2020 Toyota Highlander problems
The Toyota Highlander, also known as the Toyota Kluger (Japanese: トヨタ・クルーガー, Hepburn: Toyota Kurūgā), is a mid-size crossover SUV with three-row seating produced by Toyota since 2000.
Announced in April 2000 at the New York International Auto Show and arriving in late 2000 in Japan and January 2001 in North America, the Highlander became one of the first car-based mid-size SUV or mid-size crossovers. The Highlander is the crossover counterpart to the more rugged, truck-based mid-size 4Runner and became Toyota's best-selling SUV before being surpassed by the smaller RAV4 in 2006.
The first-generation model was sold in Japan as the Kluger, which was exclusive to dealership network called Toyota Netz as a larger alternative to the RAV4. The Kluger nameplate is also used in Australia because "Highlander" is a trademarked trim line name owned by Hyundai. The name is derived from the German word klug, which means smart or clever (Klüger – with diacritics – means "someone who is smarter than another" in German).
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Common 2020 Toyota Highlander problems
The 2020 Toyota Highlander has been reported to have several common problems based on complaints from owners. These issues include the A/C compressor leaking, wind noise from the side mirrors, and chipping paint on the front bumper.
The most serious problem is the A/C compressor leaking, which has been reported to occur around 6,000 miles. This issue is caused by a failed seal in the compressor, which requires replacement. The cost of replacing the compressor is around $650, but if it's still under warranty, it will likely be covered.
Another common issue is wind noise from the side mirrors, which has been reported in the first 3,000 miles. This problem is caused by door and window seals that are not installed correctly. If the seals are not installed correctly, the dealership will usually repair them for free under warranty. If it's not under warranty, the cost of replacing the seals is around $150.
Chipping paint on the front bumper is another problem that has been reported in the first 10,000 miles. This issue is caused by small stones hitting the large front bumper during highway driving. The only way to fix chipping paint is by repainting the affected area, which can cost around $1,000 per panel.
In addition to these common problems, there are two recalls on the 2020 Toyota Highlander. The most serious recall is for the ECU software, which Toyota will update for free. The other recall is for incorrect seat trim, which affects only 3,121 models.
Overall, most of these problems are relatively minor for a midsize SUV, leading to low repair costs as it ages. However, the A/C compressor leaking is the most serious complaint on the 2020 Highlander, and it can be costly to repair if it's not covered under warranty.
Are there any issues with the 2020 Toyota Highlander?
Premature pad/rotor wear, pulsation or vibration, antilock system, parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, squeaking, brake failure, regenerative braking.
What is the most common problem with Toyota Highlander?
Common Issues With The Toyota Highlander
- Engine Bolts Becoming Stripped. ...
- Engine Failure. ...
- Using Engine Oil Faster Than Average. ...
- Fuel Tank and AC Condenser Problems. ...
- Faulty Head Gasket and Oxygen Sensor. ...
- Q: What Toyota Highlander years should I avoid in the used car market?
Is there any recalls on the 2020 Toyota Highlander?
Roughly 751,000 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles have been recalled because of an issue with mounting tabs on the vehicles' bumpers that could cause parts to detach, the car manufacturer announced. The recall applies to some 2020-2023 models, the company said in a news release Thursday.
How long should a 2020 Toyota Highlander last?
On average, a Highlander will last 250,000-300,000 miles, offering an extensive ownership opportunity for investors. For many people, the car will last a decade or more with routine care. If you're careful with your reliable machine, it will pay you back for a long time to come.
Do 2020 Toyota Highlander's have problems?
There are two recalls on the 2020 Toyota Highlander, which is better than some other SUVs. The most serious recall is for the ECU software, which Toyota will update for free. There's also a recall that only affects 3,121 models for incorrect seat trim.
What is the most common problem with Toyota Highlander?
Common Issues With The Toyota Highlander
- Engine Bolts Becoming Stripped. ...
- Engine Failure. ...
- Using Engine Oil Faster Than Average. ...
