NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2020 Toyota Highlander Safety Ratings
The 2020 Toyota Highlander scores 81 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 4 recalls, and 294 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 81/100, placing it in the Strong band. Four recall campaigns and a one-point dip from the 2019 score temper an otherwise solid crash-test performance, making this a well-protected but not flawless used-market choice.
The 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid holds a NHTSA Safety Index of 81 out of 100 and an NHTSA overall crash-test rating of 5 out of 5 stars, sourced from federal NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 107 SUVs from 2020 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2020 Toyota Highlander ranks 68 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- new and teen drivers who want standard crash-avoidance tech
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 81 / 100 (Strong) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 4 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 16.4% |
| Recalls on file | 4 |
| Owner complaints | 294 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 68 of 107 SUVs tested for 2020 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2020 Toyota Highlander?
The 2020 model year represents a one-point retreat in the NHTSA Safety Index, falling from 82 in 2019 to 81 in 2020, both within the Strong band. The slide traces directly to the defect-record sub-score, which lands at 10 out of a possible 20 points, pulled down by four active recall campaigns. Crash protection, at 61 out of 70, and avoidance technology, a full 10 out of 10 reflecting standard forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and electronic stability control, both remain competitive. The recall picture for this year is notably varied: two campaigns were issued in the launch year itself, covering a fuel-delivery concern on V6 gasoline units and an air-bag deployment issue tied to incorrect seat trim. Two later campaigns, issued in 2023, added an occupant-classification sensor concern shared across multiple Toyota nameplates and a bumper-structure recall spanning 2020-2023 Highlander production. That spread across multiple years and components is the defining safety story of this specific model year and is what separates the 2020 analysis from neighboring years.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2020 Toyota Highlander perform in crash tests?
The 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid achieved a 5 out of 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, demonstrating strong performance in its evaluations. The vehicle's side-impact protection earned a perfect 5 stars. Frontal crash protection and rollover resistance were each rated at 4 out of 5 stars. The Highlander Hybrid presented a rollover risk of 16 percent, with a dynamic tip-test result of No Tip.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 15109
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2020 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?
Four recall campaigns cover this model year. Components addressed include the occupant-classification air-bag sensor, front bumper structure, seat-trim-related air-bag deployment, and the gasoline fuel-delivery system on V6-equipped units. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive is listed in the data, but shoppers should verify remedy status by VIN before purchase.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION23V865000
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexu
Reported 2023-12-20
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS23V720000
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.
Reported 2023-10-26
AIR BAGS20V633000
Risk: Improper deployment of the seat-mounted side air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seats and replace the seat trim covers as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB14 / 20TA14.
Reported 2020-10-14
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY20V162000
Risk: Improper fuel supply programming can result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ECU, free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA06.
Reported 2020-03-19
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2020 Toyota Highlander?
NHTSA has logged 294 unverified owner complaints for the 2020 Highlander Hybrid. Alleged problem areas, ranked by volume, include the power train at 116 reports, followed by service brakes at 33, air bags at 32, and structure at 27. All figures represent unverified consumer allegations, not confirmed defects.
294 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2020 Toyota Highlander?
For the 2020 Highlander Hybrid, four recall campaigns have been issued. Shoppers considering this model must confirm all remedies have been completed by a Toyota service center or selling dealer. Recall completion is not guaranteed for used inventory; the VIN should be checked through NHTSA's free recall lookup tool prior to purchase.
- The 2020 model year carries four NHTSA recall campaigns, a defect-record sub-score of 10 out of 20, and is the primary reason the Safety Index dropped one point versus the 2019 Highlander.
- Two of the four recalls were issued years after the vehicle launched, in 2023, covering an occupant-classification air-bag sensor and a bumper-structure concern across 2020-2023 production, meaning a used unit may still have open remedy work pending.
- NHTSA received 294 unverified complaints, with the power train category alone accounting for 116 alleged reports, the single largest complaint cluster for this model year.
- All three crash-avoidance technologies tracked by NHTSA, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and electronic stability control, are listed as standard equipment on this model year, contributing a perfect 10 out of 10 avoidance-tech sub-score.
RANKINGSWhere the 2020 Toyota Highlander places
The 2020 Toyota Highlander qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2020 Toyota Highlander safety questions
Was the 2020 Toyota Highlander crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2020 Toyota Highlander, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 81 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2020 Toyota Highlander crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2020 Toyota Highlander earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 4 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 16.4%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2020 Toyota Highlander have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 4 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2020 Toyota Highlander. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 Toyota Highlander?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 294 owner complaints are on file for the 2020 Toyota Highlander. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Highlander years
Rivals in SUV (2020)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Infiniti Qx50 | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 2 |
| 2020 Mazda CX-3 | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
| 2020 Mazda CX-30 | 93/100 | 5 of 5 | 3 |
| 2020 Volvo Xc90 T5 | 93/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2020 Volvo Xc90 T6 | 93/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2020 Volvo Xc90 T8 | 93/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 15109), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Toyota Highlander 2020.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 68 of 107 in the SUV class for 2020.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.