Powertrain complaints and recalls from NHTSA
Summary
The 2020 Toyota Highlander has 96 NHTSA powertrain complaints and 0 powertrain-related recalls.
96
Complaints
0
Recalls
1
Injuries Reported
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated April 9, 2026
| Date ↓ | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 3, 2026 | POWER TRAIN | My 2020 Toyota Highlander experiences transmission jerking and hesitation during low speed accelerat... |
| Feb 19, 2026 | POWER TRAIN | 1. The vehicle’s transmission appears to be failing. I was driving my 2020 Toyota Highlander on the ... |
| Feb 17, 2026 | POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | Vehicle: 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE Purchased: August 2020 Owner: Original owner Transmission: UA80F... |
| Feb 16, 2026 | POWER TRAIN | My 2020 Toyota Highlander, with 83k miles, started making a whining noise when accelerating. I took ... |
| Jan 30, 2026 | POWER TRAIN | THE TRANSMISSION FAILED SUDDENLY. |
| Jan 7, 2026 | POWER TRAIN | Transmission is presenting a high-pitched whining noise. |
| Jan 5, 2026 | POWER TRAIN | Our 2020 Highlander with 45,000 miles started making a whining noise when accelerating. After the To... |
| Dec 22, 2025 | POWER TRAIN | Whine noise when you accelerate coming from the automatic transmission. Car is hesitant in shifting ... |
| Dec 22, 2025 | POWER TRAIN | Transmission stutters. Only has 32000 miles. |
| Dec 19, 2025 | POWER TRAIN | Transmission whines in low gear. |
| Nov 18, 2025 | POWER TRAIN | TRANSFER CASE MAKING ROTATIONAL BEARING NOISE FLUID HAVE LOTS OF METAL DEBRI |
| Nov 16, 2025 | POWER TRAIN | While driving and/or accelerating you can feel some harsh shifts as well as slipping and shuttering ... |
| Nov 16, 2025 | POWER TRAIN | Transmission malfunction that left us on the highway with no power and in an unsafe situation. Not c... |
| Nov 10, 2025 | POWER TRAIN | The vehicle’s automatic transmission (power train) has developed a loud whining/whirring noise under... |
| Nov 1, 2025 | POWER TRAIN | My 2020 Highlander developed a whining or grinding noise consistent with the Technical Service Bulle... |
| Oct 27, 2025 | POWER TRAIN | Transmission failure. Noticed whining when driving, took to local Toyota dealership and they diagnos... |
| Oct 21, 2025 | POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | At approximately 120,000 miles, the vehicle began exhibiting a pronounced shudder or vibration betwe... |
| Oct 8, 2025 | POWER TRAIN | The car started making whining noises when pressing the gas pedal. Toyota reported "noise from trans... |
| Oct 6, 2025 | POWER TRAIN | I am filing a complaint with the NHTSA regarding persistent transmission slipping in my 2020 Toyota ... |
| Oct 1, 2025 | POWER TRAIN | At around 45,000 miles, my 2020 Toyota Highlander started making a whining noise on acceleration. Th... |