ToyotaHighlander2020Overview/toyota/highlander/2020/base/

2020 Toyota Highlander

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2020 Highlander.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2020 Toyota Highlander utilizes an eight-speed automatic transmission to deliver an EPA-rated fuel economy of 20 city, 28 highway, and 23 combined mpg. Although this iteration has drawn 298 total owner complaints predominantly focused on the powertrain and carries four recalls, its placement within the model's broader 1997–2026 history provides essential context. Sitting well below the 2021 peak of 475 complaints, the 2020 Highlander represents a relatively stable year in the vehicle's reliability trajectory rather than a problematic outlier.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy20/28/23 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 Battery is vented to the outside. · 345 CCA battery, OE oil filter 90915YZZN1. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 47 Battery is vented to the outside. · 345 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnRELAYOEM · verified
Tire size235/65R18 106VOEM · verified
Wheel / rim8 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZN1 alt 9672335028
Engine air filter1780177050 alt 17801F0020
Spark plug9091901263 alt 9091901289
Front wiper blades852120E090 alt 852220E090
Serpentine belt90916A2026
Thermostat1632647020 alt 1632631050
Cabin air filter8713958010

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length194.9 in
Overall width76 in
Overall height68.1 in
Wheelbase112.2 in
Curb weight4123 lb
Track (front / rear)65.4 / 65.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)54/46

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 28 / 23 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Highlander of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.7–8.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.70 sec — 2020 Platinum
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2020Platinum 3.5L V66.70 sec15.30 sec295 hpAWD
2020XLE 3.5L V67.20 sec15.60 sec295 hpAWD
2020Hybrid Platinum 2.5L I-4 + Elec7.30 sec16.00 sec243 hpAWD
2020Platinum 3.5L V67.40 sec15.70 sec295 hpAWD
2020Hybrid Platinum 2.5L I-4 + Elec8.40 sec16.30 sec243 hpAWD
2021XLE 3.5L V66.80 sec15.30 sec295 hpAWD
2021XSE 3.5L V66.80 sec15.40 sec295 hpAWD
2021XSE 3.5L V66.90 sec15.40 sec295 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs.

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs12.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts192.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts61 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts111.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts61.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs81.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.96-2.09 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46YF
Oil Capacity4.06-4.57 oz
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.81-2.03 lbs
Oil GroupPOE

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°18 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
128.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°28 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°22 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
116 point bolts45 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
145.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°45 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Floor Mat (inspect) · Hybrid Battery Compartment Air Filter (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels) · Windshield Wiper Blade (inspect)
Every 10,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
At 15,000 miCabin Air Filter (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft Flange Yoke (torque) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander, as the first year of its generation, recorded 299 complaints and 4 recalls—a notable improvement over the 2019 model’s 465 complaints, though recalls rose from 3 to 4. Across the fourth generation (2020–2023), complaints spiked sharply in 2021 (475) before declining in 2022 (223) and 2023 (164), while recalls increased steadily to 9 by 2023. The 2020 sits at the low end of that complaint arc, with its top issue being powertrain (112 complaints) and no fire incidents reported. With zero investigations and a moderate TSB count of 186, the data suggests this model year avoided the severe early-generation teething problems seen in some competitors. However, the subsequent complaint spike in 2021 indicates that the 2020’s relative stability may not reflect a fully mature design. Overall, the 2020 Highlander is a reasonably good buy within its generation, provided all four recalls have been addressed.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
186
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
298
Owner complaints
12 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 298 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train112
Unknown Or Other29
Air Bags29
Structure23
Service Brakes21
Fuel/Propulsion System13
Electrical System5
Seat Belts4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V633000Air BagsReported 14/10/2020

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Highlander and Highlander hybrid vehicles. Incorrect seat trim covers on one or both of the front seats can prevent the seat-mounted side air… 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…

20V162000Fuel System, Gasoline:DeliveryReported 19/03/2020

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Highlander vehicles equipped with a 3.5 L, V6 (2GR-FKS) gasoline engine. Due to an Engine Control Unit (ECU) programming error, fuel may not be… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 186 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0040-24 Rev12026-06-25StructureSome 2020 – 2026 model year Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a water…
T-SB-0021-262026-03-18Electrical SystemSome 2020 – 2024 model year Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a…
T-SB-0106-22 Rev22026-01-30Electrical SystemOBSOLETE NOTICE January 30, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0001-26.
T-SB-0001-262026-01-28Electrical SystemSome 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic…
T-SB-0055-24 Rev22026-01-07Unknown Or OtherSome 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Highlander. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2020 Highlander have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Highlander get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined mpg.