Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2020 Toyota Highlander owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle stalled and abruptly stopped in traffic at a traffic light. The driver exited the vehicle. The vehicle failed to restart, and the steering wheel was inoperable. The contact was concerned the vehicle might move forward. The check engine warning light was flashing, and the message "High Power Consumption" was displayed. The ignition and steering warning lights were illuminated, and "Low Power" message was displayed. The vehicle was running but failed to move. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V162000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine) and Special Service Campaign 21TC05. Bystanders nearby attempted to assist the contact. The Emergency Services was contacted, and the Local Police responded to the scene. The insurance company was called and arranged a tow. …
In my 2020 Highlander I approached a stop sign at a "T" intersection behind 4 other cars. After stopping and looking to see road was clear of oncoming traffic, I pulled out and started my left turn. As I was turning into my lane the car engine turned OFF and the steering wheel was LOCKED in the left position. There was no power for the brakes, which left me jamming on the brake pedal as hard as I could only slowing the car slightly. The steering wheel was LOCKED LEFT and I thought I was going to break it trying to force it back. With no ability to move the steering wheel or brake, I braced myself as the Highlander continued turning in the left direction into the other lane. The result was a head on collision with a Mini Cooper, both cars totaled, and injuring both myself and the other driver. …
Since purchasing this vehicle I began to notice that the fuel gauge is inaccurate. This issue is sporadic. Often after filling the gas tank completely, the gauge will only register as 3/4 full. Like wise, it is inaccurate when the tank gets low, showing that there is 1/4 tank, when in fact it is nearly empty. The "remaining miles" indicator that displays is likewise inaccurate and often the low fuel indicator light comes on when it shouldn't, and doesn't display when it should. I have had it to the deal 4 times now for repair. Initially they told me nothing was wrong, then indicated that a software update was necessary. When that didn't fix it, I returned the vehicle and they indicated an instrument panel sensor chip needed to be replaced. I waited a month for that to happen and it didn't fix the issue. …
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.
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
I pushed the brake and swerved and the car kept going and a greater speed and surged into a house.
My new 2020 Highlander hybrid has a big issue with the gas tank. I get only 460 miles, even if I top it off with the gas spewing out. Toyota advertised a 600 mile range to the Highlander hybrid. The 600 mile fuel range seems very off with the 2020 Highlander hybrid. I have the xle and always have kept it in eco mode. I've driven over a thousand miles on the car, but the mile range estimate on the car is inaccurate and seems to be off a lot if it's supposed to get 600 miles to a tank. More importantly, when the tank is empty (the dash says I had 5 miles left to empty), the gas tank only holds around 13 gallons even though the fuel tank capacity is supposedly 17.1 gallons. Those 4 gallons make for 140 miles less distance on a tank. …
2020 Toyota Highlander hybrid AWD. When filling from almost empty (per low fuel warning light and distance to empty reading almost 0), tank only accepts ~12.5 gallons before gas station fuel nozzle auto clicks off. The fuel gage at this point indicates that the vehicle is ~7/8 filled. The owners manual warns about not attempting to fill after the fuel nozzle automatically clicks off. Being unable to fill tank May lead to owners attempting to overfill tanks and could result in inadvertently spilling fuel which poses a safety risk and an environmental damage risk. It can also lead to more emissions. A similar problem exists with 2019/2020 Toyota rav4 per NHTSA records, Toyota has proposed a fix for this vehicle but has stated that no other models are affected by this issue. …
I purchased a 2020 Toyota Highlander hybrid AWD in May 2020. In June 2020, I noticed a discrepancy between the gas gauge ABS the distance to empty indicator. The gas gauge said there was 3/4 of a tank left but the dte said I had only 43 miles. I went to the gas station today (October 2020) to fill up my vehicle and filled it until the gas shut-off tripped. I turned on my car and noticed that my gas gauge said it was only 7/8th full. Thinking it tripped too soon I refilled it again but only 0.5 gallons went into tank before the shut-off tripped again. When I turned on the car this time the gas gauge indicated it was full. I doubt the gas gauge is functioning properly.
The vehicle is sold as having a 17 gallon fuel tank. I've driven the vehicle for 5000 plus miles now. I have never been able to get more than 13 gallons of fuel into the tank. I have waited until the gage said there was only 12 mile until empty. Still could only fill up with on 13 gallons of fuel. The gage say's it's full. I have made the Toyota dealership aware of the issue. But they said there was nothing on their system about a recall or needed repair. If the vehicle is advertised as having a 17 gallon tank I should be able to use that whale 17 gallons of fuel. Instead I can only fill up to 13 gallons.
Fuel System complaints in other Highlander years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2020 Toyota Highlander?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2020 Toyota Highlander, 6% of the model year's 321 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2020 Toyota Highlander fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 2020 Toyota Highlander, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2020 Toyota Highlander fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 5,000 miles, and 91% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to fuel & propulsion system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.