# Toyota Highlander airbag warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 24 - **Most complaints:** 2022 (8) - **Related recalls:** 2 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 24 owner complaints about the airbag warning light on the Toyota Highlander (2015-2026 models), most for the **2022** model year (8). There are **2 recalls** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Drive to a shop this week: The car is mechanically safe to drive, but the airbags may not deploy in a crash, so get it diagnosed soon rather than ignoring it. ## Toyota Highlander airbag warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the airbag light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 2 | 197 | 1% | | 2017 | 3 | 275 | 1% | | 2018 | 2 | 279 | 1% | | 2019 | 3 | 514 | 1% | | 2020 | 4 | 332 | 1% | | 2021 | 2 | 550 | 0% | | 2022 | 8 | 272 | 3% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Toyota Highlander recalls related to the airbag warning light **[23V865000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=23V865000)** (2020-2021 models, reported 2023-12-20): 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. **[20V633000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=20V633000)** (2020 models, reported 2020-10-14): Improper deployment of the seat-mounted side air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash. **Remedy:** Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seats and replace the seat trim covers as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Recall repairs are free at any Toyota dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Toyota Highlander owners report - "Pre-collision system malfunction, headlight system malfunction, LTA malfunction and SRS airbag system malfunction lights came on." -- owner of a 2022 Toyota Highlander, complaint filed 2026 - "The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated while operating the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms..." -- owner of a 2021 Toyota Highlander, complaint filed 2024 - "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 of a 2020 Toyota Highlander, complaint filed 2025 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the airbag warning light means The airbag or SRS light means the airbag computer found a fault and may have turned off some or all airbags. The car drives normally, but you may not have airbag protection in a crash. Common causes include a loose connector under a seat, a worn clock spring in the steering wheel, and a seat belt buckle sensor. Have it diagnosed soon and check for open airbag recalls. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Loose or damaged connector under a seat** (common) 2. **Worn clock spring in the steering wheel** (common) 3. **Passenger occupant sensor fault** (less common) 4. **Seat belt buckle or pretensioner fault** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Airbag (SRS) warning light](/warning-lights/airbag). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Toyota Highlander airbag light? Yes. NHTSA lists 2 related recalls (23V865000, 20V633000) covering 2020-2021 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Toyota Highlander years have the most airbag light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2017, 2020 and 2022 Highlander model years have the most complaints mentioning the airbag warning light, with 8 for 2022. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Toyota Highlander with the airbag light on? Drive to a shop this week. The car is mechanically safe to drive, but the airbags may not deploy in a crash, so get it diagnosed soon rather than ignoring it. Do not try to repair airbag parts yourself, because an accidental deployment can cause serious injury. ### How do I check if my Toyota Highlander has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Toyota dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Toyota Highlander warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/toyota-highlander): 15 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/toyota-highlander): 72 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/toyota-highlander): 150 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/toyota-highlander): 13 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/toyota-highlander): 35 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/toyota-highlander): 32 complaints ## Airbag (SRS) warning light on other models - [Subaru Forester](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/subaru-forester): 280 complaints - [Nissan Altima](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/nissan-altima): 250 complaints - [Ford Explorer](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/ford-explorer): 205 complaints - [Nissan Rogue](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/nissan-rogue): 163 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/honda-accord): 90 complaints - [Jeep Wrangler](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/jeep-wrangler): 88 complaints - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/ram-1500): 77 complaints - [Volkswagen Tiguan](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/volkswagen-tiguan): 75 complaints - [Jeep Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/jeep-cherokee): 71 complaints - [Chevrolet Traverse](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/chevrolet-traverse): 69 complaints ## Toyota Highlander - [Toyota Highlander specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/toyota-highlander) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/toyota-highlander Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.