2020 Toyota Highlander Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

Incident: August 30, 2026 · Filed: October 30, 2026

I am reporting a premature transmission failure in my 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE AWD at approximately 72,000 miles. The vehicle exhibited transmission-related symptoms beginning before I purchased it. During the test drive at Chapman Ford on May 26, 2025, I noticed a whining noise that sounded like it was coming from the transmission. I brought this to the dealership’s attention and was told nothing was wrong. The noise continued after purchase. Over time, the transmission developed increasingly erratic operation and required professional diagnosis. At approximately 71,903 miles, Meenan Transmission documented a transmission whine, erratic operation, diagnostic trouble code P2713-7F (pressure control solenoid D), and transmission fluid containing metal contamination with a burnt odor. Additional diagnostic codes identified during troubleshooting included P0740, P0741, P2756, P2757, P2713 and P2714. The transmission ultimately required complete replacement. The replacement was authorized through a warranty arranged by Chapman Ford. A replacement transmission and additional parts were supplied by Toyota, to my understanding, and installed by an independent transmission repair facility. I am concerned about a complete transmission failure occurring at approximately 72,000 miles, particularly given the prior whining noise and progressive deterioration. I am also aware that Toyota previously established Customer Support Program ZJC for certain 2017–2018 Highlanders and Siennas equipped with UA80 transmissions. That program identified reported symptoms including transmission whining, harsh shifting and reduced power. My 2020 Highlander is not included in that program, despite having experienced a premature transmission failure involving the same transmission family. I am requesting that NHTSA document this failure and evaluate whether similar complaints involving 2020 Toyota Highlanders equipped with UA80 transmissions indicate a potential safety-related defect.

Incident: October 28, 2026 · Filed: October 28, 2026

Premature transmission failure with the only option to replace to rectify the issue. Toyota refuses to assist with any portion of the cost even though there are TSB's published noting the ongoing premature transmission failures. Toyota corporate cited routine maintenance not being done at a Toyota dealership as their reasoning for refusal to help and when asked if it was required to only use Toyota dealerships for routine maintenance, they stated that "they can't tell me to ONLY use Toyota but that it was the deciding factor." The cost is close to $10,000 which is catastrophic for most working families. There were no warning lights on the dashboard. Just the distinct high pitch whining sound when accelerating that is noted in the published TSB's. With no warning lights on the dashboard, had I not noticed the whining sound, if "catastrophic failure" would have occurred while driving, innocent lives could have been permanently altered or ended.

Incident: September 27, 2026 · Filed: October 19, 2026

Thanks for your service, which is much appreciated. I had a terrifying experience with my 2020 Toyota Hylander Hybrid on XXX. I was traveling slowly on the right Eastbound lane of [XXX] trying to exit onto [XXX], when a car suddey merged from my left, near my front bumper. I put on my brakes with enough room to spare to avoid a collision, however the Hylander overrode my controls, slammed on the brakes with a squeal of my tires, stopped my car completely, started doing a slow, repeating beep, and wouldn't move, though the engine was running. This left my husband and I in an active freeway lane with cars traveling in front of us, to the side of us, and coming up behind us, at 65-70 mph., unable to move our vehicle. I had to turn off the engine off and on again, while in the active freeway lane, to get the Hylander to stop beeping and get it to move again so I could drive off the freeway. I was terrified we'd be rear-ended and possibly be killed, since some automated system in the Hylander would not allow the car to move after it took over and slammed on the brakes. I contacted Stevens Creek Toyota in [XXX] soon afterwards hoping to speak with a service manager about what happened. [XXX] I was told that no one was available when I described my issue to a phone receptionist there. She sent me to a manager's voicemail, where I left a detailed message about what happened. I asked that I be called back as soon as possible, to disable whatever feature caused the car to react in such a dangerous way. No one from the dealer ever called me back or offered a solution. I have no idea what to do or where to go, to get this feature disabled, or if it can hopefully be disabled. Please investigate why 2020 Toyota Hylander Hybrids have a feature that takes over the controls, slams on the brakes, then doesn't allow the car to move again until the car is completely turned off and on again. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: September 10, 2026 · Filed: October 11, 2026

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. They refused to replace the physically compromised bumper structure during the 23TA12 recall remedy. The dealer actively short-cutting a safety recall. Furthermore, they claimed I had to pay out-of-pocket to replace the damaged splash shield.

Incident: October 2, 2026 · Filed: October 4, 2026

We were behind a vehicle that had come to a rolling stop because the vehicle in front of him had hit the person in front of him , we were going about 25 miles per hour and about 2 car lengths from him . I applied the brakes but the vehicle failed to stop . It was as if I did not press the brakes at all. We rearended the person in front of us . The person behind us hit us as well . It was like we were on ice but we were not .

Incident: August 14, 2026 · Filed: October 2, 2026

• What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The UA80 8-speed automatic transmission assembly (specifically internal mechanical wear resulting from front carrier assembly bearing degradation/torque converter heat buildup). No, the component and the contaminated transmission fluid are currently being replaced at the dealership. • How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The severe mechanical wear and metal-on-metal degradation inside the transmission create an imminent hazard where the vehicle can experience sudden slipping, severe hesitation, or a complete, unexpected loss of motive power while traveling at highway speeds. This loss of acceleration in active traffic creates an immediate risk of a rear-end collision and leaves passengers stranded in an unsafe traffic pattern without warning. • Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. A professional diagnostic inspection confirmed that the transmission fluid was catastrophically low, and the assembly sustained severe internal damage via metal-on-metal contact with metal shavings actively circulating throughout the unit. • Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The vehicle has been inspected and diagnosed by a service facility. It has not been inspected by the police or insurance representatives, as no crash has occurred yet. However, this failure directly mirrors the mechanical defects acknowledged by the manufacturer in Toyota Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0008-21 and active federal class-action lawsuits. • Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? There were no electronic dashboard warning lamps or no electronic dashboard warning lamps or visible signs of prior leakage/seepage.

Incident: September 3, 2026 · Filed: September 28, 2026

The steering wheel heating component burned my fingers twice due to a malfunction. I had to attempt to pull over immediately because the steering wheel began smoking and the pain from my finger/hand. Dealership confirmed and fixed issue and the wheel is no longer available to inspect. I was burned while holding the steering wheel and could have steered into another car/pedestrian while driving. I brought it to Toyota and they confirmed a defect and replaced parts of the wheel. I did not bring this up with any other entity. There were no warnings on my dash/anywhere in the vehicle. Smoke appeared after I burned my finger each time. I have attached an image of the smoke, but the only smoke I could capture was limited due to safety issues and not wanting the heating component to be in-use. A video shows it better

Incident: July 31, 2026 · Filed: September 26, 2026

My 2020 Toyota Highlander only has 68,826 miles on it. It began making a high-pitched whining sound three months ago. I have taken it to my mechanic and he said the transmission is about to go out. Toyota is not willing to fix it out of good faith/Goodwill since my warranty has ended. My argument is I bought that car thinking it would go 150,000 miles at least.

Incident: September 17, 2026 · Filed: September 17, 2026

I was traveling on hwy US1 South about 56-58 mph when I heard what sounded like a gunshot. I immediately slowed down and pulled off the road. As I drove off road on grass/gravel I heard crumbling of glass above on sunroof. The sunroof glass exploded. I called the nonemergency 911 for a police officer to come to the scene. I explained what happened and that there was no rock or large debris. He inspected and suggested I contact my insurance and if they needed a police report it would be in the system.

Incident: May 9, 2026 · Filed: September 17, 2026

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