Toyota Highlander second-row seat back may not lock high
This recall covers certain Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The second-row seat backs may fail to lock into position when the seat back is being adjusted.
Toyota Highlander recalls
20 recalls covering model years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025. To check whether your vehicle is affected, look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls — a recall may apply only to some vehicles of a given year.
- 20 recalls
- 12 rated high or critical
- 2,055 owner complaints
- Mar 5, 2026 newest recall
Toyota Highlander Third-Row Seat Belt Anchor Defect medium
Some Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles may have the third-row center seat belt's roof anchor installed at an incorrect angle. This can prevent the seat belt from properly restraining the occupant.
Toyota, Lexus and Subaru rearview camera may freeze medium
Toyota is recalling certain 2022 through 2026 Toyota and Lexus vehicles and the Subaru Solterra that have the Panoramic View Monitor camera system. Models include RAV4, Highlander, Prius, Sienna Hybrid, Camry Hybrid, Mirai, bZ4X and the Lexus NX and TX Hybrid. A software error can cause the backup camera picture to freeze or go blank when the car is in reverse, so these vehicles do not meet the federal rear visibility standard.
Toyota Instrument Panel May Fail To Show Warnings high
A software error in the instrument panel can occur when the vehicle starts up. Because of this, the panel may fail to show the vehicle's speed, brake system warning, and tire pressure warning lights. This is happening on a range of Toyota models covered by this recall. The recall is being carried out in phases, with owner notification letters sent out in stages, and additional letters expected in the future.
Toyota And Lexus Steering Defect Disables Airbag high
These Toyota and Lexus vehicles may have been incorrectly repaired under an earlier recall for the same part. Inside the steering column there is an electrical connection that may not be welded well enough, and if it comes apart, the driver's airbag can turn off. Because of this, the vehicles do not meet a federal safety standard for protecting occupants in a crash.
Toyota accessory weight label may show wrong numbers low
Gulf States Toyota is recalling certain Toyota vehicles, mostly from the 2023 through 2025 model years, that were fitted with Gulf States Toyota accessories. Models include 4Runner, Corolla, Highlander, Prius, Tacoma, Tundra, Grand Highlander, Sequoia Hybrid, bZ4X, Venza Hybrid and others. The sticker that lists how much weight the added accessories take up may show wrong numbers, so these vehicles do not meet the federal standard for tire and rim selection.
Toyota Highlander Accessory Tires Rated Too Low high
Southeast Toyota Distributors says some Highlander vehicles came with 20-inch accessory tires that aren't rated to carry as much weight as these vehicles need. Because the tires' weight rating is too low for the vehicle, they could end up carrying more weight than they were built to handle. This means the vehicles don't meet a federal safety standard for tire selection.
Toyota Highlander Blackout Package Tires Underrated high
Certain Highlander L and LE models built with the Blackout Package's 20-inch black alloy wheels were fitted with tires that do not have a high enough load rating for the vehicle. This means those tires are not rated to safely carry the weight they may need to carry on these vehicles.
Toyota, Lexus airbag sensor may block deployment high
On certain Toyota and Lexus models, a short circuit can develop in the sensor that detects who is sitting in the front passenger seat, called the occupant classification sensor. If this happens, it can prevent the front passenger airbag from deploying in a crash.
Toyota Highlander Front Bumper Cover May Detach medium
Toyota is recalling certain Highlander and Highlander Hybrid SUVs. During normal driving, a minor impact to the front lower bumper cover may cause the cover to come loose or fall off the vehicle. This means something as small as a light bump could leave the front bumper cover hanging or detached from the car while it's on the road.
Toyota, Lexus: Steering Cable May Disable Air Bag high
On certain Toyota Corolla, Corolla Cross, Highlander, Tacoma, and related Lexus vehicles, an electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may not be welded well enough. If this connection separates, it can deactivate the driver's air bag. A deactivated air bag will not deploy the way it's supposed to. Dealers will inspect the spiral cable assembly and replace it if necessary, free of charge.
Toyota 4Runner, Tacoma and Highlander weight labels may fade low
Some Toyota 4Runner, Tacoma, Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles have a label showing how much weight the vehicle can carry. On these vehicles the label may not be permanent and can fade until it can no longer be read. Because of that, the vehicles do not meet a federal safety standard covering tire and rim selection. Gulf States Toyota is mailing owners a replacement label along with instructions for putting it on.
Toyota and Lexus fuel pumps may fail, stalling engine high
Toyota is recalling a large number of Toyota and Lexus vehicles from the 2017 through 2020 model years, including Camry, Corolla, RAV4, Highlander, Tacoma, Tundra, Sienna and many Lexus models. The low-pressure fuel pump, which sits inside the fuel tank and sends gasoline to the engine, may fail. If it fails, the engine can stall while you are driving. This recall expands an earlier recall covering the same fuel pump problem.
Highlander seat trim can block side airbag high
Some Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles have incorrect trim covers on one or both front seats. These covers can prevent the seat-mounted side airbag from deploying properly in a crash, which increases the risk of injury to the occupant.
