2020 Toyota Highlander airbags problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

32 owners have reported airbags problems with the 2020 Toyota Highlander, 10% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 78,082 mi.

Airbags complaints
32
Crashes
3
Fires
0
Injuries
5
Related recalls
2
Median mileage
78,082 mi

Specific components reported

Airbags covers: Frontal, side and curtain airbags, sensors and warning lights.

ComponentComplaints
Air bags32

Airbags complaints across Toyota Highlander years

12006520081200932010320112201242013520153201642017152018112019322020422021302022122023
Airbags complaints by model year. The 2020 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

Under 10k10k–30k30k–60k260k–100k100k–150k150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

  • Recall 23V865000Dec 20, 2023999,901 vehicles
    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.

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

    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.

  • Recall 20V633000Oct 14, 20203,121 vehicles
    AIR BAGS · SEATS

    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.

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

    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.

What owners say

  1. Filed Apr 22, 202689,083 miGACrash1 injuredTowedAirbags
    The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a passing vehicle suddenly attempted to merge lanes and struck the vehicle on the passenger side door at approximately 45 MPH. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that she sustained pain in her right chest, head, and left arm, and medical attention was sought. A police report was filed. The vehicle was…
    NHTSA complaint #11733056 · source
  2. Filed Feb 1, 2026COAirbags
    Taken vehicle at least 6 times to dealer (Corwin Toyota), to enquire about the 23v-865 recall, and each time have been told the repair is not available. Most recently asked December 2025.
    NHTSA complaint #11714768 · source
  3. Filed Nov 5, 2025CAAirbags
    I received a safety recall notice from Toyota (Recall No. 23TA15 / 23TB15) for the front passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensors. The letter states that the airbag system may not deploy correctly and that the remedy is not yet available. I’m concerned for my safety and my passengers since the airbag system could fail in a crash. Toyota has not provided a repair timeline or an alternative vehicle. I’ve contacted my dealer and Toyota customer service but was…
    NHTSA complaint #11697766 · source
  4. Filed Sep 18, 2025VAAirbags
    Vehicle: 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE VIN: [XXX] Mileage (approx): 78,000 Problem Description: My vehicle displays an SRS Airbag System Malfunction warning and a seatbelt chime that activates whether the passenger seat is occupied or not, and whether the buckle is latched or not. The chime stops after about a minute, but the SRS light remains on. This behavior matches a false passenger occupancy detection, which suggests the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor is still…
    NHTSA complaint #11688071 · source
  5. Filed Aug 15, 2025TXAirbags
    The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a…
    NHTSA complaint #11680968 · source
  6. Filed Jun 9, 2025KSAirbags
    The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
    NHTSA complaint #11665804 · source
  7. Filed May 16, 2025COAirbags
    The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available.…
    NHTSA complaint #11661535 · source
  8. Filed May 5, 2025CAAirbags
    The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
    NHTSA complaint #11658954 · source
  9. Filed Apr 10, 2025AZAirbags
    The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
    NHTSA complaint #11653880 · source
  10. Filed Mar 11, 2025GAAirbags
    The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts…
    NHTSA complaint #11647613 · source
  11. Filed Mar 1, 2025TXAirbags
    There was a safety recall for this airbag issue, and Toyota estimated the remedy can be available in Quarter 3, 2024, however, till date nothing was completed. Toyota failed to resolve this matter in a timely manner. Every time I ask the dealer, they say no remedy yet! This is very unacceptable. This is affecting my personal finance. I need this to be resolved ASAP. Thank you.
    NHTSA complaint #11645727 · source
  12. Filed Feb 5, 2025CAAirbags
    The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not available.
    NHTSA complaint #11640931 · source

Other 2020 Toyota Highlander problem areas

Back to all 2020 Toyota Highlander problems →

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology