2020 Toyota Highlander Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 298 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2020 Toyota Highlander overview page.
What owners report
“My vehicle is started making a loud whining noise at around 78K miles whenever you accelerate between about 25-60mph. The dealer said that a new…”NHTSA complaint 11612621 — filed 09/04/2024
“The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving at speeds above 20 MPH, there was a loud whining sound coming from…”NHTSA complaint 11610159 — filed 08/22/2024
“8AT transmission failure. Toyota is telling me that it will take 7 months to obtain a replacement transmission.”NHTSA complaint 11607214 — filed 08/08/2024
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2020 Toyota Highlander have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the most-reported problem area on the 2020 Toyota Highlander: 117 of 298 complaints on file (39.3%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2020 Toyota Highlander have in total?
298 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 12 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, 13 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
