2020 Toyota Highlander maintenance schedule

Written in plain English and reviewed by the eli5cars editorial team · Last reviewed June 2026

2.4L turbocharged inline-4 (265 hp — new for 2020 3rd-gen redesign; replaces 2.7L naturally aspirated 4-cylinder) or 3.5L V6 (295 hp) or 2.5L Atkinson-cycle hybrid inline-4 + dual electric motors (240 hp system — Hybrid models)LLELE AWDMSRP $34,600

⚠ 4 open recalls for this vehicle

A recall means the manufacturer found a safety problem and is required to fix it — these aren't normal wear-and-tear repairs. Check your specific VIN at NHTSA.gov to confirm your car is affected.

✓ Recall repairs are always FREE at any dealer, no matter who currently owns the car or where it was bought.

AIR BAGS

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 bag from deploying properly.

Why it matters: Improper deployment of the seat-mounted side air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

The fix: 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 14/10/2020 · Campaign #20V633000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

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 correctly supplied to the engine while using the stop and restart feature.

Why it matters: Improper fuel supply programming can result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: 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 19/03/2020 · Campaign #20V162000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Highlander & Highlander Hybrid vehicles. During normal vehicle operation, minor impact to the front lower bumper cover may result in the cover coming loose or detaching.

Why it matters: A detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: 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 26/10/2023 · Campaign #23V720000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.

Why it matters: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.

The fix: 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 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.

Reported 20/12/2023 · Campaign #23V865000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

Jump to a mileage milestone:

30k miles 60k miles 90k miles 120k miles

Full service timeline

Mileage	Service items	Details
5k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 0W-16 full synthetic (3.5L V6: Toyota-approved 0W-16 or 0W-20 synthetic; 2.4L turbo: 0W-20 full synthetic required due to turbo thermal stress; 2.5L Hybrid: 0W-16 full synthetic); Toyota Genuine Motor Oil or equivalent meeting ILSAC GF-6A is required Inspect tire pressure Inspect all fluid levels Hybrid only: inspect high-voltage battery cooling system inlet for blockage (located under rear seats)
10k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 0W-16 or 0W-20 full synthetic per engine variant Tire rotation Inspect brake pads and rotors — Hybrid models: regenerative braking reduces rotor usage but rotors are still prone to rust from infrequent mechanical brake use; inspect rotor surface condition Inspect all fluid levels: coolant (pink Toyota Super Long Life Coolant), brake fluid, washer fluid Inspect cabin air filter
30k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 0W-16/0W-20 full synthetic Tire rotation Replace cabin air filter Replace engine air filter Inspect spark plugs — iridium (3.5L V6: factory interval 120,000 mi per Toyota; 2.4T: inspect at 30k; 2.5L Hybrid: inspect iridium plugs; do not replace at 30k unless fouled) Inspect Toyota WS (World Standard) automatic transmission fluid — 8-speed 8AT on 3.5L V6; inspect color (should be pink-red); Toyota WS is marketed as lifetime but most technicians recommend replacement by 60k-90k Inspect rear differential fluid — AWD models (Torsen-type limited-slip rear diff on non-hybrid; fluid is 75W-90 GL-5 synthetic) Inspect brake fluid condition Inspect all coolant hoses — Toyota SLLC (pink) system	View →
60k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 0W-16/0W-20 full synthetic Tire rotation Replace cabin air filter Replace engine air filter Replace spark plugs — 3.5L V6: Toyota recommends 120k for iridium, but 60k replacement is advised for owners who tow or do extended idling; 2.4L turbo: replace iridium plugs at 60k (turbo combustion heat accelerates electrode erosion); 2.5L Hybrid: replace iridium plugs at 60k (Atkinson-cycle operation is lighter on plugs but still warrants 60k replacement) Replace Toyota WS automatic transmission fluid — ATF World Standard (Aisin TT-20B transmission; do NOT use Dexron or generic ATF — Toyota WS spec only; red tube Toyota WS fluid); Hybrid models: transaxle uses Toyota WS as well Replace rear differential fluid — AWD models: 75W-90 GL-5 synthetic (conventional V6 AWD); Hybrid AWD uses electric rear motor — inspect rear electric drive unit oil Replace brake fluid — DOT 3 Inspect coolant — Toyota Super Long Life Coolant (pink SLLC); factory first change at 100k/10 years; inspect at 60k Inspect serpentine belt Hybrid only: inspect inverter coolant reservoir level and condition (separate loop from engine coolant; Toyota genuine inverter coolant; first change at 100k)	View →
90k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 0W-16/0W-20 full synthetic Tire rotation Replace spark plugs — 3.5L V6 iridium (second change for those who replaced at 60k; first factory-spec change for owners following 120k interval — consider replacing now at 90k if towing has been frequent); 2.4T iridium second set; 2.5L Hybrid iridium second set Replace Toyota WS transmission fluid (second interval if changed at 60k) Replace rear differential fluid (AWD models) Replace brake fluid — DOT 3 full flush Inspect serpentine belt — replace if worn Inspect all coolant hoses and thermostat Inspect wheel bearings front and rear (sealed hub assemblies) Hybrid only: inspect high-voltage battery for fault codes P3000-P3099 range; inspect 12V auxiliary battery (the 12V battery in hybrids charges differently and often fails earlier than in non-hybrids) Inspect all suspension components: struts, lower control arms, sway bar links	View →
120k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 0W-16/0W-20 full synthetic Tire rotation Replace spark plugs — 3.5L V6 iridium (factory 120k interval; second set if previously replaced at 60k; plugs are partially obstructed by upper intake manifold on rear bank — budget 3-4 hours labor at a shop) Replace coolant — Toyota Super Long Life Coolant flush and refill (pink SLLC; second change for vehicles past 100k first-change milestone) Replace serpentine drive belt Replace Toyota WS automatic transmission fluid Replace rear differential fluid (AWD models) Replace brake fluid — DOT 3 Hybrid only: replace inverter coolant (separate Toyota genuine inverter coolant loop; typically first scheduled change at 100k — perform now if not done) Hybrid only: inspect 12V auxiliary battery condition — replace if over 5 years old or failing load test Full brake system overhaul inspection: pads, rotors (inspect for groove depth from rusting on Hybrid rear rotors — rust grooving is a known issue), calipers, brake lines Inspect fuel injectors — direct injection 2.4T and port injection 3.5L V6 (3.5L is port+direct dual injection — D-4ST — which greatly reduces carbon buildup vs pure direct injection) Inspect timing chain condition via oil consumption and misfires (3.5L V6 2GR-FKS uses timing chain — no scheduled replacement; inspect for stretch-related codes)	View →

Upgrading your Highlander's wheels?

See verified wheel fitments for the 2020 Toyota Highlander — bolt pattern, hub bore, and offset all checked.

Verified Highlander fitments at AlloyHaus →

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Common symptoms for this vehicle

Check engine light on? Get a free code scan

If your check engine light is on, most auto-parts stores (AutoZone, O'Reilly, Advance) will read the code for FREE — no purchase required, just walk in. Bring the code back here and look it up at eli5cars.com/obd2 for the plain-English explanation.

Note: a scan only helps when there's an active fault code. For purely mechanical symptoms (noises, vibrations, leaks), a scan may show nothing — the suspects listed above are your starting point.