{"id":"2020_toyota_highlander","make":"Toyota","make_slug":"toyota","model":"Highlander","model_slug":"highlander","year":2020,"url":"/toyota/highlander/2020/","pts":["hev","gas"],"configs":[{"id":42477,"model":"Highlander Hybrid","pt":"hev","drive":"Front-Wheel Drive","trany":"Automatic (AV-S6)","cyl":4,"displ":2.5,"eng":"SIDI & PFI; Hybrid","turbo":false,"super":false,"start_stop":true,"city":36,"hwy":35,"comb":36,"cityA":0,"hwyA":0,"combA":0,"kwh100":null,"range":null,"range_city":null,"range_hwy":null,"erange":null,"phev_comb":null,"charge240":null,"charge240b":null,"charger":"","charger_b":"","motor":"288V Ni-MH","fuel":"Regular","vclass":"Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD","co2":245,"fe_score":8,"ghg_score":8,"fuel_cost":1750,"save_spend":2500,"guzzler":false,"mfr_code":"TYX","modified":"Thu Apr 02 00:00:00 EDT 2020"},{"id":42478,"model":"Highlander Hybrid AWD","pt":"hev","drive":"All-Wheel Drive","trany":"Automatic (AV-S6)","cyl":4,"displ":2.5,"eng":"SIDI & PFI; Hybrid","turbo":false,"super":false,"start_stop":true,"city":35,"hwy":35,"comb":35,"cityA":0,"hwyA":0,"combA":0,"kwh100":null,"range":null,"range_city":null,"range_hwy":null,"erange":null,"phev_comb":null,"charge240":null,"charge240b":null,"charger":"","charger_b":"","motor":"288V Ni-MH","fuel":"Regular","vclass":"Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD","co2":254,"fe_score":8,"ghg_score":8,"fuel_cost":1800,"save_spend":2250,"guzzler":false,"mfr_code":"TYX","modified":"Thu Apr 02 00:00:00 EDT 2020"},{"id":42479,"model":"Highlander Hybrid AWD LTD/PLAT","pt":"hev","drive":"All-Wheel Drive","trany":"Automatic (AV-S6)","cyl":4,"displ":2.5,"eng":"SIDI & PFI; Hybrid","turbo":false,"super":false,"start_stop":true,"city":35,"hwy":34,"comb":35,"cityA":0,"hwyA":0,"combA":0,"kwh100":null,"range":null,"range_city":null,"range_hwy":null,"erange":null,"phev_comb":null,"charge240":null,"charge240b":null,"charger":"","charger_b":"","motor":"288V Ni-MH","fuel":"Regular","vclass":"Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD","co2":251,"fe_score":8,"ghg_score":8,"fuel_cost":1800,"save_spend":2250,"guzzler":false,"mfr_code":"TYX","modified":"Thu Apr 02 00:00:00 EDT 2020"},{"id":42380,"model":"Highlander","pt":"gas","drive":"Front-Wheel Drive","trany":"Automatic (S8)","cyl":6,"displ":3.5,"eng":"SIDI & PFI; Stop-Start","turbo":false,"super":false,"start_stop":true,"city":21,"hwy":29,"comb":24,"cityA":0,"hwyA":0,"combA":0,"kwh100":null,"range":null,"range_city":null,"range_hwy":null,"erange":null,"phev_comb":null,"charge240":null,"charge240b":null,"charger":"","charger_b":"","motor":"","fuel":"Regular","vclass":"Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD","co2":372,"fe_score":5,"ghg_score":5,"fuel_cost":2600,"save_spend":-1750,"guzzler":false,"mfr_code":"TYX","modified":"Wed Feb 19 00:00:00 EST 2020"},{"id":42379,"model":"Highlander","pt":"gas","drive":"Front-Wheel Drive","trany":"Automatic (S8)","cyl":6,"displ":3.5,"eng":"SIDI & PFI","turbo":false,"super":false,"start_stop":false,"city":20,"hwy":28,"comb":23,"cityA":0,"hwyA":0,"combA":0,"kwh100":null,"range":null,"range_city":null,"range_hwy":null,"erange":null,"phev_comb":null,"charge240":null,"charge240b":null,"charger":"","charger_b":"","motor":"","fuel":"Regular","vclass":"Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD","co2":386,"fe_score":5,"ghg_score":5,"fuel_cost":2700,"save_spend":-2250,"guzzler":false,"mfr_code":"TYX","modified":"Wed Feb 19 00:00:00 EST 2020"},{"id":42381,"model":"Highlander AWD","pt":"gas","drive":"All-Wheel Drive","trany":"Automatic (S8)","cyl":6,"displ":3.5,"eng":"SIDI & PFI","turbo":false,"super":false,"start_stop":true,"city":20,"hwy":27,"comb":23,"cityA":0,"hwyA":0,"combA":0,"kwh100":null,"range":null,"range_city":null,"range_hwy":null,"erange":null,"phev_comb":null,"charge240":null,"charge240b":null,"charger":"","charger_b":"","motor":"","fuel":"Regular","vclass":"Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD","co2":387,"fe_score":5,"ghg_score":5,"fuel_cost":2700,"save_spend":-2250,"guzzler":false,"mfr_code":"TYX","modified":"Wed Feb 19 00:00:00 EST 2020"}],"vclass":"Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD","segment":"Compact SUV","recalls":[{"campaign":"23V865000","component":"AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION","mfr":"Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing","reported":"2023-12-20","owner_notified":"2024-10-31","units":999901,"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 