I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT WITH THIS VEHICLE, HOWEVER I WAS TOLD BY TOYOTA TO CHECK THIS WEBSITE TO SEE IF MY PARTICULAR YEAR AND MODEL IS ONE OF THE ONES AFFECTED BY THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION. IF SO, I WANT TO GET IT IN TO BE REPAIRED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IN CASE THERE IS AN ACCIDENT AND SOMEONE IN MY VEHICLE IS KILLED OR INJURED. I AM A SPORTS MOM SO AT TIMES I HAVE 6 CHILDREN IN MY VEHICLE AND 2 …
2009 Toyota Highlander airbags problems
severe 7 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100
Complaints
7
Recalls
0
Crashes
2
Avg fix
$1,100
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
WITHOUT PREJUDICE MY VEHICLE WAS REAR -ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AT SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 75, AND GOT CRASHED ON TO THE CAR IN FRONT AT SPEED OF 40 TO 50. AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND DASH BOARD INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON AND IT DOES NOT GO OFF. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THIS SUV CONSISTS WITH SIX AIR BAGS. NON OF THEM RESPONDED. I PURCHASE WITH CONFIDENCE THAT AIR BAGS …
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2009 Toyota Highlander?
It's a meaningful issue. 7 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
Some links on this page are affiliate links.