Toyota Highlander second-row seat backs may fail to lock
Toyota is recalling certain 2021-2024 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles because the second-row seat backs may fail to lock into position during seat back adjustment.
What this means for you
Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).
The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.
Our severity reasoning: Rubric level 4 covers structural vehicle defects: an unlocked seat back is a failure of the structure that holds an occupant in place, and the source states it may not restrain them in a crash.
Plain-English summary
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing is recalling certain 2021-2024 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. About 550,007 units are potentially affected.
The second-row seat backs may fail to lock into position during seat back adjustment.
NHTSA states that a seat back that fails to lock may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Dealers will replace the return springs in the seat back recliner assemblies, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 27, 2026, with additional letters once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
The recalled product
- Product
- TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID, HIGHLANDER
- Brand
- TOYOTA
- Manufacturer
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
- Category
- Vehicle — Seats
- Affected units
- 686,588
Is your product affected?
Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.
Model numbers (2)
- HIGHLANDER HYBRID
- HIGHLANDER
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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