Check a VIN

2023 Toyota Highlander: airbags did not deploy in a crash

7 of the 192 complaints about the 2023 Toyota Highlander describe airbags did not deploy in a crash.

owner complaints
7
of this car's complaints
4%
recalls
1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 1 service bulletin for this area of the car. See below

Airbags did not deploy in a crash by model year

What owners say

Filed Jul 22, 2026 · Airbags, Seat belts · AR · crash · 1 injury

I was in a head on collision and seat belt didn't hold me in place and airbag did not deploy. I hit the steering wheel.

Filed Apr 22, 2026 · Airbags · 34,125 miles · VA · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at 60–65 MPH, the contact's vehicle crashed into the passenger's side of an oncoming vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. In addition, the contact stated that it was a very hard impact on an older model vehicle. The contact stated that the older model vehicle was made of steel. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The contact was transported to the local medical center. The contact sustained severe sternum bruising, full spine whiplash, severe pain in the neck, both shoulders, and the upper back area. A Police report was filed. The vehicle was not inspected by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 34,125.

Filed Jan 27, 2026 · Airbags · KY

Air bags did not deploy during accident Black box did not record any incident occurred and vehicle was totaled vehicle black box data was downloaded by manufacturer representative accident report was submitted On October 28 2025 a deer ran in front of us and we hit it at approximately 55mph vehicle was determined to be totaled after insurance adjuster reviewed Sheriff deputy and tow truck driver both said air bags should have deployed. Upon receiving the pdf file of black box raw data, it states that no incident happened. I asked a relative who works for a major airline manufacturer and the opinion of their analyst for data recorders is that the computer seems to have been defective. Toyota however states the accident did not meet the parameters to register an incident. I find this answer highly suspicious at best.

Filed Aug 16, 2025 · Airbags · WA · 1 injury

My wife was hit from the driver side, causing car to deviate and have a head on collision with a fire hydrant. No airbags deployed. Side or front.

Filed Mar 31, 2025 · Airbags · 50,000 miles · IL · crash · 1 injury

The contact owned a 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH on a heavy snow weather condition, the vehicle lost traction, causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle and crash into a tree, where the vehicle came to a stop. No warning lights were illuminated. No air bags deployed. The contact sustained injuries to his neck, chest, and shoulder. The contact sought medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed by the insurance provided for further investigation. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Filed Sep 30, 2024 · Airbags · 26,000 miles · GA · crash · 1 injury

The contact owned a 2023 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while his friend was driving at 45 MPH, he failed to yield when exiting the interstate at an exit ramp. As a result, the driver t-boned the passenger side of another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by the contacts insurance provider. A police report was filed and injuries were reported. The contact transported himself to his physical therapist and was treated for a nondescript injury to his left shoulder. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 26,000.

Filed May 5, 2024 · Airbags, Driver assistance · IN · crash · 1 injury

I was in an accident on [XXX] on [XXX] in Elizabeth, Indiana in front of the casino. They changed a two lane road into a one lane road by using mobile traffic lights. As I tried to brake, the car sped up and the car auto corrected in the lane on the left when I tried to avoid the impact by going right. When I crashed into the other vehicle, my air bags did not deploy. I hurt my back, neck, and chest(from the seatbelt/impact). I had no choice or option to avoid impact. On my left was oncoming traffic. To my right was the River. In the front of me, was the other car. I wore my seatbelt until the 911 operator told me to get out of the car to check on the other driver who said he was fine. The vehicle is a total loss. My Insurance Company, USAA, is in the process of giving me a settlement. I released the car to them. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Air bags: frontal: driver clockspring/spiral cassetteReported July 12, 2023 · 152,927 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, 2023 Lexus RX350, RX350 Hybrid, RX500 Hybrid, 2023-2024 Lexus NX250, NX350, and NX350 Hybrid vehicles. An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk
A deactivated driver's air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2023. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1‑800‑331‑4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TA08. Lexus' number for this recall is 23LA02.

Recall number 23V480000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2023 Toyota Highlander no deployment

Is airbags did not deploy in a crash a common problem on the 2023 Toyota Highlander?

7 of 192 owner complaints about the 2023 Toyota Highlander (4%) mention airbags did not deploy in a crash. The model year with the most reports is 2013.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2023 Toyota Highlander?

There is 1 recall and 1 service bulletin for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2023 Toyota Highlander

Hesitation 21Jerking 10Brake failure 5Check engine light 5

All model years of the Toyota Highlander

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2023 Toyota Highlander?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history