2020 Toyota Highlander body & structure problems

Related recalls

• Recall 23V720000Oct 26, 2023750,795 vehicles
  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.

  Remedy: 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.

What owners say

1. Filed Jul 23, 2026COBody & Structure

   While driving on a 75 MPH highway, the lower bumper cover, windscreen, and interior wheel well components spontaneously detached from the vehicle and got stuck under the car. There were no warming lamps, messages, or other symptoms; the vehicle was driving fine before the detachment. The vehicle has never been in a collision and had no visible damage to the bumper prior to the incident. The detachment was very quick and could have caused an accident, as it was quite…

   NHTSA complaint #11752446 · source
2. Filed Jul 4, 2026AZBody & Structure

   I know there is a recall for my 2020 Highlander. My VIN isn't listed. The front bumper is coming off and can't be pushed back in.

   NHTSA complaint #11748277 · source
3. Filed Dec 19, 2025MDBody & Structure

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11706127 · source
4. Filed Dec 14, 2025TXBody & StructureElectrical SystemSeats & Seat Belts

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11704988 · source
5. Filed Oct 19, 2025SCBody & Structure

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11694356 · source
6. Filed Sep 17, 2025PABody & StructureOther / Unknown

   Went to close the right rear passenger door and heard splashing. Door is leaking from somewhere and running down to the bottom of the door filling it with water on the inside.

   NHTSA complaint #11688007 · source
7. Filed Jul 21, 2025CABody & Structure

   In reference to NHTSA Recall no. 23V-720 I have made several attempts to have the recall remedied at a certified dealer, dealership is 4hrs away, round trip. On 3 separate occasions I made appointments online for maintenance plus recall. In between 2nd and 3rd remedy attempt lower bumper detached on the highway into traffic. My own vehicle ran it over, several cars swerved on the roadway to avoid the obstacle, some successful and some hit it head on sending it across…

   NHTSA complaint #11675186 · source
8. Filed Jul 14, 202511,000 miTNBody & StructureElectrical System

   The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that upon turning off the vehicle and locking the vehicle with the key fob, the doors were intermittently unlocked upon returning to the vehicle. The contact stated that over the years, the failure had become more frequent, but had become constant. The contact called two dealers and informed the dealers about the failure and was informed that a callback would be returned; however, the contact had yet to receive…

   NHTSA complaint #11673318 · source
9. Filed Jun 13, 2025NHBody & StructureSuspensionTransmission & Drivetrain

   It’s been a known issue that Toyota Highlander has transmission problems under 100k miles from 2016-2021 or later (social media sites confirmed such). My vehicle require a trans axle replacement as well as the struts are leaking oil and my vehicle has less than 62k miles and is only 5 years old. This is being covered under my extended warranty but parts are on back order After doing research many owners complain about a whining noise showing acceleration of vehicle . If left…

   NHTSA complaint #11666679 · source
10. Filed Jan 4, 2025MOBody & Structure

    While driving on a highway, with little traffic around, our sunroof exploded, sending shards of glass down. It produced a sound of a gunshot and quite possibly could have resulted in such a distraction to cause a wreck. The vehicle has not been inspected but insurance agents has been contacted. There were no warnings at all.

    NHTSA complaint #11634038 · source
11. Filed Nov 19, 202451,260 miMEBody & Structure

    The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the front lower bumper cover detached from the vehicle, causing debris to scatter onto the highway, while the damaged bumper cover was dragged underneath the vehicle. During the failure, the vehicle sustained excessive front-end damage, and damages to the undercarriage and fender liners. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who confirmed that the failure was related to…

    NHTSA complaint #11626253 · source
12. Filed Jul 16, 202489,000 miTXBody & Structure

    The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure). The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the front bumper detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the upper and lower bumper, underpinning, wheel well assembly covers, and other unknown parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the…

    NHTSA complaint #11602621 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology