2020 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER Recalls, Complaints & Safety

My 2020 Toyota Highlander experiences transmission jerking and hesitation during low speed acceleration. The issue was first reported to the dealership while under warranty but was not diagnosed. The vehicle now requires transmission replacement 7k miles over the warranty despite the issue being reported during the warranty. Toyota has refused a repair under warranty and has violated their terms of powertrain warranty. This 8 speed transmission commonly has issue during production years 2017-2022 and toyota has admitted to a production defect. Despite that they have refused a goodwill repair or a warranty repair.

Vehicle produces a noticeable whining noise under acceleration. Shifting is completely normal and no other drivability issues are present. Issue matches the pattern described in TSB T-SB-0008-21 (UA80E/UA80F front carrier assembly pinion shaft bearing failure). Multiple owners report dealers are diagnosing this as requiring full transmission replacement at $8,000–$12,000, with no partial repair or recall offered despite Toyota’s prior knowledge of this defect in earlier model years (ZJC Warranty Enhancement Program for 2017–2018). Requesting NHTSA investigation

1. The vehicle’s transmission appears to be failing. I was driving my 2020 Toyota Highlander on the freeway at about 75 mph with my family in the vehicle when the car suddenly lost power and would not accelerate properly even though the engine was still running. Because of the sudden loss of power, I had to carefully move the vehicle to the shoulder of the freeway. At the time I did not realize it may have been related to the transmission. 2.Recently I brought the vehicle to an authorized Toyota dealership for a routine oil change and because I had started hearing a whining noise when accelerating, especially above about 30 mph. After inspecting the vehicle, the dealership informed me that the transmission needs to be replaced and provided a repair estimate of approximately $9,800. The vehicle currently has around 72,000 miles and the transmission is available for inspection upon request. 3.The sudden loss of power on the freeway created a dangerous situation because traffic around us was moving at highway speeds. My family was in the vehicle and I had to maneuver the car to the shoulder while vehicles were passing at high speed, which could have resulted in a serious accident. 4.The issue has been confirmed by the authorized Toyota dealership service department. When the incident occurred and we were stopped on the shoulder of the freeway, we contacted the highway patrol because we were concerned about our safety while stopped on the highway. 5.No warning lights or messages appeared on the dashboard prior to the loss of power. The only symptom noticed before bringing the vehicle in for service was a whining noise during acceleration.

Vehicle: 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE Purchased: August 2020 Owner: Original owner Transmission: UA80F Dealer quote for “Transmission assembly remove and replace: $8,666.22 +tax The vehicle is experiencing delayed acceleration (lagging power) and a loud whirring noise from the transmission when the accelerator pedal is pressed. The whirring noise immediately stops when the accelerator pedal is released. The Toyota Highlander had just exceeded the 60,000 mile/5 year powertrain warranty. Vehicle has 68,079 miles and is 5 1/2 years old. The delayed acceleration creates a serious safety hazard, particularly when starting from a complete stop while attempting to make a turn into traffic. On multiple occasions, the vehicle failed to respond promptly when the accelerator was pressed, placing the vehicle at risk of being struck by oncoming traffic. On February 17, 2026, Oakbrook Toyota diagnosed the vehicle with a failed/bad transmission after charging a $200 diagnostic fee to investigate the whirring noise and power delay. This failure occurred on a vehicle that has been properly maintained and has not been modified. Upon searching the Internet, there are many, many complaints regarding the UA80 transmissions failing between 60,000 and 70,000 miles. There are also multiple lawsuits filed for failed transmissions.

My 2020 Toyota Highlander, with 83k miles, started making a whining noise when accelerating. I took the vehicle to a local auto shop and they advised there was a transmission issue. There were never any warning signs of issue. I then took the vehicle to Antwerpen Toyota in Clarksville, MD (where the vehicle was purchased) and paid $185 for a diagnostic appointment. On February 20, 2026, The dealership provided a written estimate for “Replace automatic transmission assy” with a total cost of $9,403.77. I am very concerned for the safety of myself and others continuing to drive the vehicle without proper repair. The vehicle is otherwise in great condition and I keep up with all regular maintenance.

At approximately 120,000 miles, the vehicle began exhibiting a pronounced shudder or vibration between 40–50 mph under light acceleration or steady cruising. The condition progressed to delayed shifting and intermittent loss of acceleration response. The most concerning issue is hesitation and reduced acceleration when attempting to merge into traffic or increase speed. On multiple occasions, the vehicle failed to respond promptly to throttle input, creating a potential safety hazard due to loss of propulsion. The vehicle was evaluated at two authorized Toyota dealerships. Both indicated that the condition is consistent with torque converter or transmission failure. Full transmission replacement was recommended at an estimated cost of approximately $9,000. No whining or grinding noises are present; symptoms primarily involve shuddering and hesitation. The vehicle has not been driven since October 21, 2025, due to safety concerns and to prevent further damage. The vehicle has been regularly maintained at Toyota dealerships and has not been used for towing. This complaint concerns loss of acceleration, transmission shudder, and potential premature failure of the 8-speed automatic transmission.

Taken vehicle at least 6 times to dealer (Corwin Toyota), to enquire about the 23v-865 recall, and each time have been told the repair is not available. Most recently asked December 2025.

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED SUDDENLY.

Our 2020 Highlander with 45,000 miles started making a whining noise when accelerating. After the Toyota garage looked at it we were told that we needed a full transmission replacement. No warning lights came on alerting of us of problem. We were also told by the service depart that they are not surprised there hasn’t been a recall due to how many transmissions they have replaced on these vehicles and especially this type of transmission. Upon researching this particular issue, It is a wide known issue with class action lawsuits. New transmissions are also only carrying a 1 year warranty. That is hardly a warranty on a costly repair. It will cost us out of pocket $8,000 for a vehicle that is meticulously maintained and with only 44,000 miles. These vehicles are still being sold putting myself, my family and many more Americans as risk.

Premature transmission failure. Vehicle had less than 100K miles. Took the vehicle in for an oil change before a long trip. Mentioned a "whine" during acceleration. Told us that the entire transmission would need to be replaced immediately at a cost of over $10,000. Made an appeal to Toyota to help with the cost of replacement and we were denied.

I have experienced ongoing transmission problems, including but not limited to rough shifting, delayed acceleration, jerking while driving, and abnormal noises. These issues have significantly affected the safety, reliability, and drivability of my vehicle. This transmission failure significantly undermines Toyota’s long-standing reputation for reliability and has substantially reduced the value of my vehicle.

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera screen displayed a black screen. The contact stated that the failure was persistent. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact referenced an unknown recall with a similar failure; however, the VIN was not associated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.

Whine noise when you accelerate coming from the automatic transmission. Car is hesitant in shifting gears when needing to accelerate causing safety issues/concerns while driving due to the inconsistency. Toyota dealer as inspected the vehicle and recommended a transmission replacement. Dealer has filed a claim with Toyota to see if it will be covered or not. Total price of repair quoted from dealer was $8700.00. I am also being told there is a back order on parts related to the repair of the vehicle and that the amount of vehicles with this issue are increasing in numbers each day. I purchased this vehicle new in 2020 and have been the sole owner.

Transmission is presenting a high-pitched whining noise.

The sunroof suddenly exploded while stopped at a stoplight. Luckily I had the interior slide shut otherwise we would have been covered in glass.

While driving on the highway, our sunroof spontaneously exploded. We heard what sounded like a gunshot and found a giant hole in our sunroof glass.