- Fuel Tank and AC Condenser Problems. ...
- Faulty Head Gasket and Oxygen Sensor. ...
- Q: What Toyota Highlander years should I avoid in the used car market?
How long should a 2020 Toyota Highlander last?
On average, a Highlander will last 250,000-300,000 miles, offering an extensive ownership opportunity for investors. For many people, the car will last a decade or more with routine care. If you're careful with your reliable machine, it will pay you back for a long time to come.
Is the Toyota Highlander reliable?
The 2023 Toyota Highlander has a predicted reliability score of 81 out of 100.
2020 Toyota Highlander car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Toyota Highlander problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Service brakes problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Power train problems
- Structure problems
- Fuel/propulsion system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2020 Toyota Highlander vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2020 Toyota Highlander
The NHTSA has received 140 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2020 Toyota Highlander. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2020 Toyota Highlander vehicles.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-01
- VIN: 5TDDZRBH4LS
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: I own a 2020 Toyota highlander and the car mileage is 68,000 and the dealer told me my transmission is dead and needs to replacement. The cost for replacement is $13,000.00! I’m the first owner of the car and how could a new Toyota car transmission fail at 68,000 miles and the warranty is 5 yrs or 60,000 miles. This issue have to be Toyota manufacture problems and they should have a recall on this and I researched online and a lot of highlander owners have the same problems as me! NHTSA PLEASE RESEARCH AND HELP HIGHLANDER OWNERS! Thank you
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-10
- VIN: 5TDGZRBH7LS
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, there was an abnormal humming sound from the engine compartment. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal, and the sound got louder. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-02
- VIN: 5TDHZRBH2LS
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. 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. Parts distribution disconnect.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-30
- VIN: 5TDGZRAH1LS
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. 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.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-03-25
- VIN: 5TDHZRBH6LS
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and accelerating, the vehicle made an abnormal buzzing and clunking sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times. The dealer repaired the brake pedal and an axle; however, the failure progressively became worse. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the rear differential was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced; however, the part was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-15
- VIN: 5TDDZRBH2LS
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. 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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-17
- VIN: 5TDGZRBH9LS
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and there was an abnormal whining sound underneath the vehicle on the driver's side. The contact stated that the sound was intermittent but was occurring at various speeds. The contact stated that there were no warning lights. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-14
- VIN: 5TDZARAH2LS
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: While steering to the right to exit a parallel parking spot, the ABS sensor cable came into contact with a suspension bolt, snapping the sensor wire. This triggered the Check Engine Light and caused a malfunction in the braking systems.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-23
- VIN: 5TDGZRBH3LS
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: With 55k miles on a 2020 Toyota Highlander, we began hearing a whine. On various on-line sources it appears that this is not unusual among late teens to early '20s Highlanders. I brought the vehicle to the dealer (with close to 56k miles) and the dealer decided the transmission needs to be replaced. Even though the dealer service center acknowledges this is an ongoing issue w/the Highlander of this (late teens/early '20s) vintage I'm told its a 1-2mo wait for a transmission repair/replacement. Warranty is 60k miles... I was told be safe and don't go over 60k miles or its possible the warranty might not be honored. While currently operable, a quick internet search indicates, transmission failure often occurs unexpectedly, leaving drivers stranded on the side of the road. This situation can be not only inconvenient but also dangerous.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-30
- VIN: 5TDFZRBH0LS
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: Known transmission issue not being addressed. Internal parts issue and must be replaced after only a few years.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-04
- VIN: 5TDHZRBH2LS
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: My vehicle is started making a loud whining noise at around 78K miles whenever you accelerate between about 25-60mph. The dealer said that a new transmission is the only thing that would fix it. The cost of the transmission is 8K. The dealer said that Toyota ought to cover it, but I called and their initial answer is that they will not. This part should be recalled, there are multiple people online saying they are experiencing the same exact issue. This is a very expensive problem for this car, and not one that consumers should shoulder at low mileages. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-08
- VIN: 5TDCZRAH5LS
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The SRS airbag system malfunction went off and the seat keeps beeping for a long time before finally stopping I’ve taken it in to get fixed to the Stockton dealership but they said there’s no available fix yet, but then when I went to pick it up after my oil service they said for $200 they could fix it.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-25
- VIN: 5TDZZRAH3LS
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE
- Summary: There is an open recall which has not been addressed in a timely manner. The below has been open since OCT 26, 2023. I have been advised that I would be notified when a remedy was available but it's been ten months with no solution. My front bumper detached while I was on the interstate causing damage to the front end of my vehicle. The subject vehicles are equipped with a resin front lower bumper cover assembly, connected with mounting tabs. If there is minor impact to the lower front bumper cover assembly that causes the mounting tabs to detach from the vehicle during normal operation, one or more parts of this assembly could detach, which could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash or injury for other road users.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-05
- VIN: 5TDGZRBH9LS
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving at speeds above 20 MPH, there was a loud whining sound coming from the transmission. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic and the contact was informed that the sound was an indication of transmission failure. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted or notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 73,000.
