17 of the
365 complaints about the 2020 Toyota Highlander are about the
electrical system — 5% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
7,900 miles.
D
17
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Electrical System
1588.2%
Relay
15.9%
Fuel Gauge
15.9%
Electrical System across every Toyota Highlander year
I was told by oxmoor dealership I had to talk to toyota corporate before I could get my car touched and that I did not need to talk to a lawyer. I called. Prior to the accident, the vehicle had been exhibiting multiple symptoms: an intermittent airbag warning light had illuminated briefly on the dashboard on a few occasions, and the vehicle had begun requiring noticeably longer physical distances to come to a complete stop at traffic signs and lights when not using cruise control. The vehicle was experiencing regular phantom seatbelt warnings—dinging as if a passenger was unbuckled when the seat was completely empty. The phantom seatbelt warnings i didnt think we're a big deal were occurring across multiple seating rows simultaneously in front and back. Directly preceding the crash, while making a turn, the vehicle swerved slightly. When I applied the physical brake pedal, the vehicle did not decelerate normally; instead, it experienced a sudden, abrupt forward acceleration surge into the building. I still haven't gotten my vehicle back or any information on what has been done or when I am getting my car back. I was also charged for an extra day for my rental when I was told to return it on the 16th. I haven't had a rental since then. I keep contacting oxmoor toyota and they said they were waiting on toyota corporate. I haven't had my car for a month. I tried to email. It was returned. My mailbox on my phone has been full of drs and other calls non stop. I texted online on the toyota page for the claim as well. Ive repeatedly asked the toyota dealership what is going on and I get we are waiting on corporate. I called toyota corporate again today and was told they would get back to me. I told the dealership. I am under medical care and in severe pain. Yes my safety was put at risk. Police and fire department were here the night it happened. They said they don't do a police report on private property. There is an insurance claim through state farm.
NHTSA complaint #11756049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisville, KYCrash1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I pushed the brake and swerved and the car kept going and a greater speed and surged into a house.
NHTSA complaint #11750781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Guntersville, AL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While driving my navigation system/screen/radio screen goes completely black! Which is dangerous when I’m using gps on the interstate! It does not come back on until I restart the car.
NHTSA complaint #11746932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nederland, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Paris, IN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
NHTSA complaint #11692847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,000 milesMurfreesboro, TN
ELECTRICAL 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 the callback. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 11,000.
NHTSA complaint #11673318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Maxton, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1- Most of the time my rear hatch will not close unless you use the inside button - cost 1,198.10 to repair. 2- my car started making a whining noise on acceleration. Took it Toyota and they said that I need to replace my transmission that it has an internal failure. Of course my warranty was of no use b/c it stopped at 100,000 miles. At the time of the inspection I was at 104,000. To get a new transmission it will be 7,425.60 (not including the labor). I really wish the dealership could have been honest about this year model transmissions failing. I would have passed on this car.
NHTSA complaint #11665219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Franklin, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I was in a school line waiting for my children. I went to hit the gas to move and the car said “maintenance required” and then flashed other warning lights “low power steering fluid and engine light.” Then the car turned off and screens were flashing. I tried to restart the car but the steering column was locked and brake pedal was locked. I checked all fluids and they were full. I had someone jump the car and it turned back on. I figured maybe a bad battery. Had AAA come look at the car and all diagnostic testing was normal. Next day, car does it again in the middle of an intersection.
NHTSA complaint #11626952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yulee, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Loud screeching noise from stereo speakers. Very loud.
NHTSA complaint #11589036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,000 milesSpringfield, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to jumpstart the vehicle and the vehicle operated normally. The contact had taken to the vehicle to a certified mechanic who tested the battery and alternator but found no failure. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 57,000.
NHTSA complaint #11557585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
San Francisco, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ECU system failure. Dealer ship is stating ECU system was damage from soda or coffee which is not accurate found a recall on this vehicles with the same issue our vehicle is having.
NHTSA complaint #11482705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Maple Valley, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:FUEL GAUGE
Fuel gauge is inaccurate, leading to potential safety issues. The fuel gauge does not show as full, when the car is refueled, and likewise shows as empty when there is enough fuel to drive hundreds of miles. This has led to situations where the fuel light is on, and car is indicating no remaining miles left, but there is plenty of fuel. Toyota knows there is a problem. I started a Lemon Law claim with the Washington State Attorney's General office and notified Toyota. They have offered to replace my vehicle, which is currently in process.
NHTSA complaint #11450974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bristol, CT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander equipped with a Tekonsha Prodigy RF Electronic Brake Control with Bluetooth kits, part number 902501. The contact purchased the unit to use for towing a trailer. The contact purchased the part at an independent mechanic and had the equipment installed by another independent mechanic. When the contact first attempted to use the brake kit, her and her husband had connected the equipment per the instructions and brake kit showed the letter "C" which meant the part was connected. As the contact started driving the vehicle, a NC (not connected) message had appeared on the brake kit. The contact decided to drive the vehicle back to her home and attempted to reconnect the brake system as instructed but the failure persisted. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the equipment had been placed under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20E033000 (Electrical System). The contact reached out to the independent mechanics, the one who sold the part and the other that installed it, and neither were aware of the recall. The contact also called the manufacturer and had written a letter to obtain the replacement part however, the contact had not heard back from the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 0.
NHTSA complaint #11422560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60 milesLOS Gatos, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE WILL NOT START WITHOUT A JUMP AFTER 3-5 HOURS. THE BATTERY STAYS CHARGED LESS THAN ONE DAY, BUT TYPICALLY STARTS AGAIN WITHOUT A JUMP IF DRIVEN AGAIN WITHIN A 3-5 HOUR PERIOD. THE VEHICLE STAYS RUNNING ONCE JUMPED. DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT INDICATES A SOFTWARE UPDATE MAY BE REQUIRED. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE PURCHASE ON JUNE 7, 2020. DATE BELOW IS THE MOST RECENT DATE IT OCCURRED.
NHTSA complaint #11395569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,995 milesBrooklyn, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE REIEVED CODE P0300 REDUCED ENGINE POWER ON HIGHWAY WHEN ACCELERATING
NHTSA complaint #11387820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,800 milesAlma, AR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BLIND SPOT MONITORING IS NOT WORKING. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP THY SAID IT NEEDED RE-CALIBRATION BUT IT STILL DOESN'T SEE SEMI TRUCKS. MY WIFE ACCIDENTALLY RAN ANOTHER WOMEN OFF ROAD BECAUSE SHE TRUSTED THIS TOYOTA SYSTEM. SYSTEM IS CURRENTLY STILL WORKING INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #11374846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50 milesDelray Beach, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE VEHICLE HESITATES, STALLS AND HAS BUCKING LEAPING FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY, ON THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAS A VERY LOUD WHINING NOISE UPON SHIFTING THE CAR FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND BACK AGAIN FROM DRIVE TO PARK, AT A STAND STILL. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH A NEE CAR, MY WIFE AND I DON'T FEEL SAFE WHILE DRIVING IN THIS CAR.
NHTSA complaint #11325952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.