2020 Toyota Highlander

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 ID

11756049

Incident

May 28, 2026

I am having fuel pump issues and my VIN was excluded from the recall from Toyota for similar issues. Toyota’s low-pressure fuel pump recall (originally announced Jan 2020, expanded multiple times through Jan 2025) covers vehicles across several model years, where a defective impeller made from inadequate resin material could swell and cause fuel starvation and sudden stalling. Highlander is mentioned as included for selected model years in some recall summaries

NHTSA ID

11755654

Incident

Aug 1, 2026

We have a 2020 Toyota Highlander with 89K miles that we have owned since it was new. I was informed today to not drive it any long distances from the dealer due to an impending failure of the transmission, creating a large safety issue for me and my family. I understand there are related recalls of the UA80 transmission but none for this particular model; there are countless internet reports of failure. I implore the NHTSA to investigate and protect the motoring public.

NHTSA ID

11753467

Incident

Jul 24, 2026

I am submitting this complaint regarding a serious braking safety issue with my 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited, which currently has approximately 70,000 miles. I brought my vehicle to Victory Toyota of Canton (46352 Michigan Ave, Canton, MI 48188) and reported to Service Manager John Maddison that, at low speeds, the vehicle briefly surges or feels as though it accelerates when I press the brake pedal before it actually begins to slow down. This behavior is alarming and creates the impression that the vehicle is moving forward when I am attempting to stop. This is a serious safety concern that could increase the risk of a crash, particularly in parking lots, stop-and-go traffic, or around pedestrians. The issue has become so concerning that my daughter refuses to drive the vehicle because she no longer feels confident that it will stop properly when she applies the brakes. A driver should never have to question whether a vehicle will respond correctly during normal braking. After researching the problem, I discovered that Toyota has already acknowledged this exact condition by issuing Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) TSB-0059-23. The symptoms described in the TSB closely match the behavior my vehicle is experiencing. I therefore requested that the dealership inspect the vehicle and perform the repair outlined in the bulletin. Instead of addressing what appears to be a known braking-related issue, the dealership informed me that I must first pay a $190 diagnostic fee before they would even determine whether the TSB applies. I believe it is unreasonable to require customers to pay to confirm a condition that Toyota has already documented, particularly when it involves the vehicle's braking system and potential safety risks. I am concerned that other owners experiencing the same braking behavior may delay seeking repairs because of the required diagnostic charge, leaving potentially unsafe vehicles on the road.I respectfully request that NHTSA review this issue.

NHTSA ID

11752951

Incident

Jan 6, 2026

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 physically jarring; additionally, the components got between the vehicle and the highway which caused them to smoke/burn as I tried to quickly slow and pull into the shoulder. A prior recall (#23TB12 / 23TA12) was for a very similar situation. The dealership had allegedly performed the recall fix in March 2025. When I took the vehicle back to the dealership, they said this was independent of the recall. The dealership is unwilling to cover the repair, as they have said that the bumper shows signs of impact. The vehicle bumper has never been impacted. The dealer said there were very minor stress cracks in the paint; when I asked if these could have been from the bumper cover rapidly detaching, they said it was possible but would still not cover the repair.

NHTSA ID

11752446

Incident

Jun 27, 2026

I pushed the brake and swerved and the car kept going and a greater speed and surged into a house.

NHTSA ID

11750781

Incident

Jun 28, 2026

Transmission stalls in situations where speed is needed. For example when merging into traffic all of a sudden no power then when gear finally engages there a huge thump and feels like being hit from behind.

NHTSA ID

11748933

Incident

Jun 18, 2026

The transmission can suddenly fail even at very early mileages. This is almost certainly related to T-SB-0008-21 that has defined a narrow number of transmissions though it appears to affect many more than outlined. This could cause sudden failure while operating the vehicle at any point in time and potentially lead to a crash without much if any warning. Toyota Brand Engagement is denying any assistance due to external service history from a prior owner rather than addressing the failed part outlined in the TSB. Failure reasoning cannot be provided from the dealership as Toyota does not allow the dealer technicians to open the transmission and instead mandate a full replacement.

NHTSA ID

11748904

Incident

Jul 7, 2026

Some 2020 – 2026 model year Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a water leak from the roof rack attachment clips. This may be caused by the sealant in the roof channel obstructing the proper seating position for the clip gasket.

Some 2020 – 2024 model year Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the air conditioner does not cool due to a leak and/or corrosion in the rear underbody air conditioner tube and accessory assembly. The anti-corrosion material has been updated to reduce the possibility of this condition.

OBSOLETE NOTICE January 30, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0001-26.

Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map, points of interest, and system software.

Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manual and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines.

Some 2020 – 2023 model year Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the Power Back Door (PBD) will not open or close and/or stops moving while opening or closing. A modified PBD unit assembly is available to address these conditions.