My 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has a braking issue identified in Toyota Service Bulletin T-SB-0059-23, Hybrid Regenerative Brake Transition Feeling Improvement. When going downhill and applying the brake, the vehicle lurches forward temporarily as the braking system transitions from regenerative to hydraulic braking. The first time my vehicle did this, it was very alarming and I had to take additional measures to slow my vehicle as I was driving downhill. My vehicle frequently demonstrates this problem, however, I did not report it to my local Toyota dealer because I read in an online chat group that it was a characteristic of this vehicle. Although the TSB recommends a Reprogram of the Brake Actuator Assembly Control Module, the repair is only covered under the Toyota Basic Warranty which is in effect for 36 months or 36k miles, whichever occurs first. My vehicle is past the warranty limit, and because I did not report it to my dealer previously, this repair is not covered under the TSB or the Toyota Basic Warranty. Toyota Highlander Hybrid model years 2020-2022 are affected. The Technical Service Bulletin was issued August 29, 2023, so if a 2020 model Highlander Hybrid has this problem, 2020 models would have already passed the warranty limit by the time the TSB was issued and thus would not be covered. This is a safety risk as drivers can lose control of the vehicle when braking, particularly when going downhill. The Warranty should be extended, or this problem should be elevated to a RECALL so that older affected vehicles, or those with higher mileage can be covered under warranty. Drivers should not have to pay for a recognized problem that affects the safety of this vehicle and has been identified in a Technical Service Bulletin. This problem puts drivers at risk of losing control of the vehicle and the problem can be mediated with a software reprogram. T-SB-0059.23 should be elevated to a RECALL, or extended regardless of age or mileage.

The contact's wife owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that soon after purchasing a new set of tires, the vehicle made an abnormal rattling sound upon acceleration. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for an oil change and tire rotation, and the contact was informed that no defect was found on the vehicle. As the failure persisted, the vehicle was taken back to the shop, where the tires were purchased. The contact was informed that there was no defect in the tires, and the failure might be related to the differentials of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The manufacturer was then notified of the failure, and the contact was offered partial financial assistance towards the purchase of a new engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

My 2020 Highlander developed a whining or grinding noise consistent with the Technical Service Bulletin. I took it to a Toyota Dealership for diagnostic and they confirmed the whining and hissing sound. They said it would cost $9,000 to repair. I called Toyota to request a goodwill repair and they denied me. Toyota case number: 251229000423. The car does not feel safe to drive. We worry that at any moment the car could break down with our children inside. The problem was reproduced at a dealer and inspected. There were no warning lamps or messages, just the obvious sound coming from the transmission.

Shortly after the powertrain warranty expired, the automatic transmission in my 2020 Toyota Highlander began producing a loud whining/howling noise during normal driving. The noise appears to come from the transmission area and increases with vehicle speed. The issue was not present during the warranty period and began unexpectedly soon after expiration. The abnormal noise raises concerns about internal transmission failure and potential loss of drivability. This condition could pose a safety risk if the transmission were to fail while driving, especially at highway speeds or when merging into traffic. No warning lights or messages were displayed prior to or during the issue. The vehicle was inspected by a Toyota dealer, and the problem was confirmed to be related to the transmission.

Transmission stutters. Only has 32000 miles.

Transmission whines in low gear.

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V72000 (Structure). The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the contact was informed that the recall could not be performed due to a damaged bumper clip. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer several times, however the recall repair was not performed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The manufacturer denied performing the recall repair.

The rear hatch door will not close or open and just sit there.And dings, you have to manually close it and open it most times and it never fully sucks up and latches fully and it doesnt notify you on the hood display of the car , so when we were driving down the road, we heard loud hissing and road noise coming from the rear and come to find out the rear hatch had never fully closed or latched itself fully.And it hangs up constantly.

Lift gate does not close and it just beeps. Needs to be closed manually. Toyota has known this issue for a long time but failed to address. Repairs are costly and reduces my cars value

Transmission failure. Noticed whining when driving, took to local Toyota dealership and they diagnosed transmission failure. They quoted $12,000 for transmission replacement and confirmed that this is a known issue with certain years/models of Toyota Highlander. Ours is a 2020.

The vehicle’s automatic transmission (power train) has developed a loud whining/whirring noise under acceleration. This noise increases with engine load and indicates internal mechanical failure. The transmission is still installed in the vehicle and is available for inspection upon request. This issue poses a safety risk because it causes hesitation and unpredictable acceleration behavior while merging or crossing traffic. There is also concern that the transmission could suddenly fail while driving, resulting in loss of propulsion and potentially causing an accident. The problem has been inspected and confirmed by a Toyota dealership, which advised that the entire transmission needs to be replaced at a cost of over $8,000, despite the vehicle having only approximately 77,000 miles. The vehicle has been inspected by a Toyota manufacturer service center. They identified the transmission failure but stated there are no current recall programs covering this specific VIN. No warning lights or error messages were displayed at any time before or during the failure. The first noticeable symptom was the transmission whining/whirring noise during acceleration, which began around 77,000 miles and continues to worsen.

