts had detached while driving. The components were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired; however, the contact believed that the repair was not appropriate because there were zip ties left underneath the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

Air Bags

ODI #11650788

Incident: December 20, 2023 · Filed: March 26, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Air Bags

ODI #11649785

Incident: January 15, 2024 · Filed: March 21, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Air Bags

ODI #11637310

Incident: January 21, 2025 · Filed: January 21, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Air Bags

ODI #11637256

Incident: January 21, 2025 · Filed: January 21, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced the failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #11556081

Incident: September 16, 2023 · Filed: November 20, 2023

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal would depress to the floorboard and the vehicle would fail to stop. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the mechanic repaired the brake calibrations and brake alignment. Despite the repair, the contact stated that the failure returned. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.

Visibility

ODI #11552220

Incident: October 27, 2022 · Filed: October 27, 2023

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that the climate control system failed to defrost the windows during rainy or cold weather conditions. As a result, the contact was unable to defrost the windows, making it difficult to see the roadway. The contact was concerned for his safety while operating the vehicle. An undisclosed dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.

Tires

ODI #11415346

Incident: February 26, 2021 · Filed: May 5, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR TIRES, TIRE LINE: EAGLE, TIRE SIZE: 235/55/R20, DOT NUMBER: M68AJM1R0720. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE TREAD ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR SEPARATED, CAUSING THE TIRE TO EXPLODE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND REPLACED THE TIRE WITH THE SPARE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VANCOUVER TOYOTA (10455 NE 53RD ST, VANCOUVER, WA 98662, (360)944-3001) WHERE THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO ASSISTANCE PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.

Other Toyota Highlander Hybrid model years

Check your 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Toyota Highlander Hybrid at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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