2020 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID Complaints and Recall Information
The 2020 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID has 6 complaints and 26 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report delays in recall repairs due to unavailable parts, particularly for air bag sensor replacement. Other complaints include parts detaching while driving and unintended acceleration incidents.
Common Issues- Recall repair delays. Multiple owners report receiving notifications for air bag sensor recalls but cannot get repairs done because parts are unavailable for an extended period.
- Air bag sensor defect. The Occupant Classification System sensor may short circuit, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying as required.
- Parts detachment while driving. The front passenger’s and driver’s side top shield assemblies and engine cover detached at highway speeds without warning lights; repairs included zip ties that owners consider improper.
- Unintended acceleration. The vehicle accelerates unexpectedly when braking, including sudden jumps forward during low-speed driving or while stopping, presenting a safety hazard.
There are 26 recalls issued for various safety and structural components affecting multiple systems including air bags, bumpers, and seats. The recalls involve nearly one million vehicles and address risks ranging from air bag non-deployment to parts detaching during operation.
Recalls- Front bumper covers. (Recall 23V720000) About 750,795 vehicles affected. Minor impacts can cause the front lower bumper cover to loosen or detach, creating a road hazard and increasing crash risk. Dealers will repair or replace affected bumper covers free of charge. Owner notifications began April 22, 2024.
- Air bag occupant classification sensor. (Recall 23V865000) Approximately 999,901 vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying. This increases the risk of injury in a crash. Dealers will inspect and replace sensors as needed at no cost. This is a phased recall with multiple phases planned through 2026. Owner letters sent October 31, 2024.
- Seat trim covers. (Recall 20V633000) 3,121 vehicles affected. Incorrect seat trim covers can block proper deployment of seat-mounted side air bags, increasing injury risk. Dealers will inspect and replace covers free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020.
- Seat-mounted side air bags. (Recall 20V633000) Affected vehicles as above. Addressed with the same remedy targeting air bag deployment issues linked to seat trim defects.
Owners coping with repeated repairs or unresolved recall issues involving critical safety components may have rights under their state’s lemon law. Those affected should consider reviewing these laws to understand their options.
2020 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID Summary
2020
Model Year
6
Total Complaints
3
Total Recalls
1753817
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2020 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID
750795 vehicles affected
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
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.
Risk: A detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
2020 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID
999901 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
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.
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
2020 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID
3121 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS
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.
Risk: Improper deployment of the seat-mounted side air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Complaints
2020 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID
ID: 2102804SERVICE 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.
2020 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID
ID: 2086248STRUCTURE
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 the parts. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the was no reason for the parts to have detached from the vehicle unless there was a crash. The contact emphasized that the parts had detached while driving. The components were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired; however, the contact believed that the repair was not appropriate because there were zip ties left underneath the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
2020 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID
ID: 2076984AIR 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 made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
2020 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID
ID: 2075572AIR 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 not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
2020 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID
ID: 2057414AIR 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 yet available. 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 HYBRID
ID: 2057340AIR 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 had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced the failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.