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-09-09
- VIN: 5TDHBRCH1LS
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: See attached document for complaint.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-06-15
- VIN: 5TDEBRCH9LS
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: During the first 20K miles of driving our 2020 Highlander Hybrid; we noticed that while braking; the car would sometimes lung forward as though we had accelerated quickly. It startles you and it causes you to "hit the brakes" quickly. It doesn't happen all the time. It seems to occur more so when we're braking at low speeds in parking lots; while slowing down on a slight decline or simply making a turn left or right while braking. I mentioned this to my Toyota Dealer a few times as to whether or not they had a recall notice for this. I was told "no". I had my oil changed on June 15, 2022 MIL/35,379 and I asked them to check this problem. They checked and advised no problem was duplicated and the invoice stated in part "will wait on any diagnostics at this time". I was never contacted with a "fix". Today (August 16, 2023) I located a Technical Service Bulletin that appeared to address my issue. It is "T-SB-0059-23". This issue is a safety concern to both me and my wife; I'd like to see this problem addressed. This was all mentioned during the warranty period but no notifications were made by Toyota. My current mileage is 89,202. Thank you
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-09
- VIN: 5TDYZRAH1LS
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: 8AT transmission failure. Toyota is telling me that it will take 7 months to obtain a replacement transmission.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-01
- VIN: 5TDGZRBH6LS
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: This is in reference to a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The Air Conditioner is not functional. Upon inspection by a mechanic, and $300 of freon wasted, it was determined that the lines that carry the AC to the rear of the vehicle are defective. Freon immediately drains. We have a case open with Toyota. The Toytota Case Manager acknowledged that the lines are a known issue, however at this time there is no replacement part available to fix the issue. The initial exchange with Toyota in early June resulted in a response that the part ETA was expected for early July. They have delayed twice since, to Late July, and now the status is pending with an ETA of late August but "subject to change." The vehicle is not drivable with the heat of Summer months; at times the internal temperature of the car is well over 100 degrees. I would anticipate people that live in southern year round hot climates with this issue can't drive it at all. My primary concern is having no AC is a safety issue for passengers, including children and an elderly family member [XXX]) for which I am a caretaker, and pets. Toyota did not respond to a request to provide a rental vehicle until the part is available. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-26
- VIN: 5TDGZRBH5LS
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: UNKNOWN
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-01
- VIN: 5TDZZRAH2LS
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The transmission has gone out. We noticed a whining noise which prompted getting the vehicle inspected which led to the diagnosis. The vehicle is at the dealership and cannot be driven as driving it will void the warranty. The were no warning messages just the whining noise at about 30-40 mph. We were told it was good that we caught it as the car could have broken down at any time which could have been a safety risk if it had all of a sudden stopped in traffic. We have researched and found that others have had the same issue. The transmission is on back order with no set arrival date.
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-06
- VIN: 5TDGZRBH8LS
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure). The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the front bumper detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the upper and lower bumper, underpinning, wheel well assembly covers, and other unknown parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.
AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-13
- VIN: 5TDGZRAH0LS
- Components: AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Front bumper
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-11-10
- VIN: 5TDDZRBH6LS
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving 60-65 MPH and changing lanes, the front lower bumper cover suddenly separated from the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the front lower bumper cover assembly was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V72000 (Structure) which the contact related to the failure. The manufacturer was contacted for reimbursement, but the manufacturer denied reimbursement. The failure mileage was unknown.
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-12-25
- VIN: 5TDHZRBH0LS
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MHP, the contact's husband became aware that there was unknown part had loosened on the front of the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact became aware that the front bumper assembly was detaching. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic however, the vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-08
- VIN: 5TDFZRAH6LS
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. 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.
2020 Toyota Highlander recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 4 recalls for different components of the 2020 Toyota Highlander.
- Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
- Components: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed February 2, 2024. A second notice will be mailed once the remedy is available. Multiple phases are planned through 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
- Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
- Components: STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: A detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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.
- Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: Improper deployment of the seat-mounted side air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- 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.
- Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
- Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Highlander vehicles equipped with a 3.5 L, V6 (2GR-FKS) gasoline engine. Due to an Engine Control Unit (ECU) programming error, fuel may not be correctly supplied to the engine while using the stop and restart feature.
- Consequence: Improper fuel supply programming can result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ECU, free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA06.
Negative 2020 Toyota Highlander car reviews
Positive 2020 Toyota Highlander car reviews
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I recently upgraded to a 2020 Platinum Highlander from my previous 2012 model. As a family car for four people with occasional extra passengers, it fits our needs perfectly. While the third row may not be ideal for long trips with adults, it's just right for short trips with kids and is easily accessible. The cargo size is also very good and suits our camping and skiing trips. The addition of the digital rear view mirror is a great feature that provides a clear rear view when the rear window is blocked. Overall, the visibility is decent, although larger windows would be nice, but I understand that this is a trade-off for enhanced safety. The quality of the internal materials is exceptional and makes me feel like I'm driving a luxury car, while still saving money. As someone who is 5'10I'm glad to hear that you generally like your new Highlander! I understand that there are a few things you would like to change, such as the split liftgate. It was particularly helpful for accessing the rear storage on hillsides without having to open the full liftgate. I also see that the hands-free rear door operation sensor is not compatible with the hitch receiver, which is unfortunate. It's strange that Toyota doesn't make it for the 2020 Limited and Platinum trims, but I'm glad to hear that you were able to install the Curt one and that it works and looks great. While the hands-free opening option is gone, I hope that you're still enjoying your Highlander overall. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me!
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My husband and I did months of research and finally decided on a 2020 Platinum AWD Highlander in black with the carmel glaze interior. We are absolutely thrilled with our choice! The ride is smooth and composed, and the car is packed with incredible creature comforts. The infotainment center is user-friendly and can be customized to your liking. If you're considering the Highlander, look no further - this car delivers in every aspect. I'll be sure to update this review in a few months after we've had more time to drive it.
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The Highlander may be on the more expensive side, but it is definitely worth every penny. Its performance is impressive, being rather quick for something of this size, taking only 6.9-7.5 seconds. The ride is composed and you are well isolated from road noise and intrusion. It is quick enough to pass in any situation and the brakes are pretty good for something of this size. We took it on a road trip from FL to MA and back, and it was the most comfortable car we have ever taken. We make the trip at least once a year. The heated seats and the leatherette seating on the XLE trim were and are extremely comfortable for such a long ride (straight through). The vehicle was great on such different terrain and highway/city driving and plenty roomy. The ride was so comfortable that we were not in pain after the 20-hour trip. The Highlander starts every time, with no squeaks or rattles, and is absolutely solid. If I can continue to afford the vehicle, I will keep it for at least 10 years. I purchased a red XLE with Beige Leatherette interior. My favorite niceties are the remote start, powerlifting tailgate, the heated seating, the power seating, and the power of the smooth V6! I just wish I got AWD!
