2020 Toyota Highlander · symptom sheet
Airbag warning light or recall
- 32owner reports
- 3involved a crash
Newest report Apr 22, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
32 of the 317 complaints on this car describe airbag.
Narrower sheets: Takata airbag inflator recall (25 reports)
Tick what matches of 32 reports
Airbag on other Highlander years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024.
What this problem usually is
Airbag complaints split into a few kinds. The most common is an airbag warning light that won't go out. Others involve the passenger seat sensor switching the passenger bag off with an adult sitting there, an airbag that didn't deploy in a crash, or one that went off without a crash at all. A large share also come from owners waiting on a recall part.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the occupant sensor (7 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the airbags cover the 2020 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
Incorrect seat trim covers on one or both of the front seats can prevent the seat-mounted side air bag from deploying properly.
All 4 recalls on the 2020 Toyota Highlander, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
When it happens
Too few of these reports state a mileage to give a range.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 1 service bulletin or notice for the 2020 Toyota Highlander that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition.
What owners wrote
“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.”
Filed Feb 1, 2026
“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.”
Filed Mar 1, 2025
“Toyota sent a letter in mid-2024 that there was a safety recall for airbag issue with 2020 Toyota Highlander. The letter stated that a remedy would be available by the third quarter of 2024. As of January 21, 2025, they still have not provided a remedy for the serious safety issue. I would like to file a complaint against Toyota for failing to remedy the defect within a reasonable time.”
Filed Jan 20, 2025
“I am not reporting any specific incident related to this defect. I am simply complaining to NHTSA that Toyota is taking far too long to provide a remedy for the OCS sensor issue, NHTSA recall number 23V865 (Manufacturer recall number 23TB15). This issue has been ongoing since late in 2023 and it seems that Toyota should have provided a remedy by now.”
Filed Jan 5, 2025
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 3 of 32 reports involved a crash and 5 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 57 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 39 reports