Road noise was very loud. I thought it was a bearing and I took it to the shop and found out that the 'transfer box' on the side of the transmission had to be replaced. I was told that not replacing it could lead to major transmission failure. This cost $6000. Mechanic said it's unusual. Upon reading the internet I'm learning that I'm not the only one this and similar problems.

TRANSFER CASE MAKING ROTATIONAL BEARING NOISE FLUID HAVE LOTS OF METAL DEBRI

Lift gate not closing Car gas a whining noise upon acceleration

While driving and/or accelerating you can feel some harsh shifts as well as slipping and shuttering with only 84k miles on this vehicle.

Transmission malfunction that left us on the highway with no power and in an unsafe situation. Not confirmed as of yet. At dealership tomorrow. No inspection completed by parties listed above. Check engine light appeared prior to malfunction.

When braking, and decelerating through 25 to 20 MPH, the brakes temporarily stop functioning. There is a noticeable change in deceleration that can be felt by the driver AND passengers. This almost feels like an acceleration, but we believe it's the brakes briefly stop functioning. The same problem occurs with different drivers so we are confident the problem is mechanical and not operator dependent. We believe this is a brake actuator issue and there may have been a similar problem in earlier model Toyotas.

I received a safety recall notice from Toyota (Recall No. 23TA15 / 23TB15) for the front passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensors. The letter states that the airbag system may not deploy correctly and that the remedy is not yet available. I’m concerned for my safety and my passengers since the airbag system could fail in a crash. Toyota has not provided a repair timeline or an alternative vehicle. I’ve contacted my dealer and Toyota customer service but was told there’s no fix yet. I would like NHTSA to investigate the delay and require Toyota to provide an immediate remedy or alternate transportation. Symptoms: •Airbag light may remain on or system disabled •Unable to safely seat a passenger in the front seat •No repair currently available despite safety risk Remedy status: •Remedy not available

The 8 speed automatic transmission is failing at 100k miles. Whining noises are heard and after being taken to Toyota dealerships mechanic, we were told that the gear mesh or bearing is bad and that we'll need to replace the transmission. We were told that many other highlanders have experienced the same issues. No light popped up before or during driving while the transmission is whining.

The car started making whining noises when pressing the gas pedal. Toyota reported "noise from transaxle final drive. recommend replace. vehicle ok to drive but noise will continue until transaxle is replaced." There are no warning lights, messages or other symptoms prior to the sound starting or currently. This is a known issue with its 8-speed automatic transmission (UA80E/UA80F) that can cause whining, erratic shifting, and premature failure. This issue is the subject of a Customer Support Program (CSP ZJC) and several lawsuits, but the program has limited coverage for VINs, leading to owner complaints about a lack of assistance from Toyota.

We were driving on the highway and heard what sounded like a gun shot. Our sunroof had exploded. Luckily the interior door was closed or we would have been showered with glass. There was no one around, no rocks or road debris. It just came out of nowhere!

After my 75000 mile inspection at my Toyota dealership, which is required and I have been bring my vehicle in every 5,000 miles. I started hearing a slight whinny noise. I thought it was around my wheels or tires. Then I thought it must be a new wind noise. Which that is another issue. I took a short trip and by the time I got back it was louder. I took it to the dealership and the technician drove it and said I need a new transmission. I ask my service provider if he has seen any other vehicles having this problem? And I should not have any transmission issues at this mileage. My service provider stated that he knows of highlanders having this issues.

