Problems · by component

2020 Toyota Highlander air bags problems

32 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2020 Toyota Highlander cite air bags, 10% of all 323 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 2 recalls on this component.

Complaints
32
10% of all complaints
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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 towed to a local tow lot, where it remained for further investigation. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,083.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 22, 2026Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11733056
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 1, 2026Air bagsODI 11714768
“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 told there’s no fix yet. I would like NHTSA to investigate the delay and require Toyota to provide an immediate remedy or alternate transportation. Symptoms: •Airbag light may remain on or system disabled •Unable to safely seat a passenger in the front seat •No repair currently available despite safety risk Remedy status: •Remedy not available”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 5, 2025Air bagsODI 11697766
“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 malfunctioning. My vehicle was included in Toyota Recall 23TA15 (NHTSA 23V865), and the dealer (Classic Toyota of Hampton) marked the recall as completed on September 9, 2025. However, the current symptoms are identical to those described in the recall, which indicates the recall remedy may not have corrected the defect. Toyota now claims the issue is due to the passenger seat buckle, but a buckle alone would not cause the system to chime when the seat is empty. I believe this is a continued failure of the OCS system, which directly affects the airbag and seatbelt safety system. Safety Concern: The ongoing fault may cause the passenger airbag to deploy incorrectly in a crash. I am concerned…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 18, 2025Air bagsODI 11688071
“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 failure.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 15, 2025Air bagsODI 11680968
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 9, 2025Air bagsODI 11665804

Showing 6 of 32 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

2 recalls on this component

Air bags: occupant classification

Remedy pending

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.

Air bagsReported Dec 20, 2023NHTSA 23V865000

Air bags

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Oct 14, 2020NHTSA 20V633000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Other 2020 Highlander problem areas