2021 Toyota Highlander · symptom sheet
Airbag warning light or recall
- 42owner reports
- 51,000median miles
- 5involved a crash
Newest report Jun 11, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
42 of the 521 complaints on this car describe airbag.
Narrower sheets: Takata airbag inflator recall (34 reports)
Tick what matches of 42 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 (13 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the airbags covers the 2021 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.
All 4 recalls on the 2021 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 2021 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
“Recall has been active since 2023. Delarship states there is no fix for issue at time time 2 years later”
Filed Nov 7, 2025
“My SUV is having issues with the tires air and also the sensors are not working properly”
Filed Apr 19, 2025
“Vehicle transmission has a whining sound Dealer stated needs new transmission Parts not available continue driving local only Would not state car is safe to drive and told not to take on long trips. No rental provided Also there is a airbag recall for this model and have not been notified”
Filed Mar 19, 2025
“This vehicles airbags have been under recall for over one year!! Toyota shouldâve had a remedy for this issue by now. They also stated that they would have a fix for this by the third quarter of 2024. It is 2025! This issue needs fixed now!! We have young children that ride in this car every single day! This is completely unacceptable and needs reported and fixed now! ð¡ð¡ð¡”
Filed Feb 9, 2025
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 5 of 42 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 103 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 67 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 41 reports