At around 45,000 miles, my 2020 Toyota Highlander started making a whining noise on acceleration. This condition seemed to get worse (whining got louder) I took it to a Toyota dealership and they said there are no codes left by the vehicle but the repair technician knows that this whine is related to a total transmission failure so the recommendation is to replace the transmission at a cost of approximately $8000, Toyota said the vehicle is out of warranty (by 4 months) so they will offer nothing to assist with the repair. Looking on the internet and this website, it is very clear that this is a common issue with this model of vehicle. Dealer said I can drive it but eventually the transmission will fail, leaving me stranded on the roadside.

We own a 2020 Toyota Highlander, and both of the exterior door handles for the backseat have broken. The first in Jan 2025 and the second a few days ago. When the first was repaired (a different door) I was told this happens often on Toyota doors and is to be expected. If this is true why are stronger components not being used in manufacturing? The first doorhandle was replaced totaling $370 and now we are going to have to replace the second. It is disheartening to know that you can purchase a car that is supposed to be so safe, but if something were to happen I might not have a way to open the door to get to my children in the back seat.

While on the freeway vehicle stalled when accelerating and engine stopped, I had to pull over to the side of the road to avoid accident. Turned vehicle back on and started making a whinning noise. Vehicle was taken in and found out the transmission is no good at 89k. Also found out that a lot of people that purchased this vehicle are having the same issue.

DOOR LOCKS DO NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK WITH THE CAR FOB, NOW ONLY THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR DOES NOT UNLOCK WITH THE FOB, YOU HAVE TO UNLOCK FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE

UNKNOWN, dealers are reporting 1-2 2020-2022 Highlanders are needing completely transmission replacements at 8-10k in cost. They are all failing and toyota knows this.

I am filing a complaint with the NHTSA regarding persistent transmission slipping in my 2020 Toyota Highlander LE equipped with the UA80-E 8-speed automatic transmission. Since reaching approximately 55,000 miles, I have experienced noticeable slipping, characterized by delayed acceleration, erratic shifting, and occasional lurching, which align with documented defects in the UA80 platform as outlined in over 430 NHTSA complaints and Toyota’s Technical Service Bulletins (e.g., T-SB-0160-18 and T-SB-0008-21). These issues stem from a known manufacturing flaw involving a washer tab failing to secure the counter drive gear’s retaining nut, leading to gear movement, internal wear, and symptoms like mine. This defect, prompting Toyota’s Customer Support Program ZJC for 2017–2018 models and reported in later years like 2020, compromises vehicle safety and reliability, as slipping can cause unpredictable handling. I urge the NHTSA to investigate further and hold Toyota accountable for addressing this widespread issue across affected models.

Whining noise when accelerating. Took it to toyota dealership and confirm it was the transmission .toyota corporate would not assist repair cost as my warranty is 7k miles pass warranty mark..did a research about the transmission and there is a class action law suit about the faulty transmission

On September 2, 2025, the vehicle’s Hybrid System shut down on cold start and the vehicle would not start. A dealer inspection reported coolant had entered cylinder #4, allegedly causing the engine block to warp, the cylinder head to crack, and the head gasket to fail. This was a sudden catastrophic engine failure on a five-year-old vehicle with no prior overheating warnings, no dashboard alerts, and no performance issues in the days leading up to the failure. It is highly unlikely for an engine block to warp without sustained overheating, yet the failure occurred on a cold start. The dealership itself described this as a “premature failure” in their service report. At approximately 26,000 miles, the vehicle’s coolant thermostat failed and was replaced under warranty. If the thermostat stuck closed even briefly, the engine could have experienced one or more silent overheat events that never registered on the dashboard. In aluminum blocks, even short bursts of high localized heat can create latent distortion that doesn’t cause immediate problems but can eventually lead to catastrophic failure years later. Safety Risk: – Vehicle became disabled suddenly without warning. – Engine failure occurred without overheating symptoms, creating risk of sudden shutdown during use. Problem Confirmation: – Engine failure confirmed by a Toyota-authorized dealer. – Dealer service report explicitly called this a “premature failure.” Warning Lamps / Symptoms: – A check engine light appeared briefly three days before failure, then cleared on its own. – No overheating warnings or drivability issues were observed prior to failure.