156 of the 2,062 complaints about the Toyota Highlander (7.6%) concern Airbags & seat belts, making it the model's #6 problem area. That share is 2.0× the Airbags & seat belts share across all tracked vehicles.
156Complaints · Airbags & seat belts
7.6%Share of complaints
1.98×vs. all vehicles
31Last 12 months
25.6%Share involving a crash or fire
3Related recalls
Analysis
By model year, Airbags & seat belts complaints peak with the 2021 model (46, 9% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2024 model (1). 31 Airbags & seat belts complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 56 in the 12 months before — the pace is falling.
Owners most often describe: “air bags”, “bags recall”, “notification air”, “confirms available” and “tool confirms”. 40 of these reports (25.6%) describe a crash or fire, with 54 injuries and 0 deaths mentioned.
3 recall campaigns relate to this area, most recently campaign 25V872000 (2025-12-17, model years 2024 and 2025).
My mother was involved in a motor vehicle collision while properly restrained by her seat belt. During the collision, the vehicle sustained a significant impact; however, the airbags did not deploy.
The third row seat belts in the 2024 Highlander are very difficult to latch. I had to bring my Highlander to the dealership twice over the seatbelt buckles in the third row. The buckle part does not lift up high enough to grab the buckle to latch it.
Airbags & seat belts · 2026-06-21 · ODI 11745432
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. the contact stated that while driving, the back driver side , the minor child occupant expressed an issue with the seatbelt which began to tighten, The vehicle was stopped to assist the minor child occupant, the…
Airbags & seat belts · 2026-06-04 · ODI 11742080
PKSB malfunction, LTA system malfunction, SRS system malfunction, Per-Collision system malfunction, Headlight system malfunction and Front camera unavailable.
Airbags & seat belts · 2026-05-01 · ODI 11735084
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The third row center seat belt roof anchor may have been installed at an incorrect angle, preventing the seat belt from properly restraining the occupant.
Remedy: Dealers will reinstall the seat belt anchor with a new bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 27, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 25TA16.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION Campaign 23V865000 · 2023-12-20 · Model years: 2020, 2021
Summary: 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.
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 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
AIR BAGS Campaign 20V633000 · 2020-10-14 · Model years: 2020
Summary: 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.
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.
How common are Airbags & seat belts problems on the Toyota Highlander?
156 of the 2,062 complaints about the Toyota Highlander (7.6%) concern Airbags & seat belts, making it the model's #6 problem area. That share is 2.0× the Airbags & seat belts share across all tracked vehicles.
Which Toyota Highlander model years have the most Airbags & seat belts complaints?
By model year, Airbags & seat belts complaints peak with the 2021 model (46, 9% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2024 model (1).
Is there a recall for Toyota Highlander Airbags & seat belts problems?
3 recall campaigns relate to this area, most recently campaign 25V872000 (2025-12-17, model years 2024 and 2025).