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Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  1. Home
  2. >Toyota
  3. >Highlander
  4. >2020
  5. >Powertrain

2020 Toyota Highlander Powertrain Problems

Powertrain complaints and recalls from NHTSA

Summary

The 2020 Toyota Highlander has 96 NHTSA powertrain complaints and 0 powertrain-related recalls.

Problem Areas for the 2020 Toyota Highlander

Powertrain
96
Other
47
Airbags
31
Brakes
26
Structure
25
Electrical
12
Speed Control
7
Suspension
5
Visibility
5
Steering
4
Engine
3
Seat Belts
3

96

Complaints

0

Recalls

1

Injuries Reported

Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated April 9, 2026

All Powertrain Complaints

Date ↓ComponentSummary
Mar 3, 2026POWER TRAINMy 2020 Toyota Highlander experiences transmission jerking and hesitation during low speed accelerat...
Feb 19, 2026POWER TRAIN1. The vehicle’s transmission appears to be failing. I was driving my 2020 Toyota Highlander on the ...
Feb 17, 2026POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLVehicle: 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE Purchased: August 2020 Owner: Original owner Transmission: UA80F...
Feb 16, 2026POWER TRAINMy 2020 Toyota Highlander, with 83k miles, started making a whining noise when accelerating. I took ...
Jan 30, 2026POWER TRAINTHE TRANSMISSION FAILED SUDDENLY.
Jan 7, 2026POWER TRAINTransmission is presenting a high-pitched whining noise.
Jan 5, 2026POWER TRAINOur 2020 Highlander with 45,000 miles started making a whining noise when accelerating. After the To...
Dec 22, 2025POWER TRAINWhine noise when you accelerate coming from the automatic transmission. Car is hesitant in shifting ...
Dec 22, 2025POWER TRAINTransmission stutters. Only has 32000 miles.
Dec 19, 2025POWER TRAINTransmission whines in low gear.
Nov 18, 2025POWER TRAINTRANSFER CASE MAKING ROTATIONAL BEARING NOISE FLUID HAVE LOTS OF METAL DEBRI
Nov 16, 2025POWER TRAINWhile driving and/or accelerating you can feel some harsh shifts as well as slipping and shuttering ...
Nov 16, 2025POWER TRAINTransmission malfunction that left us on the highway with no power and in an unsafe situation. Not c...
Nov 10, 2025POWER TRAINThe vehicle’s automatic transmission (power train) has developed a loud whining/whirring noise under...
Nov 1, 2025POWER TRAINMy 2020 Highlander developed a whining or grinding noise consistent with the Technical Service Bulle...
Oct 27, 2025POWER TRAINTransmission failure. Noticed whining when driving, took to local Toyota dealership and they diagnos...
Oct 21, 2025POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLAt approximately 120,000 miles, the vehicle began exhibiting a pronounced shudder or vibration betwe...
Oct 8, 2025POWER TRAINThe car started making whining noises when pressing the gas pedal. Toyota reported "noise from trans...
Oct 6, 2025POWER TRAINI am filing a complaint with the NHTSA regarding persistent transmission slipping in my 2020 Toyota ...
Oct 1, 2025POWER TRAINAt around 45,000 miles, my 2020 Toyota Highlander started making a whining noise on acceleration. Th...

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