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.","park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"mfr_campaign":"23TA15, 23LA03","initiated_by":"MFR","variants":[],"severity":"high"},{"campaign":"23V720000","component":"STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS","mfr":"Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing","reported":"2023-10-26","owner_notified":"2024-04-22","units":750795,"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.","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.","park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"mfr_campaign":"23TB12 / 23TA12","initiated_by":"MFR","variants":[],"severity":"high"},{"campaign":"22V239000","component":"ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC):CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE","mfr":"Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing","reported":"2022-04-13","owner_notified":"2022-05-27","units":458110,"summary":"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.\"","consequence":"Driving with a deactivated stability control system increases the risk of a crash.","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.","park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"mfr_campaign":"22TA03, 22LA01","initiated_by":"MFR","variants":["hev"],"severity":"minor"},{"campaign":"20V633000","component":"AIR BAGS","mfr":"Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing","reported":"2020-10-14","owner_notified":"2020-12-11","units":3121,"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.","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.","park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"mfr_campaign":"20TB14 / 20TA14","initiated_by":"MFR","variants":[],"severity":"high"},{"campaign":"20V162000","component":"FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY","mfr":"Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing","reported":"2020-03-19","owner_notified":"2020-05-15","units":38810,"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.","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.","park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"mfr_campaign":"20TA06","initiated_by":"MFR","variants":[],"severity":"high"}],"recall_count":5,"critical_count":0,"park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"score":65,"grade":"D","complaints":{"count":320,"crash":15,"fire":0,"injured":20,"deaths":0,"comps":[["Power Train",125],["Unspecified",41],["Service Brakes",38],["Air Bags",36],["Structure",32],["Fuel/Propulsion System",19]],"by_year":{"2020":18,"2021":28,"2022":22,"2023":26,"2024":59,"2025":106,"2026":61},"excerpts":[["2025-06-24","Service Brakes","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."],["2025-04-28","Structure","The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 75 MPH, the front passenger\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s and driver\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s 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 reco\u2026"],["2025-03-26","Air Bags","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 mad\u2026"]]},"investigations":[{"action":"DP22005","component":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM","opened":"2023-01-27","closed":"2023-08-07","campaign":"22V063000","subject":"Pedestrian alert sounds","summary":"NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt"}],"ncap":[{"desc":"SUV AWD","overall":5,"frontal":4,"side":5,"rollover":4,"rollover_risk":0.164,"seats":null,"fcw":"Standard","ldw":"Standard","aeb":"Standard","esc":"","backup_cam":"","variant":null},{"desc":"SUV AWD","overall":5,"frontal":4,"side":5,"rollover":4,"rollover_risk":0.164,"seats":null,"fcw":"Standard","ldw":"Standard","aeb":"Standard","esc":"","backup_cam":"","variant":"hev"},{"desc":"SUV FWD","overall":5,"frontal":4,"side":5,"rollover":4,"rollover_risk":0.169,"seats":null,"fcw":"Standard","ldw":"Standard","aeb":"Standard","esc":"","backup_cam":"","variant":null},{"desc":"SUV FWD","overall":5,"frontal":4,"side":5,"rollover":4,"rollover_risk":0.169,"seats":null,"fcw":"Standard","ldw":"Standard","aeb":"Standard","esc":"","backup_cam":"","variant":"hev"}],"popularity":15,"headline":{"range":null,"mpg":36,"ncap":5,"complaints":320},"presskit_trims":[],"generated_at":"2026-09-11 05:01 UTC","sources":["EPA fueleconomy.gov","NHTSA recalls","NHTSA complaints","NHTSA NCAP","NHTSA investigations"]}