2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid recalls and problems

4 recalls and 9 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

4
recalls
9
owner complaints
0
complaints mentioning a crash
0
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid recalls

Air bags: sensor, occupant classification

NHTSA campaign 23V865000 · reported December 20, 2023 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · 999,901 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix
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.

Structure: body, bumpers

NHTSA campaign 23V720000 · reported October 26, 2023 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · 750,795 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
A detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
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.

Electronic stability control (ESC): control module, software

NHTSA campaign 22V239000 · reported April 13, 2022 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · 458,110 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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."
The risk
Driving with a deactivated stability control system increases the risk of a crash.
The fix
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.

Seats · Air bags

NHTSA campaign 20V633000 · reported October 14, 2020 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · 3,121 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
Improper deployment of the seat-mounted side air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix
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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Jun 24, 2025 · 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.

Apr 28, 2025 · Structure · 60,000 miles

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 75 MPH, the front passenger’s and driver’s 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 recover…

Mar 26, 2025 · 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…

Mar 21, 2025 · 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 unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was…

Jan 21, 2025 · 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 unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer…

Highlander Hybrid model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2017 2300
2018 0511
2019 0600
2020 4900
2021 41500
2022 4600
2023 6900

Across all years, the 2006 Highlander Hybrid has the most complaints (370). All Toyota Highlander Hybrid years →

Questions

Does the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, the most recent reported on December 20, 2023 (Air bags: sensor, occupant classification). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?
Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (4 complaints), followed by service brakes (1).
How many 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid complaints mention a crash or fire?
0 of 9 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 0 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received June 24, 2025.