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I'm so glad to hear that you're now an owner of the 2020 Highlander! I understand that you may have some concerns about legroom in the third row, especially since you're downsizing from a Sienna. However, it sounds like everything else about the Highlander is exactly what you were looking for!
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This is a great automobile! I've owned my Highlander for two weeks and I love everything it has offered me. I also get compliments every day.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2020 Toyota Highlander problems:
Common problems on 4th Gen Highlanders? : r/ToyotaHighlander
Nov 30, 2022 ... Common problems on 4th Gen Highlanders? · Whistling front end, typically fixed by adjusting the hood struts · Loose side mirror cap that might ...
2020 toyota highlander transmission failure | Toyota Nation Forum
Aug 26, 2023 ... Failures are rare- but with any mass-produced car- they can happen. Toyota did have issues with the eight-speed transmission in the 2017-2019 ...
2020 Toyota Highlander Reliability - Consumer Reports
Owner Reported Trouble Spots · Climate System · Exhaust · Brakes · In-car Electronics · Body Hardware · Steering And Suspension · Engine Minor · Noises And ...
2020 Toyota Highlander Review, Problems, Reliability, Value, Life ...
Mar 21, 2023 ... 2020 Toyota Highlander Review: Extremely Reliable Midsize SUV With Low Ownership Costs · The 2020 Toyota Highlander lasts around 300,000 miles ...
2020 Toyota Highlander Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 2020 Toyota Highlander? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 ...
Other years of Toyota Highlander
Are you having problems with your 2020 Toyota Highlander?
Kellen Will 2025-02-06
I recently purchased a 2020 Highlander XLE, which is my third Highlander. However, I am disappointed with my purchase as I can feel every bump on bumpy roads and experience vibrations in the floorboards. I am not a fan of the redesigned model and regret my decision to buy it.
Selmer Hills 2025-01-07
Please note that the 2020 Highlander limited and platinum trims do not have a TOW HITCH receiver option available. According to Toyota, these models cannot be ordered with a tow hitch because it would prevent operation of the hands-free rear lift gate sensors. Although Toyota markets these vehicle trims as having 5000 lbs of towing capacity, they do not sell a hitch receiver and do not clearly state this in their marketing. I understand that this may be disappointing for those who tow their boats, snowmobiles, personal watercraft, campers, trailers, etc. However, the Highlander limited and platinum are still great vehicles. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Thank you for your understanding.
Lesley Kessler 2025-01-05
My 2020 Platinum Highlander experienced a broken heater core, lost 1/2 gallon of coolant, no warm air, and hard starting after only 900 miles and 3 weeks of ownership. These issues are unacceptable for a vehicle that costs 50k dollars.
Carroll Mayert 2024-11-02
I recently purchased a Highlander Platinum and I am really enjoying the driving experience. However, I have noticed a few areas where the driver interface could be improved. For example, I have to allow notifications on my phone to use the remote start feature, even if I am only using the key fob. Additionally, the remote start does not have a dedicated button and the procedure of pressing the lock button three times often fails. Another issue is that the remote start won't work if I forget to lock the car doors after parking in my garage. It would be great if the doors could be made to lock as part of the remote start procedure. On cold days, the engine shuts off when I open the door, which can be frustrating as any heat gained during the remote start is lost. Toyota says this is a safety feature, but I think it could be improved. Lastly, I find it odd that the heated steering wheel only heats half of the wheel. It would also be great if the vehicle could automatically turn on the ventilated or heated seats and steering wheel when the temperature is too hot or too cold. Overall, I think Toyota could improve the driver interface of the 2020 Highlander Platinum to better meet the needs of its drivers.
Arlo Marks 2024-10-07
After all the nice improvement, etc. Unfortunately, the Highlander does not have auto-dimming side mirrors, unlike its competitors on higher trims. This is very disappointing!