Toyota Highlander Fuel Programming Error May Stall Engine medium
On some 2020 Highlander vehicles with the 3.5L V6 engine, a programming error in the engine control computer can cause fuel to not be correctly supplied to the engine while the stop-and-restart feature is in use.
Toyota, Lexus fuel pump may fail, stall engine high
On many Toyota and Lexus models, the low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. If the pump fails, the engine can stall while the vehicle is being driven, which affects the driver's ability to keep control of the vehicle at that moment.
Toyota load capacity label may become unreadable low
Gulf States Toyota is recalling certain 2019 Toyota vehicles because of a problem with the load capacity label. The printing on the label, which shows how much weight the vehicle can carry, may become impossible to read. Because of this, the vehicles do not meet the federal rule covering tire selection and rims. Dealers will give owners a corrected load carrying capacity label to replace the one that cannot be read.
Aftermarket Highlander Windshields May Cause Engine Stalling high
Certain aftermarket replacement windshields sold for Highlander vehicles have a wire harness built in. Water can leak into this harness and damage the vehicle's engine control computer. If that computer is damaged, the engine may stall while you are driving. An engine that stalls unexpectedly increases the risk of a crash. This applies to aftermarket windshields, not necessarily the windshield your vehicle came with originally.
Toyota Camry, Highlander Brake Assist May Fail high
Toyota is recalling certain Camry and Highlander vehicles because of a manufacturing problem with the brake booster vacuum pump assembly. An oil passage inside the pump's rotor may not have been machined correctly, and this could lead to a sudden loss of brake assist while driving. Losing brake assist suddenly can make it harder to stop the vehicle, which increases the risk of a crash.
Toyota and Lexus vehicles carry incorrect load capacity labels low
Toyota is recalling certain Toyota 4Runner, Tundra, Highlander, RAV4, Sienna and Tacoma vehicles, along with the Lexus GX460. These vehicles may have an incorrect label showing how much weight the vehicle is able to carry. Because of this, they do not meet the federal safety rule covering tire selection and rims. Toyota will contact owners and send them corrected labels at no cost.
Toyota problem guides that cover the Highlander
- Toyota Electrical Recalls Cover Fire Risks, Stalling, and Missing Displays · 18 recalls
- Toyota Equipment Recalls Involving Incorrect or Fading Load Capacity Labels · 16 recalls
- Toyota Gasoline Fuel System Recalls Involve Leaks and Engine Stalling · 11 recalls
- Toyota Air Bag Recalls Involve Passenger Sensors and Deployment Problems · 10 recalls
- Toyota Steering Recalls Cover Assist Loss, Shaft Fractures, and Airbags · 9 recalls
- Toyota Brake Recalls Cover Assist Loss, Leaks, and Parking Brakes · 8 recalls
- Toyota Backup Camera Problems: Blank Screens, Freezing, and Quiet Warnings · 7 recalls
- Toyota Seat Belt Recalls Involving Mounts, Retractors, and Rear Belts · 6 recalls
- Toyota Seat Recalls Involving Loose Bolts, Welds, and Seatback Locks · 6 recalls
- Toyota Tire Recalls Involving Air Loss and Load Ratings · 5 recalls
- Toyota Exterior Covers and Grille Parts That May Detach · 4 recalls
Highlander model years compared
Recalls and NHTSA owner complaints for each model year, side by side. Complaints are unverified owner reports, and better-selling or older years naturally collect more — read this as a record, not a ranking.
| Model year | Recalls | High / critical | Do-not-drive / park-outside | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 265 | 23 | 1 | 25 |
| 2019 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 480 | 22 | 1 | 18 |
| 2020 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 311 | 15 | 0 | 20 |
| 2021 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 511 | 16 | 4 | 18 |
| 2022 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 242 | 16 | 1 | 13 |
| 2023 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 192 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 2024 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 43 | 4 | 0 | 5 |
| 2025 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
Toyota Highlander recall questions
How many recalls does the Toyota Highlander have?
NHTSA lists 20 safety recalls covering the 2018–2025 Toyota Highlander. 12 of them are rated high or critical on this site. The most recent is "Toyota Highlander second-row seat back may not lock" (NHTSA campaign 26V128000), reported Mar 5, 2026.
Which Toyota Highlander model year has the most recalls?
The 2023 Toyota Highlander has the most, with 9 recalls. The 2019 model year has the fewest of the years we cover, with 3. Newer model years have had less time to collect recalls, so a low count on a recent year is not a guarantee.
Is there a do-not-drive or park-outside recall on the Toyota Highlander?
No. None of the 20 Toyota Highlander recalls on file carries a do-not-drive or park-outside advisory from NHTSA.
How do I check whether my Toyota Highlander has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall often applies to only some vehicles of a model year, and the VIN lookup shows the ones still unrepaired on your car. Recall repairs are free at any franchised Toyota dealer, including for second owners.
Buying a used Highlander?
Recalls and complaint record for one model year at a time: