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Toyota Highlander no deployment problems

134 of the 5,816 owner complaints about the Toyota Highlander describe airbags did not deploy in a crash, most of them for the 2013 model year.

owner complaints
134
worst model year
2013
typical repair cost reported
$10,000
typical mileage
41,000
Is there a fix? There are 5 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

Filed Oct 16, 2026 · Airbags · CA · crash · 2 injuries

Accident where Toyota Highlander was struck on the front driver’s side and airbags did not deploy. Driver and passenger were injured. Driver was hospitalized. Need to have car inspected before destruction.

Filed Oct 5, 2026 · Airbags · TX · crash

The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 25-30 MPH with the contact seated in the front passenger's side seat, another vehicle crashed into the passenger's side of the vehicle. The contact stated that the driver's and passenger's side front air bags and curtain air bags failed to deploy as expected. The driver and the passenger sustained injuries and were transported to the hospital by ambulance. The driver's chest struck the steering wheel, causing a mark and swelling. The contact sustained cuts to the right arm, excruciating pain on the left side of the body, bruises, pain between the shoulder blades, a concussion, a hard hit to the left rib cage, and deep tissue trauma to the front of the neck that activated temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. The contact returned to the emergency room due to severe headaches, vision and hearing issues on the left side. The contact underwent X-rays, CT scans, craniosacral therapy, and TMJ treatment. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot and later towed to a collision center to be repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure.

Filed Aug 18, 2026 · Airbags · NJ · crash · 1 injury

My mother was involved in a motor vehicle collision while properly restrained by her seat belt. During the collision, the vehicle sustained a significant impact; however, the airbags did not deploy. Following the accident, my mother went to the ER with significant bruising and injuries consistent with the force of the collision and seat-belt restraint. She has a fractured sternum, cardiac contusion and bad bruising. We are concerned that the airbags did not deploy and would like the airbag/restraint system investigated to determine whether it functioned as designed during the crash. We are reporting this incident to the federal safety agency so that the airbag non-deployment can be documented and reviewed as a potential vehicle safety issue.

Filed Jul 27, 2026 · Airbags · AL · crash · 2 injuries

Was in collision - front impact- vehicle was a total loss, airbags did not deploy for driver or passenger side

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 · 89,083 miles · GA · crash · 1 injury

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.

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 Apr 14, 2026 · Airbags · TX · crash · 2 injuries

On April 5, 2026, my 2017 Toyota Highlander was involved in a side‑impact (T‑bone) collision on the front & rear passenger side. I was seated in the front passenger seat. The impact was hard enough that my insurance company declared the vehicle a total loss. During the crash, I struck my head, but no airbags deployed (front, side, or curtain). The vehicle is being released to Liberty Mutual Insurance. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. I am concerned that the airbag/SRS system may not have functioned properly in a crash severe enough to total the vehicle and cause a head injury to a front passenger. I am requesting that the federal safety agency record this incident and consider whether there may be a safety defect related to side or curtain airbag non‑deployment in this vehicle. Crash date: April 5, 2026 Approximate speed of other vehicle: [unknown] Location of impact: front passenger side (T‑bone) Result: vehicle declared total loss, head injury to front passenger, no airbag deployment.

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 Oct 27, 2025 · Airbags · WA · crash · 1 injury

I was traveling on an interstate going home from work. My speed was approximately 65mph. I noticed traffic slowing up ahead. I began to drop my speed (cost down), as I was approaching the traffic the car in front of me was applying their brakes; I had already began to apply mine. I was applying more pressure to my brakes to slow down more as the person in front of me began to slow more quickly. The person in front of me then had to slam their brakes on and I was not able to stop in time to avoid collision with the car in front of me. That driver did not come in contact with any other vehicle. The impact was at approximately 50mph. I was then very quickly hit from behind by the car behind me. The vehicle behind me hit of center and more on the right back corner of my car. My vehicle sustained significant front-end damage; the hood was folded, the grill was gone, the radiator was pushed back. As I looked up after the impact and saw my hood folded I then noticed that my air bag had not gone off. How could the air bag have not gone off in an impact such as that. My safety was compromised by the possibility of hitting the steering wheel or worse such as impacting the windshield if the crash had been worse. I do not remember if my vehicle had side curtain air bags as well. NO air bags deployed. Law enforcement was called by the driver of the car I rear ended as we agreed that she would. The driver of the vehicle that hit me I believe also called 911. Highway Patrol responded along with state incident response vehicles to protect the scene. I have filed a claim with my insurance, and the vehicle was looked at and deemed a total loss. It is not available for inspection and was taken to a salvage yard per the insurance company. I did not notice any lights on on the dash after. I also did not encounter any issues before this. I had the vehicle just over a year.

Related recalls

Air bags: sensor: occupant classificationReported December 20, 2023 · 999,901 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 number 23V865000 · Recall details

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

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported April 9, 2014 · 1,486,413 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, 2008-2010 Highlander, and 2009-2010 Tacoma, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and General Motors Pontiac Vibe vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the steering column assembly contains electrical connections to the driver's airbag module housed in a spiral cable assembly, which includes a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC). Due to the shape and location of the FFC's retainer, the FFC could become damaged when the steering wheel is turned.
Risk
If the FFC is damaged, connectivity to the driver's air bag module could be lost and the air bag deactivated. The failure of the driver's air bag to deploy in the event of a crash that typically necessitates deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver.
Remedy
Toyota will notify the Toyota vehicle owners, and General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Toyota sent owners an interim notification letter in May 2014 to advise owners of the recall. Toyota will mail owners a second letter when remedy parts are available. General Motors sent Pontiac Vibe owners an Interim letter on June 20, 2014 notifying them that parts are currently unavailable. General Motors sent notices to the Pontiac Vibe owners on September 15, 2014, that a remedy is available. The recall began on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331. Owners may contact General Motors at 1‑800‑762‑2737.

Recall number 14V168000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactiveReported January 16, 2013 · 3,235 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Risk
If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Remedy
Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1‑800‑301‑6859.

Recall number 13V014000 · Recall details

Air bags: side/windowReported April 21, 2011 · 307,848 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 highlander, highlander hybrid, and model year 2007-2008 rav4 vehicles. In the curtain shield airbag (csa) system, there are two sensors in the airbag sensor assembly which are designed to detect vehicle roll angle. If one of these sensors malfunctions, the airbag warning light (malfunction indicator light: mil) will illuminate and the roll detection system will be suspended; however, the airbag csa remains available in the event of a side crash. If both sensors fail nearly simultaneously after initial airbag system check, the csa and the seat belt pretensioner could be inadvertently activated.
Risk
Inadvertent activation of the csa and/or the seat belt pretensioner can cause injury to a vehicle occupant.
Remedy
Toyota will replace the airbag sensor assembly with a new one containing improved roll rate sensors, free of charge. Toyota intends to send an interim owner notification to owners early to mid-may, 2011 when sufficient parts and remedy becomes available. Owners may contact toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331.

Recall number 11V245000 · Recall details

Questions about the Toyota Highlander no deployment

Which Toyota Highlander years have airbags did not deploy in a crash problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2013 (12 complaints), 2008 (11 complaints) and 2018 (11 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix airbags did not deploy in a crash on the Toyota Highlander?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $10,000 (median of 5 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

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